Practice Tests vs. Real GMAT

[donkey_man_88]

Hey Hokie,

I took the real GMAT about a year and a half ago. I know people say that the Kaplan exams are tougher, but I remember the real GMAT being just as tough, if not tougher. I've scored pretty high on the Kaplan CATs so far. Received a 700 and a 680. I'd say that the difficulty was on par to what I saw on the day I took my GMAT (scored a 600). Verbal on the real thing seemed way harder than anything I've experienced so far. This is just my opinion.

[Hokie]

@ donkey_man_88 -- that is really helpful. I am having the same experience - everyone seems to think Kaplan is really tough, but it doesn't seem quite tough enough. This translates directly to my worst fear - I could "top-out" at the upper end of their range for improvement. I really need at least a 700 for the schools I want. However, I will say that the CATs get harder as you move through - have you only taken the first few? When did you take Kaplan?

Does anyone have tips for the last week before the test?

[donkey_man_88]

Hey Hokie,

I'm still taking Kaplan right now. I'm taking the Kaplan Advanced course. I actually like the course a lot. I think the materials are pretty good as well. For me, I don't think the Verbal materials in the OG or any Kaplan book are sufficient. Also, I think Gmat Prep is way easier than the real thing too. The math is slightly harder (decent indicator of score), but the verbal was totally off for me. I've only taken the first two CATs for Kaplan. When do you plan to take your test? Have you been doing "well" on your Kaplan practice exams?

[artistocrat]

GMAT preparation reminds me of cheesy Hollywood movies, in that they cater to the lowest common denominator, or at best the masses. Everyone goes. Shouldn't we too? ;-) It behooves companies such as Kaplan to print material and prepare courses that will seize the largest market. For top B school aspirants, the test prep material available to us is meagre at best. The questions from this material do not simulate the difficulty of actual GMAT questions, and the strategy, theory, technique, and explanations from this material range from useless to scant. The Kaplan Advanced course helps those in the 600-700 range, but all of us here want at least 700-750.

Scoring and level of difficulty are two separate matters. I have found the Kaplan tests extremely off base with regards to quant. in terms of level of difficulty. The verbal section usually hinges upon their own printed material (facile common traps, and minor detail hinges), and does not reflect the style of official material. As for scoring, I have found Kaplan's scoring system to be slightly tougher than the real thing. For example if one writes a Kaplan at around the same time in their studies as a GMAT Prep (which also may not reflect the real GMAT) then the scores can vary by as much as 80-100 points (notwithstanding other test factors).

At least this forum is useful! Thanks you guys. Let's keep it live!

[Hokie]

@ donkey_man_88: I am in the regular course - last class tomorrow. I wanted the Advanced, but there wasn't one that fit my schedule. I am about to start with the OG Verbal questions again, so I will let you know. I actually think the Kaplan verbal questions are harder than the GMAT (when I took it). Do you need tougher questions or more explanation? For tougher questions - have you tried the OG Verbal specialty book? I have also heard that this forum is really good for searching for tough SCs and CRs. Verbal is my stronger subject, so I haven't been concentrating on it much. However, I have read that the Powerscore Bible and Manhattan GMAT materials are good for 700+ verbal.
I also think that my perception of the Verbal section may be skewed because I was shaken by the quant. in my first attempt and exhausted - maybe it just seemed more difficult to you than it actually was? I guess I did get at least one where almost the whole sentence was underlined, so... who knowes?

As far as my CATs, I haven't done too well:
Real GMAT (for reference): 620 on 9/29
Diagnostic: 570
CAT 1: 610
CAT 2: 700
CAT 5: 630
CAT 6: 680

I take the Ultimate Practice Test on Monday - will let you know how it goes.


@ aristocrat: Yes, the materials are for the 600-700 test-takers. However, both Kaplan and PR have "Advanced" courses. In addition, many of the courses will help even the advanced test-taker with their weaknesses - better to get to the 80% in an area where you may have been at 65%. Yes, the Kaplan tests are known to be off-base on scoring, but I just spoke to a girl at a mba fair on Thurs. that increased her score by 200 pts using Kaplan alone - she didn't even know what I meant when I referred to the OG. I think it is possible to use any of the materials diligently and receive a large increase. However, sticking to the released materials (Official Guide, specialty guides, paper tests, etc.) should be realistic as well. To each their own. : )

I agree with everyone who says GMATPrep is way too easy - I am excluding it from my prep this time and working in the OG. I am using ursula's score sheet idea, and will be happy to share my score sheets with anyone.


Anyone testing in mid-Novemeber? Any last minute advice?

[Ralph303]

Hokie,

It's not that Kaplan's questions are harder, but rather their scoring algorithm is way too conservative. That is, you can be scoring 600-650 on the Kaplan CAT and walk out of the real GMAT with a 700. So the problem with the Kaplan practice tests is that people get unnecessarily discouraged if they go from a 720 on GMATPrep to a 590 on a Kaplan CAT.

For last minute advice, work on stamina by doing as many practice sets as possible, but take a day or two off right before test day so that you will be fresh. Focus on reinforcing your strengths and building speed.

[donkey_man_88]

Hey Hokie,

I've been doing questions from the OG, and have taken the Gmat Prep practice tests. Personally, I still think that the real Gmat Verbal questions are harder than anything that I've seen. Well, I'm going to practice a lot and give it my all. I don't take my test for another month. I'll let you know how it goes. Good luck with your exam!

Also, I don't think that the algorithm is more lenient for Kaplan. I see it somewhat. I scored a 49Q and 41V, and only received a 710. I guess we'll see after I take my exam.

-Donkey

[artistocrat]

Ralph 303,

You are absolutely right. The questions from Kaplan CATs are not harder. In fact they are easier, however the scoring algorithm generates a score that can be significantly lower than the official score. One should never get discouraged by a low Kaplan CAT score. As for the material itself, I feel it provides a good challenge, especially the 800 book and the advanced course, but I simply feel that the style of the questions is not an accurate reflection of official material. Call me a purist :-P

Good luck guys!

[Cnic]

Hey Hokie, I am in the Kaplan course as well (ends in 3 more weeks). I have seen some pretty good improvements and my scores are similar to yours. Your post last week stated you were taking the Ultimate Practice Test. How did it go? Most importantly, how did the scores and difficulty compare to the Kaplan CATs?

Thanks

[artistocrat]

Would you guys recommend the Advanced Course, or can similar gains be made by other means? What kind of (ballpark) gains do you feel are likely?