Completed my first MGMAT CAT Test.

[commit.gmat]

All,

I have started my preparation 3-4 weeks ago and so far finished studying the OG Math review (didn't do all the problems - saving them for later) and MGMAT math guide 1 of 8 (number properties) and first fifty pages of MGMAT verbal guide 8 (Sentence Correction).

I took my first MGMAT CAT test today and tried to simulate real testing conditions. I started the test at 8 AM (My real GMAT is scheduled at 8 AM), completed the AWA essays (30 minutes each) and allocated 75 minutes each to Math and Verbal sections.

This is how I scored.
04/18/2009: MGMAT1 620 (Q42/V33)

When working on the math problems, I was surprised to see so many "very lengthy" questions. The problmes from OG were not this lengthy. Also, some problems were way too complicated to solve under 2 minutes.

Is it that OG problems are much easier than the real test? or is it the other way round? MGMAT problems are much more complex than the real test?

Verbal section was OK. It was very much inline with what I have seen so far in OG.

Thanks

[StaceyKoprince]

It is the case that we have some problems that are too computational / lengthy compared to the OG. It's also the case that the official test has gotten a bit harder at the higher levels in the quant, where the official "pure math" solution would take longer than 2 min, but there are shortcuts (if you can find them!) that allow the problems to be done in 2 min (sometimes creeping up to maybe 2:15 or 2:30).

Finally, it's also the case that the test will give you thinks that *you* cannot solve in 2 minutes, but someone else might be able to... that just means this particular question was too hard for you. :)

If you read an explanation for one of our questions and it only shows some ridiculously complex math that could never be done in 2 min, then ignore it. This does happen occasionally, but it's not that common. Or if you can imagine that someone scoring a 50 on quant could do this in 2 min but you can't, then ignore it for now (but maybe mark it to come back to it if you eventually work your way up into that range). But if you read the explanation and it includes a shortcut that makes it possible for you to do it in 2 min... then learn how to recognize and use that shortcut.

Also, the official test includes experimental questions, while practice tests don't. Because experimental questions do not have assigned difficulty levels, the higher you score in a section, the more likely you are to get experimentals that are "below" the level you're scoring. So, those questions will be easier for you, giving you little "mental breaks" during the test. This is usually more noticeable on the quant section than the verbal section.

You're still pretty early in the process, so I wouldn't do this now, but you may want to remember GMAT Focus for later. It's an online, quant-only diagnostic test made by the same people who make OG (and using real, retired test questions). If you get to the point where you feel you need more higher-level quant questions, you can try that out. (But note: GMAT Focus is adaptive, so you'll only see harder questions there if you are getting medium and medium-hard questions right in the first place! That's why I say to save it for later.)

Good work so far - let us know how it goes!