Gap in official mock scores and actual GMAT score

Question

Hello experts,

I recently gave an official GMAT attempt. I scored a 570 (Q45 V23) 😔. This score is lower than what I have already score earlier (640).

Before I appeared for the official attempt, I gave 4 official mocks (1,2,5,6).

Official Mock scores:
Practice Exam 1:  730 (Q49, V40) 
Practice Exam 2:  700 (Q49, V36) 
Practice Exam 6:  680 (Q44, V39)   
Practice Exam 5:  700 (Q45, V41)

Yes, you might think that there is a possibility of inflated scores in either of the above mocks. But I had never attempted mocks 5 and 6 before and for mock 1 and 2, I remembered only 2 quant questions in mock 1.

I am very confused as to what is it that brought me to a surprising 570!!!!

I am planning on reattempting in the next 16 days. I will be doing the online mode this time as I feel that it is the change in the testing environment that is affecting me.

The test centre is 150 km away from my house, so I travel the day before, so that I am well rested for the test next day. Yet, i feel that test centre environment is one of the reasons that is affecting my performance. The other reason could just as well be my weak verbal fundamentals (not sure if this is the reason as my mock scores dont reflect the same).

I will also be getting my ESR in a day or two. Will attach that as soon as i have it.

If any experts can drop in and shed some light on this topic, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Vivek.

A lot of what's said about GMAT Verbal, both in GMAT prep resources and informally, is based on what appears on the Verbal sections of the official practice tests. So, what often happens is that GMAT test-takers who don't have strong Verbal skills score relatively high on Verbal on the official practice tests because the test-takers have been prepped specifically for the questions on those tests. Then, these same test-takers score lower in the real GMAT since what they've heard about GMAT Verbal doesn't apply as well to what they saw on the Verbal section of the GMAT on test day.

So, you may have had such an outcome.

For some tips on how to master Verbal so that you achieve your target score next time you take the GMAT, see this post.

How to Score High on GMAT Verbal

avigutman · Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxHEmTCfD1E Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/QuantReasoning? ... irmation=1

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

As you look over the data, replaying what happened during the exam may be helpful. Did you spend a lot more time on the first quarter of questions than you normally do on mocks, for example. If you feel your fundamentals are solid, consider working on your solving approach. May boost your score a bit. Had a 6-hr student who went from a v31 to a v40 in about 30 days. Perhaps work with a study buddy who has strong Verbal skills. There's a study buddy thread on gmatclub you could check out/sign up to.

5 Verbal tips

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Vivek,

I'm sorry to hear that this recent attempt did not turn out better - but this recent attempt is fairly similar to your first two attempts (back in 2021 and early 2022), so there are likely some lagging 'issues' that are still keeping you from scoring higher. Before we discuss any of those potential issues though, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying recently:

1) On what dates did you take the two Official GMATs that you listed (the 640 and this 570)? What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for your 640?
Studies:
2) What study materials have you been using in 2023?
3) Considering how long you have been studying, are you sure that you never saw any of the content from Official CATs/mocks 5 and 6 (either by taking the Exam or working through random practice content in the forums or other 3rd-party materials?)?
4) Is your overall goal score still a 700 or something else?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your Official GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi vivek1810971, In addition to the advice provided by Marty, here is a helpful article you can check out: https://blog.targettestprep.com/gmat-sc ... st-scores/

vivek1810971 · Answer

To update all those who spared time to reply to my queries.

I gave an official GMAT online attempt today. Scored a 680 (Q47, V37).

Regards,
Vivek.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

All the best going forward. If you decide to retake for any reason, consider checking out combos that could potentially hit your target score more easily. Had a retake student for example who went from a 650 to a 750 mainly due to their V37 going to a V48. Fair to say, however, that the scoring gets pretty steep on Verbal at a certain point. Even though they got a 750 that had a Q45, another combo may be far easier to get.

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

Gap in official mock scores and actual GMAT score

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