GMAT Confidence Issue

[Stinam81]

Hi -- I am just wondering why taking a test without the essays leads to an inflated score? Is it due to mathematical scoring or simply because you think a student is more fatigued by the time they reach the multiple point section of the test? I would be more relieved if the situation were the latter option, as this would mean the scores I've been receiving all along (I've yet to take a CAT with the essays) aren't misrepresenting my abilities.

[StaceyKoprince]

It's a fatigue issue - A 2.5h test is a lot easier to take than a 3.5h test, so if you've been skipping essay and/or IR, then you're more alert / aware / awake on the quant and verbal sections (especially verbal). Someone who regularly skips essay + IR will be *starting* the verbal section on the real test at around the time s/he is used to *finishing* the verbal section. Not a good thing.

And while skipping the earlier stuff doesn't lead to a mispresentation of what you're capable of doing in general, no, it CAN lead to a misrepresentation of what you're capable of doing under official test conditions. That's all that matters in the end, because you're always going to have to take the real test under official test conditions.

Moral of the story? Start taking tests under official conditions. You aren't practicing stamina right now, nor are you even aware of how mental fatigue might affect you (it affects different people differently). There are things you can do to improve mental stamina and to minimize mistakes caused by fatigue - but you aren't practicing those things, nor are you even aware what you might need to do.