Self-Study, Class, or a Tutor? How to Choose your GMAT Approach - Part 2
Last time, we talked about how to decide whether to study on your own, take a class, or work with a tutor. If you choose either of the latter two options, then youll want to make sure that youre picking the best program and instructor for youGMAT prep is too expensive to suffer through a bad program.
How to choose a particular class (including instructor!)
Most companies offer some kind of free event designed to allow you to check out their program before you commit. Take advantage of anything free to help you make your decision.
First, do your homework before you show up for that free event. Take a practice test and try to diagnose your own strengths and weaknesses. Most companies offer a free practice test. (Dont use up one of your two free GMATPrep teststhe official practice test made by the test makers. Save those for later in your study.)
Research some business school programs and determine what you think your goal score needs to be. Talk to friends who took a course or worked with a tutor and ask whether they would recommend that course or tutor and why. (The and why is critically importantit may be that your friend liked a particular class for some reason that doesnt matter at all to you!) Develop a list of questions that you would like to ask of any teacher an program you consider.
Next, develop a short list of companies or even specific teachers and then take advantage of whatever free offerings you can. Many companies will host free information sessions. Some (such as Manhattan GMAT) will allow students to attend one class of a course for free. Ideally, you want to see your instructor in action, so look for any free live or taped event that features the instructor in the class that youd potentially attend.
One caveat: if the class sells out, you wont be able to get a seat. Before the first class, call up the company to ask how many seats are still left; if its close to selling out, theyll tell you! Alternatively, get ahead of the game by observing potential instructors a couple of months before you want to start. Then, you can sign up for a later course with the same instructor at your leisure.
Arrive for class early and, if the teacher is free, chat a bit to get a feel for his or her personality and approachability. (Dont be offended if she or he needs to get ready for class and asks you to wait until after class to talk.) Feel free to ask about his or her credentials, teaching style, and so forth. Give the teacher a short summary of your situation (current scoring level, goal, any deadlines) and see what the teacher has to say.
Then take some notes. Was the instructor approachable? Did you feel comfortable asking questions and was the instructor happy to answer your questions? Did the instructor answer thoughtfully and even ask you some additional questions in order to clarify your situation? Did the instructors teaching style work for you? Do you feel you could learn well from this person for the duration of the course? Would you look forward to this teachers class?
Also, take notes when you interact with non-teaching staff. Are they friendly and approachable? Do they listen to what you say and go out of their way to try to help? If you have any technical or other problems, how quickly and effectively are they resolved?
Repeat the above for however many classes youre considering, then make your best choice.
How to choose a tutor
Choosing a tutor is even more stressful than choosing a class. First, youre paying a lot more for this service. Second, you may feel that you cant say no to the first tutor you talk tohell feel bad or maybe hell get in trouble with his company.
Any tutor or company that tries to pressure you into a decision is not the tutor / company for you. You dont need to feel badly about asking to work with someone else; a good company knows that sometimes two people just dont click.
The company (or tutor) should be able to give you a bio or other information that will let you know the tutor's experience before you officially agree to the tutoring. Feel free to google the tutors name to see if you can find any comments online from (happy or not-so-happy) past students.
You should also be able to have a short email or phone conversation (perhaps 10-15 minutes) with the tutor before you officially meet for a paid tutoring session, and the tutor should ask you some questions about your strengths and weaknesses and / or give you some kind of work to do before the first meeting. For example, I ask my students to take an MGMAT test, if they haven't already, so that I can review their results and map their strengths and weaknesses before we begin.
Finally, either before the first session or at the first session, your potential tutor should ask you enough questions to know your situation to a certain extent. How long have you been studying? What have you done so far? What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? What is your goal score? When do you want to take the test? Do you have any deadlines you have to meet? That is, the tutor should be developing a strategy for your specific needs, not just applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
If youre going to do some tutoring, make sure that you have the funds to do at least three separate sessions. The real value comes from the tutors ability to diagnose you and learn how you think. The more you work together, the better a good tutor will be able to understand how your brain works, allowing him or her to figure out the best ways to teach you what you need to know.
Take-aways
(1) There are benefits and drawbacks to any kind of study: self, course, or tutor. Know your own learning style, goals, needs, budget, and preferences so that you can make the best choice for yourself.
(2) If you decide to take a course or work with a tutor, give yourself some time to make a good choice. Ask lots of questions and, if possible, observe the person teaching before you work with him or her. Pay attention to how you feel: do you think you can learn well from this person? Do you think this person will teach you how to study well, for all of those times when youre studying without the teacher? Would you actually look forward to class or tutoring with this teacher? If so, youve found the right instructor.