MGMAT vs GMAT | 3 Weeks to go | Kindly share your views

[adi.saraogi2001]

Hi All,

Have taken 3 MGMATs so far and have my scores as below:-

MGMAT II 690 (Q 47 V 37) (Without Essay, With IR)

MGMAT III 680 (Q 46 V 37) (With Essay, With IR)

MGMAT IV 680 (Q 46 V 36) (With Essay, With IR)

CAT Power Prep I 720 (Q 49 V 39) (Without Essay, With IR)


Had taken MGMAT I more as a practice test - not timed.

I am scheduled to take my GMAT in 3 weeks. I plan to take two more MGMAT and the PowerPrep CAT II.

Given my performances so far, where do you all think I stand? In these 3 weeks, I plan to complete OG 12 (have done OG13) and all the questions on GMAT PREP practice sections.

Also, after all the MGMAT, I have got a Note mentioning 'Recalibration' of scores done by MG - does that mean if I would have taken the exams before the recalib. my total scores would have been +10 to +20??

Any inputs will be of immense help. Please do share your views.

Many thanks,
Adi

[StaceyKoprince]

Overall, it looks like your scores are consistently hovering at about 700, so that's good (assuming that your goal is in that range!).

The real test (along with GMATPrep, presumably) has a standard deviation of just over 30 points. (Ours has an SD of about 50 points.) So that's why I'm saying you're hovering in that range. Hopefully your real test will be closer to the GMATPrep end of your performance range, but that's not true for everyone. :)

Re: recalibration - the test gets recalibrated periodically as we try to make it better / more accurate and as GMAC updates its percentiles (which happens every July). That's not something that makes any difference to your scores now, though.

If you'd like more specific advice, please the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Figure out what you think you should do based on that analysis. Then come back here and tell us; we'll tell you whether we agree and advise you further. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

[adi.saraogi2001]

That makes sense ....if PowerPrep is +- 30 and MGMAT is +-50 in that case it looks like I am placed at around 730-740 on the upside. Really hope so .....fingers crossed.

Adi

[StaceyKoprince]

Yes, hope for that but don't count on it. The downside is just as likely. (Potentially more likely, if you deviated from official conditions in any way, including skipping IR or AWA, taking longer breaks than allowed, etc.)

Good luck!

[adi.saraogi2001]

Thanks for the feedback Stacey.

I took a PowerPrep exam yesterday (older version 14.0.0.162). It did not have the IR section so included IR from one of the Princeton exams I have access to. Also wrote the AWA. Full test conditions.

Scores were as below

PowerPrep CAT I: 750 (Q50 V41)

But there were 3 Quant qs and 3 SC qs which I had seen before (though didn't remember the answers but there was a comfort factor) - No repeats in DS, RC and CR.

I plan to take three more exams - MGMAT V / VI and New Powerprep GMAC CAT II. Exam date is 22nd October. Fingers crossed.

Please suggest if there are any free resources for IR practice.

Many thanks for your inputs so far.

Adi

[adi.saraogi2001]

Apologies. Also wanted to know whether the scoring algorithm of the older version of GMAT Prep is the same as that of the current version?

I mean to ask is the scoring pattern similar to the current version?

Thanks
Adi

[StaceyKoprince]

I can't remember exactly when PowerPrep went away. The GMATPrep name has been in existence since at least 2006, so PowerPrep is at least 7 years old. I have no idea whether the scoring algorithm is identical - too long ago.

The latest extension of GMATPrep (Exam Pack 1, available for $40) still runs on the GMATPrep software engine - it's just an additional pack of exam questions that allow two more tests to be taken.

In any event, there are enough current practice tests available that you don't need to go back to PowerPrep. :) There are 4 from GMAC and 6 from us (without any repeats), and nobody needs more than 10 exams!

If you think you do... read this:
https://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/inde ... many-cats/

:)

[adi.saraogi2001]

Thanks for the inputs Stacey. This is the version I took test in (Screenshots attached).

https://picasaweb.google.com/1097258109 ... directlink

It is actually GMATPrep ....I didn't know power prep also exists; thought they are the same. You are right that one should not take more than 10 tests. I plan to take 2 more before d-day. Thanks a lot for all the advice.

Adi

[adi.saraogi2001]

Also, even with a 41 in Verbal, I didn't get any Boldface CR question. Is that usual?

I always thought that if you are doing well in verbal, you will get a boldface CR; as is the case in MGMATs. I have always come across 2-3 of them in every MGMAT.

But was surprised not to get any in this GMATPrep test. What are your views? Infact, not seeing any boldface CR even after I reached around question number 30 made me feel quite uncomfortable.

[StaceyKoprince]

I think that you're thinking too much about your score while you're taking the test. ;) Spend your mental energy on the problem in front of you. Don't try to guess how you might be doing - impossible to figure out, anyway!

Boldface CRs are usually a bit harder than the average CR, but not always - so seeing one doesn't necessarily mean that you're doing well.

Further, the algorithm allows for a variety of selections - you're not locked into getting a certain mix of question sub-types. So it's perfectly possible to have a test on which you don't see any of a less common subtype. You'll always have find the assumption or weaken - those are common. But you may or may not get a boldface or an evaluate - those are less common.

[adi.saraogi2001]

Many thanks for the reply Stacey. Much appreciated.

A week to go .... one last GMATPrep practice test in a day or two and I am ready!! :)

[StaceyKoprince]

good luck!!