Go for Manhattan!

I took Kaplan, but the reason why I chose them was primarily based on the schedule. I had a to re-take the GMAT quickly, and they offered a 4 week class that met twice a week that fit my schedule

If I had the leisure to choose, I would choos MGMAT. I have been more impressed with their prep material than with Kaplan's

I'm currently an instructor for two Kaplan GMAT Advanced classes - one is online and the other is given at a Kaplan center.

Kaplan is the only GMAT provider that offers advanced classes that you have to score qualify for. If you don't qualify initially, you can also "transfer up" later. I have students who are already 700+ and shooting for high 700s, as well as students working to break 700.

Another point worth noting is that Kaplan offers a comprehensive guarantee and MGMAT doesn't.

neupane00 wrote:hello, i am trying to decide between manhattan gmat vs kaplan prep class. please help me decide. i am in nyc. i scored 550 on diagnostic test (from kaplan book). but that was without any prep and with my rusty knowledge. What are pluses and minus? thanks a lot.

So - the answer is it depends.

I've got both MGMAT / Kaplan experience.

If you're looking to score like a 600. Go with Kaplan. I think how they teach teaches towards students that aren't looking to score as high and don't demand that much out of you in terms of HW. For example, MGMAT homework is A LOT. If you don't do it, you probably won't be getting that much out of the class.

MGMAT teaches a lot of fringe material and will help your score from 650 and beyond.

Honestly - I wish I could have taken Kaplan first and MGMAT second - not the other way around.

I think Kaplan's online interface is more colorful and nicer than MGMAT. MGMAT is a lot of Red, white and Black. Kaplan uses a lot of other colors. I don't know why this matters but it definitely changes the feel of your experience. In general - I think their syllabus interface is really comfortable. I dunno if its subliminal but their pictures, score reports are much more nicer to look at. MGMAT will give you the same if not better analytics with their score reports and breakdowns but somehow the look and feel is a lot different.

Even Kaplan Advanced (students 650+) isn't as strong as MGMAT because if you do MGMAT HW, your math will skyrocket but its an assload of work.

My MGMAT instructor is awesome - and really works with the students and is open to other methods and thinking. She dumbed things down for me but I feel that Kaplan's focus is a lot more focused on "tricks" rather than quickness.

For example - MGMAT vs. Kaplan Tests.

MGMAT tests I think are all around harder. Math is tougher and Verbal is tougher. People tell me that MGMAT is closer to the real test but MGMAT math is DEFINITELY harder than the real thing. Their problems will all take more time than Kaplan tests even if you know the concept involved whereas Kaplan questions - if you know the trick - the question shouldn't take that long.

Kaplan course syllabus and labs are helpful for people that just want to do things on your computer. MGMAT is really dependent on their books which. To be very honest, I prefer doing things online in Kaplan. I mean, its just a really nice interface. Whoever did their web interface really deserves a lot of props. MGMAT web interface is really unimpressive. It's way too much dark red and white. There's honestly a type of "calming" feeling that you get when doing Kaplan labs / CATs whereas MGMAT I feel is really all out stress.

the MGMAT books are hands down the best books - better than PR, Barros, Kaplan. So even if you take Kaplan, I would say buy the MGMAT book.

So hopefully this helps you. I would say, if you can afford it and have the time - take BOTH. If you were to pick one. I mean - it really depends on you.

Thank you doclkk.

Even though I didn't ask the question, your response will help me as I am currently assessing my best options. If you're curious, I started a thread regarding study materials / advice for a quadriplegic, here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/study-materi ... 38693.html

To doclkk:

It was very interesting, what you have written. Thank you very much. I consider now to follow your advice and take both alternatives. But I live in Moscow, so I can't attend classes. So what do you think about their online options? In Kaplan, as I understood, there are two possibilities: participate in real classes through internet or take video-lectures. Which is better? Which one did you describe, when you spoke about the interface? Or was it something they give to you when you attend real classes? Will I receive it?

helena_j wrote:To doclkk:

It was very interesting, what you have written. Thank you very much. I consider now to follow your advice and take both alternatives. But I live in Moscow, so I can't attend classes. So what do you think about their online options? In Kaplan, as I understood, there are two possibilities: participate in real classes through internet or take video-lectures. Which is better? Which one did you describe, when you spoke about the interface? Or was it something they give to you when you attend real classes? Will I receive it?

If you have to do it ALL Online. I would say go Kaplan. MGMAT is heavily based on their books. Their books are awesome but in terms of online help - Kaplan I think is the creme of the crop. Like I said, I really like Kaplan's interface. If its all online - then there's your answer.

If you've got the MGMAT books are down to do a lot of homework, go with MGMAT. It's an ASSLOAD of homework. Honestly, some of the stuff you will never see. In fact, chances are, most of the stuff you won't see but it prepares you just in case.

I think the tone of my previous post was a little unclear so I want to rephrase.

In my opinion, I think Kaplan will get people to 600 faster than MGMAT will. BUT, I think MGMAT will get people to 700 faster than Kaplan will.

The reason for this is because I think with Kaplan, the syllabus isn't as rigorous as the instructors take into account that people may want to have lives outside of studying the GMAT whereas the amount of homework that MGMAT gives - in order to do all of it, would suggest that you wouldn't have much of a life outside of homework and work.

I personally don't have a life outside of work/studying the GMAT and so I think MGMAT is a better fit for me. Who needs friends when I've got their sentence correction book!

If MGMAT had Kaplan's look and feel, I think their product would be a lot better.

But you know, take everything I say with a grain of salt. I'm only scoring about 620. It appears on this board that there is a truckload of naturally gifted and smart people that don't need test prep companies / a life that revolves around the GMAT and are able to score 750. I myself am probably a little bit of a slow learner so every little bit helps (interface, look and feel, more problems, many practice exams etc)

Cheers and good luck.

To doclkk:
Thank you for the answer. I have already started the Kaplan course (but not interactive one, but those with video lectures and tests online). I go to ordinary corses here, in Moscow. But I think later to take the MGMAT interactive courses as well. They claim that everything is the same if I am in the classroom. And they send the books. Kaplan too. I want also MGMAT, because today I have made the first diagnostic test in Kaplan and the result is 620, but I want 700+. And do they have essay material?