Hello,

Can any qualified person comment as to how reliable/similar the results and questions of GMAT Life practice CATs are as compared to the GMAC PrepTests?

Obviously, GMAC is the test-maker so I understand they are more reliably indicative of your test-day experience. However, are the GMAT Life practice CATs known to be markedly different in terms of ease/difficulty in quant or verbal?

I took my first CAT from the GMATPrep.exe software and scored 570 (35Q/35V) with no preparation. I have studied for about 1 week now and scored 670 (38Q/46V) using the first of the five GMAT Life tests. I am not trying to brag or be pretentious; I just fear this may be an abnormality. Can I trust I have made this much progress or is GMAT Life known to be easier in any way?

Thanks in advance,

GMAT Test Taker

Bump for a response please.

Hi Student:

There is not an appreciable difference in question difficulty between the tests. They will all mimic what you can expect to see on test day.

However, since the scoring algorithm of the actual GMAT is a secret, there may be some scoring differences. The 800Score tests tend to score slightly easier on the Verbal side and harder on the quant side. The GMATLife and GMAT Simulator exams tend to score 5% harder on either section. The GMATPrep tests score 5% easier on either section.

Functionally, there are some differences.

800Score tests can be taken individually by section while the other exams have to be taken all together.

You can choose extended time in the options menu for GMATLife and GMATSimulator, while 800score will prompt you to ask if you want to continue after you have run out of time.

The GMATPrep exams do not have detailed solutions for the problems, but you can always email the homework help line if you have questions about how to solve any of the problems there.

I hope this information helps!

Best regards,
Kori & The Veritas Prep Team