Running out of MGMAT Tests, What to do Next

[me.prasanna]

Hi,
I am running out of MGMAT 6 tests series with only one test remaining.
I know I can reset and retake tests once I finish all my 6 tests.
I want to know couple of things related to MGMAT tests:

1. If I retake the tests, will I get all together new questions which have not been appeared so far in any of my 6 tests I have taken so far OR it's going to be mix questions out of 6 tests.

The reason I am asking this is because I use to thoroughly review my right and wrong answers, So if there is same set of questions, I would not be doing justice with my progress.

2. Can someone please suggest what I should do to get more tests, which are good, realistic and provide thorough review and are closer to actual GMAT exam.

3. I have my CD from KAPLAN Premier Program, but the software is so bad that it becomes impossible to keep concentration on a full length test. So I really don't want to spend time on the CD. Please correct me, If someone does not agrees with me.

4. Last but not least, If not MGMAT again, Which Tests shall I try.

I need some tests as soon as possible.

[StaceyKoprince]

How frequently are you taking tests? For the entire length of a prep program, most people should not be taking more than 5-6 tests total. Tests are used to measure progress since the last time you took a test, and to set priorities (based on strengths and weaknesses diagnosed by the test) for study going forward. We don't actually improve (much) just by taking a bunch of tests over and over again.

Earlier in your study, tests should be taken about once every 3-4 weeks. As you get closer to the official test, the frequency should increase to every 2 weeks and then once a week. But that "once a week" timeframe typically happens only twice: two weeks before the official test and one week before the official test. Prior to that point, tests shouldn't be taken more frequently than once every 2 weeks.

Have you also downloaded the GMATPrep tests? (www.mba.com) These two tests, coupled with the MGMAT 6 "clean" tests, should be more than enough for everyone if you are using the tests in the most effective way. These are official questions, so GMATPrep is the best in that sense, but there are no explanations (though we've got GMATPrep folders here on the forums for you to look up explanations and post questions).

When you reset the MGMAT or GMATPrep tests, you will likely see a mix of already-seen and new questions. The number of new vs. old questions you see will depend upon the progress you have been making. If you've made a lot of progress and raised your score, you won't see as many repeats, because you will have moved yourself to a higher pool of questions. If you haven't made a lot of progress, you'll see more repeats.

And, again, it's not worth it to take a practice test if you do not feel you have made a lot of progress since the last practice test that you took. You should be able to say, "Okay, on my last practice test, I struggled with timing on problem solving questions in the Word Translations and Algebra categories, but I've done a lot of work in that area and now feel that I can answer many of those questions in an appropriate timeframe. I'm also able to recognize when I can't answer the question, and I can make an educated guess before moving on without wasting a lot of time. Now, I'm going to take a practice test to see whether I really have fixed this weakness, as I think I have." (The assessment above is just one example; you should be saying this about multiple weaknesses in order to test many things on the next practice test you take. That's why you need weeks before you take another practice test.)

You can re-take both GMATPrep and MGMAT CATs as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats. First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time. But only if you're totally convinced you would get it right this time if it were new.

[jgranchi]

I am not sure I understand why you don't get better at taking tests repeatedly. Can you please let me know what is the best method to get better?

[StaceyKoprince]

I think I just responded to this same question from you in another post. A test is used to measure your progress since you took your last test, and to identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you know what to study before you take your next test. Merely taking tests over and over will not do much to improve your score. Studying / analyzing questions and the material tested on questions will do the most to help you improve your score. You may want to take some time to read through some of the other questions and responses here to get some ideas about how to study.

[anila.narla]

Hi,

I'm planning to give the GMAT again and have already used up the first 6 tests and had also retaken 2 tests. Is there a limit on the number of times I can retake the tests?

I practice with tests to work on my timing which was problem for me earlier and I haven't been able to use the tests completely as I've had to break half way through an exam due to interruptions.

Regards
Anila

[StaceyKoprince]

If you need to practice timing, that's better done in shorter sets of, say, 20 questions, every day for a week, and then taking a full practice test (or section of a test) only once a week or once every two weeks. Again, we don't learn a lot in the act of taking a 3.5 hour test - we learn by doing shorter sets, analyzing our results, and then repeating the next day with another shorter set to work on whatever we identified as problematic the day before.

When doing shorter sets, you can pull those from the official guide books - take a random set of all question types (eg, DS and PS for quant) and make sure to take a range of problem numbers (some easier, some harder - higher numbers = harder questions).

There isn't a limit to the number of times you can repeat the tests, but you will start to see repeated questions if you take these enough times.

You can still take both GMATPrep and MGMAT CATs as long as you follow a few guidelines to minimize the chance of artificially inflating your score via question repeats. First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.

If you don't do the above, then you are not adequately practicing your timing, because you're giving yourself timing advantages that you would never have on the real test.