Score flip flop

Question

Has anyone else had a very surprising Q and V score flop on the actual GMAT. I took about 5 practice tests leading up to the test with scores ranging from 680-720 and always Q48/49 . On the actual GMAT I scored 690, which isn't terrible considering my practice test scores but I got a Q42 which of course means I did awesome on the V. I'm giving myself 1 more test, but I'm so nervous about preparing and taking it because I was so surprised by the last score I'm afraid I could get a worse score since my V was inconsistent on the practice ones.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi meike686,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. While there are likely several factors that influenced your performance on the Official GMAT, if you took less-reliable CATs during your practice (or took reliable CATs in ways that were unrealistic), then the resulting Scaled Scores for the Quant and Verbal sections could vary significantly.

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

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

meike686 · Answer

Thanks for the answer! I decided to take a month break before getting back into studying as we are moving countries and I have 2 young children - time was an issue. My review tests were all the free ones that are offered through places like the official GMAT, Princeton review, Kaplan etc. I do plan to buy a 6 pack or so for the next study round as I need new questions but haven't yet decided which source to buy from. But lets see:

1. My Goal is above a 710 - which based on the 690 result I know is achievable. 
2. I'm aiming for a round 1 application which is due Oct 15. I am only retaking the test 1 time around Oct 1. 
3. Rice University in Houston is the only school I am applying to. Its location driven.

maayo · Answer

i've only ever properly taken it once, so i've never had a real flip. however, i think your experience is quite common for americans. for indian and chinese applications, it's very rare that their Q > V

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi meike686,

Since you're so close to your Score Goal, it might be that you just have to put a bit more 'detail' into how you take your practice CATs (so that each of those CATs is more representative of what you actually face on Test Day). To that end, I have a few questions about how you took your prior practice CATs:

1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you took your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)? 
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (re: on a prior CAT, in an online forum or in a practice set)?

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

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