Test Analysis

[mobenny]

I recently took a GMAT test and I have inputed the data into excel and am looking at the chart that is produced from all of the questions that I amswered correctly on the Quant. It seems that I worked my way up to 700-800 level questions within the first 12 questions. Then I missed a whole bunch and came out answering 600-700 and 500-600 level questions. The last question that I answered correctly was 600-700 level and then I misssed that last 6 questions.

As for the verbal, it seems that the majority of the questions that I answered correctly were around the 600-700 level. I answered some below and some above. But I missed 4-6 six and the last question the got correct was 500-600

My nerves on the test are pretty tense and I struggle with the CAD adaptive format. Any ideas for how I can improve my performance so that it more accuratly reflects my skill level? If possible I can attach or email you the charts.

Thanks!!

[StaceyKoprince]

Did you miss a bunch of questions at the end because you ran out of time? It's important to know your limits - to recognize when the test has given you something that's too hard. The test WILL find your limit - whatever you can do, it can give you something harder. So when it does find your limit, recognize that and DO NOT go over time on those questions. Pick and move on. Then you won't run out of time at the end and get a string of questions wrong in a row (as the difficulty levels simultaneously move down!).

The good news is that you were able to work your way up to 700+ questions. The ability to stay there is going to depend upon your ability to recognize and let go when the level gets too high. (And think about it: when you get an impossible question on which you spend 3 or 4 minutes, do you really want the "reward" that comes with getting it right? ;)

Ditto for verbal if you had timing problems there. Can you clarify what you were trying to say with this sentence: "But I missed 4-6 six and the last question the got correct was 500-600." Let me know what was going on there and I can advise in more detail.

Here are some articles that might help you with your nerves:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/stress-tips.cfm
http://www.manhattangmat.com/strategy-series-stress.cfm

Test out some of the strategies to figure out what works for you.

[mobenny]

Hi Stacy,

It’s not so much that I ran out of time at the end of the Quant section. I think that it is spending too much and unnecessary time on questions that I probably do not have a good chance at answering correctly. This both gets me flustered on the quant and thus makes me lose my focus, so, I both lose time and focus. Like you said, I need to admit when I do not know how to answer a question and move on. Is it correct that once I get up to that 700 level I only need to answer about 50% of the questions to do fine?

I didn’t have any timing issues on the Verbal. What I meant by "But I missed 4-6 six and the last question the got correct was 500-600," is that I missed 4 out of the last six questions. And, that the last question that I answered correctly was a 500 level question.

Is it possible to get your email address so that I can add some something about my test that I prefer not to post in the forum? I understand if you do not give your email address out to students.

Thanks for the advice!

[mobenny]

Also, thank you for the great articles ... I believe that the techniques will help!

[StaceyKoprince]

As a general rule, people only need to get about 60% of questions right, up to the 700 level. Above that, the percentages slowly get a bit higher, but even at 750+, people are still getting many questions wrong.

In terms of what you can get right or wrong, let's say you want a 700. And let's say you are answering sub-700 level questions mostly correctly. You will also then be given 700+ questions and you can get most of those wrong but still get a 700. But if you get too many of the sub-700 questions wrong, then you won't get a 700.

I see - so you didn't have a timing issue on verbal, but it sounds like you did have a bit of a rough stretch. Was it stamina? Did you use full time on all of those questions or were you maybe going a little bit more quickly than you should have? What do you think was going on there?

We don't post our emails on the forums or we'd get inundated, but if you email Student Services, you can tell them we've been corresponding on the forums and ask them to forward your email to me. (Do tell them we've been corresponding - they won't just forward random stuff!)

Also, I'm noticing that your name is in purple, which means you took one of our courses, yes? If so, you're eligible for a Post-Exam Assessment (if you haven't done it already). This is basically a free phone call with an instructor to talk about your test experience, diagnose what went wrong, and set up a game plan for a re-take (if you decide to re-take it). If you want to do that (and I STRONGLY recommend it), send an email to studentservices@manhattangmat.com and ask to do a Post-Exam Assessment.

If you do that, then don't also separately email me. Instead, when you correspond with whichever instructor gets assigned to you, give him/her whatever information you have (you'll actually have to fill out a form and answer a bunch of questions).

[mobenny]

Hi Stacy,

I have dont the post course assestment and I am still struggling with the Quant section. I recently took another test with better results. I scored a 650 because I did much better on the Verbal (36). My quant score is stuck in low 40's limbo. Do you mind if I email student services and ask them to forward you my correspondance?

Thanks,

Moses

[StaceyKoprince]

Nice job! Please go ahead and email student services. FYI - I am getting inundated with questions / requests this time of year, so it will take me a little while to get back to you!