MGMAT Screen Options

[steven.sheph]

I feel like taking practice tests (after studying properly) is the best way to simulate the testing experience and will likely lead to better test scores. I have taken two of the practice tests so far. I am taking the self guided course and doing all of the homework.

The first test I took I scored fairly poorly. I was surprised because my math skills tend to be very strong. When I do the homework I rarely miss any math questions (although sometimes timing is an issue).

The next test I took I did worse. In fact I did very poorly scoring (I think) 55%. But during the test I noticed something that I noticed in the first test and forgot about.

When I look at the MGMAT interface the words are very small and very challenging to read. I struggle with this and it leads to confusion in the problem and my eyes start to bother me.

So after my abysmal performance last night I decided to try one of the GMAT prep software tests. I scored in the 90th percentile. I have no problems reading their site and their questions are much easier to read once without having to go through a second time. It is not the sentence structure, it is the way their screen looks. Their characters appear to be twice the font size and far less mashed together.

I don't know if this would cause me to score better but it is worth simulating as close to possible as the testing experience. Is there a way to adjust such features in the CAT tests from MGMAT?

[StaceyKoprince]

The issue is that we're delivering our tests via your web browser, so we have a lot less control over how you view it. (GMATprep is an actual piece of downloaded software.) :) There are multiple different browsers out there and people have different versions even when they're using the same one.

You can increase the size of what you're viewing, though, by zooming in via your browser settings. If you're on a mac, the shortcut is command-Plus (that is, hold down the command button and then press the plus (+) button. I don't know what the shortcut is for a PC, or whether it differs via browser on a PC.

Most browsers, though, have a "View" menu, and the zoom in / zoom out options are usually under View.

Check one thing out though. You mentioned timing. That may be part of the culprit for you - timing issues can cause serious score fluctuations. Sometimes you're fine, sometimes you mess it up too badly and your score tanks.

In other words, I hope it really is as simple as "the display hurt my eyes"... but check and make sure there's not something more serious going on. :)

[steven.sheph]

I am not saying that timing was not an issue. However, because of the way the MGMAT tests appear to me, I often read a sentence multiple times to understand it. I noticed that I rarely had that problem with the GMAT test and scored significantly higher. Perhaps I just did better or perhaps I just had a poor MGMAT test, but it would seem odd that I would score in the 50s, then a 90.

I am trying to build everything up to the final test, so I am going to be using most of the practice tests on the final week of the test (unless otherwise suggested as part of my self study), so I will have to see if it is a problem in week 8 (next week) when I am supposed to take my next practice test.

Thanks for responding to my post.

[StaceyKoprince]

Oh, I'm sure that the screen issues did play into your performance - I just want you to make sure that you're aware of any other issues that weren't due to that, that's all. :)

If you need any help figuring out how to get the browser that you're using to display in a better way, please reach out to tech support:
helpdesk@manhattangmat.com
800.576.GMAT (ask for tech support)

[steven.sheph]

Oh, I'm sure that the screen issues did play into your performance - I just want you to make sure that you're aware of any other issues that weren't due to that, that's all. :)

If you need any help figuring out how to get the browser that you're using to display in a better way, please reach out to tech support:
helpdesk@manhattangmat.com
800.576.GMAT (ask for tech support)

I have been using the tools to help identify my weaknesses. One oddity I have noticed is that the areas I had believed to be my weakness is actually my strength and vice versa.

I have flagged concepts or problem types that I feel like I should refresh going into the tests. I like to utilize one method and prepare very much using that method. For example, I do not know the midpoint formula for a line. But I know how to derive it. However, when asked a midpoint question the other day I really wished I knew the formula.

I have also identified two weaknesses that I think many people fall victim. Sometimes I lose the question. IE I answer something other than the question asked. Or sometimes (luckily I have corrected this issue) I try to calculate things that are not necessary.

[StaceyKoprince]

Yes, definitely look out for tendencies that cause you to make careless mistakes. I also used to solve for the wrong thing sometimes. I fixed it by developing two habits.

First, when I've figured out what I need to solve for, I skip a few lines and then I write "x = _______?" and put a big circle around it. Then I move back up to do my work - but when I'm done, I "run into" my reminder and I can say, oh, right, I'm solving for x.

Next, right before I actually pick the answer on the screen, I glance at the question stem - just the actual question part of it - to make sure that I'm answering the right question, then glance at my answer on the paper to make sure I did solve for the right thing, and then I pick my answer on screen. Every single time. :)

You don't necessarily need to do those exact same things, but the idea is that you need to put in place certain habits that will help minimize the chances of repeating careless mistakes that you know, from experience, you tend to make.

Re: something like this:

However, when asked a midpoint question the other day I really wished I knew the formula.

How much brain capacity do you have for stuff like this? I ask because maybe one in 20 people will actually get a question requiring that formula. If formulas are really easy for you to remember, great. But it you're running up against whatever your "brain limit" is for pure memorization, then this might be one to drop - you might say, Oh well, I'm going to get this one wrong. Or, hey, I can usually estimate on these kinds of geometry questions, and that lets me knock off a couple of wrong answers, so I'll just use that strategy and move on.

It's all about the trade-offs - just as it is in the business world. :)