Practice Tests vs. Real GMAT

[nowORnever]

Ameyai

You cannot ignore reading comprehension at the expense of SC/critical reasoning. Do note that it's the overall score in these three cateogories that determines the final verbal score. You are bound to encounter a reading comprehension passage amongst the first 7 odd questions. Therefore I suggest that you prepare smartly in the remaining time.

My suggestion to you is as follows:
1. Go through OG10 and OG11 and identify the question types that one can possibly get in a reading comprehension passage.
2. Read related answers for each such question type.
3. Try to pen down an approach to tackle the concerned question type. For example, when you read a question that says "According to the passage ...", then you should know that the answer lies explicitly in the passage. (this is mentioned in the OG answers as well)

This is how I worked on reading comprehension section. I plan to mention my prep approach in a debrief soon.

All the best

[ameyal]

Thanks for your advise. I have implemented the same since last 1 week and i have found that my ability to hit the answers right is increasing. Initially i used to get no answer correct, even direct answers from the passage used to go wrong, however i now get 1-2 right out of 4 questions. And if the passage is simple or related to science or some technology or something then the right hitting further increases. The passages esp the ones with business, management, feudalism, mythology, philosophy or abstract topics bother me still i read them and make a genuine attempt to answer them keeping a watch on time. I think still with 1 more week to go i will improve till then.

Thanks once again. My exam is on 19th OCT. Will definitely right a debriefing then.

[v-rap]

Hey Kann and Konica5D

I am also taking Veritas prep., I was also not sure about the quality of 800score exams ? I have only taken 1 so far.

How do you compare veritas vs 800 exams ? of the two which ones are better ?

Besides I am planning to give Gmatprep exam. Other than two are there more gmatprep exams ? or when we download everytime they come with different set of questions ? Please clarify...

My problem is verbal..especially reading comprehension and I am not keeping up with time. Any advice on timing...I feel lost after a certain time may be half way thru on verbal

thanks

[konica5D]

Hi V-Rap,

I'm not an expert since I haven't taken the real test yet. But this is what I am have found:

800score's quant is too involved to finish on time and their verbal is too easy.

The Veritas Prep questions on the quant are questionable. Some of the questions just don't seem right and nothing like I've seen in the OG.

You should have also gotten some Arco tests...not perfect either, but prob the best of the three.

I didn't think the Veritas Prep course was that bad. I do wish that I completed the Official Guide before taking the course. Also the questions in the beginning do hold more weight. If you have already started the course you know what I am referring to when I say that.

reading comprehension: I think you have to develop a method that works best for you. I actually read the passage twice quickly.

The GMATsets are great. the questions are challenging and feel like questions that would be asked on the test. (again, speculation since I haven't taken the test yet) Someone on here should have them. Too bad I didn't discover them earlier.

[v-rap]

Hi Konica3D,

Thanks for your input. I am thinking of doing couple of veritas exams and couple more 800. And GMat prep offcourse. I am not sure I will be able to take Arco.

I am kind of struggling with reading comprehension, I get 2 questions correct and 2 wrong on an avg. Well I will have to work more. I have only 3 weeks left for real exam.

Keep posting any information you find...

Thanks again....

[Phlip]

I just can disadvise the veritas prep CATs. They are nothing like the real questions/test. Imo it is better to do the Arco tests. It also has some questions that are not the same as OG, but it still feels more like th real GMAT.

Veritas is just discouraging...Only helps to eliminate timing issues.

[coli86]

My own experience :

21 yo, French, BSc in Management, will apply for MSc in Marketing in Europe.

Without any prep :
Kaplan Diagnostic : 600 Q38 V33

With prep (chronological order, all one week before the test) :
Kaplan CAT 3 : 540 Q31 V29 (I was so desperate before I found out this wonderful site)
Kaplan CAT 2 : 540 Q31 V28
Crack the Gmat : 620 Q44 V28 (Feeling a bit better)
Kaplan CAT 1 : 570 Q33 V33
GMAT Prep 2 : 640 Q44 V33
GMAT Prep 1 : 710 Q49 V40

Real Score :
690 Q49 V34

[td123]

Hi,

Actual GMAT Score 770

Practice Tests (Most recent on top)
GMAT Prep Test 2 - 720
Princeton Review Free Online Test - 730
Crack GMAT Test #1 - 690
GMAC ETS Test Code 55 - 760
GMAC ETS Test Code 31 - 680
Arco 2 - 601 to 650
Arco 1 - 601 to 650
Crack GMAT - 675
GMAC ETS Test Code 14 - 730
GMAT Prep Test 1 - 640 (before my 4 weeks of prep)

Thanks
T

[raulverde]

Hi,

Actual GMAT Score 730

Practice Tests
Manhattan GMAT 1 - 430 (before starting prep)
Manhattan GMAT 2 - 600
Manhattan GMAT 3 - 680
Manhattan GMAT 4 - 670
Manhattan GMAT 5 - 650
Manhattan GMAT 6 - 760
GMAT Prep Test (Reinstall) - 760
GMAT Prep Test 2 - 700
GMAT Prep Test 1 - 660
PR 1 - 720

Peace
R

[pemeph]

Wanted to post some results here since I got some help from this forum along the way.

Real GMAT (Q45 V44 Total 720)

Practice Test in Order
Princeton Review Online CAT (Q 37 V37 Total 610)
Princeton Review Online CAT (Q 42 V34 Total 620)
GMATPrep 1 (Q44 V44 Total 710)
GMATPrep 2 (Q46 V45 Total 730)

Each of the above was taken within a week of the actual test. My actual score, as you can see, was right between my scores on the GMAT prep tests.

For whatever reason, I was absolutely horrible on the PR test. IMHO, the Verbal sections of PR are practically worthless besides helping you get the timing right. In fact, I found this board after my horrible first showing on the PR test. So don't put too much faith in the PR tests, OK?