Self-analysis is an extremely important approach to progressing with your GMAT preparation. When taken during the initial phase of the preparation, the mock tests help you analyse your level of preparedness. Moreover, it is highly encouraged to take a mock test before starting their preparation so that you can map your strengths and weaknesses. Besides, carrying out an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses will help you be more efficient and effective in your GMAT preparation. Hence, we have put together a list of score ranges based on which you can gauge what you should do if your mock test scores fall in a given range. Read this article to learn more about what your GMAT mock scores tell.
Before we begin, let us understand further in detail about GMAT mock scores and their importance.
Why are GMAT Practice Scores Important?
Analysing your GMAT mock test scores is just as important a step as solving questions from the official guide. It is very important to properly analyse your mock test scores to learn about the type of questions that you find challenging. Once you know which areas need more attention, you can work over them by going through the concepts and then take another mock test to see if your efforts have materialized into better scores.
While every test-taker has their own weak and strong areas, there are only a few who are equally good in both verbal and quant. Hence, your section-wise scores in the mock test are good indicators of your level of proficiency in each section of the GMAT. If you feel that your performance in a section is not up to the mark then you should spend more time learning the basics of that section. A strong grasp of the basic concepts will enable you to solve questions of higher difficulty levels that are asked on the GMAT exam.
Now that we know the importance of GMAT mock test scores, let’s take a look at the different score ranges of GMAT mock tests and what they help us understand.
GMAT Score Range and Their Implications
If Your Score Lies Between 200-500:
Don’t panic! If you find your GMAT mock test scores lie in the extreme lower end of the GMAT scoring chart, it does not mean you haven’t prepared well or you’re not good at the GMAT. It just means you’re less familiar with the basic concepts of the GMAT syllabus. However, you will have to work really hard on your basics and spend more time trying to increase your understanding of the foundations of quant and verbal reasoning. Once you hone the basics of each topic, your sectional scores will gradually increase, thereby, increasing your overall GMAT score.
Since your overall score is low, it means that you need to work on all the aspects of the GMAT exam. Improve your speed by practising as much as you can within a short period. Solve easy to medium level questions and gradually increase the difficulty level based on your comfort. Do not panic and just be consistent with your efforts. The results will start to show slowly but surely over time.
If Your Score Lies Between 500-650:
A score within the range of 400-600 indicates that you are familiar with the concepts of the topics tested on the GMAT exam and that you can solve easy questions with good accuracy. However, your performance in intermediate and advanced level questions needs improvement. Another implication of a score within this range could indicate good performance in one section but a poor performance in the other. When you do not have a thorough understanding of a topic your speed automatically slows down and brings your overall score down too.
Work on your weaknesses by gaining some advanced conceptual knowledge. Learn new tricks to solve the advanced and intermediate level questions much faster. Practice more questions of higher difficulty level within a short time. Initially, try to solve the question even if it takes up to 10 minutes of brainstorming. Eventually, your confidence will increase enabling you to tackle these questions more effectively.
If Your Score Lies Between 650-700:
If your preparation is in the right direction, you’ll see your mock test scores within the range of 650-700. Although a strong GMAT score on the actual exam would lie in this range, you will have to support your GMAT scores with a strong resume to gain a competitive advantage when applying to a top business school. You must aim for a higher score if you do not have sufficient work experience or leadership skills to show on your resume. Moreover, a good GMAT score can help you cover up any other loopholes evident on your profile.
The advantage of scoring in this range is that it shows strong conceptual knowledge and critical reasoning skills. However, your inability to score over 700 may be due to a lack of time management. Hence, learning new tricks and advanced methods can help you reduce the time taken over problem-solving questions. All in all, if your preparation is moving in the right direction, ensure that you stay consistent.
If Your Score is 700+:
These are some positive signs that can provide a major boost to your confidence. A 700+ score implies you have a strong command of the concepts of the GMAT syllabus. However, that does negate the fact that you do need extra practice to master other skills such as time management and strategizing your exam. Remember it is only a GMAT mock test score, the real exam scenario can be completely different. To ensure that you replicate your practice performance on to the actual test, you must keep practising since there is always some scope for improvement.
While preparing for the GMAT you should make a note of questions that you find challenging in the mock test and understand the reasoning behind the solutions provided. Learning using the right approach to a question will benefit you in the long term. Moreover, a proper analysis of your performance will be crucial to help you improve with each mock test you take. Ensure that you stay focused and do not let the energy drop. A 720+ score can play a huge role in strengthening your application to a top business school. So, make sure that you do not stop until you achieve a score above 720.
The mock test is a tool to test your preparation. Hence, it is an effective means to get a basic idea of the score you might achieve in the GMAT exam. However, this is not your final GMAT score nor does it guarantee similar scores on the actual test. So, no matter how you fare in the mock test, you will have to be consistent in your efforts.
Now that we have explained to you what your GMAT mock test scores tell, you’re better aware of the importance of taking a mock test after each preparation. Furthermore, you also understand what your mock test scores mean which is crucial to preparing in the right way.