MGMAT vs GMATPrep vs Actual GMAT

[jasmin.mehta]

Even after taking under very same conditions there is difefrence of more than 100 points in my scores between MGMAT and GMATPrep. Infect GMATPrep very much matched my actual GMAT score.

The Scores are:

2/26 Actual GMAT: 530 (Q:48/V:16)
2/25 GMATPrep: 530 (Q:47/V:17)
2/24 MGMAT CAT: 640 (Q:46/V:32)

Very evidently there is big difference in verbal scores. Quant score has not changed on different days.

What could be reason for such a large difference in Verbal Score?

Reviewing the posts on the forums, sounds like difference between MGMAT and GMATPrep/Actual GMAt scores is not wide at scores above 700. Is it because all instructors at MGAMT have scored more than 770? May be questions are mostly grouped into 600-700 or 700-800 category. Or there is different algorithm in calculating verbal score between MGMAT and Actual GMAT.

Any recommendation on how to bridge gap between the scores?

[StaceyKoprince]

There is definitely a different algorithm, because the official algorithm has not been published. But we have gotten as close as we can. The standard deviation on our test is about 50 points (compared to a standard deviation of about 30 points on the real test).

When you took the practice tests, did you also take the essays? Did you spend as much time and mental energy on the practice essays as you did on the real essays? Did you take the practice tests under full official conditions? (30m each for two essays, 10m break, 75m quant, 10m break, 75m verbal) Any differences, such as skipping the essays, or taking a longer break than you're supposed to, can affect your score.

How was your timing in the verbal section on the different tests? Did you generally move steadily through the test, giving appropriate time and attention to each question? (1 to 1.5m for SC, 2m for CR, 2-4m to read a passage, 1m for general RC questions, 1.5 to 2m for specific RC questions) Or did you have to rush at times and possibly make random guesses? If you did have to rush and/or make random guesses, on how many questions would you say you did that? Did you do it on a lot of questions in a row or were the guesses scattered? Or did you work too quickly and finish with a lot of time left over?

How was your stamina? How did you feel toward the middle and end of the verbal section? Did you have something to eat and drink on the breaks? Did you get up, walk around, and stretch?

[jasmin.mehta]

Though I have taken some tests with AWA essays, for practice tests (MGMAT and GMATPrep) I skipped them.

If I compare MGAMT (2/24) and GMATPrep (2/25) - They were taken in very identical environment. Stratagies applied for both of them were identical. i.e. guessed most RC questions. Had to rush thtough some questions. There was no spare time left at the end. Neither I took long breaks nor eat during practice tests.

Having said that, the algorithm has played major role in descripancies in score. Even though actual GMAT was under different environment and conditions, and I took all breaks, completed AWA essays, streched my arms and legs, had fruits to eat... score is same as that of GMATPrep Test.

I was not looking for very high score. My target was between 600-650. Since I was scoring in that range for MGMAT CATs and instructor emphasized that actual scores vary by 20-30 points, I was comfortable. And did not attempt GMATPrep untill day before actual test.

To me it sounds like GMAT measures mental agility using math and verbal questions. Knowledge of math and english does play a role, but mental agility is most important factor. If you agree, can you provide information about improving the most "important factor"?

[JonathanSchneider]

Hi Jasmin. Thanks for your post here. I believe we've spoken during Office Hours as well, though on a separate topic :)

Two things: first of all, it's possible that your GMATPrep score was lower than your MGMAT CAT score due to a bit of exhaustion, as you took them on consecutive days (with the GMATPrep one second). It's also possible that your actual GMAT score was lower than your CAT score due to nerves on test day/timing. Again, I only say this is possible. If you feel there is truth to it, there probably is. In that case, you should work to correct any potential nerves/timing issues. Of course, if you feel that you were facing GMATPrep and the real GMAT with a clear, alert mind, then we move on to your major point...

There is a bit of an effect, throughout our CAT exams, where we write the exams per the curriculum of our courses. I emphasize that this is only "a bit." Overall I think our CATs are quite strong. However, you are very correct that "agility" plays a major role, and all the more so when we see a question that is unlike any we have seen before.

In the past, I have worked with a couple of private tutoring students who have claimed that on the actual GMAT they saw questions unlike any that they had seen during their preparation, both on the math and verbal. Particularly, they have referenced questions that contain odd "functions" (such as those where the exam tells you that a box around a certain number indicates some function done to that number) and SC questions that hinge on obscure idioms or issues of clarity/concision. While these cases are rare, the experiences of these individuals are valid.

So, the question becomes, did you feel that the questions that you were seeing were quite different from those for which you had prepared?

If so, then consider: the GMAC has published in the OG a list of all of the content that they will test, both on the math and verbal. On the math side, they have gone so far as to create a full "Math Review," starting on page 107 of the OG11. As such, we know all of the content that they test. The formulations of that content, of course, can and do change from question to question. As a result, if you have a solid grasp of the underlying content, and of the various ways said content can be rephrased, you should be ready to hit your target score. The worksheet "How to Review Your Work," downloadable to you from our website (and to all registered students), lists the questions that you should ask yourself in review of any problem, specifically so that you can build for yourself a deeper understanding of all the content and a RECOGNITION of the various ways that content will be phrased on the test.

In sum, I highly suggest that, as you plan for the next round of GMAT, you practice note only the content areas in which you might not feel 100%, but also RECOGNITION of these various content areas. This, ultimately, is where that agility comes into play.

[dfarren]

My experience shows just the opposite.

I got 670 on the GMATPrep, and 610 on the MGMAT. I haven´t taken the real GMAT yet.

I found the exercises on the MGMAT much harder that the ones on the GMATPrep... specially on quant.

Assuming that GMATPrep is the better predictor of the real GMAT test I can think that maybe the 500-600 exercises of the MGMAT are easier than the ones from the real test, and the 600-700 exercises are harder that the ones from the real test.... ¿Does it make sense?

[StaceyKoprince]

It's really hard to come up with any generalities based upon two data points. There are numerous reasons why someone's score might drop or increase from one test to the next, even when taking two tests from the exact same source!

[jcoulombe]

MH-GMAT Practice 1 - 650 (Time Simulation, No AWA)
MH-GMAT Practice 2 - 700 (Time Simulation, AWA included)
MH-GMAT Practice 3 - 690 (Time Simulation, No AWA)
MH-GMAT Practice 4 - 740 (Time Simulation, No AWA)
MH-GMAT Practice 5 - 720 (Time Simulation, No AWA)
MH-GMAT Practice 6 - 720 (Time Simulation, AWA included)
GMAC TestPrep (3 days before exam - full simulation w/AWA) - 740

ACTUAL GMAT Results - 730

[StaceyKoprince]

nice job - congrats!!

[phoenix.rkchr]

Dear Manhattan Faculty,

I would like to hear your valuable reviews on the MGMAT CAT tests scores.

Below are my MGMAT CAT test scores:

Test Q Score (C-W) V Score(C-W) Final Score Date Taken
1. 41 (22-19) - 37 (26-15) - 660 - 9-May-10
2. 47 (21-16) - 38 (25-16) - 700 - 29-May-10
3. 48 (23-14) - 41 (28-13) - 730 - 3-Jun-10
4. 48 (24-13) - 38 (28-13) - 690 - 11-Jun-10
5. 48 (22-15) - 36 (25-16) - 690 - 25-Jun-10

**Note: All the tests given without attempting AWA section.

In last 4 tests I scores 47 to 48 in quant. How can I improve it to reach 50-51 level? I have gone through all Manhattan quant books.

In verbal section, I faced problems in RCs. Please suggest how can I improve it?

I finished the verbal section almost 10 minutes earlier in all these tests. From my experience what I learned is that instead of moving fast I should have focused on RCs so that I could perform better in RCs as well. Please suggest?

Based upon these tests scores, what final score I can expect in my real test? I have scheduled my GMAT test on 15th July 2010.
If possible, please suggest me the strategies to follow in these 20 days.

Thanks

[tim]

There's only so much we can do without knowing who you are and calling up a full assessment report. If you'd like me to do that, PM me with your name and permission for me to post in the forum so I can use your situation as a case study for other people. Until then, here are some general verbal review strategies I posted to someone else today:

I always recommend that students make an outline with the SC topics serving as top-level headings. Under each topic, indicate what the main rules are for that topic and (SUPER IMPORTANT) indicate how you will recognize that topic when you see it on the test. Then go back to old OG problems (ones you've done before) and practice categorizing each sentence by identifying the topics that are tested. Feel free to use the outline to start, and over time you'll realize you need it less and less because you've internalized the process..

As for CR and RC, make sure you go back and review each problem THOROUGHLY, which means studying each wrong answer choice and understanding why it's wrong and why the GMAT included it as a wrong answer. In other words, what was the trap they were trying to set and what type of student would fall for it? This will help you avoid traps on new questions..

In order to improve in quant, you need to figure out what your weaknesses are and then study harder on those. I recommend taking a problem you've reviewed and modifying something (numbers, conditions, etc.) to see if you can still solve the problem once something has been changed. Each such modification will allow you to stretch your mind a little further beyond the bounds of the original problem you studied..

Please note that it is impossible and inappropriate for us to predict how you will do on the real test. That's really up to you and how you step up your performance over the next three weeks. Good luck!

[phoenix.rkchr]

Dear Tim,

Thank you very much for your kind reply and considering my request to provide your valuable assessment.

My name is Shailendra and I am from India. I have been preparing for GMAT for last 3 months.

You can post my assessment report on the forum so that others can use it.

For your information, I have also written the GMATPrep tests. I hope this information will be useful for your evaluation. Below is my GMATPrep tests report:

Test - Qscore (C-W) - Vscore (C-W) - FinalScore - DateTaken
1 - 44 (24-13) - 29 (24-17) - 600 - 17-Apr-10
2 - 48 (23-14) - 34 (27-14) - 660 - 24-Apr-10

*Note: I wrote these GMATPrep tests before going through Manhattan SC and quant guides.

I have also written 800score.com sectional tests (old version - v4.0). Below are the details:

Test - Qscore (C-W) - Vscore (C-W) - DateTaken
1. - 41 (24-13) - 38 (26-15) - 4-Jun-10
2. - 39 (22-15) - 39 (23-18) - 9-Jun-10
3. - 38 (28- 9) - 42 (26-15) - 12-Jun-10
4. - 45 (27-10) - 39 (26-15) - 19-Jun-10

For your convinience, I copied my online MGMAT CAT tests scores here again:

Test Q Score (C-W) V Score(C-W) Final Score Date Taken
1. 41 (22-19) - 37 (26-15) - 660 - 9-May-10
2. 47 (21-16) - 38 (25-16) - 700 - 29-May-10
3. 48 (23-14) - 41 (28-13) - 730 - 3-Jun-10
4. 48 (24-13) - 38 (28-13) - 690 - 11-Jun-10
5. 48 (22-15) - 36 (25-16) - 690 - 25-Jun-10


Please let me know if I need to provide you with any other details for your analysis.

I am looking forward for assessment report.

Thanks

Shailendra

[phoenix.rkchr]

Dear Tim,

I am looking forward to see evaluation report (case study prepared by you).
Please let me know if I need to provide you with any other details?

Thanks

[phoenix.rkchr]

Dear Tim,

I will be very thankful to you if can provide your reviews on my scores.

As you asked me to mail you the details, I am not able to send you mail due to permission issue here.

Thanks

[tim]

Hi Shailendra,

i have to apologize for the fact that i will not be able to generate a usable assessment report for you because you have attempted FAR too many tests on our system for your recent scores to be valid. You have taken 20 tests on our system and the system starts to repeat questions after the first six tests..

For anyone else who is reading, PLEASE do not take more than six tests on our system or you will be wasting your time! Once you have taken two or three tests though, click on the "assessment reports" link in your practice center and you can call up your own assessment reports, which will tell you which areas you need improvement on or are spending too much time on..

[phoenix.rkchr]

Dear Tim,

Thank you for your kind e-mail.

For your information, I have given only 5 tests out of all these tests. The other tests were given by my wife.

I have records of the tests which I've given. The numbers of those tests are:
1B, 3B, 4B, 6B, & 2C (You can discard the last one because it was given after resetting the tests, however hardly 2-3 questions were repeated in quant and 1 passage in verbal).

Before giving these tests, I never saw any question so the tests are true reflective of my current level.

You can also consider my 800score.com tests scores.

I request you to do a analysis of my scores.

Thanks
Shailendra