CAT Score Deviation Normal?

[sgyoung12345]

Hi,
I'm scheduled to take the GMAT in about 3 weeks, and am a bit concerned regarding my CAT scores.

MGMAT1: 690 (Q45,V38)
MGMAT 2: 720 (Q44, V43)
MGMAT 3: 670 (Q44, V37)

I'm still having trouble finishing most of the quant sections on time. I realize part of it is just not enough time practicing with the timing constraints, but is it more likely that I'll have less difficult questions on the actual GMAT (from what I've read on forums), correct?

Is this deviation common amongst GMAT students, and given the range is it still possible to score 750+ given the three week frame?

[StaceyKoprince]

+/- 50 points is within one standard deviation, so yes, that's pretty typical.

Two things concern me:
(1) You mention timing problems in quant. If you mess up the timing badly enough, that can KILL your score - and the real test is a lot more nerve-wracking than practice tests (because you know the real thing counts). Don't rely on the idea that the real test is going to be easier. It's true that many people think our quant can be a bit harder / more computation intensive, but you also know that the practice tests don't count. If you're also struggling with timing, you could be setting yourself up to have a timing meltdown on the real thing - we don't want that.

Read these two short articles:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... to-win-it/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... -to-do-it/

Then take a look at this longer time management article. Note that it often takes people a good 4-6 weeks to fix timing problems - so you may need longer than 3 weeks.
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... nt-part-1/

(2) Next, your verbal score is really fluctuating. Why do you think that is? Did you take these tests under 100% official conditions, including essay and IR? Or did you give yourself any kind of advantage during that second test that might have made you less mentally fatigued than normal during the verbal section?

Finally, to your last question - when you start talking about 750+, there's nothing anyone can tell you about how much time that might take. 750+ is a whole new ballgame. Some people might take 3 weeks, some people might take 6 months (and that's assuming, of course, that they actually get there - only 2% of people ever reach that level).

Most people (who are eventually capable of hitting 750+) would need more than 3 weeks to go from where you are now to 750+. Start thinking about this: is the timeframe more important - you have to take it in 3 weeks, and you'll just be happy to push as high as you can in that time? Or is the score more important - you'll take more time, if needed, so that you can have a better shot at hitting that level?

Read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/7 ... erence.cfm

Also, the timing issues you mention on quant just got infinitely more important - it's impossible to hit 750+ if you have any timing issues that are more than very minor. Given that it typically takes a good 4-6 weeks (of daily practice) to fix timing issues, again, we're probably looking at more time if you do want to continue to go for that super-high score. Let me know what you think.

[sgyoung12345]

Hi Stacey,
Thanks for the insights and advice, I definitely appreciate it. Currently my scheduled date is about 2.5 weeks from now, and I guess the answer to your question is I'm trying to see how high I can go within the given time. I'm not working as of now (graduated college early) so if I don't get a high score this time around I plan on studying in April for a May/June re-take.

The time I got V43 was under the same testing conditions as the other times when I got high 30's in verbal. I've been taking these tests in the same circumstances in terms of simulating the real thing, but part of the fluctuation might just be mental fatigue and lack of sleep before some of the tests (and possibly burnout from math for some of these tests). I just took a GMATPrep exam and got a 700 (Q48, V37) so it shows that:

a) my practice in quant for timing might have paid off this time around (or its just an anomaly)
b) my verbal score is stabilizing (unfortunately)

I guess its just hard with all these scoring fluctuations, but for now its just a matter of practicing and working on timing.

And thanks for the suggested articles!

[StaceyKoprince]

Okay, got it - so the timeframe is more important and you'll take what you can get (in terms of pushing the score). It's just important to be clear with yourself about your priorities. :)

The V43 score was one of our tests, right? Use our "how to analyze your tests" article to analyze that one compared to the lower ones and see if you can figure out any additional details about why things happened the way they did. Maybe you have a timing problem that you're not aware of or something like that.

http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Re: quant, think of it this way: you have one good performance under your belt now (and that's great!) but now you want to make sure that you back it up. Keep working on the timing - don't let up - and have a goal to have another strong timing performance on your next practice test or practice section or practice question set, etc.

[sgyoung12345]

Once again thanks for the link Stacey! And also thanks for the words of encouragement, definitely something any GMAT taker could use =)

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck!