Does the GMAT Prep Software changes

[nitin_prakash_khanna]

Hi I have question regarding the GMAT Prep software, i have it installed using the CD provided by Mba.com. And now i downloaded the latest version from the site. Are the two different? CD is around 1 year old and the download file is latest. Any idea whether Mba.com changes the prep question bank, if yes, how frequently? i just want to be sure before installing the same *.exe on this computer. If the content will be same then i dont need to bother.

Also a second question is regarding multiple attempts of GMAT prep Practice test, how many times can it be repeated so that fresh content appears? means if you try it 6 times ( 3 times each for the two practice tests), will the questions change , lets say >80%? assuming your level impraoves by few points every time you give repeat.

[StaceyKoprince]

The content does change somewhat over time, but not substantially - a lot of the questions will be the same.

The databases of questions for the two GMATPrep tests are not that big (though each test does have its own database). So most people do see repeats on the second time taking a GMATPrep test even if their scores have improved somewhat (though you'll likely see even more repeats if your score hasn't really changed).

You can still take both GMATPrep and MGMAT CATs with repeats as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats. First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.

[nitin_prakash_khanna]

Thanks Stacey for your prompt reply.

One more question, In your experiece how close are MGMAT CATs & GMAT prep score to the real score. ? Have you got enough feedback from students that their prep scores and real were within +/- X points.

Thanks again.

[StaceyKoprince]

GMATPrep is based on the same algorithm as the real test and uses retired official questions, so the standard deviation should be pretty close to the standard deviation of the official test, which is about +/- 30 points.

Our test has a standard deviation of +/-50 points (calculated from a student's final prep test to the official test).