Practice Tests vs. Real GMAT

[k_udct]

Hey I am a new member...What is the Paper tests... i am not sure about it...I only know of Power Prep Software...Can you tell me where i can get the Paper Power Prep Tests...

Kiran

Used only ETS paper tests, no PR etc

Paper test scores: 610, 650, 630, 740, 680, 690 in that order

Real test after about a month of paper tests: 700 (Q42, V45)

IMO, paper tests are the best way to prepare, as they are actual tests that include the scaled scores and should be deadly accurate if timed.

The real GMAT (CAT) can be a bit more unnerving due to the fact that you get a harder question after getting the previous one correct, etc. My strategy for the Quant section (my weaker subject) was to realize that, unlike on the ETS paper tests, once you get to a tough question it sometimes pays to take a quick guess and bring the level of questions down a bit. Otherwise, if you're intent on solving questions above your level of difficulty, you will waste too much time and fail to complete the section.

I think that the CAT is a more accurate assessment of skill level because the paper tests allow for a wide range of possible scores depending on the success of guessed answers, while the CAT "reigns in" your guesswork a bit.

Those of you with 99% Q scores don't need to think this way, of course...

[quercus]

Can someone tell me how to get the Kaplan Diagnostic test? I bought the Kaplan book, but the one without the CD and all it has is practice questions in the front -- a lot of them -- and a full length paper test in the back. Is that the diagnostic test? Or do I have to purchase the other book with the CD? The cover of the book says, "Get more practice and help online - a $50 program FREE!" but going to the Kaplan site, it's not immediately evident what they're talking about.

[yappee]

The book should include the CD, which has 5 tests in.

[n_adroja]

Hey Gmat2003,

I was going through your post and had a question for u. When u say

ETS Test #55: 660... so u mean the pdf version of it in which the test is divided into various sections? If yes, i wanted to know that while taking ETS test do u follow the time limt in each section and solve it in the order they appear, or do u do all verbal sections together in the total time limit of all verbal sections & the same with Quant sections?
Also I noticed that the time limit is not really like the actual GMAT exam 75 mins for both sections.
Can u pls tell me what u followed?
thanks
Adroja.

Recent:

Actaul: N/A

Test 37: 740
Test 48: 710
Test: 42: 730
Test 52: 710
Test: 25: 740

800score Test #3: 720

Past scores:

Actual: 640
800score: 590
Princeton: 690, 670,710, 710
Kaplan: 550, 560, 620, 540
ETS Test #55: 660

[bmccown]

I had the same question. Also, when grading your ETS paper test you are "docked" a fraction of a point for incorrect answers...does this happen on actual GMAT?

[quercus]

It turns out there are two books, one with the CD (sells for $37), one without (sells for $20). I purchased the latter, without the CD. I just exchanged it for the former.

[tghokie]

Took GMAT earlier this week - 700 (q 42 v 42)

I was surprised - my practice scores were lower:

Powerprep 1 - 590, PP2 -660 (1 week prior)

PR - 640, 620, 600 (I think their verbal tests are not good practice)

Kaplan - Diagnostic - 640 , Test 1 -580

I liked the Kaplan Math review workbook and the PR math workbook (even though there are some wrong answers in it I like the way they solve ratio problems) I am not too good with math
Could have done better on the Quant if I had studied harder - but I'm never taking that test again - too much stress

[zalim]

Real 610 [Q 47, V27]

Kaplan: 710, 680, 710, 670
PR: 660---680
PP:68, 680 [without doing OG]

Actually, I was hoping something around 700. With such expectation, 610 is a very disappointing score. I don't know what happened? I started up very well with essays...Quantitative seems to be relatively easy...I don't know what happened in verbal. I used to score from 35 ... 40 in verbal in practice tests...may be some initial wrong answers or whatever...

[tghokie]

Zalim - you probably had an odd reading comprehension section or two - I took the LSATs a few years ago and in my practice tests i was scoring in low 160s but had a hard reading comp section that brought down my score from my practice tests significantly& I usually do very well on reading comp - LSAT lets you see what questions you got right and wrong on your score report - anyone know if GMAT lets you see what answers you got right/wrong? I haven't gotten my score report yet

[gmatchris]

Hey All-

I just discovered this site this past week, so I haven't been able to contribute to the discussion but thought I would post my results/advice.

Real GMAT: 680 (Q42, V41) Very disapointed in the math score, was not expecting a 50, but was thinking more of 45ish.

I studied for about 2.5 months, but more seriously in last 6 weeks. I didn't study the verbal at all, just on the practice tests (obviously, needed to spend more time on the math). Below are the results of my practice tests in order:

Kaplan Diagnostic: 590
Kaplan (non - CAT): 660
Kaplan CAT #1: 540
Kaplan CAT #2: 540
Kaplan CAT #3: 540
PowerPrep #1: 720
Kaplan CAT #4: 570
Kaplan CAT #5: 580
PowerPrep #2: 710, after the OG although I think something was wrong with the scoring on this test because I got nearly 100% of the questions correct but still got a 710??

As others on this site have noted, the Kaplan scores are not at all indicative of the real thing. I do, however, recommend taking the kaplan tests. The questions tend to all be multistep questions and will help out with the timing.

I did go through just about all of the math in the OG and I have an opinion that differs from that of some people on this forum. My advice would be to do the OG math as a warm up, but do yourself a favor and find more challenging math material elsewhere. THE MATH IN THE OG is MUCH EASIER THAN THE MATH ON THE REAL GMAT. I realize the OG is comprised of old GMAT questions, but only the baby questions. Once I got to problem #5 on the real thing, the problems were already harder.

Thanks to others on this site for the study tips, I did use a bunch of them.

Thanks,
Chris