Really confusing - GMAT Verbal Scoring Algorithm

Question

Hi Guys-

I have just done a GMATPrep Exam (I purchased the extra exam pack). For the purpose of this post, I am going to focus only on my performance in Verbal.

While I was doing the Verbal section, I was thinking I am doing relatively well (probably somewhere between V36 - V37). However, I finished the section to see an ugly 29! I have reviewed my responses, and become really confused. Here are some facts:

- I answered a total of 27 questions correctly out of 41
- I only made 3 mistakes in the first 23 questions (Questions #2, 14, and 19).
- I made the remaining 11 mistakes in rest of the questions, particularly in questions #24, 26-28, 31-33, 35, 37-38.

The strings of wrong mistakes 31-33, and 37-38 happen to be on RC questions by the way.

V29 is 54 percentile. For someone who gets most of the first 23 questions right, and does relatively well in the remainder of the section (presumably the harder questions), isn't it very weird to be in the 54 percentile???

What could explain this paradox? I had 2 strings of wrong mistakes in a row (each consisting of 3 wrong answers). I know this would hurt my score, BUT THAT MUCH???

Please provide your insights. I really appreciate your help.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jshunnar,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. It takes into account a number of different factors - far more than just the number of correct and incorrect answers (and there's also the issue of the 'experimental' questions - the ones that don't count; getting all of those questions correct would have NO impact on your score). As such, you shouldn't be spending time trying to figure it all out.

A far more useful gauge would be to review each CAT and determine how many questions you SHOULD have gotten correct, but didn't (due to a silly/little mistake). Those mistakes are the things that you have to fix to score at a higher level.

1) How long have you been studying?
2) How have you scored on your other CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Score)?

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

jshunnar · Answer

Thanks for your reply, EMPOWERgmatRichC. I have been studying for 3 months. Here is why I am asking this: I know for sure that by question #30 in Verbal, I will be 6-7 minutes behind, which means that I need to guess 3-4 questions. If the GMAT harms you for making mistakes in the last 10 questions, I will distribute these guesses throughout the exam instead of making them in the last 10 questions.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Please let me know your thoughts.

AjiteshArun · Answer

It's always a good idea to spread those guesses out instead of letting them "bunch up" at the end.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jshunnar,

From what you've described, there are actually 2 ways to deal with the issue at hand:

1) Accept your pacing problem as is, and be more selective about the questions that you choose to guess on.
2) Change your Tactics so that you DO NOT end up having a pacing problem at all.

Since you've been studying for 3 months, you've likely developed some 'bad habits' that are causing this pacing problem and limiting your score.

1) What materials have you been practicing with?
2) What 'steps' do you go through when dealing with a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey jshunnar,

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.

jshunnar · Answer

Thank you all guys for your reply. I just did the exam on Saturday and got a 680. Not that good but I am somewhat happy with it. I drew a time pacing table which I checked every 5 questions to ensure I am still on time. When I check the table and find myself more than 2 minutes behind, I looked for an opportunity to guess.

I do appreciate your help and replies. Thank you!

I do appreciate your help and replies. Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jshunnar,

Was that 680 from another practice CAT or the Official GMAT? Either way, what were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores?

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

jshunnar · Answer

It was the official GMAT exam. I got Q45, V38. Quant score was the lowest score I ever had even in my first mock exam! Not sure what happened.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jshunnar,

A 680/Q45 is a great overall performance (it's right around the 85th percentile overall), so you should apply to any Business Schools that interest you. While the Q45 is at the lower end of your 'range', it would only be a potential 'issue' if you were planning to apply to a highly-ranked Finance Program.

1) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
2) When are you planning to apply?

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

jshunnar · Answer

Hi Rich-

I am applying for the top 10 MBA programs (HBS, MIT, Wharton, etc..).

farrous13 · Answer

Rich, I believe the puzzling part is that OP did mention that there were  only  3 mistakes in the first 23 questions. Regardless on how the mistakes were distributed (only 3 mind you) between the 23 questions, don't you believe that by the 15th or 18th question, the level of questions would have been quite difficult?

I reviewed my past GMAT prep exam and I did far more mistakes in the first 20 questions and yet I ended up with a V36.

I understand that the number of questions wrong is not that relevant to the score but I don't think OP's score makes that much sense. I also believe that practice tests do not include questions that don't count.

I am not looking for a response explaining how the algorithm works as we all know that its complicated for anyone from the outside to comprehend. However, I am more concerned about the test takers that take the real GMAT and face the same situation as OP's.

Really confusing - GMAT Verbal Scoring Algorithm

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