Is this an anamoly?

[tamar.jaffe]

Hello all,

So I purchased one of the MGMAT books about a month ago and was given access to the 6 cat exams (the last of which I completed today). I was a little thrown off by my scores. Four of my last 5 exams were 700's on the dot with different breakdowns. Are there any known problems with the algorithms in which erroneous scores have been reported? I have listed my scores below. All tests were timed and in simulated test environments. The two 630 exams were taken after working a 9 hour day and have had a demonstrable impact on my scores as you can see. Also, my test is on Saturday and I was wondering if 700 would be a reasonable target for my actual score?

Note: the only review I have done is the OG and all of the MGMAT books.



My scores are as follows

Cat 1 2/19 Q44V32 630
Cat 2 2/21 Q44 V41 700
Cat 3 2/24 Q44 V32 630
Cat 4 2/28 Q46V39 700
Cat 5 3/6 Q47V38 700
Cat 6 3/8 Q45V40 700

[StaceyKoprince]

That all looks normal. You can get a 700 (or any score) with all kinds of different combos of sub-scores.

Your quant subscore ranged from 44 to 47, which is within normal error (meaning, given the fact that you're seeing different questions, and given the fact that you can't perform at exactly the same level every time - that spread of numbers is reasonable).

Verbal, on the other hand, ranged from 32 to 41, a bit of a wider swing. The 32s, though, were on the two tests for which you reported that you worked all day before taking the test - so, yes, obviously stamina is a major issue and you need to make sure you're well-rested before the real thing. But you already knew that. :) Anyway, so if we drop the two 32s, your verbal scores ranged from 38 to 41, which is again a reasonably consistent range.

As such, I'd say that a 700 is a reasonable target for you. The one wildcard that we can never factor in is that, when we take practice tests, we know they don't count. That doesn't necessarily mean your score will go down on the real thing, though. Some people thrive on the pressure and actually do better, while others get a little too nervous and their scores go down a bit - just depends what tends to be the case for you.

You're in a good position though. Make sure not to overstudy in the last few days and mentally exhaust yourself. (In fact, don't study much at all in the last day or two. If you don't know if by then, trying to cram it in will just tire you out and make you likely to forget stuff that you do know!) Instead, in the last couple of days, concentrate on reviewing your big strategies (how much time to spend, how to make sure you're on track timing-wise, what to do if you find yourself behind on time, overall approaches for the different question types, etc) and gearing up for the day (what you're going to eat and drink on the breaks, how you're going to keep yourself physically loose and mentally alert on the breaks and during the test itself, how you're going to ensure good sleep during the several nights before the test, what you're going to do if you find yourself getting nervous and/or panicking about something, etc).

Basically, have a game plan for every situation you can think of! Good luck - let us know how it goes!

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

[tamar.jaffe]

Thanks Stacey. I will let you know how it goes!

[tamar.jaffe]

Hi Stacey,

Just got back from the exam. I received a 700 ironically. The breakdown was 44q41v. Just thought I would let you know that MGMAT was an accurate indicator.

Thanks!!

[StaceyKoprince]

Fantastic! Congrats - and good luck with applications!