The GMAT preparation process is not easy so the GMAT Focus Edition Mock or Practice Test becomes an important resource, offering candidates an insight into the study strategy and exposing them to the level of difficulty of the actual exam. These mock tests help candidates create improvement plans by pointing out gaps in their preparations. However, not all GMAT practice exams are similar. So, the real challenge is to figure out which ones are worthwhile and how to use them efficiently. This blog will give you all the information you need to get started with your GMAT prep!
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What Does a Good GMAT Practice Test Do?
To achieve a good score on the GMAT, it's important to practice accurately, perceptively, and introspectively. A good mock exam is more than just a copy of the GMAT; it's an in-depth, trustworthy, diagnostic instrument that helps you improve your study and tactics. Let's examine the factors that make up a solid GMAT practice exam.
- Offers a Reliable Score Estimation: GMAT practice exams provide a score representing your true GMAT performance, i.e., within a 30-point range. For example, your mock test reports a score of 705, a trustworthy test would put your real GMAT score between 685 and 715. This score isn’t merely a metric but a snapshot of your current proficiency, offering a perspective of where you stand in your GMAT journey.
- Illuminates Gaps in Your Preparation: An effective preparation material carefully pinpoints the sections and subsections where your performance declines, and hinders you from achieving your desired GMAT Focus score. The mock exam should highlight specific areas that require your undivided attention, whether it is a particular Verbal skill set or a specific question style in Quant. This will guarantee that your preparation is effective and precisely targeted.
- Exposes Strategy Shortfalls: A well-designed mock test goes beyond simple content assessment. It combines analytical and artificial intelligence tools to reveal your weaknesses. It should identify mistakes and show how you approach the test and whether time management or particular question types affect your result.
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A good GMAT practice exam functions as a triad of a diagnostic tool, a predictive tool, and a strategic advisor.
How to Access Free GMAT Focus Mocks
There are two free official GMAT Focus mock exams available from mba.com. The steps below will give you an easy way to access GMAT Focus Mocks. Here's how to access them:
- Log in to your mba.com account.
- Navigate to the "GMAT Focus Edition Prep" section. This might be on your dashboard or under a similar heading.
- You'll likely see a button to "Purchase GMAT Focus Prep". Click on "Learn More" instead.
- Look for details about the "GMAT Focus Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2". This is where you will find free mocks.
- You will find a link or button to access these practice exams within the details. It might say "Click Here" or "Launch Practice Exams".
Here are some additional points to consider:
- These free mock exams contain questions from all three GMAT sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.
- There are two exams with 70 questions each, for a total of 140 practice questions.
- The mba.com platform uses the same scoring algorithm as the real GMAT for these mocks.
- Be aware that the question pool is shared between the two free exams. Taking them multiple times might lead to seeing some repeated questions.
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Challenges in Creating a Good Mock Test
The process of creating a trustworthy GMAT Focus Edition mock test is like solving a complex jigsaw puzzle: all elements from the algorithm to the question bank must fit together perfectly to create a coherent, precise representation of the test-taker's skills. Let's explore the major obstacles that creators face during this complex procedure.
- Duplicating the Algorithm for Computer Adaptation: The GMAT Focus isn’t merely computer-adaptive; it employs a meticulous question-level adaptive algorithm. This means that the test adjusts not just section-by-section but also adjusts the difficulty level of each new question based on how you answered the questions before. Thus, a true mock exam should include a comparable question-level adaptive algorithm to replicate the real testing environment and guarantee that score estimates align with the GMAT.
- Choosing a Representative and Balanced Question Bank: The questions should not only cover a range of skill levels (Easy, Medium, and Hard), but they should also fairly represent the subject areas included in the GMAT Focus. In Quant, it is crucial to ensure that Arithmetic and Algebra are tested fairly. This equitability ensures that the GMAT Practice tests a breadth of skills and knowledge areas.
- Assess the Right Skills: The GMAT measures skills that have changed over time. An example is the change in the Verbal part from a grammar-centric evaluation to a meaning-focused approach. Maintaining consistency between the question structure, skill assessment, and scoring algorithms in sync with the real GMAT Focus is a dynamic task that calls for frequent revisions and strict quality control.
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Navigating Through GMAT Focus Edition Mock Test Provider
Selecting GMAT Focus Edition mocks providers is essential to get a clear picture of your skills and readiness for the real exam. Three institutes are popular for their computer-adaptive mock test offerings: MBA.com, e-GMAT, and GMAT Club. Let's examine the features, advantages, and disadvantages of these mocks in detail below.
1. MBA.com Mocks: The Pinnacle of Authenticity
As the GMAT's forerunner,MBA.com provides an unmatched testing experience that is as near to taking the real test as possible. It offers six well-designed GMAT practice tests—two are free, and the other four cost USD 107.99 / INR 9,020—they claim to provide a unique window into the real GMAT exam environment.
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) creates and reviews all exam questions, ensuring they measure the same knowledge and ability areas assessed in the actual GMAT. This method ensures that test takers experience the real range and complexity of subjects, question types, and difficulty levels.
Furthermore, a proprietary technology replicates the question selection process of the actual GMAT and is incorporated into the design of these examinations. This relationship between test-taker performance on previous questions and question difficulty guarantees a score estimate that is exceptionally accurate and predictive of actual GMAT scores.
In terms of scoring, MBA.com mocks give detailed information, providing overall scores and sectional and subsectional ability scores that delve deeply into your areas of strength and progress.
The MBA.com GMAT Focus Edition mocks are a valuable tool for any serious GMAT applicant. They combine authoritative question quality with unparalleled algorithmic sophistication. This makes them stand out as a fundamental resource for individuals seeking a real-world GMAT experience.
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Feature |
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Number of Mocks |
6 (2 free, 4 paid) |
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Price for Paid Mocks |
USD 107.99 / INR 9,020 |
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Test Questions |
Retired official GMAT questions |
|
Algorithm |
Mimics the actual GMAT algorithm |
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Scoring & Analysis |
Provides overall, sectional, and subsectional scores |
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Reliability |
Highly accurate and reliable |
|
Additional Insights |
No advanced analytics or strategy improvement insights |
|
Noteworthy Limitation |
Possible reliability concern if questions have been attempted previously on GMAT Club |
|
Ideal Use-Case |
Best for first-time test-takers and those unfamiliar with questions |
2. E-GMAT Mocks: The Synthesis of Algorithmic Precision and Pedagogical Expertise
e-GMAT mocks are a space that mirrors your GMAT strengths and weaknesses with sharp accuracy. They are built on a solid foundation of GMAT expertise and real-world understanding, using a sophisticated question adaptive engine to provide a reliable ability estimate. Each question is a carefully constructed challenge, designed over 10 hours to tap into the same skills and difficulty levels as those you'll face in the GMAT Focus Edition. The experts, each a seasoned creator of thousands of GMAT-like questions, ensure each problem evaluates a critical skill tested at your ability level.
In an e-GMAT mock, you're not just answering questions; you're interacting with a carefully constructed, although not exact, replica of the GMAT's algorithm. The AI-driven system dissects your performance, spotlighting not just the mistakes but also the why behind them. e-GMAT doesn't just point out, it explains, that ensuring every mock is a step forward in your preparation. With five mocks ready, e-GMAT is more than a tool; it's your ally in your GMAT journey, ensuring every step you take is sure, informed, and confident.
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Feature |
|
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Number of Mocks |
5 (1 free, 4 paid) |
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Price |
Included in e-GMAT Subscription |
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Test Questions |
Crafted by e-GMAT experts |
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Algorithm |
Deep question adaptive engine, based on extensive research and simulations. |
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Scoring & Analysis |
Provides overall, sectional, and subsectional scores and percentiles. |
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Reliability |
High reliability, although an exact match with the official algorithm is not claimed. |
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Additional Insights |
AI-driven engine that identifies gaps in test-taking strategies and areas that need improvement. |
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Creators’ Background |
The top 4 experts on GMAT Club, possess a deep understanding of GMAT algorithms. |
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Validation of Questions |
Approximately 10 hours were spent on creating and validating each question-solution pair. |
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Quality Assurance |
Questions are rigorously vetted for skill and difficulty level alignment with GMAT Focus. |
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Ideal Use-Case |
Suitable for students who wish to analyze not only their abilities but also their test-taking strategies and patterns. |
3. GMAT Club Mocks: A Community-Driven Approach to Mastering the GMAT
The Quant section of the GMAT Club mocks is the most popular. This portion guarantees that your quantitative skills are refined and prepared for the real GMAT, with its difficult and insightful questions valued in the GMAT preparation community.
These mocks most likely use an adaptive algorithm that adjusts the test based on how you answer. Given the platform's historical bias toward Quant, there may be some scrutiny of GMAT Club's Verbal and Data Insights questions. They need to ensure that every section has the same difficulty level, depth, and quality to provide you with a comprehensive, well-rounded practice.
Compared to e-GMAT or MBA.com, the insights and feedback from GMAT Club mocks may not be as comprehensive, particularly when it comes to delivering precise subsectional scores or analytical insights. This platform is anticipated to have five or more comprehensive adaptive assessments, giving users plenty of practice.
To put it briefly, GMAT Club mocks are a reliable and well-supported community resource for those preparing for the GMAT, especially for Quant.
Comparing the Mock Providers
The table below helps you compare and choose the best of these GMAT Focus preparation materials.
|
Feature/Provider |
|||
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Adaptive Algorithm |
Yes, precise and proven |
Yes, deeply developed |
Yes, general adaptive |
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Question Quality |
High; official, retired questions |
High; crafted by top-rated experts |
High in Quant; Varied in Verbal and DI |
|
Question Creator Expertise |
GMAC experts |
4 top-rated experts |
Community members and moderators, with varying levels of expertise |
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Number of Mocks Available |
6 (2 free, 4 paid) |
5 (1 free, 4 paid) |
At least 5 expected |
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Price |
$107.99 for 4 tests |
Not specified |
$99.95 |
|
Insight Detail |
Detailed sectional and subsectional scores |
Detailed sectional, subsectional scores, and AI-driven insights |
Expected sectional scores, potentially developing further |
|
Test-Taking Strategy Analysis |
No |
Yes, with AI analysis |
No |
|
Community/Peer Insight |
Limited |
Not specified |
Rich, through the GMAT Club platform |
|
Strength Area |
Reliable estimate, Real-world GMAT experience |
In-depth analysis, test-taking strategy |
Quant section, community feedback |
|
Potential Weakness |
No test-taking strategy analysis |
Not specified |
Less proven Verbal and DI quality may lack deep insights |
|
Unique Selling Point |
Closest experience to real GMAT |
Comprehensive insights and analysis with proprietary algorithms |
Strong community and Quant preparation |
Comparing Mock Test Availability for GMAT Focus vs. the Classical GMAT
The mock test landscape between the GMAT Classical and its modern equivalent, the GMAT Focus Edition (GFE), shows a noticeable reduction in the readily available preparation materials.
Classic GMAT: A Vast Repository of Practice Opportunities
Compared to the GMAT Focus Edition, the Classic GMAT offers a wider selection of GMAT practice test providers than the GMAT Focus Edition.
- MBA.com: Strong and dependable option providing comprehensive analysis with six practice exams.
- e-GMAT: A method driven by experts that offers five well-constructed practice exams.
- GMAT Club: Known for its quant sections, provides five available mock exams.
- Manhattan GMAT: Renowned for its in-depth and complete mocks, Manhattan GMAT offers five exams.
- Kaplan: Six practice exams were available, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
- Princeton Review: Provides a comprehensive collection of ten practice exams, catering to in-depth preparation.
- 800 score: They offered a well-balanced mix of different question kinds and levels of difficulty in their five mock exams.
With their specialties, each organization offered a variety of mock exams that helped candidates discover, comprehend, and adjust to different question types, varying degrees of difficulty, and testing algorithms.
GMAT Focus Edition Mocks Providers
Aspirants taking the GMAT Focus Edition have access to comparable organized tests from three major producers of mock tests:
Note that as of October 13, 2023, none of the above-mentioned suppliers have made any announcements regarding GMAT Focus Edition mocks on their websites or platforms. But, this could change in the future. Keep checking their websites for updated information.
The GMAT Focus Edition only offers candidates a total of 16 mock exams. However, remember that these mocks are precisely tailored and closely coincide with the GMAT Focus’ distinctive format and testing mechanisms.
Conclusion
e-GMAT, GMAT Club and MBA.com provide a consistent service across GMAT editions. However, the elimination of other providers from the Focus Edition suggests a change in strategy for applicants. Because of the limited amount of GMAT practice examinations available, you must use each carefully to ensure that you understand and prepare adequately for the actual GMAT exam.
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