Is it worth taking more Practice CATs?

[lmaura429]

Hi MGMAT Staff,

After taking 3 practice exams, I have a pretty good handle on where my strengths/weaknesses lie. Since I've accomplished that, do you think it's worth taking more practice CATs? Part of me feels like if they're at my disposal, it would be worth it to take them, but I also feel like they totally drain and exhaust me, and my time might be better spent reviewing weaknesses and doing practice problems in those areas.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

[StaceyKoprince]

As a general rule, it's not worth it to take a CAT unless / until you have done something about the strengths and weaknesses you identified from your previous CAT.

Practice CATs are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses.

So go ahead and study, try to improve those weaknesses, etc. When you feel like you've made progress, then you can take another CAT to see whether you really have and, if so, to come up with the new list of strengths and weaknesses to tackle until it's time to take your next CAT. :)

[lmaura429]

Thank you! I took a 4th CAT while I was sick with a fever and my score declined 80 pts from CAT 3. Probably not the smartest move for my confidence...!

[lmaura429]

Hi Stacey,

I have 1 more question for you...

I've identified the areas in which I'm weak, and I'm planning to take the GMAT in just about 3 weeks. Do you think it's best to do a full review of sections I'm not clear on (e.g. go through strategy guide, practice q's on that individual topic), or do you think it's best to just do tons and tons of myriad problems and review them all? mind you, i have a full-time job and don't have a ton of time to prep during the week.

thank you!

[StaceyKoprince]

As a general rule, the final 2 weeks (roughly) should be reserved for a comprehensive review - that is, you're not working on improving weaknesses (much) at that point.

If you're still in "learn learn learn" mode, then your test should be further off. If you're happy with your progress / scoring level, then you can turn to review mode and take the test within a couple of weeks.

It sounds like you're crossing the two though - and that's why you're not sure what to do. Are you doing a comprehensive review? Or are you improving weaknesses?

If you're improving weaknesses, then you should be doing a "loop" of
(1) a set of practice problems
(2) intense analysis of those problems
(3) follow-on activities based on that analysis (reviewing part of a chapter in a book, making flashcards, drilling certain concepts, seeking out alternate explanations or solutions, etc)
then back to #1 and a new set of problems

Note: steps 2 and 3 are where you actually learn. You don't learn simply by doing the problems in the first place.

If, on the other hand, your current scoring range is what you want on the real test and you're ready for the comprehensive review stage, then these two articles will tell you what to do:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ew-part-2/