GMAT Paper tests

[RD]

Dear MGMAT,

I am practicing GMAT paper tests. I also used the method provided at the end of test to calculate my score.

So far I am hitting 700+ score.

Are these tests of any worth? I found the verbal content good and quant is little simple.

Why should be the takeaway from these tests? I have taken 4 CATs so far

MGMAT-1 - 670
MGMAT-2 - 640
MGMAT-3 - 640
GMATPrep1 - 700

two lows are due to random guess on last 10-11 quant problems.

Please advice.

Thanks,

RD.

[StaceyKoprince]

The questions in the paper tests are good but the optimal way in which to take paper tests is VERY different from the optimal way in which to take CATs. In fact, some of the ways are diametrically opposed - that is, if you try to take the CAT in the same way as the paper test, then it will actually hurt you in some ways, not help you.

From now on, I wouldn't take the paper tests as tests; I would just use them as practice problems. I also wouldn't use the scores as a good predictor of your CAT score. From a technical standpoint, it should predict your CAT score - but that assumes that you adapt and take the CAT in the way that it should be taken. If you take the CAT in the way that the paper test should be taken, your score will suffer as a result.

GMATPrep is the single best indicator of your current performance, so it's great that you got a 700 there. The standard deviation there is about 30 points (compared to about 50 points for our tests).

Do NOT put yourself in a position in which you have to make random guesses at the end on more than 1 or 2 questions. That seriously hurts your score (as you saw!).