Next Generation GMAT vs Current Format Weighting

Question

Hi all,

Does anyone have a sense for how schools will view a score achieved under the current format with one achieved under the new format scheduled for June 2012? Will they be given equal weight or will the current one be discounted? I'm probably ~3yrs out from matriculating, if that makes a difference.

I don't want to spend time studying if I'll just have to retake under a different format.

Thanks!

mohater · Answer

Scores are still good for 5 years.

Your crystal ball is as cloudy as ours. We won't know until the test actually rolls out. I know the GMAC has been giving previews and some info on the new test to schools, but on a very limited basis.

I wouldn't worry about it.

ebonn101 · Answer

Take it now and avoid that monstrous new section!

DevilDoggNC · Answer

The new section is *interesting* --- I was a bit exhausted when I took it -- but I gave it my best shot. There are a total of 12 questions and you get 30 minutes. Some of the questions have fancy drop down boxes and others have sorters (like in excel where you can sort by field and value) -- pretty cool if you ask me. I found a couple of the questions *very hard* -- as in I had to manipulate data from multiple sources to come up with a ratio or a percent -- gets a bit tricky. There were a bunch of yes/no questions -- most of them were straightforward though. Integrated reasoning combines quant, CR and RC. I ran out of time before the last question -- guessed and moved on. I wish I could get my score for that section. My guess is that most people will not really like this section -- I don't think its something you can really prepare for either -- its a combination of quant, CR and logic.

ebonn101 · Answer

I also took the integrated reasoning section during my GMAT. I can tell you right now that you want to AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS. I will not be surprised at all when Quant scores take a dive due to test takers having been run through a half hour battery of confusing and mentally taxing Integrated Reasoning before even getting to quant. At least with AWA you can basically zone in and just fill in the requisite phrases to get a good score. There's also no way of knowing at this point how seriously schools will start scoring the integrated reasoning section, but however they do it won't be good. If they give it serious weight like Q/V, then there's another section you have to devote serious time to studying. If they don't, well guess what? You're still going to be mentally smoked when you get to quant, and don't even begin to talk about how you'll feel during verbal. Especially because you know in that case it'll still be one of those AWA type sections, where your score can only hurt you.

Take it now and be glad when next June, July, August you read people on these forums pulling their hair out over their bad scores.

Take it now and be glad when next June, July, August you read people on these forums pulling their hair out over their bad scores.

DevilDoggNC · Answer

You are 100% correct! I thought the same thing as I exited the test center. The integrated section will make the overall exam harder for precisely the reasons your mentioned.

JoelCairo · Answer

I also took the experimental. As I said in some other thread, it seemed to be adding "Excel Literacy" and "PowerPoint Literacy" to the categories being tested, as everything seemed to hinge upon being able to to manipulate spreadsheets and read various graphs and charts and other such data displays.

abhicoolmax · Answer

Too many v51s here :p - it's literature overload here! Need more Quant ppl in this thread :-)

I think, it is very boring to have 2 AWA in the beginning - moreover, seems to be too much verbal focus in GMAT right now. 1 AWA is enough to wake you up and get geared up for the Q and V sections. 2 AWA is extremely over-killed. This new section will add some juice to GMAT and perhaps balance out the Quant and Verbal allocation. Anyways, I think GMAT right figured out it's weakest link and this is THE FIRST place to improvise, if at all - SECOND should be reduce the number of SC questions and increase CR questions :p

DevilDoggNC · Answer

That would make a lot of sense. Right now -- SC is the least useful among all the sections of the GMAT - in my humble opinion. But removing SC means -- a lot of test prep companies are going to be in trouble -- what are they going to teach now??...

ebonn101 · Answer

One thing you're failing to consider is the new section is by no means a purely math exercise. As DevilDog said, it's a hybrid quant/CR/RC section with a little visual analysis thrown in for good measure. So unless you're one of this Q51 V50 types, this section isnt going to be good for ANYBODY.

abhicoolmax · Answer

I never meant this section is going to be a cake walk for Quant ppl. However, there is no doubt that this section will balance out the test "a little bit" - I think. It will spice you up before the real drill. I always feel sleepy in my 2nd AWA and loose all the energy I acquired after the 1st AWA. I always take 3-5 mins to chill in 1st question of the Quant section, and when I wake up I tend to breeze through the section. Regardless, I think it's the SC that kills MOST people who, despite improving at verbal, tend to be bottlenecked by those freaking TOUGH SCs. Since this section would not test any grammar and would be purely based on logic and comprehension, I am hoping it will not require V50 (seriously? - only in my wildest dreams, in-fact in MOST ppl's dreams) to ace

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