Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 563 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Aringo claim their client at HBS with 580.HBS didn't respond

Figure out where you wish to apply
Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Subscribe topic
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:17 pm

by josbilou » Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:45 am
My experience is that I got accepted to the school and program I wanted with the extensive help of a good consulting firm and a great personal consultant. English is not my mother-tongue and I could not have done the essays without their help. It's hard to understand just how instrumental they can be without working with one of them. And the more 'diminished' your chances are by your competitive category, the more outstanding you need to be. If you feel you can do this on your own, more power to you.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by tinarey12 » Wed Dec 18, 2013 3:37 am
LastChanceMBA wrote:First, this person who got in with a 580 is obviously a very special case, and I'm sure he/she has a remarkable resume and personal story. So unless you accomplished something truly remarkable (Rhodes scholar, saved a village, escaped a war torn country, NFL player, founded a startup worth $10 million+, etc.) don't expect to get into HBS with a 590. Study hard, and try your best to raise it to at least 680+.

Second, be very skeptical of Aringo or any other consulting firm when they brag about clients with low GMAT scores who got into top b-schools. Now I'm not accusing them of lying. However, unless you know the exact background and experience of the candidate in question, you're not getting any useful information that is relevant to YOU. After all let's be honest. A white/Asian guy in banking is not getting in with a 580 or some other subpar score. The ugly truth is that admission
consultants actually can't help you that much with getting into top schools.
The kind of people you mention here (Rhodes Scholar)would probably not have a low GMAT. And consultants are not likely to get these 'remarkable' people as clients - they tend to be sponsored by an organization. Consultants are there for anyone who feels they need help in putting together a really good application, no matter what their background.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:11 am

by arnasol78 » Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:42 am
I'm wondering if consultants accept everyone who comes to them, no matter what their application data looks like? In other words, are they honest about your chances at a top or good school from the beginning? If not, would they recommend you apply to schools that you have half a chance at being accepted to, or tell you you're not ready for an MBA if that's the case?
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by tinarey12 » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:52 am
They won't just accept anyone who wants an MBA from a prestigious school. If you don't have a good enough basic application, enough for them to work with, they will not take you on, at least the good ones won't. They have a reputation to maintain and they wouldn't burden the schools with anything sub-standard. They can't stop you from applying wherever you want to but it is in their interest, as well as yours, to accept only those with a reasonable chance at any of the top 20 schools.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:17 pm

by josbilou » Sat Jan 11, 2014 4:57 am
Please. There is enough information about application requirements and school standards to fill an encyclopedia. I'm not saying that acceptance at a top school or even a good school is a scientific procedure, far from it, but there is a base line of necessary conditions and any applicant should feel himself/herself reasonably qualified for acceptance before applying, with or without the help of a consultant.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:11 am

by arnasol78 » Fri Jan 17, 2014 11:57 pm
True..... except.... for the GMAT. Sometimes you just don't know where you stand with a below average GMAT score, or what to do about it.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2013 3:17 pm

by josbilou » Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:34 am
There IS a sort of grey area with GMAT scores. But as we know, this is not a science. A great score is always advantageous but the adcoms do not stop looking when they see a below average score. They do always go over the whole application.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2013 2:11 am

by arnasol78 » Sun Feb 02, 2014 4:06 am
I think everyone will agree that the GMAT is a hard test and some people have the advantage of just being good at maths or are prolific readers which helps with the Verbal. But if you are not one of those and can show excellent work skills over a period of time you should not let a relatively low GMAT score keep you from applying to the top schools. In other words, don't let that one element get you down. It doesn't cancel out everything else.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by tinarey12 » Sat Feb 08, 2014 2:15 am
Absolutely. You've come this far in preparing an application and if you think you've presented yourself in the best light possible, by all means go ahead and apply to the schools of your choice. At some point you just have to act.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:36 am

by rubirel7 » Thu Feb 13, 2014 8:26 am
Bottom line - if you are trying for the top 10 schools, do everything within your power, and more, to get the best GMAT score you can. Don't settle for a low score if you can do the test again.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by tinarey12 » Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:08 am
The important thing here is to give yourself plenty of time to prepare your application. Do the GMAT with enough time to retake it, if you have to, because it may indirectly affect what you say about yourself in your essays. Your application is a balancing act and you are trying to cover all the bases in the different elements.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:36 am

by rubirel7 » Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:47 am
Good advice, of course, but easier said than done. A lot of folks have a sudden realization that they need an MBA to advance their career and want to get in for the following year, which may not leave much time. And getting a great GMAT score is the stumbling block. I'd say the majority of applicants do the GMAT twice, at least.
Top
Join the discussion
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 4:21 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by tinarey12 » Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:14 am
Again, you will get better results, with everything, if you give yourself more time to study. The essays are a completely different element of the application process and should also not be hurried through. Sometimes this is where consultants come in to the picture, with their expertise at putting together a great application.
Top
Join the discussion
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:36 am

by rubirel7 » Mon Mar 10, 2014 2:27 am
For sure, if you can afford it. They are so expensive! But I guess if they help you do all your applications for the same price, it might be worth it.
Top
Join the discussion