Valuable suggestion needed

[rubicon]

Hi,

I am scheduled to give my GMAT on Tuesday, 21st of August.
I have given all the MGMAT Cat tests and the following are my scores below:
CAT #1: 660 (Q-47, V-33) (Gave this quite a while back)
CAT #2: 730 (Q-48, V-41) (Gave this in June)
CAT #3: 720 (Q-47, V-41)
CAT #4: 690 (Q-45, V-38)
CAT #5: 740 (Q-50, V-41)
CAT #6: 750 (Q-49, V-44)

I have given both the GMAT prep tests as well and the following are my scores:
GMAT Prep#1: 740 (Q-49, V-41)
GMAT Prep#2: 720 (Q-49, V-38)

I gave the second GMAT prep exam just yesterday and I am slightly confused about my scores. In My GMAT prep #2, I answered incorrectly 9 verbal qs (RC-3, SC-3 and CR-3) but I still managed to score just 38. In my earlier GMAT prep test #1, I answered incorrectly 9 Sentence correction questions alone and answered 12-13 questions overall incorrect and my score turned out to be higher - around 41.
I am aware of the adaptive nature of the test, but I am sure the questions I answered incorrectly in my second GMAT prep test were of very good standard and not very easy questions (Infact my CR section had 2 boldfaced questions which I failed to answer correctly).
As a result of what has happened I am confused about where I stand especially when it comes to the verbal section, as I am sure my performance in the verbal section on the second GMAT prep test wasn't poorer when compared to my first GMAT test.
1) Can you please let me know if something like this actually happens on the GMAT prep software or is it that my performance in verbal section on the second test was actually poorer?
2) Also I have a habit of mouth reading SC questions with my lips (my lips move up and down while reading the text in the question without making any sort of noise / sound). I am aware that the GMAT test center video records each candidate's exam and monitors the videos during the test. Will this habit of mine actually prove a hindrance to me during the exam and be a cause for concern?
I appreciate your responses on the above 2 questions as they will help me immensely for my test scheduled next week.

Thanks
Rubicon

[StaceyKoprince]

It's next to impossible to tell how hard a question is just by looking at it. You're evaluating based upon your own strengths and weaknesses, but the actual question rating is based upon the strengths and weaknesses of the entire pool of test takers.

It's also possible that the way in which the wrong answers came could have affected the overall score. A string of wrong answers (or a cluster, eg, 3 wrong in 4) causes more of a score drop than wrong answers that are more spread out.

In other words, it is perfectly possible to have fewer wrong and yet get a lower score.

The good news? Your scores are great either way. :)

Do, of course, go back and try to figure out what went wrong on those specific questions and what you can learn from them in order not to make the same mistakes next time.

Next, mouth-reading is fine as long as you do not make any noise. Nobody will be able to see you (besides the camera) because there'll be little walls between you and the other test takers, and the test centers don't care what you do as long as you (a) don't disturb the other testers and (b) don't cheat. :)

[rubicon]

Thanks Stacey for getting back on this.
I get your point when you say there might have been a cluster of incorrect answers. In fact I got 3 answers incorrect within a same RC that contained 3 questions.

I appreciate the great work you do on the forums by replying to each and every question with great detail.
Please let us know when and where will you be taking your classes in Mumbai in September and if there is some sought of registration for them. I would be more than happy to attend the classes and would recommend my friends to attend as well.

Regards,
Rubicon

[StaceyKoprince]

You're very welcome!

Here are the details on the Mumbai course:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/mumbai-prep.cfm

[rubicon]

Hi Stacey,

Just wanted to let you know that I gave the GMAT on the 21st August and by god's grace I scored a 740 (Q50, V40).
Exactly one year back I gave the GMAT for the first time and scored a 640 (Q49, V24).

Touch wood, I wouldn't need to attend those classes that you would be taking in Mumbai, but I will certainly recommend some of my friends to take them. I so wish you took them earlier!

I would like to thank both you and Ron, who do an extremely wonderful job on patiently answering everyone's questions. Personally I haven't posted much here, but have gone through a decent number of posts that were really helpful!
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN MANHATTAN GMAT!!

PS: I have written my experience of the GMAT and what are some of the mistakes and errors I committed during my first attempt and how I corrected them during my second attempt. The link for the same: from-640-to-740-t16390.html

[StaceyKoprince]

Wow, that's fantastic! Congratulations! :)

If you do have any ideas for us to market in India, please do let me know. We're obviously totally new to the market so we're still trying to figure out how to get the word out. If you do have ideas, send an email to studentservices@manhattangmat.com and ask them to forward your email to me (say that I told you to do this). Then I'll have your email address and we can communicate directly. (I can't just post my email address here or I'll get inundated with spam!)

Also, we're offering a "friends and family" discount to our former students - if you refer someone, that person can get 10% off of the course (this is for Mumbai only). If you want details on the discount, send an email to student services.

Thanks also for taking the time to write up your experience - that will be very valuable advice for your fellow students. Good luck on applications - let us know how it goes!