MGMAT Tests

[rohan.ngupta]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forums and relatively new to test taking. I have my GMAT in 8 days and I have only given 3 so far. I do plan on giving the 3 other CATs as well as the 2 official mock tests to take my tally to 8.

So far I have scored 720, 730 and 750 in the MGMAT tests. I was wondering if this has any correlation to the actual GMAT tests. Also, are some CATs (MGMAT) harder/easier than others or are they relatively balanced?

Lastly, I find that I am losing out on CR and RC and DS. Apprently I'm not the best at reasoning, haha, and that PS, and SC are good. Would you have any suggestions, considering its just the 1 week (or so) left?

Many thanks,
Rohan

[rohan.ngupta]

Sorry for the double post, but I took another test and scored 740. So, in order, my scores are 720, 730, 750 and 740.

I've also noticed many staff members asking whether the test was taken under standard conditions. No, I have not written the essays, so it is not 100% standard in terms of actual test conditions. However, I have maintained break times and section times consistently for all 4 tests, replicating the actual scenario, albeit after the essays are complete.

Appreciate your feedback.
Rohan

[StaceyKoprince]

I think I might have missed your window, but here's what I would say:

Are you taking the tests under 100% official conditions, including essays and length of breaks? If so, you look good to go! Oh, wait, I just saw your second post. Have to do the essays. That can affect your score on the multiple choice (fatigue / stamina issues). You don't want to prepare to run only the first two-thirds of a marathon; you want to prepare to run the whole thing. Not everyone has inflated scores when skipping the essays, but why take the risk of a score drop on test day?

The real test has a standard deviation of about 30 points. Our tests have a standard deviation of about 50 points. So those are good scores - but again possibly inflated due to the (lack of) essay issue. Our tests are all the same - same underlying algorithm, same question pool, etc. Nothing changes just based upon taking the 2nd or 3rd or 4th test in a sequence.

Couple of other things: the last week is really just for review, not for learning new stuff or trying to fix major weaknesses. So I wouldn't have suggested anything beyond review, which it sounds like you're already doing.

Also, it's not a good idea to take a bunch of tests all in a row (you don't actually improve much that way - you improve based on what you study / practice between tests), nor is it a good idea to take practice tests within a few days of the real thing. Your brain becomes fatigued, and then you risk having a performance drop on the day of the real test. I know you may have already taken it by now, but I wanted to add this just in case, or for others who are reading this.

If you did take the test already, I hope everything went well! Either way, let us know - we're happy to help if things didn't go as planned.