GMAT Strategy

Hello all,

I've just took another GMAT simulation (MGMAT #4) and I'm a bit puzzled with the floatation of my scores:

-GMAT prep 1: Q46 V32 ->640
-Mgmat #1: Q40 V31 ->580
-Mgmat #2: Q32 V32 ->530
-Mgmat #3: Q38 V33 ->590
-Kaplan: Q77ile V92ile ->630
-Mgmat #4: Q34 V34 ->570

I'm very disappointed at my Mgmat scores, especially quant... and I can't explain my low performances.
I must admit the only preparation I'm undergoing on Verbal is an extensive reading of standard test material, but for quant I've already gone thru all OG12 questions, scoring almost 75% right...

If Mgmat algorithm is not skewing down scores, then what should I do?
retake OG questions again?

I'm a little frustrated now... I really need to get 670/680 and I was planning to take the test in 3 weeks....

All advices will be warmly welcome.


Thanks a lot

Hey,

I did the first 4 tests for MGMAT as well, and you're right - the quant section is typically tougher than prep tests from other sources. Furthermore, I am also taking my test in about 3 weeks too, so we're in the same boat.

What I noticed though, is your quant score is trending downwards ... how frequently do you take these tests? Did you review what you did wrong after? Most importantly with regards to the Quant score, did you finish it with a lot of time left over?

The % of questions you got right isn't as important as finding out if there's a question type you got right/wrong, and how tough they are considered to be.

Hi pesenka
thanks for your reply..
Actually if you consider the percentile scores of Kaplan, I've reached a Q47: 46->40->32->38->47->34
pretty unstable, considering that the 32 was scored in unfavorable conditions.

kenji wrote:
-GMAT prep 1: Q46 V32 ->640
-Mgmat #1: Q40 V31 ->580
-Mgmat #2: Q32 V32 ->530
-Mgmat #3: Q38 V33 ->590
-Kaplan: Q77ile V92ile ->630
-Mgmat #4: Q34 V34 ->570

I take 2/3 hours practicing every evening after work, reviewing the explanation of each question straightafter checking whether wrong or right. As said my overall (full OG12) Quant %right is 75%, with performance improving over time/difficulty of the questions, with 1m20sec avg time.
I took simulations every Saturday morning, as working full time doesn't allow me to do so during the week. During Mgmat timing has never been an issue ( when scored my 47 in Kaplan I've finished 24 minutes in advance ), althought during Mgmat#4 sim I struggled to end the Verbal on time.


Hope things are a little better for you....

Quick update:

I took Gmat Test Prep #2 this morning...
Scoring Q43 V33 -> 630

I don't know if my performance was skewed by the fact that I took 2 simulations in two days (2 marathons in 2 days)..
But it looks like Mgmat Qscore is deflating by 6/8 points..


Any further explanation anyone?


Thanks in advance

Did you take the AWA with the GMAT Prep tests? IF yes, then your real performance in the 600-660 level.

Regarding MGMAT, you have to take into consideration that only GMAC has the actual algorithm. Other test prep companies merely try their best to mimic the algorithm and come close but are not really there. Also, MGMAT quant is slightly tougher than the actual GMAT. Once you take tests 5 and 6, you will see your scores improve because they have a limited set of tough questions in their database.

My sincere recommendation is that you stop worrying too much about the actual scores you got in those tests. Instead concentrate on your mistakes. Review the tests and study your mistakes. For GMATPrep, come to this forum and find out why you got the answers wrong.

You may want to search for Must_gmat_problems.doc on this forum. It contains GMAT questions.

Also, retake the GMAT Prep tests once more. You will see only a few repeats. And if you get a repeat, don just merely mark the answer cos u already know it. Instead work it out again.

And one last thing, you have said in your previous post that the score could have got skewed cos of 2 marathons in 2 days. If that is what you need to do, then go ahead and do that. Take a few more tests. It will build your stamina and take them with AWA and put normal effort into the AWA.

Thanks a lot for your reply!

I downloaded the set of questions... and indeed they are quite tough!

Thanks for this advice aswell!

vineeshp wrote: Regarding MGMAT, you have to take into consideration that only GMAC has the actual algorithm. Other test prep companies merely try their best to mimic the algorithm and come close but are not really there. Also, MGMAT quant is slightly tougher than the actual GMAT. Once you take tests 5 and 6, you will see your scores improve because they have a limited set of tough questions in their database.

You were right!

Did an Mgmat today and scored 620 Q43 V32


I found verbal much tougher this time!