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jayeshgajre
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Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Schools: Rotman '18 (A)
GMAT 1: 660 Q47 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
GPA: 3.1
WE:Consulting (Computer Software)
Schools: Rotman '18 (A)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
Posts: 4
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Similarity between GMATprep scores and actual GMAT scores 02 May 2014, 04:03
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Hi there!
I have been preparing for the GMAT for a few months. I recently appeared for a mock GMATprep test and got the following scores:

Quants: Scaled score: 47/60
Verbal: Scaled score: 37/60
Total score: 690/800

How accurate are these scores indicative of the performance on the actual GMAT?
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mikemcgarry
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Similarity between GMATprep scores and actual GMAT scores 02 May 2014, 10:46
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jayeshgajre
Hi there!
I have been preparing for the GMAT for a few months. I recently appeared for a mock GMATprep test and got the following scores:

Quants: Scaled score: 47/60
Verbal: Scaled score: 37/60
Total score: 690/800

How accurate are these scores indicative of the performance on the actual GMAT?
Show more
Dear jayeshgajre,
I'm happy to respond. :-)

This is not a simple question, for a few reasons.

First of all, how the GMAT Prep software works and how the real GMAT is graded --- those are the proprietary knowledge of GMAC itself. I would not have the first idea how I would directly get that knowledge, other than doing something highly illegal, such as hacking into their computers, and even if I somehow knew, GMAT could sue me for making it public. They keep a very tight lid on that information.

Having said that, I believe the best guess is that, since GMAC is ultimate the creator of both the GMAT Prep software and the GMAT itself, it would be reasonable to assume that the grading system, if not identical, is remarkably similar, and therefore, similar performance will produce similar grades. That's generally what folks assume, and there seems a certainly amount of anecdotal evidence for this assumption.

BUT, and this is a huge BUT --- students often focus only on the cognitive aspects of test preparation (knowledge of content, study strategies) and often undervalue the emotional aspects of test preparation. For example, when you take a GMATprep test, in the comfort and familiarity of your own home, no matter how much you try to simulate real test conditions, deep down you know that this really doesn't count, that even if you bomb it, yes, that will require more practice, but it would be a private failure, something about which no one else would have to know. By contrast, when you walk into the real GMAT, no matter how much you try to maintain your composure, deep down you know: this is real. If you bomb this, it will be a public failure of which adcom will be informed, and it could significant impact your prospects for b-school. The emotional stakes are stark. It's like the difference betwen making a romantic proposal to pretend partner while alone looking in the mirror, and making that same proposal to the real person. There is absolutely no way in private to experience all the emotions that come with the real encounter.

It takes extraordinary self-knowledge and self-mastery to step into a pressure situation, a real-life situation, and perform essentially as well as you do when you are safe and in private. I think many GMAT student naively assume that taking the real GMAT will be not much different from taking GMAT Prep at home, and they are surprised by how overwhelming their emotions can be in the real test.

GMAT Prep is, objectively, an excellent predictor of GMAT score, but so often students have the experience: I got this good score on GMAT Prep, but when I sat for the real test, I was nervous, and I did much worse.

Just as students must practice a number of cognitive skills (learning content, studying strategies, etc. etc.), so students must work at and really practice a number of emotional skills --- reducing anxiety, remaining centered, etc. etc. Just as it would be entirely irresponsible to say "I haven't done any work with GMAT CR: I'll just figure that out when I'm in the test", so it is similarly irresponsible to say, "I haven't done any work with managing anxiety: I'll just figure that out when I'm in the test." Yet, this latter statement is, implicitly, exactly what so many GMAT students have done, and they don't understand why it didn't work for them!

Here's a series of four blogs that explore the emotional skills you need for success on the test:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/overcome-g ... y-breathe/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/beating-gmat-stress/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/the-gmat-b ... g-picture/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/zen-boot-c ... -the-gmat/

My friend, you definitely have the cognitive skills necessary to produce a masterful performance on the GMAT. I hope what I have shared is helpful. I wish you the absolute best of luck. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Mike :-)
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jayeshgajre
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Joined: 12 Feb 2014
Last visit: 06 Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Own Kudos:
7
Given Kudos: 14
Location: India
Concentration: Strategy, Technology
Schools: Rotman '18 (A)
GMAT 1: 660 Q47 V35
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
GPA: 3.1
WE:Consulting (Computer Software)
Schools: Rotman '18 (A)
GMAT 2: 730 Q49 V40
Posts: 4
Kudos: 7
Similarity between GMATprep scores and actual GMAT scores 03 May 2014, 06:29
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Dear Mike,

I cannot express in words how much you have been of help. My exam is just a couple of days away and I am relieved to hear your reply.
Also, I thank you for sharing the the links which will definitely help me during the exam.
Thanks once again, Mike!

Jayesh
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Wonder1
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Joined: 27 Apr 2015
Last visit: 14 Dec 2019
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Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Marketing
Schools: ISB '18 (A)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V39
GPA: 3.2
Schools: ISB '18 (A)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V39
Posts: 13
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Similarity between GMATprep scores and actual GMAT scores 27 Aug 2015, 03:22
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mikemcgarry
jayeshgajre
Hi there!
I have been preparing for the GMAT for a few months. I recently appeared for a mock GMATprep test and got the following scores:

Quants: Scaled score: 47/60
Verbal: Scaled score: 37/60
Total score: 690/800

How accurate are these scores indicative of the performance on the actual GMAT?
Dear jayeshgajre,
I'm happy to respond. :-)

This is not a simple question, for a few reasons.

First of all, how the GMAT Prep software works and how the real GMAT is graded --- those are the proprietary knowledge of GMAC itself. I would not have the first idea how I would directly get that knowledge, other than doing something highly illegal, such as hacking into their computers, and even if I somehow knew, GMAT could sue me for making it public. They keep a very tight lid on that information.

Having said that, I believe the best guess is that, since GMAC is ultimate the creator of both the GMAT Prep software and the GMAT itself, it would be reasonable to assume that the grading system, if not identical, is remarkably similar, and therefore, similar performance will produce similar grades. That's generally what folks assume, and there seems a certainly amount of anecdotal evidence for this assumption.

BUT, and this is a huge BUT --- students often focus only on the cognitive aspects of test preparation (knowledge of content, study strategies) and often undervalue the emotional aspects of test preparation. For example, when you take a GMATprep test, in the comfort and familiarity of your own home, no matter how much you try to simulate real test conditions, deep down you know that this really doesn't count, that even if you bomb it, yes, that will require more practice, but it would be a private failure, something about which no one else would have to know. By contrast, when you walk into the real GMAT, no matter how much you try to maintain your composure, deep down you know: this is real. If you bomb this, it will be a public failure of which adcom will be informed, and it could significant impact your prospects for b-school. The emotional stakes are stark. It's like the difference betwen making a romantic proposal to pretend partner while alone looking in the mirror, and making that same proposal to the real person. There is absolutely no way in private to experience all the emotions that come with the real encounter.

It takes extraordinary self-knowledge and self-mastery to step into a pressure situation, a real-life situation, and perform essentially as well as you do when you are safe and in private. I think many GMAT student naively assume that taking the real GMAT will be not much different from taking GMAT Prep at home, and they are surprised by how overwhelming their emotions can be in the real test.

GMAT Prep is, objectively, an excellent predictor of GMAT score, but so often students have the experience: I got this good score on GMAT Prep, but when I sat for the real test, I was nervous, and I did much worse.

Just as students must practice a number of cognitive skills (learning content, studying strategies, etc. etc.), so students must work at and really practice a number of emotional skills --- reducing anxiety, remaining centered, etc. etc. Just as it would be entirely irresponsible to say "I haven't done any work with GMAT CR: I'll just figure that out when I'm in the test", so it is similarly irresponsible to say, "I haven't done any work with managing anxiety: I'll just figure that out when I'm in the test." Yet, this latter statement is, implicitly, exactly what so many GMAT students have done, and they don't understand why it didn't work for them!

Here's a series of four blogs that explore the emotional skills you need for success on the test:
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/overcome-g ... y-breathe/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/beating-gmat-stress/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/the-gmat-b ... g-picture/
https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/zen-boot-c ... -the-gmat/

My friend, you definitely have the cognitive skills necessary to produce a masterful performance on the GMAT. I hope what I have shared is helpful. I wish you the absolute best of luck. Let me know if you have any further questions.

Mike :-)
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This is one of the best piece of information i have come across !!!

Thanks a ton Mike. :thumbup:
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GMATPILLBILL
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Similarity between GMATprep scores and actual GMAT scores 04 Sep 2015, 13:06
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jayeshgajre
Hi there!
I have been preparing for the GMAT for a few months. I recently appeared for a mock GMATprep test and got the following scores:

Quants: Scaled score: 47/60
Verbal: Scaled score: 37/60
Total score: 690/800

How accurate are these scores indicative of the performance on the actual GMAT?
Show more

Hey jayeshgajre

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.