I'm disappointed in my score in comparison with my practice tests. I've been out of school 20 years so I knew I was going to need help.
My diagnostic test proved this:
146 Q 149 V
But then I used Kaplan self prep and my scores became more consistent:
151 Q 163 V
151 Q 158 V
153 Q 157 V
154 Q 160 V
156 Q (unfinished verbal)
161 Q 158 V
My actual test:
152 Q 153 V
Which is my worst score since my diagnostic. I'm not retaking it, because I don't think it will be a problem. It's not a competitive score, but it more than qualifies for my program. But if I had to recommend anything to future test takers it would be to practice tests from different sources.
I kept hearing that Kaplan's tests were the same as the GRE, harder even, but my experience was that the wording of the GRE and the types of questions I got on test day were different enough to feel foreign. It seemed like an easier test, but I was thrown and kept rechecking my answers. My pacing was way off.
I wish I would have done a few Power Prep Practice Tests in addition to my Kaplan studies. That would have prepared me better.
Adding my experience so that it might help someone else.
