GMAT Prep vs real GMAT

Question

Hi all,

I have one week to go before my scheduled GMAT exam and in this final week, I have been scoring 700 + on the Gmat Prep tests. However, The 700 + scores are only after re-taking the tests. Having said that there were only a few repeat questions. But i still would like to learn from you if that is an accurate representation of the score i could get on the real GMAT next week?

I appreciate your help,

Kabir

AjiteshArun · Answer

Even a few repeat questions will reduce the reliability of your GMATPrep scores. You'll probably get those questions right, and you will be able to take the time you save on those questions to other questions.

This is  not  to say that you can't get a 700+ on the GMAT (or that you  need  to get a 700+).

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Kabir.

The accuracy of the scores that you got depends on how many times you have repeated the same tests. A first repeat can generate a fairly accurate score, although seeing even just a few repeated questions can take a lot of pressure off a test taker and can easily inflate a score by 20 - 50 points.

If you repeated the same tests more than once, likely the scores that you got on the repeats are not at all accurate, and don't make the same mistake that I have seen many make, which is to think that GMAT Prep tests repeated more than once are either good practice or accurate indicators of scoring level.

Much of the point of the GMAT is to see how you do via thinking on the fly, and if you have seen questions before, you are more going through motions than thinking on the fly, and you are not under pressure to come up with ways to get to answers.

kabirmandrekar · Answer

Thanks ajitesh.

Thanks Marty. I have a lot of clarity after reading your post. I took the Manhattan GMAT test today and scored a 640 42:36 which probably better reflects my actual score potential.

Posted from my mobile device

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

That is correct. At the same time, people tend to score a little low on Manhattan tests for two reasons. While overall Manhattan practice tests and the questions they contain are pretty well constructed, some of the quant questions are such that answering them requires more work than do most official questions, and some of the verbal questions are slightly flawed. So likely your current expected score is a little higher than 640, maybe 660. So on a good day and with a certain mindset, conceivably you could break 700. I tell you this much, in the space of a week you could go over your practice tests and find four weaker areas to work on and some things that you could do better. Get stronger in those weak areas, possibly by doing some topic by topic quant work, and get better at something, such as calculating accurately, and you could drive that expected score from 660 to 700 by the time you take the test. For categorized quant questions you could set up a practice account in the GMAT area here. https://bellcurves.com.

KarishmaB · Answer

Kabir,

If your test is in a week, I suggest you to not worry about the accuracy of practice test scores anymore. Stay positive, work on your weaknesses, review all concepts and do not take anymore practice tests. As for the score you can get on the actual GMAT, it could be anything. I have seen plenty of actual GMAT scores far better than the practice test scores and of course the other way around too. If you stay focused, you will be able to give it your best shot.

kabirmandrekar · Answer

Thanks so much. You make a lot of sense.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kabir,

While it might be tempting to try to 'cram' in a lot of work in these last few days, you should NOT be doing that. You should stick to light review and general practice - try to get some extra rest and go into Test Day ready to work hard for the full 4 hours. I'd like to know a few more details about your situation:

1) What is your exact Test Date?
2) What is your goal score?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

kabirmandrekar · Answer

Thats good advice. Thank you.

Test date is 5th April. My goal score is 700. Target schools: ISB & SP Jain

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kabir,

Since you now have fewer than 7 days before your Official Exam, it's too late to reschedule it. Thankfully, you can always retest, if necessary - and with these recent scores, you likely already have the necessary skills to hit your goal score, so it's now just about delivering up to your 'potential' on Test Day.

1) When was the last time you took a "new" CAT (one in which you had NOT seen any of the questions before)? 
2) How did you score on THAT CAT (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?

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

kabirmandrekar · Answer

It was a week ago. I got a 650. GMAT prep. 47:33

Posted from my mobile device

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi Kabir,

Since you have just 5 days, the best advice would be to forget about your mock scores. It is not very hard to raise your score from a 650 to a 700. I have seen many students do it and so can you.

In the last few days, make sure you go through your mistakes again. If you have a error log, go through it and try to learn lessons from the incorrect problems.
Also, solve any of the official questions that you have left in the Official Guide and Verbal review. This will give you a hang of the questions that will be tested on the test.

Here are a few things to keep in mind on the test day:

1. Do not think about the final score at any point of time.
2. Once done with a section forget about it and concentrate on the next one.
3. Take both the breaks. It helps you to freshen up.
4. Take a note of the time when you are out for break. Do not exceed the break.
5. Do not rush through the last 5 questions in the verbal sections in a bid to see your final score.
6. Make sure you complete the sections. There is a high penalty for not completing the test.

kabirmandrekar · Answer

Thank you. Will keep the above points in mind.

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kabir,

With a 650, you're closer to a 700+ then you probably realize. However, at these higher scoring levels, the GMAT becomes really 'sensitive' to little mistakes - if you make too many of them, then the 700+ score becomes impossible to achieve. When you reviewed that particular CAT, how many questions did you get wrong...

1) Because of a silly/little mistake?
2) Because there was some math/verbal that you just didn't know how to do?
3) Because the question was too hard?

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

kabirmandrekar · Answer

I would attribute it at 50% - silly mistakes; 10% - didn't know how to do it; and 40% question was too hard for maths. 
70% - 20% - 10% for verbal

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Kabir,

With your last post, you've pin-pointed the exact 'area' that you should work on: eliminating silly/little mistakes. Thankfully, that's a relatively easy thing to 'fix', BUT it will require that you consciously take MORE notes and stay better organized. That type of 'precision' has a lot to do with 'will power' - are you willing to do what it takes to eliminate those mistakes from your work OR are you just going to continue approaching this Test in the same ways as before? When you commit to taking basic notes (and doing work on the pad) you'll be amazed at how much faster and easier everything becomes - and earning another 50+ points will be a fairly straight-forward task.

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

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