Practice Tests vs. Real GMAT

I've read over this site and apparently I'm the exception to the rule for the whole Kaplan CAT and real GMAT score difference. I just took the GMAT last week after taking Kaplan's Advanced GMAT prep course over 9 weeks. I was aiming to get 700+ and signed up for the course after getting a 680 on the online Kaplan CAT from their Premier Program Book. After signing up for the course Kaplan made me take a diagnostic test on paper and I received a 720 (Q:46 V:41) on that. The following are all my scores over the two month period before I took the test:

4/6/08: Kaplan Paper Diagnostic: 720 (Q:46 V:41)
4/21/08: Kaplan CAT 1: 770 (Q:54 V:50)
4/29/08: Kaplan CAT 2:770 (Q:55 V:46)
5/01/08: GMAT Prep 1: 730 (don't remember the Q and V split)
5/08/08: Kaplan CAT 3: 690 (Q:51 V:33) Disclaimer: I couldn't read the first line of the reading comp questions because of a glitch in my software so I don't really considerate this score accurate.
5/16/08: Kaplan CAT 4: 730 (Q:55 V:35)
5/24/08: Kaplan CAT 6: 770 (Q:50 V:55)
6/04/08: Kaplan CAT 5: 750 (Q:55 V:41)
6/05/08: GMAT Prep 2: 750 (Q:50 V:41)
6/06/08: REAL Gmat: 770 (Q:51 V:42) AWA 5.5

I'm not sure why my score was similiar on both the Kaplan CAT and real GMATs, but I think its probably due to my extremely strong quantative skills and lack of formal grammar training when I was in grade school. On an interesting side note I got all the math questions right on two Kaplan CATs but I received raw quant scores of 55. This seemed odd to me, because I know the scoring goes up to 60. Also, I took the 5th Kaplan CAT at the actual test center as part of Kaplan's "Ultimate Practice Test" program.

[bustit22]

3/2/2008 KAPLAN 640 (Q40, V41)
3/22/2008 Manhattan GMAT 690 (Q38, V45)
3/29/2008 PR 660 (Q43, V39)
4/13/2008 Manhattan GMAT 640 (Q40, V37)
4/26/2008 Manhattan GMAT 650 (Q44, V35)
5/11/2008 GMATPrep 740 (Q46, V46)
5/29/2008 Manhattan GMAT 430 (Q44, V4) (skipped verbal)
5/31/2008 GMATPrep 760 (Q49, V45)
6/17/2008 GMAT 720 (Q47, 81%; V42, 95%, 95% overall)

BI

[ny-lawyer]

Just took GMAT. Here are the numbers:

GMATprep Test 1: 720 (Q47, V41)
GMATprep Test 2: 700 (Q44, V41)

*****ACTUAL GMAT RESULT: 760 (Q49, V44)******


I am (pleasantly) suprised. The only thing I can say in terms of advice is to just relax. I was nervous last night, but I listened to some good music this morning, reminded myself that life will go on whatever score I get. And it really went well. The actual questions seemed easier than the GMATprep tests, but maybe it just felt that way because I had a good positive calm attitude. Good luck my friends.

[adstatus]

Uuggghhh! I took the GMAT yesterday and TANKED! I'm soooo disappointed. Following are my practice test and real test scores.... Obviously, I'll have the pleasure of taking it again this fall. I wasn't expecting a 700 (although that would have been nice), but was hoping I would score at or a little above my practice scores. I think I got a little flustered at the beginning of the quant section, which totally threw off my timing and I felt like I was rushing through. I think I fell into a lot of traps of picking wrong answers because I was rushed. I did slightly better on the Verbal, but just barely. On the practice tests, I was scoring in the low 40s on both.

Somebody tell me this isn't the end of the world! I want to apply to PhD programs in the fall, and I know I'll never get in with THIS score. Any other successful GMATers out there that have a similar experience? I could use some hope at this point.

GMAT Prep: 630 6/29/08
Princeton Review CD Test 2: 620 6/28/08
PR Online Test: 620 6/20/08

REAL GMAT: 530! (Q32 V32) (somebody HELP!)

[adstatus]

Just a little clarification on my practice exams.

PR Online Test: (Q32 V36) 570 (took before any prep as benchmark)
PR CD Test 1: (Q44 V_) Disk glitch ended exam after the quant section
PR CD Test 2: (Q38 V39) 630
GMAT Prep: (Q41 V36) 620

REAL GMAT: 530! (Q32 V32)

[Meggieski]

Ketu,

I saw that you received a 590 on your first attempt then upped to a 700. CONGRATS! What a huge accomplishment.

I took the test on July 12th and bombed it with a 550. I was so depressed. I have a stellar ap to SHW if I can just get my score up.

Any advice?

Again congrats.. seriously.. you should throw yourself a party! I would.

[*!*arch*!*]

Hi..

My GMAT has been scheduled in the 1st week of September 2008. I have been taking some Practice Tests, the scores of which are as follows:-

GMAT Prep - 650
Kaplan (after 10 days) - 580
Online Manhattan Test (5 days after Kaplan)- 660
Princeton (2 days after Manhattan GMAT) - 590

I have gone through various posts that explain that Kaplan Tests are low scoring and that one can add between 80-100 marks to get an approximate idea of how one is likely to score. (por favor, El Señor correct me if i'm wrong here!)

I was however very puzzled by my Princeton GMAT test score. (I was positive at the end of the test that I was nearing the 700 mark.. or that I would've got atleast a 680!) I got fewer questions wrong than in my GMAT Prep, Kaplan or Manhattan Tests and still managed to get a score of 590!

Can someone por favor, El Señor explain if u've had a similar experience? or throw some light on how best I can interpret my Princeton GMAT score?

Thanks a lot!

[AnotherTestTaker]

This forum really helped me while I was preparing for the BIG day. Here is a brief look at my practice test scores.

Kaplan Diag = 580
Kaplan(mutiple practice sets) = scored between 620 - 710
GMATprep_1 = 680
GMATprep_2 = 710

REAL GMAT = 710

GMATprep is the BEST indicator of your REAL GMAT performance. So, use it to measure your readiness level.

[artistocrat]

I was wondering about the Kaplan diagnostic. Do you guys mean the one in the book that does not specifically give a score? Is the test CALLED diagnostic to begin with? Or is this another version on the site or on the CD?

I did some sample questions online at the Kaplan site where they give you a percentage of answers you answer correctly, but have not seen one with an actual scoring system.

Please advise.

Also are they worth it, as they seem to be pretty harsh compared with the real thing.

[AnotherTestTaker]

Aristocrat,

I went to the kaplan center to take a diagnostic test. They also have a free diag test on kaptest.com.

Yes, kaplan practice tests are a level or two above the actual GMAT exam. I think it depends on individual preference. Low scores on practice exams encouraged me to spend more time studying. Others might get too discouraged from consistent low scores. so, it depends what you prefer.

My recommendation is to buy kaplan online material package. The set contains good practice problems. Even 800kaplan workbooks (available in any book store) are good source of practice sets.

Good Luck!!