Before and After a GMAT Course

I would definitely do a prep course. You're looking for a pretty significant jump in your score, and if you haven't gotten above 520 after a month and a half of self prep, I think a course would really, really help.

If you can't afford the tuition all at once, see which companies offer a payment plan. I know Princeton Review does. Or look at an online course. They're a lot less expensive, and you can still get access to instructors.

One thing to keep in mind about the cost of a class...with a higher score you'll have a better shot at the better schools, which will pay off in the long run. Plus a higher GMAT score could be a factor for some scholarships.

If you have plenty of time, I'd self-study. agree with frantastic too.

My old article:
https://jc-gmat.blocked/2006/10/jac ... piled.html

I am in a similar situation. After studying for 6 weeks I scored a 480 and then a 550. I would say that you should not take a class right now unless you are really running out of time (your test is in April). If you plan to take the GMAT over the coming summer, I would suggest identifying your weaknesses and really really attacking those areas. For example, I have identified a weakness in translating a certain type of problem into equations and a difficulty in dealing with number properties. I have purchased MGMAT books on those subjects and primarily focus on doing those types of problems. My only weakness on the verbal part is RC, so I have attacked that area as well. All of the other areas of math and verbal I simply keep up with by doing maybe 5 to 10 problems daily.

I am planning on taking the test by the middle of May in order to make (hopefully) June admissions deadline. So, for those who have taken a course, would you recommend Kaplan, Princeton, or Manhattan GMAT?