V39 - V35 with fewer wrong answers gmat OG practice CAT 2

Question

I am a little confused about the scoring algorithms on gmat official practice cats. I took CAT 1 a few weeks back and got a 39 with 10 wrong answers and 3 wrong out of the first 10 questions, today I took the 2nd CAT and got 9 questions wrong with 2 wrong out of the first 10. I am only bringing up the first 10 questions because I keep reading posts here that say the first 10 are kind of more important, i should also mention I got 11 questions correct at a stretch in the 2nd CAT. If someone could explain to me how this works it would be great, thanks

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

AkshdeepS · Answer

Hi,

The best way to deal with such scenarios is not to think too much about such patterns. Best way is to do your best on every question and not to think too much about scoring patterns. There are various parameters that govern the GMAT score and it is not possible to find out exactly how the scoring algorithms work. No test prep company can provide you the exact algorithm. Even in two tests, if you cut paste the patterns exactly, there is a chance that you get two different scores. It is possible that in one test you got two experimental questions in the first 10 and in the other test you did not get any experimental question . It is also important to note which question no. you got incorrect. As you mentioned 11 questions correct in a row, there is always a chance that some of them may not be high value questions. May be more experimental question you got. Perhaps you got first two low value experimental questions and only 9 scoring questions. There are quite a number of ways to govern your score.
BEST WAY is not to delve too much into this.

DeepanjanaM · Answer

Hi,

The best way to deal with such scenarios is not to think too much about such patterns. Best way is to do your best on every question and to think too much about scoring patterns. There are various parameters thay govern the GMAT score and it is not possible to find out exactly how the scoring algorithms work. No test prep company can provide you the exact algorith. Even in two tests if you cut paste the patterns exactly, there is a chance you get two different scores. It is possible that in one test you got two experimental questions in the first 10 and in the other test you did not get any experimental question. It is also important to note which question no. you got incorrect. As you mentioned 11 correct in a row, but there is always a chance some of them may not be high value question. May be more experimental question you got. Perharps you got first two low value experimental questions and only 9 scoring questions. There are quite a number of ways to govern your score.
BEST WAY is to not delve too much into this.

Thanks, I understand what you are saying. I guess there is always an element of luck involved! I just hope on the actual test I am closer to 39 than to 35 !

Princ · Answer

DeepanjanaM please check below link, it might help to clear your doubt. https://gmatclub.com/forum/new-format-g ... ml?fl=menu

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi DeepanjanaM,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. It takes into account more than just the number of correct/incorrect answers, but you shouldn't be focused on the Algorithm at this point - your focus should be on what really matters: defining WHY they're getting questions wrong and becoming more efficient at approaching the overall Exam.

Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) How have you scored on EACH of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

AjiteshArun · Answer

1. The algorithm takes into account things like the "difficulty" of a question and how good that question is at differentiating between test takers in the range that the question is targeting.
2. The algorithm does  not  take into account the position of a question in the test.

I know that a lot of posts say that the first 10 are more important, but you should not make that advice the cornerstone of your strategy. There is a very big difference between saying that people with high scores tend to get the first 10 questions correct and saying that getting the first 10 questions correct leads to a high score.

sahilbhatia21 · Answer

DeepanjanaM Its not about the number of corrects and incorrect which determine your score, The quality of questions and the level of those questions determine your overall score . Difficult questions attempted incorrectly won't hamper your score enough, rather attempting easy questions incorrectly would. Its a Computer Adaptive Exam which adjusts and determines your level, so be careful

All the best with preparation

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi DeepanjanaM,

AkshdeepS  provided some excellent advice. Rather than spending time worrying about the GMAC algorithm, you really should focus on the things you CAN control, and the number one thing you can control is getting better at the GMAT. If you get to a point at which you can dominate the GMAT, the specifics of the scoring algorithm won't matter because you will to have the skills that you need to get an amazing score, right?

With that said, when is your GMAT and what is your GMAT score goal?

You may find it helpful to read this article about
 how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

If you have any further questions, please reach out.

Good luck!

DeepanjanaM · Answer

Hi  EMPOWERgmatRichC ,
Completely missed out on responding back to you.
I took my GMAT yesterday and it was a disaster to say the least. I made a post about it as a new topic.

2 months of studying, materials include MPrep Guides and live online course, and OG 2019 (practiced using the Wiley portal)

In Nov I had taken GMAT practice test 1 for diagnostic purposes, my score was 450 (Q22, V30). 
I started preparing in Jan earnestly and retook Practice Test 1 on Feb 4th, this time I got a 640 (Q39, V39), 
I knew this was slightly inflated as some of the questions may have been repeated
Practice test 2: 600 (Q38, V35)
Practice test 3: 610 (Q37, V36)
Practice test 4: 3 days before real test 600 (Q37, V35)
Took all the practice test around the same time as my real scheduled exam time, did all sections except essay, most of tests were in order Q,V, IR, AWA
All this while I have been very aware of my score being at a standstill despite hours of practice.

I went into the test thinking I would get between 580 and 620, but I wasn't expecting a 530 (Q34, V28) the verbal score really stumped me, it was my lowest score, lower even than the diagnostic where I had run out of time and had no clue about the questions I would be faced with.

Goal score is 650
Retaking the GMAT in 41 days
Will apply to 2 business schools in Germany, Frankfurt School and WHU for the Fall, Deadline for WHU is end of May and for FS it is end of July.

I was looking into the EmpowerGMAT Score booster plan and I was wondering if I have enough time (40 days approx) to use that and benefit from it.

Thanks a lot

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi DeepanjanaM,

I've sent you a PM with some additional questions.

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

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

V39 - V35 with fewer wrong answers gmat OG practice CAT 2

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards