GMAT Prep Verbal vs Manhattan Prep Verbal

[utsab.das]

Hello,

I have my GMAT within the next 2 weeks and have been working extremely hard to get a great Verbal score to propel my overall score on the test. On one of my CAT exams from the MGMAT, I received a 37 with 15 errors in Verbal and since then have been aiming for at least a 40+ in it. As of yesterday, I did the GMATPrep test and got a 31 in Verbal with 11 errors??

I am not sure what has created the discrepancy as my assumption should be with 30 correct answers my verbal score would be near a 40 if not a 40! Can you please explain the reasoning behind this as I would like to know what I am correctly getting on my practice tests before the real one?

Thanks,
Utsab

[StaceyKoprince]

The test is not scored based upon percentage correct - roughly the same # of questions wrong can result in almost any score.

Most likely, on the test on which you scored a 31, you were answering somewhat easier* questions incorrectly - easier compared to some of the questions that you were answering on the 37 test. This would have resulted in you getting an easier mix of questions overall, so you still answer about the same number of questions incorrectly but your score is lower.

Alternatively, you might have had a scoring drop towards the end of the section. The test uses a "where you end is what you get" principle, so if you were running out of time, or mentally fatigued, or for whatever reason had a string of wrong answers bring your score down at the end, then... where you end is what you get.

So go take a look at those results. Did you have a drop in performance towards the end? Did you have any instances of a long string of wrong answers (4+) or a longer sequence in which most of the questions were wrong (eg, 6 wrong out of 8)? That can cause pretty significant score drops.

Did you feel more mentally fatigued on that second test? Mental fatigue often feels like this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... you-crazy/

Let's try to figure out what happened so we can tell what you need to do to make sure that you can get a better score on the real test.

I recommend reading this:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... lly-tests/

And you might want to look through the Scoring section of our free e-book The GMAT Uncovered, just so that you understand better how the scoring works.

[utsab.das]

Hello Stacey,

Thanks for the words of advice and the reading material. Those were increasingly helpful and will keep in mind for the real test day (which is nearing as we speak!!)

Based on what you said about the scoring system, I did not have a string of mistakes as you pointed out. Here is my split:

1 to 3 - wrong
13 to 14 - wrong
17,23 - wrong
31 to 32 - wrong
39 & 41 - wrong

Are you indicating that since between 31 to 41 - I had 4 mistakes, that could have accounted for the dip?
As always, any advise would be helpful since this the real software and it has gotten me a tad worried.

Thanks,
Utsab

[StaceyKoprince]

Hmm. That would be 4 wrong in the last 11 - minor dip, but not terrible. It's also possible that you were just missing some lower-level (compared to your previous performance) questions as you went, and that will keep your score lower overall.

Did you feel any of the mental fatigue symptoms mentioned in the article I linked last time? Was there any objective reason you know you would have been more mentally fatigued than usual? When you reviewed the incorrect answers, how many were careless mistakes or things you felt that you should have known (vs. things that you just didn't know or missed legitimately)?

[utsab.das]

Hi Stacey,

I think my SC wrong percentage were pretty silly and low level questions leading to the dip in the score. Yes, I did review the articles you mentioned and I did not really feel mental fatigue (perhaps zoned out once or twice) but more of a 'what has happened' thinking. I did realize this on Sunday as well when I did another CAT (from a diff company) and got 49 in quant but a low verbal and the only thing I can attribute it is to the fact that I kept thinking about quant during verbal!!

I have been reading about how to shut what has already happened and I should focus on the present as when I practice Verbal seperately, I am more aware and I get my splits right. My test is on Thursday and I will be just trying to keep the focus laser eyed on the topic at hand and not worry about what has happened. I feel perhaps thinking about 'what if I messed up quant' added more pressure on the verbal and led to the dip?

Thanks,
Utsab

[StaceyKoprince]

Yep, that can happen.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!