The GMAT is a predictable, standardized test. As such, you can train to score at a high level with GMAT test preparation. Full-length practice CAT exams are an essential part of the study process, but it never ceases to amaze me how often Test Takers use their CATs incorrectly. Choosing to do any of the following will likely lead to CAT scores that are unrealistic and an Official Score that is far lower than you want it to be.

Not Taking the FULL CAT

The GMAT is a specific ‘event’ that you can train for, but you have to train for the FULL event during you GMAT test preparation. Skipping the Essay and IR sections during practice means that you’re turning a 4-hour exam into a 2.5 hour exam. With that shorter exam, you don’t end up facing ANY of the endurance or fatigue issues that you WILL face on Test Day. If you’ve ever heard a story about someone whose Verbal score dropped significantly on the Official GMAT, this is likely one of the big reasons for that drop.

Inconsistency in the Day/Time of Your CATs

If your Official GMAT is scheduled for 9am on a Monday morning, then guess when you should be working on GMAT test preparation and taking your CATs?..... At 9am on Monday mornings, if possible. The human brain can be trained to perform well under any number of circumstances, but if you’re consistently taking your CATs at a day/time that doesn’t match up with Test Day (or if you’re inconsistent with the day/time overall), then there is a greater likelihood that your scores on Test Day will be “off” (and by “off”, I mean lower than you want them to be).

GMAT Test Preparation in an Unrealistic Setting

Your GMAT will be administered at a Testing Center, where you will work on a desktop computer workstation in a roomful of other Test Takers. Thinking about taking your CATs at your kitchen table on a laptop computer? Take a moment to think about EVERYTHING in that scenario that is unrealistic. If you train yourself to score at a high level in your kitchen, then don’t be surprised when you DON’T score nearly that well on Test Day. 

Thankfully, all of these factors can be dealt with, but YOU have to choose to deal with them correctly. Scoring at a high level on the GMAT isn’t supposed to be that easy. The 700+ score represents the 90^th percentile – meaning that 90% of Test Takers either CAN’T or WON’T do what it takes to hit that score. If a 700+ score is your goal, then you have to decide what you are willing to do with your GMAT test preparation to make that score happen.

Of course, there’s something to be said for putting in the proper study time, using the proper materials, and learning all of the tactics and “secrets” to the GMAT, but those are subjects for another post.

GMAT assassins aren’t born, they’re made,

Rich