Study and Strategy questions relating to the GMAT.
AshokV947
Students
 
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Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 2:44 am
 

MGMAT Performance

by AshokV947 Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:12 pm

I have been studying intensively for the last 6-7 weeks.

My first MGMAT was on 03/21 - Full - I scored a 630 - 10 points down from the free CAT on Manhattan - I had to guess 3 and left about 4 questions for Quant blank at the end . For Verbal I guessed 3 and left 3 blank at the end. I found quant to be very tough . My break down was Q 42 V 34

Very disappointed, I took another test the same day. This time I completed the verbal (by guessing at the end) and I left one question on Quant blank.
My score split was Q45 V36 - total 670.

I get almost everry single OG question for Quant right. I hear quant from MGMAT is way harder and verbal is easier than the real GMAT. My test is in 21/2 weeks. Should I expect a higher score in Quant and a lower score in verbal? Is it possible for me to break the 700 barrier?

I plan to take the other three MGMATs and the GMAT Prep exams.

Thanks,
Ashok
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9361
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

Re: MGMAT Performance

by StaceyKoprince Sun Mar 27, 2016 1:03 am

As you found by taking two tests in one day, these tests all have standard deviations - you will not score the same thing all the time, even if your skills haven't changed.

The standard deviation on our tests is about 50 points. The standard deviation on the real test is about 30 points. Your scoring range right now is 630 to 670. While it's possible that you would score a 700 if you took the real test tomorrow, your most likely scoring range is 630 to 670.

The same goes for your individual Q and V scores. Expect some standard deviation / variation. This is true for all tests.

Your Q score was better on the second test because you didn't leave as many questions blank. People who score at high quant levels do often feel that our quant is harder than the real test, primarily for two reasons. First, our test does not include any experimental questions; the real test does. The higher you are scoring, the more likely that any experimentals that you see will be below your scoring level - so they will be easier for you and give you a bit of a mental break. Second, I think we have a higher proportion of computation-intensive problems on our test; on the real test, if you are very good at math, you can more often get away with using theory to get yourself to the answer faster.

The Q score itself, though, adjusts for this - so that does not mean that you will score better on Q on the real test. Some people do, yes - but others don't. That's a natural consequence of the standard deviation on these kinds of tests.

On V, I sometimes hear people say that they think ours is harder, but I more often hear that they think ours is about the same. I think the difference likely depends on a person's specific strengths and weaknesses.

Finally, your most important question: is it possible for you to break the 700 barrier? Sure. :) It may take longer than 2.5 weeks, though. If you have a specific deadline and have to take the test at that time, then just study hard and lift yourself as far as you can in the time you have left.

If you don't have a specific deadline, though, then don't hold yourself to that 2.5 weeks. See how you're doing and consider postponing if you need more time. You're allowed to reschedule for a $50 fee as long as you do so more than 7 days ahead of your test date. (Within 7 days, you cannot reschedule. You can choose not to show up at the test center, but you will lose the $250 test fee.)

You might also consider taking it in 2.5 weeks just for the experience but plan to take it again later. If you don't like your score*, you can cancel it (and schools won't even know that you took the test that day).

*Note: if you're going for a 700, I wouldn't cancel a 650. I wouldn't cancel anything starting with a 6. I hope you do get to a 700, but if you don't, you don't want to have to take it all over again just to get another 650 that you don't cancel this time. :(

Your choice, of course. That's just what I'd do.

Next, read this (right now, then come back here):
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/blog ... many-cats/

You know what I'm going to say now, right? Do not take 5+ exams in 2.5 weeks. No more than 2 exams in that timeframe!

If you really want to get the most out of your study time, learn to do this:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2016/02/ ... n-the-gmat
and this:
http://tinyurl.com/2ndlevelofgmat

Good luck - let us know what you decide to do!
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep