Manhattan GMAT CAT Online Tests

[rohit_ramaiah]

Hi,

I took the GMAT Prep 2.5 weeks ago and scored:
670
Q49
V33

Took a Kaplan Test a week after and Scored:
580
Q42
V28

Took a Manhattan Test 4 Days back and Scored:
590
Q 42
V 31

I have been preparing fine and am doing OK in the Section wise prep/studying that I've been doing.

Can someone please help explain what it is that I could be doing wrong?

I found the Quant Section very lengthy and hard in the Manhattan Online CAT Tests... >> I could only complete 27-28 questions and ended up guessing the remaining ones of which 6 were wrong.

Are the tests and scores realistic or can I add + 40 or +50 to the result of the Manhattan Online test to get a realistic idea of an anticipated GMAT score?

Please advise...

[terence.battle1]

The Manhattan math is typically a bit harder if you look at the questions from gmatprep and MGMAT. The one thing I will say is that if you have two scores in the 600 range the GMATPrep one looks like an anomaly. I would almost advise you to retake it and see how you do (yes you will already recognize some of the Q's).

[rohit_ramaiah]

Thank You Terrence...

My only question is, why have my scores gone down so drastically from 670 in GMAT Prep to 590 in Manhattan Online Tests...

The only change I noted was I ran out of time for quant and ended up guessing about 9 questions in the quant section...

I didn't really have a time crisis in the one GMAT-Prep test I've taken...

I found the verbal section to be realistic/similar to the GMAT-Prep software but the amount of calculation in the quant section makes it very lengthy...

Should I perhaps increase the time for the quant section to evaluate myself better? >> I made 17 mistakes in quant out of which 7 were guesses due to lack of time...

Any ideas/tips on how I can speed up on the quant section would be much appreciated...

Thanks,
Rohit

[rohit_ramaiah]

Hi Terrence,

I've taken another Manhattan Online Test and scored:

560
Q 33
V 34

Please Note: I had to guess 8 questions towards the end of the quant section.

Please advise on strategies tackling my current predicament. My GMAT is in 20 Days from now... How much do you see my score improving?

Please advise...

[StaceyKoprince]

We track our students results on the real test relative to their last practice test with us, and the standard deviation is about 50 points, with a standard skew of last than 10 points. That means, basically, that most students score within a range of plus or minus 50 points on the real test, and that there is no overall skew up or down (so it's not the case that most people get a better score or a worse score on the real test - it "averages" out).

Having said that, I will say that our quant section does tend to be harder than GMATPrep - and the fact that you had to guess on about 10 questions in a row is what dropped your score on our test. Be prepared for the timing pressure - it's stronger on the real test than on GMATPrep simply because you know it counts now. It's very easy to mess up your timing. Learn how NOT to do that on our practice tests. :)

And, no, don't increase the time or otherwise artificially change things. My higher-end quant students have consistently told me that GMATPrep quant is easier than the quant on the real test. Don't base your practice on something that's easier; base it on something that's as hard as or harder than the real thing. If you can learn to handle the timing pressure on our test, then you'll be able to handle it on the real thing.

Also, note for future: you mentioned that the "only different [you] noticed" was running out of time. A long string of questions wrong in a row will KILL your score (on our test OR on the real test).

And one more note about tests: make sure you are taking them under 100% official conditions, including the essays. Skipping the essays can actually lead to an artificial score increase on the multiple choice due to stamina issues.

Okay, so you want some advice about what to do as you continue to prepare. Use the below article to analyze your most recent MGMAT test (and tell us how you deviated from official testing conditions, if you did):

http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2011/02/ ... sts-part-1

Make sure to tell us your analysis, not just the data itself - you need to get good at reading the data so that you can figure out for yourself what you need to do to get better. After you tell us your analysis, we'll tell you want we think, whether we agree, what we think you should do, etc.

Finally, you mention that your test date is in 3 weeks. What's your goal score? From things you've said, I'm guessing that it's higher than your recent test scores - if so, you may need to postpone your test. By the time you are 1 to 2 weeks from the real test, your practice test scores should reflect the score you want to get on the real test.

[rohit_ramaiah]

Hi Stacey,

Many thanks for your detailed response...

In fact I took another MGMAT (Test -3) on thursday (last week):

Score:
640
Q44
V34

Finally a relief after a string of dreadful scores < 600... :-)

Yep I am taking the test under 100% official conditions, i.e. I'm attempting the AWA Section too...

One change I made in the 3'rd test however was, I set the time per question in the quant section to 2.5 mins... >> This eliminated the timing issue as I didn't end up spending too much time on some problems >> Which was my problem previously... >> If I was getting nowhere with a problem, I made a logical guess and moved on... >> Unfortunately luck wasn't on my side with this one and most of my guesses were infact incorrect... :-)

The Verbal Section was weird... >> I finished Verbal with 10 mins to spare... >> Reason was I expected to see 4 RC's in the Verbal section but got only 3... >> I always keep track of the number of RC's as it's my weakest and most time consuming section in verbal... >> I was rushing through SC's and CR's as I was expecting to be hit with an RC in the last 4-5 questions... That didn't happen...

My theory in Verbal is: >> I am doing well, i.e. on track to score 36-39 if I get 1 RC in Questions 1 to 10. Second RC in Questions 10 to 20. Third and Fourth RC's before question 32.

Not sure if the above formula holds... >> Reason I'm asking you this is I seem to be making 4 mistakes in the first 15 questions and then I make a string of errors in b/w questions 18-29... >> It's like I get 3-4 wrong on the trot... >> I feel the anticipation of a Hard RC just makes me panic and I end up answering the questions incorrectly... Because when I analyze my mistakes at the end of a test, I answer the question correctly without looking at the answer... >> I perhaps need a strategy to keep my cool in the mid-portion of the Verbal Section...

My Target Score: >> As close to 700 as possible...

Any tips/advise/strategies would be much appreciated...

Thanks for your help...

Cheers,
Rohit

[rohit_ramaiah]

Hi Stacey,

Took my 4'th Manhattan GMAT CAT Today...

Scored:

650
Q47
V32

My Verbal scores have dropped in-fact from 34 to 32.

Good news is that my quant is improving... >> given that I had a time crisis before, today I finished Quant with 7 mins to spare...

I am really getting messed up in Verbal though... >> I am completing the section with 20 mins to spare... >> this is not a good sign as if I spend more time on questions, I would get them right and reduce my mistakes...

GMAT in 8 days...

Please adivise on stategies I need to use in the remaining days...

Any help would be much appreciated...

Thanks,
Rohit

[StaceyKoprince]

I set the time per question in the quant section to 2.5 mins...

Did you check afterwards to make sure that your total time did not go over 75 minutes? If you actually spend 2.5m for every Q, you will go well over 75 minutes. The drawback of setting the timer that way is that it no longer times you for the overall section - so you may spend more than 75m, which is not allowed on the real test.

Unfortunately luck wasn't on my side with this one and most of my guesses were infact incorrect

How much time have you spent learning how to make good guesses? Good guessing is actually a skill - it has to be learned just like all of the other skills you need for the test. :)

My theory in Verbal is: >> I am doing well, i.e. on track to score 36-39 if I get 1 RC in Questions 1 to 10. Second RC in Questions 10 to 20. Third and Fourth RC's before question 32.

The passages aren't given based upon your score or how well you're doing - they can come earlier or later.

I make a string of errors in b/w questions 18-29... >> It's like I get 3-4 wrong on the trot... >> I feel the anticipation of a Hard RC just makes me panic and I end up answering the questions incorrectly

That may be part of it, and it may also be the case that you have a stamina problem. It's not unusual to have an energy "slump" during the verbal section; for you, it seems that this is consistently happening in the middle of the verbal section.

You're taking your breaks, right? Are you having something to eat and drink on your break between quant and verbal? Make sure it's something that gives you lasting energy - protein, complex carbs, and a little fat. Do a little physical activity too - stretch, walk around, etc.

Next, on the mental issue of getting messed up because you're anticipating a hard RC - you may or may not get a hard RC. If you don't get a hard one, then you don't need to worry. If you do... that's actually good! It means you're doing really well if you get a hard RC! So that's not something to worry about either.

If you get a really hard RC and you're worried it might slow you down, do two things: just skim over the part of the passage that is the absolute hardest - don't spend a ton of time figuring it out - and then possibly just bail if you get a question about that hard detail. One question will not kill your score. If you know you can do that, then you don't have to stress about possibly getting a hard passage.

Okay, so you're still working on timing - keep it up. On quant, go back to doing the whole 75m as one big chunk next time and see if you can keep it up (and, of course, keep practicing cutting yourself off, and spend time learning HOW to improve your odds when guessing). On verbal, we've got to fix the problem that caused you to finish super-early. As you saw, you lost points simply because you were going too quickly - that caused you to make some careless mistakes.

And I just read your 2nd post - the verbal timing is getting worse. We've got to fix that or your score will stay where it is or even drop further. My best advice to you at this point is to postpone your test if at all possible. Finishing the section 20 minutes early is indicative of a significant timing problem and that's hard to fix in a week.

Can you postpone?

[rohit_ramaiah]

Hi Stacey,

Sorry couldn't get back to you sooner...

No, unfortunately it's very hard for me to get time off from work so rescheduling my test was not an option.

I took the second GMAT Prep:

Scored:
700
Q49, V 37

This boosted my confidence.

However, I think my luck just let me down... >> I ended up falling sick 2 days before my GMAT.

However, went ahead and took the GMAT inundated with medicines and scored:

Actual GMAT Score:
670
Q49
V33

My analysis is:

First 15 Questions of quant were dead easy, but they got tougher afterwards. I also spent 6 mins on one problem, but overall I never felt that I could do better than 49. >> That left me satisfied.

Verbal was a killer: I made the same fatal mistakes I've been making... i.e., it's not so much the type of question (CR,RC,SC) but questions between 20 and 27 (my concentration just seemed off then...quickly pulled myself together after though and told myself to focus)... >> I don't know what happens to me then... >> BTW I did grab a Red-Bull :-) to get my energy up for the verbal Section as you'd suggested...

I feel that I can do better, but I really want to evaluate whether I need to re-sit the test of just apply with my current score. >> I've posted my details in the forum for mba admissions and would have a look at the response I get to decide my options.

Very confused and tired at the moment...

Just wanted to say, thank you for all your assistance and help.

Cheers,
Rohit

[terence.battle1]

670 after scoring 600's in the MGmat practice? Same story one of my buddies experienced. His practice tests were all 600 or below outside one that was a 680. His actual GMAT score ended up being a 710, which speaks to the difficulty of MGmat CAT vs GMAT. I still have a month until my exam (June 24th) but am hoping this falls true for me too! I've been knocking a 660 three times in a row now which is getting frustrating! On GMATPrep test 1 I've gotten a 710 and 700 respectively though so it keeps my confidence up. You most likely can hit the 700 without an issue if you keep the verbal under control. Try pausing at Q 20 and take a minute to relax, breath, and then continue. It may help boost your score.

[StaceyKoprince]

Nice job! (I know you're thinking / hoping you might be able to do even better, but 670 is great!)

Some people do see a big jump between practice tests and the real thing, but that's not the norm. (And some people, unfortunately, see a big drop on the real thing.) Most people score within 50 points of their practice test scores.

The crucial thing to nail is really the timing. Manage your timing well, and you will be much more likely to maximize your score potential, whatever that is for you. Mess up your timing and you're likely to be disappointed...

I agree with your plan to talk to some of hte admissions consultants about the scores, your profile, and the schools to which you want to apply (in order to decide whether to take it again). If you decide to take it again and want to discuss a strategy, let us know. And if you go ahead and apply, good luck!

[raghuism]

Nice job! (I know you're thinking / hoping you might be able to do even better, but 670 is great!)

Some people do see a big jump between practice tests and the real thing, but that's not the norm. (And some people, unfortunately, see a big drop on the real thing.) Most people score within 50 points of their practice test scores.

The crucial thing to nail is really the timing. Manage your timing well, and you will be much more likely to maximize your score potential, whatever that is for you. Mess up your timing and you're likely to be disappointed...

I agree with your plan to talk to some of hte admissions consultants about the scores, your profile, and the schools to which you want to apply (in order to decide whether to take it again). If you decide to take it again and want to discuss a strategy, let us know. And if you go ahead and apply, good luck!

Hi Stacey,
Can I get a feed back on my 6 MGMAT CAT's that I have taken in the MGMAT site, from any of the experts. Also, can I reach them either through MGMAT user panel or otherwise, just to get a good word on my performance, along with a couple of queries on my strategy based on the tentative performance o all CAT's on this site.

Thanks so much,
Rag!

[StaceyKoprince]

We don't offer that as a free service (it can take about 1.5 hours to review 2 tests and go over the advice thoroughly with a student and come up with a plan). You can definitely sign up for private tutoring to do this - though that's really expensive, just FYI.

If you would like free help, then the general process is to use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Then come back here and tell us the results of your analysis. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

If you do this, please make sure to start your own thread - don't add to someone else's thread (we like to keep each student's "case" separate).