Study and Strategy questions relating to the GMAT.
ank
 
 

Powerprep CAT

by ank Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:50 am

Hi

I wanted to know whether the Powerprep Computer Adaptive Tests are actually adaptive

And how fair is the scoring on the software.


Thanks in advance!!!!
mdinerstein
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 102
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:58 am
 

by mdinerstein Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:26 pm

Hi ank,

To the best of my knowledge, Powerprep is adaptive. The reason why I am not 100% sure is because ManhattanGMAT does not officially recommend using this software to prepare for the test. Powerprep was written by ETS, the previous owners of the GMAT, and now that the exam is led by GMAC, the questions written in PowerPrep will not match up to the questions written for the current exam. Therefore, your score at the end of the exam will be skewed and your results will not be a useful studying tool.
I would recommend looking into the GMATPrep software instead.

Best,

Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
800-576-4628
212-721-7400
Guest
 
 

by Guest Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:10 am

Thanks Mike!!

The issue is that I recently took GMAT after exhausting GMAT Prep (attempted both the tests twice) and MGMATs.

I scored 690. Now I am retaking GMAT in August and need some quality practice.

Other than GMAT Prep, Power Prep is supposed to have similar questions, hence I thought of taking them

Anyways, would be really grateful if you can give your inputs for any alternative Practice Tests for the retake...!!!!!


Thanks
mdinerstein
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 102
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:58 am
 

by mdinerstein Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:21 am

Hi Guest,

Well, I would recommend staying away from practice testing for a little bit while you analyze the results of the ones you have already completed and zero in on the areas of the exam that are giving you the most difficulty. Then, I would recommend spending the majority of your time practicing these sections out of the Official Guide while spending a reduced part of your time reinforcing your mastery of the other sections.

As you near your test date, it might be good enough to go back and re-take one or two of the ManhattanGMAT exams just to have some practice taking an entire exam. In general, however, practice tests are not the best way to increase your skillset on the exam because it is very difficult to learn from your mistakes. However, these tests provide you with excellent assessment tools to focus your prep, as stated above.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Michael Dinerstein
Marketing and Student Services Associate
michael@manhattangmat.com
800-576-4628
212-721-7400
StaceyKoprince
ManhattanGMAT Staff
 
Posts: 9360
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 9:05 am
Location: Montreal
 

by StaceyKoprince Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:16 am

I agree with Mike.

Also, PowerPrep is adaptive but is NOT built on the official scoring algorithm, as GMATPrep is. So not the best study tool.
Stacey Koprince
Instructor
Director, Content & Curriculum
ManhattanPrep