I want to start this discussion to share my experience and also to see if there are people who have faced similar situations.
First - it is said that GMAT very tough geometry comes up only when one is doing well. In my actual test experience the first 10 questions I figured was good. The next 10 questions were extremely tough - statistics, geometry, number properties - definitely 700+ level. I kept thinking I was having a 60-70% hit rate - because the last 10 questions that followed were relatively easy ones - till 650+ level. Eventually when I finished the Quantitative section - I thought I had settled for a Q 45-48 score - did not cross the 50 s. There was another very strange thing - the exact topics I thought I had to revise the night before but did not get time, were the topics which were being tested. serendipity?
Then came Verbal. I had gone in with a stronger prep in Quantitative and given my experience, I had been given the advice that anything above 650+ would be more than sufficient even for the top tier schools. So Verbal strategy was to stay in the V 35+ zone. The verbal RC's that followed were quite tough - which made me feel I was again doing well. SC's in the end came to 2 fully underlined, nested problems - again an indication that I was doing well. The CR I think I somehow cracked under pressure - as the last few once were quite easy. Even then in my test practice I have been advised that this should take me up to a lower 30s score ~ V 32-33, if not the V 35 + zone.
So, in that case I was expecting that my final score would be somewhere around 650, maybe hovering +/- 10 - which would place me in the 2nd tier schools and I would have to make a decision as to if I should accept the score or try for a 700+ to definitely put me through 1st and 2nd tier; basically increase my probability of getting through upwards of 70%
Now comes the surprising part - The score that was flashed was not even in the zone I was expecting. Also, the score that was eventually flashed had scores missing in Essay/IR - either/or - cannot remember exactly. Which struck me strange, but given you have to make choices within a split second and you are not allowed to take pictures or any screenshot - I decided best to cancel the score and retake. I could have complained to the test administrator at site - but as soon as I came out - I found one of the administrators rigorously trying to delete my scratch card in order to not keep proof of anything I had done at the test, as soon as I came out, this despite no test takers being immediately there after me and there being many empty scratch cards lying around to be provided - now that I again found very strange - thus thought keeping mum was my best option. She would anyways have given some random reason.
Many would say, no point complaining - take it as it is. However, posting to see if anyone has experience 1) such huge swings in scores expected vs real 2) Strange test administrators, with extreme enthusiasm to delete scratch paper of test takers, 3) If the ESR is requested any way to get the exact questions and performance result? I have been advised against this, so any pointers would be very helpful.
Now, my previous experience with asking for any clarification from GMAT authorities has proved futile. I am finding this quite unnerving as I plan to give my next test at the same center. If the scores are not flashed properly or recorded properly either due to computer malfunction or otherwise, is there any way to protect oneself. When you have given some tests - generally one has an idea about pace time score etc - and I having been an A student throughout my life (sorry for the boasting), always have and scored nearby the mark I have estimated. This is the first test in my entire life which is proving otherwise. I have a PhD from USA and even then I had gone in with an expectation, which proved similar - I was eyeing for the ivy leagues - did not happen due to my GRE score - so went for the 2nd tier. But again I knew what I was going in for and had backups etc in place. The GMAT experience is completely disproving any strategies for learning I have ever taken in my life.
That is my experience. I am looking to hear back and see if anyone has faced similar experiences. I am eyeing for the 1 year international MBA's.
