Veritas weekend/online coaching or MGMAT Online coaching

shahdevang87

Hi Guys,

I have a GMAT Prep course query. I have gone through previous similar topics in the forum. By my case, it is a bit different.

I reside in Melbourne,Australia. No major Test Prep company offer regular classroom courses over here.

Only Veritas offers weekend coaching option (2 weekends,36 hours in total,one each for quant and verbal).Next weekend batch in Melbourne is from 24th May. After that,next batch is in September only.

As an alternative, all companies(including Veritas, Manhattan GMAT) offer online virtual training courses which are spread across 7-9 weeks. My choices boil down to Veritas and Manhattan GMAT only.

I have following options. (all costs are after applying corporate discount)

a) Veritas Weekend coaching

2 weekends (36 hours,9 hrs a day)

Cost: 960$

b) Virtual Veritas(online live coaching)

total 42 hours( 7 weeks, 2 days a week)

Cost: 890$

c) Manhattan GMAT Online course(online live coaching)

total 27 hours( 9 weeks, 1 day a week)
Cost: 890$

Queries:

1) Which of the above options would be the best for me?

2) In my opinion, weekend coaching would be too fast. But it will give benifit of in-person coaching.

In comparison, Virtual course is spread across 7-9 weeks and offers classes at less pace.

3) Which option to choose between Veritas and Manhattan GMAT?
Heard good reviews about Manhattan GMAT and veritas.

Read somewhere that if you want to achieve 700+, don't go for Veritas. Choose MGMAT instead. Is it true? Any comments?

4) Anybody has taken taken weekend coaching classes from Veritas in Australia (or anywhere in the world)?

Please provide suggestions. Are they worth to go for?

Any comments/ suggestions are welcome. I need to decide soon as weekend classes start from 24th may.

Regards,
Devang Shah

gabriel

VP_Jim · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

Hi Devang,

I'm a Veritas instructor, in the USA. I can't speak for the Manhattan online class, but I can tell you more about our offerings.

I usually teach weekend courses. In my opinion, the value of the weekend course depends on your background. For example, if you have trouble manipulating equations in algebra, you may have some trouble in the weekend intensive class. We do spend some time on the basics, but then move right on to the harder material (without giving you a week to practice in between). This problem is less pronounced in verbal, since there is more time to cover fundamentals on the verbal weekend.

If you get a lively instructor, the weekend class isn't too painful (although 9 hours a day is a lot!). You'll have the benefit of interactive instruction. Probably the biggest problem people have with the weekend class is that, once you leave, you're on your own for homework. No one will be there to make sure you are completing it, or to give you feedback on questions you got wrong and need to ask about. FYI, some people like to take the weekend course, then combine it with a few hours of tutoring to get homework help after the class ends.

As for the online class, I think it's better than nothing for sure, but I'd always recommend the in person class. It's too easy to "tune out" when watching the class online, and it's a bit harder to ask questions and get that interactive feel that the live class has.

As for your third question, I've definitely had students get 700s (and up). I think your score depends largely on you, not on the test prep company that you choose!

So, without knowing more about your background, I'd probably recommend the live class, plus a few hours of tutoring if you can afford it (it's worth it). If you have a serious deficiency in math, I might recommend the online class, or, better yet, reviewing basic math before the weekend class.

Let me know if you have more questions about Veritas.