Scoring more on Manhattan CATs than on GMAT Prep

Question

It sounds very odd but I have been constantly scoring more on MGMAT CATs than on GMAT Prep. As far as I have understood, MGMAT is supposed to be difficult than the official Prep. I don't know what to make of my scores. Please let me know if anybody can infer anything out this situation. Following are my scores:

MGMAT 1: 570 (Q37, V31) (06/16/2016)
MGMAT 2: 620 (Q37, V37) (07/08/2016)
MGMAT 3: 630 (Q40, V36) (07/21/2016)
MGMAT 4: 650 (Q45, V34) (08/03/2016)

GMAT 1: 560 (Q43, V25) (06/10/2016)
GMAT 2: 550 (Q38, V28) (06/21/2016)
GMAT 3: 600 (Q40, V32) (N/A)
GMAT 4: 640 (Q44, V34)(N/A)
GMAT 5: 580 (Q42, V28) (08/01/2016)

My target is 650+ and I have my exams on 16th of August.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi todi123,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your CAT score results for July and August show that you essentially performed the same way each time (+- a few points; the outlier being the V28 on your most recent GMAC CAT). By extension, this means that 'your way' of approaching the Exam would likely earn you a score in the low-600s on the Official GMAT.

When reviewing each CAT, it's important to try to define WHY you're getting questions wrong. After reviewing this last CAT, how many questions did you get wrong....
1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal rule that you just didn't know?
3) Because the question was too hard?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

When trying to predict how you will score on the real GMAT, it’s best to analyze your scores from official GMAC practice exams as those exams provide the most accurate exam experience and use the most accurate scoring algorithm. More importantly however, since you have not scored a 650+ on any of your official practice exams, you may consider pushing back your test date and adjusting your current study routine.

I would be happy to provide some further advice but have a few questions for you:

1) When you took the official practice practice tests, did you take them under realistic conditions (e.g. in a quiet environment, no extended breaks)? Did you complete the entire CAT, including the IR and Essay sections?

2) Can you describe your study routine? What resources have you been using to study? How many hours a day did you study and for how many total months?

3) What are the MBA programs to which you plan to apply? What deadlines are you targeting?

4) Are you open to applying in the second round?

todi123 · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

Please find the answers to your questions as below:

1) Yes I took the test without extended breaks at a Jamboree test center which is generally quiet. I did not do the IR and AWA during the practice sessions.

2) I took GMAT classes at Jamboree Nepal in Dec 2014, I gave my first exam then. I did not study until now. I started studying around 2 months back. I used the following resources:

- GMAT Question Pack 1
 - GMAT Club Questions.
 - Manhattan SC Guide
 - Official Guide 2015
 
3) I am targeting: 
 
 - University of Wisconsin - Madison
 - University of Iowa
 - Buffalo SUNY
 - Isenberg
 - Fox - Temple

4) Not really. I am not in the position to apply in the second round.

What do you think is the best approach from here?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi todi123,

Test Day is a rather specific 'event' - the details are specific and they matter, so you have to train as best as you can for all of them. The more realistic you can make your CATs, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. The more you deviate, the more "inflated" your scores can become - and that's likely what has happened here. By skipping the Essay and IR sections each time, you took a shorter Exam that required less effort and energy from you - and as such, you weren't properly training for the FULL GMAT 'experience.' By extension, that means that each of these CAT scores is likely 'inflated' and unrealistic. Without a clear sense of your capabilities, and since you're so close to your Official GMAT, you might want to consider pushing back your Test Date. To properly assess your skills, you need to take a FULL CAT (with the Essay and IR sections) under conditions that will match what you'll face on Test Day. Until we have that score result, it will be difficult to define what you actually need to work on.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Todi123,

Thank you for answering my questions. I see that you still have not taken any FULL practice exams (including IR and Essay). Thus, its possible that the scores on your MBA.com exams could be inflated due to skipping those sections.

Can you take take a full, official practice exam ASAP and report back with the score breakdown? If you do not score close to your desired score range of 650+, you may consider pushing out your test date and creating a new study plan.

If you don’t mind my asking, why are you not in a position to apply in the 2nd round? I ask because if you are unable to hit your score goal on August 16th, wouldn’t you like to give yourself more time to prep for the GMAT?

Once you complete the practice exam, report back, and I’d be happy to provide some further advice.

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey todi123,

We can't comment for other tests but do note that no test prep company's algorithm will exactly match the real thing. The best we can do is get close.

You can always take a free GMAT PILL practice test here complete with detailed performance and timing analytics: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... ctice-test

In terms of our scoring, many of our students report scores that are +/- 30 points from their actual GMAT test and so are a relatively good indicator of their performance. That said, no practice test can perfectly replicate the actual score algorithm, but this is quite close.

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Scoring more on Manhattan CATs than on GMAT Prep

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