Hokie

Shoebite -- wanted to let you know, I took the GMAT yesterday and I scored 700. Not exactly the barrier-breaker I wanted, but completely sufficient. In any case, I had a really rocky quant section, and your advice to stay calm kept running in my head. Many thanks, and good luck to you!!

Took my GMAT yesterday. This was one of my biggest questions going into the test (what is the correlation between practice and real scores?), so I thought I'd briefly weigh in. Real Score: 700 (44Q, 41V) Kaplan Diag: 570 (10/08) Kaplan CAT 1: 610 (10/17) ...CAT 2: 700 (10/19) ...CAT 5: 630 (10/26) ...CAT 6: 680 (11/1) ...ULT: 690 (11/3) ...CAT 8: 610 (11/8) Disclaimers: I had a really rocky test day (lost 2 minutes before even starting the quant section, and never quite recovered). Then my expected failure in the quant section pretty much ruined the verbal section (my strong area) for me. Basically, I feel that I should have scored a lot better than a 700, and, for those Kaplan kids, expect to gain points on test day. However, I have noticed that there was a big swing in my test scores when I was tired or distracted - just ensure that doesn't happen to you. Good luck! : )

Download the GMATPrep software from www.mba.com for more practice tests. However, I would save the second one until much farther in your prep. You can also buy the specialty versions of the OG, tho there may be some overlap. I took Kaplan, which I found helpful because they break the questions into subject matter areas. Makes it much more manageable. However, you really will need to do all of the HW and review. I would check this out: Beat The GMAT!: Ursula's Debriefing. Originally a post on Test Magic, this has been an integral part of a lot of the 700+ debriefs I have read. Wish I had found it with more time left to study. In the end, be systematic, don't ignore your weaknesses, and take the GMAT seriously. This forum is a great place to start. Good luck!

That's a great score. Unless you have severe issues with other areas that schools will be looking at, you should be fine. Where do you want to go? The Top 10 schools look at GMAT scores, but they also want killer essays and recommendations, and demonstrated knowledge/interest in the school. Believe me, 700 is a top score - better to concentrate on the other aspects of the application. If you take it again and score a 730, they are not going to favor you any more... however, they are going to be insterested to see that your verbal skills are sufficient. If you are deadset on taking the exam again, that is where I would focus. Verbal scores seem to have more impact than quant. Try some different combinations of scores here: GMAT Score Calculator. Also, check out this link: Beat The GMAT!: Ursula's Debriefing. It is a copy of a user's post from Test Magic, and very helpful. Good luck applying!

Just emailed you. Included -- my notes, and score sheets that were suggested by the highly lauded post on Test Magic by Ursula -- a copy can be found here: http://beatthegmat.blogspot.com/2005/08/ursulas-debriefing.html. I can't count the number of people whose debriefs include a reference to that post. Good reference for everyone. Wish I had more time to put it to use. Good Luck! :)

I agree that the algorithm is harder for Kaplan, and I do think a lot of the questions are "easier" because they are not quite as complex -- however, the Kaplan questions seem to test harder concepts earlier and more across the board... who knows what is best? Here is a link to help with figuring out the marks you need to hit: GMAT Score Calculator. I took my ULT Practice test at the center on Monday. Scored 690 which had me feeling great until I mocked 40 quant questions from the med-hard in the OG and missed 18. Timing was fine. Lots of careless mistakes, but a few concept issues... going to do another set of 40 today; we will see how that goes. Starting to wonder if I should delay my test, but I think my app timeline is too tight for that. How is everyone else doing? @ aristocrat -- I wanted to take the Advanced, but couldn't do it bc of time. I would suggest that version bc i think that the students will have better questions to share with the class. I had a lot of people just trying for the 600 mark in my class, and they didn't exactly "push" the level of understanding. However, all Kaplan students have access to the Advanced material, so you can review that if you take the regular class. @ ralph303 -- thanks - working on practice sets. Did you take Kaplan as well? Just wondering if you could provide Kaplan scores --> Real score example for us... also, what error ratio did you have on practice questions before the test? @ donkey_man_88 -- how did you get a section score on Kaplan? I have just seen percentages... Also, how are your CATs going?

THANKS shoebite! This is great advice, and I have looked at it a few times already in my email to reassure me that I am doing the right things. I really appreciate your responsiveness and thoughtfulness. I have been trying to listen to shoebite's advice not to study too much new material. I took the Kaplan practice test at the center (690), and that helped with logistics for the big day. I also timed myself while completing 40 of the med-hard questions in the OG quant section last night, and it killed my confidence a bit.

When does everyone plan to take the GMAT? I am scheduled for 11/11, and looking for some last week prep suggestions. Also, has anyone taken Kaplan's classroom course? I am looking for correlation between my CATs and the real test scores... Thanks!

@ 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 MGMAT 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 (OG, 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?

Yes, I went to VT. Though, if you went to WVU or UVA, please don't discount my words automatically. ; ) I understand - they are pretty intense. Unforunately, I haven't used either of those books. However, I believe that this week in my prep course we use something called Kaplan 800... I will try to let you know what I think if it is the same. One other thing I would mention - Kaplan is mostly for content review. It also may max-out at a certain level. I used a Kaplan book the first time (will look at the title when I get home), and I found it wasn't quite detailed enough - I needed practice and the ability to hone in on my weaknesses. You probably can self-diagnose your weaknesses by using a method such as ursula's (post in this forum - 760 - very systematic - I can send you my answer sheets, if you would like). Go through the OG, determine where you are weak, and definitely use the OG specialty versions. I would suggest looking through the posts here (which you may have already done) to see what other materials people suggest. However, the most realistic of all is the OG - do at least the last 50 in each section. HTH! Good luck.

That's great news! A 680 is plenty sufficient even for most top-10 schools in the US. Congrats : )

shoebite -- thanks so much for your diligence in helping to answer our questions! I have been busy preparing, and haven't had time to write back. Everyone: I take my GMAT a week from Tuesday - any last minute advice? Thanks and Good luck!

I am enrolled in Kaplan's accelerated course. I am finding it (esp. the online resources) very helpful. I am trying to increase my score from 620 --> 700+ in 6 weeks. I was concerned Kaplan would not be tough enough, but it has been more than I expected. I would recommend any of the Kaplan options that include the online resources. However, don't forget the OG... I take my GMAT on 11/11. I will try to keep you updated. I will say that the class that meets twice a week is pretty intense - and you would need to sign up soon. Good luck!

I think that Kaplan is very helpful for concepts. I actually like their online resources better than the text -- they are organized into concepts, based on your scores, and seem to have more info. The OG doesn't have great explanations, unless you are making careless mistakes, and it doesn't give any time-saving strategies. I took the GMAT in Sept. I thought I could study on my own, and honestly didn't take it that seriously -- lots of practice tests, and reviewed two books (Kaplan and Peterson's). I scored a 620. I knew I had to take it again. I was really worried about signing up for Kaplan, but it has been a lifesaver. The class is not essential, but the online resources are. I really like that the software pinpoints your weaknesses. However, I have heard good things about MGMAT and several other companies. You may want to check out what is best in your area. It also depends on which Kaplan book you have... I know its a tough decision, but thats my input. Good luck!

@ 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?