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The question is a critical one, because choosing the right study schedule and test prep materials can make-or-break your plans for a good GMAT score, and - subsequently - admittance into a prestigious (or even standard) MBA school. In fact, 9 out of 10 new MBA enrollments are made using a GMAT score, and it's accepted by more than 7,000 programs around the world.
Although it is still widely used, keep in mind that some MBA programs utilized the pandemic to phase out their standardized testing requirements. If you're focusing on one particular school, it might be wise to check their requirements. If they likely still use the GMAT, the materials you'll find here will go a long way towards simplifying your test prep decision making process.
Wednesday, December 11th
Target Test Prep is a well-regarded test prep service that excels in a range of mid-to-high cost (but high quality) test prep, and their GMAT offerings are no different. While their self-led and online plans range in price from reasonable to the premium option, you can be assured that - whatever you choose - you're going to be getting some quality materials. Target Test Prep's high-quality, stellar reviews, and wide range of offerings all work together to earn them the number one spot on our list; whatever your individual needs, you should consider Target Test Prep as you study for the GMAT.
With a history of low-cost and high quality test prep material, Magoosh certainly delivers with their GMAT offerings. While Magoosh's GMAT plan includes fewer practice tests than more expensive services, Magoosh sits at the comfortable meeting place between price and quality, and earns our recommendation for the best budget GMAT test prep option on our list.
Having acquired Manhattan Test Prep in 2009, Kaplan sources their GMAT preparation offerings through them. This means that - in addition to Kaplan's fairly well-regarded (and ubiquitous) test prep - you will have access to Manhattan Test Prep's very highly-qualified (and well-compensated) tutors and instructors. In short, Kaplan's GMAT prep is above-average in terms of tutor and instructor quality, even as their self-led offerings are extensive yet standard for the price point among their competitors.
With their focus primarily on general tutoring services for test preparation, K-12, and college courses, Varsity Tutors often provides additional help for major tests, such as the GMAT. For a majority of Varsity Tutors' plans, they require you to call them and talk to a sales rep before disclosing their pricing. We appreciate that for the GMAT, they've broken the mold and actually displayed their prices. With that in mind, we think that Varsity Tutor's small-group focused lessons and tutoring sessions may be a good choice for those needing some mid-priced structured study; otherwise, we generally do not recommend Varsity Tutors.
The Princeton Review offer a range of high-cost self-led and live-online coursework that will likely prepare you well for the GMAT. Are they worth your consideration? Yes. However, they're also infamous for their advertising: as soon as you google them, or look up something about them, prepare to be followed by multiple YouTube and banner ads advertising their service. Are we happy with their purposefully overwhelming website? Their continually ongoing and renewed "sales” that include a countdown timer meant to instill a sense of fake urgency? It's safe to say that we don't appreciate these things, and have adjusted their score accordingly.
Prep Scholar is a budget test prep platform with a very reasonable price, but some very unreasonable policies. With a score guarantee that requires you to physically mail your scores to their offices, and generally fewer practice tests and materials offered compared to similarly budget services, Prep Scholar is not nearly as good a value as it seems. In short, if you're on a budget, we recommend the more highly-rated GMAT test prep services on our list.
Peterson's test prep is a company that primarily caters to current and ex-military service members, as they are contracted to provide free/low cost test prep to the military. However, Peterson's is not exactly good, and unless you are a service member who is receiving their materials for free, we do not recommend Peterson's for your GMAT prep.
GMAT hacks is primarily an outdated and almost abandoned website. However, it has a significant collection of free GMAT resources that could potentially be useful for your study. While the one book they still offer is very outdated (published in 2010), we appreciate that Jeff Sackmann has kept this website going, and recommend that you give it a look even if they do not offer up-to-date test-prep: the collection of free test-taking tips and resources may offer a slight benefit.
The terms of service from TestPrep Training state that they are not responsible if their materials are inaccurate or out of date, and they are not responsible if their website gives your computer a virus. If your service has to state that they are not responsible if they are accurate, and they are not responsible if they infect your computer with malware, we think it best you avoid them. While TestPrep Training does offer free GMAT preparatory materials, due to their bizarre terms of service, we would hesitate to attempt downloading them. In short, please avoid TestPrep Training, and if you need free GMAT resources, you'll find better (and safer) free materials offered by any of the major test-prep providers on our list.
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is meant to assess an applicant's general suitability for graduate study, particularly in regards to business and MBA performance. The GMAT distinguishes itself from the more generalized GRE insofar as its quantitative reasoning assessments are much more in-depth, and it de-emphasizes verbal reasoning assessment.
The GMAT consists of four sections: an Analytical Writing Assignment (AWA) that lasts 30 minutes, a multiple choice Integrated Reasoning (IR) section that consists of 12 questions and lasts 30 minutes, a Quantitative section of 31 questions that lasts 62 minutes, and a Verbal section of 36 questions that lasts 65 minutes. In short the test is extensive, and as such it will pay dividends to make some common sense preparations and study plans beforehand.
In spite of what some of the advertisements might say, there is no magic bullet to an improved GMAT score. While some highly rated test prep materials can certainly help, they are only one half of the equation, the other half being a realistic assessment of your needs, your timeframe, and the work needed to reach your goals. As you search for some appropriate GMAT prep that fits your budget and timeframe, it is important to take a deep breath and remember that - as long as you put in the work - you will in all likelihood improve your score.
In any case, as you start preparing for the GMAT gauntlet, here are some tips we've found for you to keep in mind:
Searching for test preparation materials is often - let's be frank - a terrible experience. The field of GMAT test prep hosts an entire industry sustained by the dangling of higher-test scores in front of often financially-insecure graduates behind huge costs. Even so, there are good companies out there offering reasonably priced and well-supported GMAT materials. Here at Top Consumer Reviews, we've done the legwork to help you find them. So, while searching for GMAT test prep is certainly not fun, we're certain that our curated list of high-quality and well-rounded test prep will help make the process a whole lot easier.
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