are mgmat tests reliable/accurate?

Question

i got a 660 on my mgmat(q-45 v35) but up until now i've always gotten 47-49 in quant and 35-38 in verbal.
my last 2 mocks i've scored 690 and 700, but today on manhattan prep, i dipped to 660. Are these scores reliable?

Businessconquerer · Answer

In MGMAT, the Quant score is always on the lower end, I used to score like a Q45 And in fact I usually score a 49.
Also on my main exam I scored closer to 49 only if I had not had that allergy. But overall you'll score closer to the official mocks only

TheUltimateWinner · Answer

You can trust ManhattanPrep mock. If you get 660 in Manhattanprep mock, there is a highly chance to get more than 660 in real gmat!

HoneyLemon · Answer

I believe Q45 in MGMAT is closer to Q49 in actual GMAT . However verbal score may be the true measure of the ability ..

GMATCoachBen · Answer

Businessconquerer  Thanks for posting, I agree. MGMAT tests are a good intense challenge, and I appreciate them for training purposes, but don't let them hurt your confidence,  deejay33 . I've found a consistent pattern of the MGMAT mocks scoring lower, particularly on Quant.

To give a few specific examples, one client averaged 687.5 (Q46) on 4 MGMAT mocks, but 770 (Q50) on 6 official mocks, and 750 on actual GMAT.
Another averaged 660 on these and scored 730 on actual GMAT.
Another scored 660 on MGMAT and 750 on an official mock.
(Note: This is definitely a pattern I've noticed, but the data above are a very small sample size, so I'd be curious to see a larger study of how scores compare. Sample bias is an important assumption type to notice on CR.)

In my experience, the MGMAT scores seem to be closer to the official mocks around the 600 range, rather than 700.

Official mocks tend to accurately predict performance on the actual GMAT, so I highly recommend investing in Exam packs 1 & 2:  https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-practice-exams-3-to-6

The biggest difference in how it feels is that if you're doing well, the MGMAT mocks hammer you with their trickiest 700-800 level problems throughout the entire test (screenshot attached), whereas the difficulty on an actual test fluctuates significantly, so the time pressure is much less. The quant test writers for MGMAT are quite creative, and on average the questions require deeper thinking and more calculation, whereas official questions are more likely to follow common patterns and be solvable with less writing. On verbal, the test writers create some very tempting traps, and the wording feels a bit different from official questions.

deejay33  Good question, I'm glad you posted and got feedback; best wishes on your GMAT training, exam, and beyond!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi deejay33,

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 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 680 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. The MGMAT CATs are generally regarded as being a little tougher than the Official GMAT - but those tests are still 'close enough' to the real thing that they'll provide you with a reasonable accurate score result (assuming that you take those CATs in a realistic fashion). Thus, scoring a 660/Q45 on that CAT is not necessarily a 'bad thing.'

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? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

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

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi deejay33,

When do you plan to take your next official GMAC practice exam?

Gmatsaiyan · Answer

Read the following:- https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-pra ... ml?fl=menu

Abi1995 · Answer

I’m struggling btw whether to get MGMAT test or Veritas test?

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Abi1995,
 
The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, but retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are). Thankfully, the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT and Veritas are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they will provide you with a relatively realistic score assessment (assuming that you correctly take the CAT in a realistic fashion).

1) On what dates did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks so far and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
2) What is your overall goal score?
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

Abi1995 · Answer

Thanks Rich
I took GMAC 1st test in April scored 580, Q44, V25. 
Recently I took Veritas test and scored 620 Q49 V27.

Score goal is 750
Gest is scheduled on 7th September

Posted from my mobile device

unraveled · Answer

In an official test you might get around 15-16 the questions of 700+ level in quant. If you see Ben's post 30 questions are from 700-800 level. So, going by that, you are doing fine and should not not worry. Talking about reliability, these mocks would take you surely to 700 but beyond that its up to you how you tackle the situation in actual exam. Verbal is more or less similar, so, 35 is okay as you can see.

Note: the 700+ level of official quant question is as per Gmatclub and 700-800 level in the screenshot shared by Ben might be different.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Abi1995,

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

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

freedom128 · Answer

Official mock should be closer to your real score than do unofficial mocks. However, I suggest that you purchase and do the remaining Official GMAT Practice Tests 3,4,5,6. From all six official mocks, you will be able to estimate your score range accurately.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

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are mgmat tests reliable/accurate?

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