Score Summary - Good or Bad

[gauravmogra]

Hi Stacy,

I am going to give GMAT on 20th April 2010. I am targeting a score of 720-730 but I am not sure whether my performances through Manhattan CATs have been good enough.

My scores have been :

CAT #1 - 03/21/10
Q-38,V-30,Total-570
CAT #2 - 04/04/10
Q-48,V-33,Total-670
CAT #3 - 04/10/10
Q-47,V-36,Total-680
CAT #4 - 04/13/10
Q-44,V-34,Total-640
CAT #5 - 04/16/10
Q-48,V-37,Total-700
and GMAT Prep - 710. (04/15/2010)

All the tests were given with AWA and simulating the actual GMAT day. Please advise if If expecting a score of 720-730 is practical with above scores.

[StaceyKoprince]

It's good that you took the tests under official test conditions. Generally speaking, people should expect to score (on the real test) *roughly* in the same range as they have scored on a practice test taken under official conditions within a week or two of the real test.

*Roughly = 30-50 points in either direction.

So, in your case, let's see. You scored 700 and 710 on your last two practice tests, which are in the range of 720-730, yes. That doesn't mean you should expect 720 or 730, specifically. You might expect something in the high 600s to low 700s - but see below.

I am concerned about the test you took on 13 Apr though. That's only 2-3 days before your 700/710 scores, and people don't improve by 60-70 points in 2 days. Plus, you were in the high 600s on your two tests before that.

So, what happened there? It's important to figure out why your score dropped that day - if you figure out why, then you might be able to prevent it from happening again. If you don't figure out why, then it might happen again.

Use this article to help you figure out why:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/a/2009/10/26/my-score-dropped-figuring-out-what-went-wrong

If, after you've done the analysis in that article, you want to discuss anything, come back and let us know!