Practice test cmputation/scoring same w/ the Real GMAT test?

[ongi88]

Hello Guys,

The reason why I asked this is because I have taken the GMAT test 3 times already. Every time I took the test, my math percentile is always similar to my practice test (which is about +/- 70%) but my verbal is just devastating on test days. When I average about 60% on the practice test, I got a 20%, 24% and a 10% (yes a shameful 10) on the actual GMAT test. I don't know if its the stress or the anxiety of test but I just need to know if the practice of MGMAT are really similar to that of the Real GMAT test.

I know in the GMAT test that whenever you score a right answer, the computer will give a harder question. If you get it wrong, then the computer will give you easier question. How come in the MGMAT test, I got wrong on a 600-700 question, my next question was a 700-800. Since it was 700-800 question, I got it wrong, then my next question was another 700-800. Correct or wrong, I know the GMAT grades you based on the difficulty of questions your tackling. So MGMATtest gives me 700-800 questions when I am not deserving of it, then that means my overall score would be padded since I am tackling hard questions.

Please let me know what your insight is on this. I am tired of scoring 600, 640, 670 and even a 710 on practice test just to receive a 510 on test day.

[JonathanSchneider]

Hi Ongi,
That certainly is a big difference in Verbal percentile. I imagine a good deal of this is coming down to nerves. The real test is exhausting - hour upon hour of hard material. Of course, so are the practice tests, but there is less stress when you know it's just a practice test.
Here are some thoughts:
1) Re: Stress. Are you getting enough sleep the night before the real test? Are you overloading yourself with caffeine pre-test (hopefully not)? Do you check in with yourself mentally to make sure you are feeling calm and focused throughout? And do you stop yourself when you are feeling distracted, take a couple of deep breaths, and then move on?
2) Did you do the practice exams without pressing the pause button (hopefully)? Did you write the essays for your practice tests? In order to build up the proper stamina, you ought to make the practice tests as real as possible.
3) How flexible are you on the Verbal? When you see a question that you don't immediately recognize, what do you do? Do you have any particular areas that seemed very challenging to you on the real exam?

As for the algorithm, we don't have a bottomless question pool, and so you will occasionally see a question that is at a higher difficulty than the one you just got wrong. This could happen on the real test as well. The test, after all, is not just calculating your overall ability, but making sure to give you questions in all content areas as well.