MGMAT CATs and questions banks

[zaur]

Hello Stacey, I have realized my biggest mistake since the start of my GMAT preparation work. Until recent time, I had been concentrating on OG11 and GMAT prep, was trying to out-win the CAT algorithm and planned for suicide on real exam. Then I finally comprehended my mistakes and obtained the $ 70 nice kit of 6 CATs and 8 questions banks. I sat for each and every question in the question banks and have analyzed my correct and incorrect answers to the problems. For verbal part, I took advantage of e-gmat and CR bible. Hope my reading comprehension during CATs will not zero my two other verbal sections. So I still continue studying GMAT and plan to take my exam (tentatively) on December 24. Now I switch to my question.

I have not done any of the six CATs so far. I have finished solving easy-pie problems from Kaplan-800 straight math (100% correct answer rate) and re-done Combinatorics, Probability, Stats and Sets from MGMAT Math guide series. I tried to minimize my weakness in Math concepts. My verbal preparation is described above. So...

Should I sit for my first CAT in not the timed format just to understand what is my potential GMAT score? Let's suppose, I will manage time perfectly on exam later. Of course, I will do the remaining five CATs fully AWA included, under the strict time controls (I would even suggest shrinking time to 73, 72, 71 min-s for each section during each CAT)?

What is your opinion about my intention to do the first CAT without time controls? Will it help my knowing weakness areas and will it some how predict my potential score on real exam?

[StaceyKoprince]

NO! Do NOT take the first CAT under non-official conditions. That will NOT actually help you to know your strengths and weaknesses.

A MAJOR component of knowing your strengths and weaknesses is tied up in that timing data. In fact, we have a requirement for our own students that they MUST do their tests under timed conditions in order for a teacher to review their results. I can tell almost nothing about someone's strengths and weaknesses without the timing data - and I am very good at reading those score reports.

Have I convinced you yet? :)

Take the test under 100% official conditions, including the essays. The choices that you make, and the way you choose to spend your time, will tell you everything you need to know. You will actually make decisions based upon how you perceive your own strengths and weaknesses - when to bail or guess on a question, when to spend more time - and, after, you'll learn whether you were making the right decisions.

When you're done taking that test, use this article to analyze your performance:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/e ... -part1.cfm

And use this article to help analyze individual problems:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/articles/a ... roblem.cfm

Good luck!

[zaur]

Dear Stacey, I am thankful for the response you have supplied on my previous query.

Another question, if you have come across Jeff Sackman's total GMAT math book - I have purchased one in pdf format, how useful is this book, may I use it during my last four-week preparation stage to the exam?

I am intending as one scenario: to do moderate to hard problems from OG10; or another scenario: to do some part from Jeff Sackman's and continue with OG10 hard problems. What would you recommend me for acing quant on the exam. I need to score if not 50 then around it on the quant section, for I seek PhD admissions.

Shall I dive into Jeff Sackman's, or should I leave this to coach up myself in weak quant areas after taking individual CATs?

[StaceyKoprince]

I haven't used his book myself, so I can't tell you whether to use it. You might want to ask around on Beat the GMAT - find students who've actually used it and ask them to give you feedback - the more specific, the better. (If someone just says, Yeah it was great! or No I hated it! that doesn't help you to assess whether it might be good or bad for you. If someone tells you that it really helped with X, Y, and Z, and you want to get better at those things... then that's a good recommendation.)

In terms of how to spend your time, I honestly can't tell you without knowing what you're currently scoring under official CAT conditions. You don't have that data yet. Your current strengths and weaknesses tell you what you need to do.

Go take that test and then analyze your performance with that article I linked to last time. That'll help answer your question!