Practice tests :/

[aazzccnn]

Dear all,

I need your advice, although I have taken so many important tests in my life, due to living in Europe, I'm not familiar with GMAT nor similar exams. I decided to try my chance for a business school and I have only 2 months to take the exam, but after a few CATs, I’m quite confused and started losing my courage and motivation.

* I first tried Kaplan’s CAT, I was clueless about GMAT and got 600.
*Then I tried MGMAT and got 590. During this test I felt like I am doing very bad, quant seemed very hard, however the score I received wasn’t that much different from the previous CAT.
*Then I tried GMAT Prep and especially while making quant, I felt the test was too easy, however I received a shocking 530.
*Then to get rid of the shock, I tried Princeton Review’s CAT, and although I answered more questions correctly than I did in MGMAT, I received 530 again.

Should I stop making CATs and study topics that I am weak?

I can’t really figure out how it works, the number of correct answers I provide seem not to matter at all.

[StaceyKoprince]

1. Stop taking CATs. :) Practice CATs are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. The actual act of just taking the exam is NOT so useful for improving. It's what you do with the test results / between tests that helps you to improve.

2. Learn how the test works / how the scoring works. You're right that the number of correct answers (almost) doesn't matter - that's not how the test is scored. Read the Scoring section of our free e-book The GMAT Uncovered Guide (available in your student center if you have any kind of account with us, including a free account).

3. Read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... an-part-1/

Follow the additional links in the article (make sure to read both parts) and start developing your study plan. Pay particular attention to: (a) how to study, and (b) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses.

4. Come back here for further advice and additional questions. If you'd like, after you analyze your MGMAT CAT using the information linked in the above article, come back here and share your analysis with us.

Good luck!