Stumped by GMAT Prep algorithm

[sagar.sachdeva]

Hi Stacey,

I've been regularly reading your blogs and I specifically wanted to discuss my case with you. Just today, I gave a GMAT prep mock and scored an abysmal 600. I couldn't figure out why this happened. My break up was Q43 (13 incorrect), V30 (12 incorrect). When I analysed the number of questions that I got wrong within the first 10, the breakup came down to 5 in Quant and 3 in Verbal.

I understand that first 10 questions play an important role, but still that is no reason for my score getting dragged to such a low despite getting 13 and 12 incorrect questions in Q and V respectively.

Just to give a brief background; this was my first GMAT prep mock and I was consistently scoring between 680 and 710 in Manhattan CATs. I have my GMAT on 6th Nov and this score has really forced me to consider postponing it .

I've already googled articles on why such a thing could have happened but have found nothing. It would be great if you could help me out.

Thanks and regards

Sagar

[sagar.sachdeva]

Hi Stacey,

I took another CAT yesterday and scored 710 (Q48-15 incorrect, V39-11 incorrect).

If I compare this result with the result that I got in previous CAT (600), in quant, I got more questions incorrect this time (15 as compared with 13) well as more number of consecutive incorrect questions.

Breakup of incorrect question is as follows: Q-7,8,12,13,14,19,20,21,23,24,25,27,28,35,37

In verbal, I got 11 incorrect this time as compared to 12 in previous CAT. The distribution of incorrect questions as well as no. of consecutive incorrects were almost the same.

Breakup - V - 2,3,6,9,14,16,20,24,34,37,39

It would be great if you could highlight the possible reasons why I got such a low score (600) when I was consistently scoring in the range of 680-710 in MGMATS and even scored a a decent 710 in GMAT Prep CAT.

Any advice, or possible causes that I could look into at this stage would go a long way in helping me as I'm planning to take my GMAT in 2-3 days.

Thanks for your help!

Regards

Sagar

[StaceyKoprince]

There are multiple reasons someone could experience a score drop - the most common causes are discussed here:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/2014 ... t-wrong-2/

Do you think any of those apply in your case?

It is possible that the drop last week was due to some weakness that could be repeated on test day...but test day is tomorrow and you've already paid, so you might as well show up and see how it goes. You can always cancel your score if disaster strikes.

Given that you took another test and were able to get 710, though, you will probably be okay for your test tomorrow. Go for it and let us know how it goes!

Also, as an aside: nobody can figure out the algorithm just by looking at a couple of test results. It's called an algorithm for a reason - it's incredibly complex. :)

As you noted, the # of questions right/wrong doesn't really change, and even the placement of the right/wrong may not matter. (If you have the last 10 wrong in a row, that obviously will bring your score down. But most people have the general patterns that you showed regardless of scoring level.)

[sagar.sachdeva]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks for replying. After having gone through the link that you shared, anxiety for sure has been one of my weaknesses. I've had a history of going through the questions too fast at times (just so that I can get rid of the test). I've been meditating and doing some yoga to reduce the anxiety level.

BTW, I scored a 700 in the second CAT (Q49, V35). Let's see how the final test goes.

Thanks again for your response.

Regards

Sagar

[StaceyKoprince]

How did it go?