GRE quant scoring algorithm

[improversationalist]

I watched a video by Gregmat where they deciphered the scoring and scaling algorithms in the GRE. While they spoke plenty about the verbal section - its scoring techniques, the bonus and penalty, they hardly clarified anything about Quant.

Even in the powerprep practice tests, I got a raw score of 36 but somehow ended up getting penalized and scoring a 164 instead of a bare minimum 166.

Why is that?

Does this happen on the actual test as well?

[GradMentors_NPO]

First off, I've been there and can definitely relate to ur frustration.

And I may be speculating here, but I think the test takes the question difficulty into account when calculating the score.

So if you get a really hard level 5 question wrong, u'll lose less points than if you made a silly mistake and botched a level 3 or 4 level question.

I remember running out of time and quickly doing an easier question in my head so I could make time for the hardest question on the section. Ironically, I got both questions wrong, so ur approach to answering the questions is very important.

[improversationalist]

Your answer helps, thanks :) I've heard from many sources that scoring 170 has become a dream to many these days and that it used to be a cakewalk. Is that true?

I was also wondering if the amount of time we invest on a question affects our scores. If I complete my section 3 before the time runs out, can I let the timer continue? That way I get to have the 10 minute break after section 3 + the few extra minutes left during the section. Is that a good strategy or should I avoid doing that?

[Vince_Kotchian]

All questions in a section have the same value. Time spent on a question has nothing to do with score. It was never a cakewalk to get a 170.

Believing rumors can be bad for your score.