Study and Strategy questions relating to the GMAT.
manoj.r.13
Students
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:20 am
 

Reg CAT Exams

by manoj.r.13 Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:58 am

Hi,

I'm hoping that one of the MGMAT instructors/staff could help me out. My name is Manoj and I just finished MGMAT CAT 1 of 6. I got a 720 (Q44 V45) and I'm thrilled of course but the thing is I was doing well while prepping (improved my score from late 500s on various free tests to a 720 and 730 on the GMAT Prep 2 days before my GMAT) for my 1st attempt and I froze during D-Day and got only a 640 (Q39 V38) and so this time around I'm being a little more cautious.

My question is essentially this- Is it possible to replicate this performance on the actual GMAT because I got a Q44 with 18 errors and V45 with 10 errors in the CAT 1? Is my score high because it reflects my getting only 700-800 range questions wrong in the CAT or because of something else like the experimental questions maybe? [because I noticed while doing the GMAT Prep that 12 errors got me a Q46-48 and 8 errors got me V42-44].

This may sound like paranoia but I'm sure answers to this will go a long way in terms of a (legitimate) morale boost.

Thanks much in advance!

Manoj
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9361
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

Re: Reg CAT Exams

by StaceyKoprince Sat Oct 15, 2011 9:15 pm

The two tests are built a little bit differently, but both are built on the same underlying CAT theory - there is variation in the number of questions wrong (for example, we don't include experimental questions on our tests), but the overall results are still valid / applicable.

I'd like to dive a bit deeper into what may have happened on your first real test, though. You say you froze - do you mean that your nerves got to you? What else happened - did you have any timing problems? Any stamina issues? (The more detail you can give about these topics, the better - though don't give any details about actual test questions!)

Had you been taking your practice tests under 100% official conditions, including essays and length of breaks? If not, how did you deviate from official conditions on your practice tests?
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep