Confused with the mock results??

Question

Hello Folks,

Its being more than 45 days I am preparing for the GMAT. I have been studying only Quant most of the time. I have given 3 mock tests (quant only) and below are my scores:

GMAT Prep - Q29
GMAT Club test - Q35
GMAT Club test - Q42

My concern is that in all the three tests, my accuracy is the same in fact in my last test my accuracy was worst compared to other 2 tests but I got maximum number of 700 level questions and still I got Q42! I am totally confused how should I go about my preparation from here on? And how should I analyse and what parameters should I consider to see maximum improvement?

Looking forward for your help

Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Funambulist,

Back in December (which was closer to 75 days ago), you posted a series of messages here:

how-to-prepare-for-gmat-quant-210730.html#p1622347

1) What are your current plans?
2) Is your score goal still 730?
3) When are you planning to take the GMAT now?

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

AjiteshArun · Answer

Not sure what you mean by "quant only". Did you guess your way through (say) verbal? That's probably not the best way to use a GMATPrep. As for the scores, I'd advise you not to overanalyze the process involved. The GMATPrep tests are the only practice tests that come close to working the same way as the GMAT.

I'm not saying you shouldn't use other tests. It's just that looking at the number of "700+" (did you know that the GMAT doesn't even classify questions like that?) questions you got across different tests is not likely to yield any meaningful information.

Funambulist · Answer

Yes I did post this post in December but I couldn't study continuously due to some professional commitments.

Mt target score is still the same and I am planning to give the GMAT in July -2016 (as I know that I am gonna take lot of time to improve my verbal)

After studying quant for about 45 days religiously I am getting such score but my concern is the accuracy? Now I will start preparing for verbal section, please advice like how should I take on verbal now and what should be my overall strategy from here on?

Thank you!

Posted from my mobile device

samusa · Answer

DO NOT evaluate non-official scores as definitive.Treat only GMAT Prep , the official tests, as correct. Do not waste your time scratching your head over scores. 
Define your accuracy. Know the type of mistakes you made. Evaluate the weak areas, silly mistakes and conceptual errors.The scoring of most non-GMAC sources must be taken with a pinch of salt.
If you want to check your accuracy, buy gmat question pack 1 and practice making sets.
GMATClub tests are great for extra practice .

Funambulist · Answer

Hi AjiteshArun I meant to say that I studied only Quant for whatever time I have studies so far. Yes I did attempt verbal too with any preparation but scored extremely low. Now I am done with the concepts of all the topics in Quant and I am facing difficulty to solve 700+ questions. My accuracy is above 85% in 500+, 600+ questions but very low in 700+ questions. Also now I have started preparing for Verbal as well and giving my maximum time to verbal section and studying Quant only once in week for 3 hours. Please let me know if there is anything which I should add in my strategy. Thanks

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Funambulist,

A July Test Date gives you plenty of time to study and improve, which is good. Given the information that you've provided, you'll have to make some BIG improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections to score 730+ though. Since it sounds like it's been awhile since you took a FULL-LENGTH CAT (including the Essay and IR sections), you should plan to take one soon. That score result will provide valuable information about how well you've been studying on your own, as well as what you might specifically need to focus on going forward. Once you have that score result, you should post back here and we can talk through your study plans.

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

KarishmaB · Answer

I understand that you have taken three practice tests - only Quant seriously. This is not a good strategy. You should take a full length practice test after working through the concepts of most topics at least once (Quant as well as Verbal).

To know whether you understand the fundamentals, you just need to work on practice questions. If you want to figure out whether you have any timing issues, practice a bunch of questions in a limited time frame and aim to spend an average of 2 mins per question.

Take a full length practice test as seriously as possible after completing the Verbal basics too. It takes about 4 hrs to complete all sections of a practice test and that gives you a feel of the actual test. Else you will be wasting your time. You won't understand the timing problems, the stamina issues and you will always have an excuse for your low score. The idea of taking a practice test is to find out the areas in which you need more work. A high or a low score doesn't prove anything and makes no difference to your final GMAT score. Take it in the spirit of testing yourself to know your weaknesses only.

Also, ensure that while working on the basics of Verbal, you keep working on Quant too. Else, after a month you will realise that your performance in Quant has dipped again. You must give at least an hour to Quant 5-6 days in a week.

Confused with the mock results??

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