A flaw in MGMAT CAT algorithm ?

[sachin.w]

Hi Stacey,

I took my MGMAT CAT 2 today. In the verbal section, with 3 secs left to attempt the 41st Question, I just selected an answer choice randomly and did not click on confirm.
Despite doing this, the review shows that question as 'NA' : Not Attempted

In many forums, I have read that the algorithm selects the chosen answer as the confirmed answer in case we run out of time.

It didn't happen here in this CAT I took today.

I got 630 ( Q 44, V32 )

Had the last Question been confirmed by the algorithm, how much my verbal score might have been?

In other words; Now that , it didn't confirm, how much I have been penalized?

Just read your post here: http://www.beatthegmat.com/penalty-for- ... 69996.html

I was on 67th percentile on 40th Qs , 41st question brought it down to 64th percentile .
So, I would have got a 33 in case algorithm had confirmed the last Qs?


Regards,
Sachin

[StaceyKoprince]

The REAL test will accept the answer even if you don't confirm. Our test, unfortunately, does not - so it did work the way it should have, but that's not what will happen on the real test.

Basically, we don't want you to put yourself in that position on the real test, because it means you're not really comfortably finishing the exam. So we're "punishing" you to train you. :)

Re: what your score might have been, if you had answered it correctly (you did choose the correct answer?), then your verbal score might have stayed the same or it might have risen slightly - it just depends what was going on with the section score at that point. So your verbal score probably would have ended up at 33 or *possibly* 34, either of which would have made your overall score 640. :)

[sachin.w]

Thanks Stacey. Well! This punishment for sure will work now for me :) I will be alert while I am nearing the end of the exam..

A 640 means improvement as my previous score was 630 :)

and also many folks say that MGMAT Quant is tougher than GMAT Prep Quant.

Now that I have got a 44, Can I assume that on the real test, I will be at a 46-47?
Regards,
Sachin

[StaceyKoprince]

Can you assume that? No, unfortunately. :) It's true that a lot of people feel our quant is harder than the real quant, but we still normalize our scores so that there isn't a consistent skew higher or lower. Also, not everyone feels the real quant is easier, just FYI.

Keep up the good work!