Question Regarding Scoring

[nfomich]

Hi! I took a couple of practice tests, and would like a little more information on GRE scoring.

On my first practice test, I received a 164 on the Verbal, placing me in the 93%. [I took this test with some extra time].
I incorrectly answered four questions on the first set of verbal problems, and another four on the second set of verbal problems.

On my second test, which I took using no extra time, I received a 159, placing me in the 81%.
On this test, I incorrectly answered five questions on the first set of verbal problems, and three on the second set.

My question is this - why is there such a discrepancy between the two scores, when I incorrectly answered the same number of questions (8) on each test?
My goal is to get into the 90% or higher for the Verbal section when I take the actual GRE test, so I would like to know how to work towards that (how many questions I need to get right)!

[nfomich]

I think I realized why I received a lower score on the second test - I didn't answer three of the questions!

[tommywallach]

Voila! Also, the first section mistakes have a larger effect than the second section mistakes, because when you hit the second section, you've been placed in a smaller score range.

-t