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pgralf · 09-08-2002, 08:18 PM

I am hoping Erin (or someone else) can answer a few questions about test preparation with confidence. I have spent a decent amount of time with the 10th Edition of the Official GMAT Review Book, the ETS software, and a few other sources and am consistently scoring 10-15% higher than my target score. My questions are:

1. Is the ETS software CAT actually a CAT? Do questions get easier and harder, or is just comprised of representative questions?
2. Does the CAT care if I am poor at one area (geometry)? If I do terrible in this area, will I get easier geometry questions or easier questions overall? Is the number of geometry questions already defined before the test begins, or will it give me more or less of my weak area?
3. What are the odds I will see duplicate questions on the actual test? I am afraid that I am getting a false sense of security during practice tests when I see a few questions that I recognize and get right.
4. Erin, do you you have a rule of thumb for a guardband on practice scores? Surely scores will flucuate, but is it likely to be within the 10-15% that I have been seeing, or are there radical swings. (When answering this one, you should know that I do not get nervous or flustered before/during tests - I am not going to get the deer in the headlights look).
5. As a rule, should I spend my few remaining weeks getting VERY good on sections that I do well in (last 2 practice tests I have scored in the upper 80s to low 90s in verbal) or on my weaknesses? Is it better to be solid across the board or great in one area and average in another?

Your site has been very helpful. Thanks. I hope these questions make sense and you can take a few minutes to give general answers.

09-08-2002, 08:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
pgralf Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 15	I am hoping Erin (or someone else) can answer a few questions about test preparation with confidence. I have spent a decent amount of time with the 10th Edition of the Official GMAT Review Book, the ETS software, and a few other sources and am consistently scoring 10-15% higher than my target score. My questions are: 1. Is the ETS software CAT actually a CAT? Do questions get easier and harder, or is just comprised of representative questions? 2. Does the CAT care if I am poor at one area (geometry)? If I do terrible in this area, will I get easier geometry questions or easier questions overall? Is the number of geometry questions already defined before the test begins, or will it give me more or less of my weak area? 3. What are the odds I will see duplicate questions on the actual test? I am afraid that I am getting a false sense of security during practice tests when I see a few questions that I recognize and get right. 4. Erin, do you you have a rule of thumb for a guardband on practice scores? Surely scores will flucuate, but is it likely to be within the 10-15% that I have been seeing, or are there radical swings. (When answering this one, you should know that I do not get nervous or flustered before/during tests - I am not going to get the deer in the headlights look). 5. As a rule, should I spend my few remaining weeks getting VERY good on sections that I do well in (last 2 practice tests I have scored in the upper 80s to low 90s in verbal) or on my weaknesses? Is it better to be solid across the board or great in one area and average in another? Your site has been very helpful. Thanks. I hope these questions make sense and you can take a few minutes to give general answers.