Query About MGMAt Tests

[sayak636]

Hi,

I have purchased the Online MGMAT CAT exams and have taken the first exam.

I would like to know whether some of the Questions in MGMAT Online Tests are unscored just like the actual GMAT?

I m asking this because I found some variations in 2 of my exams.

1 From MGMAT and 1 From Kaplan

MGMAT :
Quantitative 47 81 % No of Questions Correct (20/37)
Verbal 35 77 % No of Questions Correct (23/41)
Total 680 90 %

Kaplan :

Quantitative : 44 93% No of Questions Correct (32/37)
Verbal : 39 89% No of Questions Correct (30/41)
Overall : 650 83%

I have taken GMAT Prep 1 and got 730 (Q50,V38)

I have my GMAT date booked for August 5th. Please let me know what best I can do now so that I get a good score.

Thanks
Rajeev

[StaceyKoprince]

The test is not scored based upon percentage correct - so you can actually get a few more questions right and get a lower score or vice versa. In general, we built our CAT using the same algorithmic theory as the real test-makers use. The general theory: everybody gets a lot of questions wrong. :)

Our tests do not include experimental questions. As far as I'm aware, no practice tests include experimental questions (though you should check with individual companies to be sure).

GMATPrep is generally considered the closest indicator to the real test, as it is made by the same people as make the real test. You don't say when you took these different tests - was GMATPrep the most recent? If so, then it looks like you're on a good upward trajectory and you should keep doing what you have been doing!

You have about 3 weeks to go. Identify those areas of weakness that are also frequently tested on the exam (and if you're not sure what's frequently tested, you can tell us your biggest areas of weakness here and we'll tell you how frequently they're tested). Focus on the areas of weakness that are also frequently tested - do this until about a week before the real exam. During the final week, don't try to make major improvements / changes. Instead, solidify your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses (which might mean letting go of some problems on the test!), practice your pacing, and so on - basically, gear up to take the test.

Take a practice test about 2 weeks before and about 1 week before (and at the same time of day as you'll take the real test). Use the results to figure out what you want to keep doing in the same way and what you want to do differently.

[sayak636]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks for your reply.

The order of the tests taken are

MGMAT1 - 680
GMATPrep 1- 730
MGMAT2 - 680

By considering all the deviations, I feel I am in the 650-700 range now.

I still have 4 MGMAT tests left and one GMATPrep.

I plan to take 2 tests per week now and analyze all of them thoroughly.

Please let me know how I should plan my studies for the next 15 days.

Also,please provide me some tips for AWA.

Thanks
Rajeev

[sayak636]

Hi Stacey,

I took my 3rd MGMAT test and scored 680 again!

MGMAT :
Quantitative 47 81
Verbal 35 77
Total 680 90 %

Now, all my 3 MGMAT test scores are 680!

It is the second time i am getting the same Quant and Verbal breakup.

I dont know what to make of this. Pleas help!

[StaceyKoprince]

You don't mention when you took your 2nd MGMAT test, but you posted your plan to take a test twice a week, so I'll assume it wasn't very long between your 2nd and 3rd tests.

If my assumption is correct, then here's what's going on: you haven't actually taken the time between tests to learn what you need to learn to get better. So it's not surprising that your score is the same. (If my assumption is not correct, let me know.)

CAT exams are really good for (a) figuring out where you're scoring right now, (b) practicing stamina, and (c) analyzing your strengths and weaknesses. The actual act of just taking the exam is NOT so useful for improving your score. It's what you do with the test results / between tests that helps you to improve.

So don't take 2 tests a week, and don't expect the act of taking a practice test to help you to improve (not much, anyway). You need to analyze the test to figure out your strengths and weaknesses and then spend significant time (at least a week!) improving your weaknesses and solidifying your strengths before you take another practice test - just analyzing each test itself isn't enough.