GMAT Exam report - 18/21 quant correct, still 26th percentile

Question

Hey all, 
I was wondering if there is any way I could appeal the exam results. I had 3 errors in quant and 26th percentile as a results seems ridiculous. It seriously hindered my score and I'm not sure what to do, it genuinly feels quite demoralizing... Im adding screenshots for reference.

kingbucky · Answer

Shocking !!! Unfortunately, GMAT scores are determined by an adaptive algorithm, which means a few errors on easy questions could impact your percentile significantly.

While GMAC does not have a formal appeal process for exam scoring, scores are final. That said, it’s worth analyzing whether the errors occurred on key questions that may have impacted the algorithm’s assessment of your ability.

If you’re confident in your abilities, consider retaking the test after refining your approach. Reviewing detailed ESR (if available) might provide insights into where you can improve. Stay motivated—this is just one step in your journey!

bb · Answer

Oh wow. This is the new lowest. I am sorry.

I will be adding it to the infamous collection here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/horrible-gma ... 34958.html

My feedback is that you should absolutely appeal. This is pretty nutty.

GMATNinja - any thoughts or ideas?

bhargavhhhhhhhh · Answer

Unfortunately, GMAC doesn’t allow score appeals—your results are final. However, it’s helpful to analyze whether those mistakes happened on key questions that influenced your score. If you believe in your abilities, consider retaking the test with a better strategy. Reviewing your ESR (if available) can show areas for improvement. GMAT scores are based on an adaptive algorithm, so a few mistakes on easy questions can greatly affect your percentile.

Jakub5 · Answer

Hey, thanks. 
I did appeal, will keep in touch. 
Jacob

Jakub5 · Answer

Hey, thanks for the encouraging words!
Jacob

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Jakub5,

Your first question took you 7.7 minutes. Was that because you went back during the review phase and edited your answer? I ask because if you (initially) got the first question wrong, that may have reduced the difficulty level of the following questions.

This is not to say that this situation is fine. I fully agree that this is not a good look for the GMAT.

yc168 · Answer

This is pretty shocking!

You mentioned in Reddit that you went back and revised your 1st question. Agreed with the posting above that this initial wrong answer, along with your 6th question potentially, affect the the difficulty level of questions you received afterwards, and thus the scoring weight.

Did you revise other questions, in addition to the 1st one?

SarfrazAP · Answer

Another shocker, in what is now turning into a pretty long list of shockers. Especially in Quant.

Irrespective of whether you changed any responses, 26th %ile with 3 mistakes makes no logical sense whatsoever.

I really feel for you my friend. Keep us posted on how that appeal goes, though I have my serious doubts anything will come from it.

GMATNinja · Answer

Ugh, sorry that you're going through this,  Jakub5 . It's completely maddening to miss just three questions and get a result that low.

I'll echo the question that a few others asked above: did you change any answers from wrong to right at the end of the section? If so, was it just #1, or were there others? Edits alone wouldn't explain the result, but it would help a bit.

Either way, odds are good that your errors came on relatively easy questions -- or maybe on VERY easy questions -- and you basically confused the heck out of the scoring algorithm. I can't imagine that it makes you feel any better to read that, but whenever we see these sorts of results, that's the single biggest cause.

Please keep us posted on everything. I'd bet anything that you'll do MUCH better on a retake, especially if you tighten up any propensity to make careless mistakes -- and I'd love to hear what happens on your next attempt. You're obviously due for some good news, and we're all rooting for you now.

Jakub5 · Answer

Update: 
Hi everyone, thank you for your opinions and messages. I did have the first question wrong and corrected it at the end of the exam and I had additional edits.
I contacted gmac and they dismissed it.
Nothing more to be done here, I am dissapointed, but life goes on. I guess I will have to take another exam and try to re apply the next admission term.

bb · Answer

By the way, a video on this topic went up on GMAT Club Channel today that should share a lot of light on these issues.

Why super-low Scores on the GMAT Focus with just 1-2 wrong answers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lNHUxcWY4A

yc168 · Answer

I would strongly recommend that you take a look at the Youtube video that bb linked. I personally found it very helpful and think that it will likely provide you with some perspectives.

Wishing you the best in your next exam!

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GMAT Exam report - 18/21 quant correct, still 26th percentile

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