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(4.8/5) -292 reviews
Manhattan Prep In-Person Complete Course
(4.8/5) -292 reviews
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Joined: Jun 23, 2020
Purchased Course: Dec 27, 2019
Purchased Course: Dec 27, 2019
College: Texas A&M University
Major: Management Information Systems
Major: Management Information Systems
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Recommend Manhattan Prep
June 23, 2020- Teacher: Keith Blume
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 600 After: 730
Took the in-person Manhattan Prep course with Keith Blume in Chicago at the beginning of this year and highly recommend! The curriculum offers ample material to not only learn the core content necessary for the exam but also efficient test-taking strategies. Keith was very helpful in pinpointing ways to reduce mistakes and see things I had not previously seen before, and he also created a customized post-course study plan based on my previous practice tests and goals. My first practice test at the beginning of the course was a 600 and I managed to increase that score 100+ with a first attempt on the actual GMAT. Highly recommend Keith and the Manhattan Prep course!
Joined: Mar 11, 2019
Purchased Course: Sep 4, 2018
Purchased Course: Sep 4, 2018
College: Cornell University
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Ryan McGorman is an excellent instructor and took me to the promised land
March 11, 2019- Teacher: Ryan McGorman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I took a 9-week course with Ryan McGorman and was far from disappointed. On the contrary, I think Ryan is an excellent instructor and was the primary driver behind my score increase. Ryan is patient with those in his class who need some extra time, but can quickly switch into 6th gear for his more advanced students. I appreciated the way that he was able to simplify concepts down to their bare bones. Ryan demystifies much about the GMAT and enables his students to succeed. It also helps that Ryan is a great guy and is a pleasure to spend a few hours with every Sunday. Thank you Ryan!!!
Joined: Apr 18, 2018
Purchased Course: Jan 9, 2018
Purchased Course: Jan 9, 2018
College: University of Virginia
Major: International Relations
Major: International Relations
Industry: Public Relations
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great on strategies and content
March 10, 2019- Teacher: Jeff Volmer
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I took the 10-week Manhattan Prep course with Jeffrey Volmer (in the D.C./Northern VA area) in winter 2018 and was very pleased with the experience. Jeff is an excellent and patient teacher who always made himself available outside of class hours to answer questions.
The Manhattan coursework and classroom format encouraged self-study. For someone who may not be motivated to study alone and profits from the pressure of having to keep pace with peers, this is a great option. In addition to reintroducing the grammar and math concepts that one will need to ace the test, the Manhattan curriculum emphasizes the strategies a test-taker must use to optimize his or her score under the time constraint and how to recognize and approach recurring ?tricks? that the test throws at you. Jeff did a great job of giving equal currency to the test content and strategies.
I started studying for the GMAT without having taken a math course since high school (eight years prior). Given the intensity of the quant, this was my greatest weakness. But the Manhattan textbooks (especially Foundations of Math) provide an overview of the basics and ample drill exercises to help improve on that portion of the test.
I did not take the test for business school so I wasn?t trying my damnedest to break 700 (I didn?t). The programs I applied to also accepted the highest score in each category (Quant/Verbal/IR/Essay) from any test sitting, so I had different incentives from someone applying to an MBA program. If you struggle in one category, I would recommend supplementing the Manhattan coursework with a tutor as you get closer to test date. If you are in the D.C. area, I?m fairly certain Jeff offers tutoring and would make an excellent one-on-one teacher.
The Manhattan coursework and classroom format encouraged self-study. For someone who may not be motivated to study alone and profits from the pressure of having to keep pace with peers, this is a great option. In addition to reintroducing the grammar and math concepts that one will need to ace the test, the Manhattan curriculum emphasizes the strategies a test-taker must use to optimize his or her score under the time constraint and how to recognize and approach recurring ?tricks? that the test throws at you. Jeff did a great job of giving equal currency to the test content and strategies.
I started studying for the GMAT without having taken a math course since high school (eight years prior). Given the intensity of the quant, this was my greatest weakness. But the Manhattan textbooks (especially Foundations of Math) provide an overview of the basics and ample drill exercises to help improve on that portion of the test.
I did not take the test for business school so I wasn?t trying my damnedest to break 700 (I didn?t). The programs I applied to also accepted the highest score in each category (Quant/Verbal/IR/Essay) from any test sitting, so I had different incentives from someone applying to an MBA program. If you struggle in one category, I would recommend supplementing the Manhattan coursework with a tutor as you get closer to test date. If you are in the D.C. area, I?m fairly certain Jeff offers tutoring and would make an excellent one-on-one teacher.
Manhattan Prep In Person Class: A Good Place to Start
February 13, 2019- Teacher: Ryan Mcgorman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 670
I took my first diagnostic test back in Nov 2017 and scored a 520. I decided to do a 9 session in person class with Manhattan Prep every Saturday. Ryan was an awesome instructor and the class was very collaborative. He created a great learning environment, where my classmates and I strove to help each other understand tricky questions and materials. The course provided a great framework for my GMAT studying. However, I do think most people will need to study for several months or use other services to propell them to higher scores. After Manhattan Prep I scored a 640 & 670 respectively. It wasn't until I used tutoring and TTP that I was able to get to my target score (740).
High Quality Preparation in a Fun Environment
January 19, 2019- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 540 After: 690
I had a tremendous experience with Manhattan Prep. The teacher for my class, Ryan Jacobs, did wonderful job covering all the required material in a fun, engaging and genuine environment.
Ryan also did a great job covering "outside of the book" topics related to the GMAT such as time management and other strategic issues that I was previously worried about. By the end of the course, I felt 100% confident walking into the test center, and was able to get the score I needed to reach my dream school. Thank you MPrep!!
Ryan also did a great job covering "outside of the book" topics related to the GMAT such as time management and other strategic issues that I was previously worried about. By the end of the course, I felt 100% confident walking into the test center, and was able to get the score I needed to reach my dream school. Thank you MPrep!!
Great experience
December 9, 2018- Teacher: Logan Thompson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 620 After: N/A
Great class and highly recommend taking it with Logan Thompson -- he's very patient and his methods are creative and effective!
Highly recommended!
October 16, 2018- Teacher: Ryan Starr
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 680 After: 730
I got 730 in the GMAT after taking the 10 week course with Ryan Starr. I had taken it twice before and I wish I had done the course earlier! Ryan has a great teaching style, he really knows his stuff so you feel confident in what you're learning and the classes are fun. The course covers all aspects of the GMAT from exam content to test day strategy, so all bases are covered. If you want to get your best score then this is absolutely the course you should invest in.
Joined: Sep 27, 2018
Purchased Course: Jun 16, 2018
Purchased Course: Jun 16, 2018
College: Vanderbilt University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Health Services
Country: United States
Country: United States
Awesome, efficient course with Ryan
September 27, 2018- Teacher: Ryan McGorman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 610 After: 730
Great course - focused on efficiency and strategies, rather than extraneous content. Everything I learned was very useful during the actual test. Ryan, in particular, was an awesome teacher. He was very blunt, and direct; and I even found it helpful (weirdly) to approach questions with his emphatic voice/intonations, as well as his helpful analogies. There was an optimal balance of quant vs. verbal content, and the strategies were very helpful, particularly in time management/on the quant section. Additionally, the 1-on-1 assessment during the course to help focus my strengths/weaknesses did wonders for my score. There were only 2 minor negative aspects with the curriculum: 1. Limited practice tests (more personal preference ? I study best through excessive repetition, so I wanted more than 6) and 2. Slightly too much IR focus in the homework assignments.
Joined: Sep 10, 2018
Purchased Course: Apr 3, 2018
Purchased Course: Apr 3, 2018
College: Dartmouth College
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Commercial Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Success
September 10, 2018- Teacher: David Mahler
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I participated in David Mahler?s ten-week Manhattan Prep GMAT course in Spring/Summer 2018. Following an initial practice exam score of 590, I scored a 760 on my first and only GMAT sitting in July.
Having not been acquainted with the exam format or any official GMAT resources, I selected Manhattan Prep as a familiar service with a positive reputation in New York and among my undergraduate classmates. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2014 and am applying this fall to MBA programs for matriculation in Fall 2019. I considered the GMAT to be an unpredictable and time-consuming first step in the admissions process. I knew I needed to prepare strategically, given my time constraint, which justified the course investment.
For me, the robust course materials and carefully organized curriculum were critical for achieving a high score. The strategy guides necessarily walked me through a massive variety of content I hadn?t encountered since high school. Infamously, this content represents only half the battle. The GMAT also tests strategy and decision making, and, in my experience, emotional composure. Rather than separating the content from these components, the strategy guides themselves incorporate these challenges throughout. For example: I found the importance of strategy selection during the Quant section to be remarkable. Solving a problem with even the most refined ?textbook? technique is frequently penalized by way of time. As the curriculum advances through Quant subjects, the books reiterate alternative (or ?shortcut?) strategies in their different applications. Only purposeful practice with several strategies and, more importantly, review of that practice, can bolster one?s ability to select efficient strategies or cut bait when necessary. Not only do the Manhattan Prep strategy guides cover content with digestible pace and organization, they immerse that content in strategy and in the context of agile decision-making. While it is impossible to benchmark, I think the strategy guides alone enabled me to score in the 700-720 range (a far cry from where I began). The books are ordered, which helps organize studying and makes them less daunting to approach. For those on a budget and/or not local to New York, the materials are a rich resource on their own and well worth the investment.
In order to score those additional 40-60 points (it?s all relative), I believe the in-person class to be worth the incremental investment. Research the instructors and consult the online reviews. I had an exceptional and memorable experience with David Mahler, whose instruction was as effective as any college professor I can remember. While I chose Dave because we shared an Alma Mater and he recorded a 790 GMAT, I believe online reviews such as this one testify to his talent and led many of my classmates to choose his course. I?ll begin there: my section was fully booked with ~12 students as opposed to a section with four or five students that I addended as a make-up. All things equal, the smaller section was surprisingly less productive than the larger. The smaller headcount did not come closer to resembling a tutored course?if there is even one other student the curriculum cannot be tailored to you. The increased individual attention only caused the instructor to check in with each student before proceeding to the next practice question or topic. Class is not about solving individual problems?there are too many to address. Rather, as Dave emphasized, a class succeeds if it can polish your study and review process. You must prepare mostly on your own. As a person that struggles with self-regimen, I needed Dave?s guidance to ?work smarter? and accomplish as much as possible with the little time I had. Dave held us accountable in our coursework. There was no passing his class, as his objective was to nudge us as close to our potential as was possible in ten weeks? you are not evaluated by your instructor. I performed well on the problems in class, but this was not a barometer of my ability relative to my classmates. It was an opportunity, each time, to recognize areas of improvement and consider better strategies. I got careless and made silly mistakes. Dave did not hesitate to knock me down a peg and I never once felt like I ?passed the test?. There was always a critique to be made and a weakness to recognize in future problems, when exams don?t break for discussion, when there are 20 problems ahead, when review is no longer a luxury. Dave was able to challenge every person in the room at once, facilitating discussion and holding attention. It was masterful instruction and it was a blast.
The GMAT is a terrific test. I don?t believe it can be conquered, but I know that it can be whittled down to a more manageable feat. Believe it or not, that process can be fun. No exam, including the GMAT, can print an objective assessment of your intelligence. The GMAT doesn?t try to do this. It anchors itself in 30-60-90 right triangles and comma splices and proceeds to test your decision-making and composure. But it doesn?t do this mysteriously?there?s tape on its schemes that you mustn?t break down yourself. Manhattan Prep has done it for you. I can?t imagine approaching the GMAT without being coached on its tricks. It is my enthusiastic recommendation that any prospective MBA student prepare for the GMAT with David Mahler and Manhattan Prep. The cost was a large investment for me, and provided an overwhelming return, which feels pretty good.
Having not been acquainted with the exam format or any official GMAT resources, I selected Manhattan Prep as a familiar service with a positive reputation in New York and among my undergraduate classmates. I completed my undergraduate degree in 2014 and am applying this fall to MBA programs for matriculation in Fall 2019. I considered the GMAT to be an unpredictable and time-consuming first step in the admissions process. I knew I needed to prepare strategically, given my time constraint, which justified the course investment.
For me, the robust course materials and carefully organized curriculum were critical for achieving a high score. The strategy guides necessarily walked me through a massive variety of content I hadn?t encountered since high school. Infamously, this content represents only half the battle. The GMAT also tests strategy and decision making, and, in my experience, emotional composure. Rather than separating the content from these components, the strategy guides themselves incorporate these challenges throughout. For example: I found the importance of strategy selection during the Quant section to be remarkable. Solving a problem with even the most refined ?textbook? technique is frequently penalized by way of time. As the curriculum advances through Quant subjects, the books reiterate alternative (or ?shortcut?) strategies in their different applications. Only purposeful practice with several strategies and, more importantly, review of that practice, can bolster one?s ability to select efficient strategies or cut bait when necessary. Not only do the Manhattan Prep strategy guides cover content with digestible pace and organization, they immerse that content in strategy and in the context of agile decision-making. While it is impossible to benchmark, I think the strategy guides alone enabled me to score in the 700-720 range (a far cry from where I began). The books are ordered, which helps organize studying and makes them less daunting to approach. For those on a budget and/or not local to New York, the materials are a rich resource on their own and well worth the investment.
In order to score those additional 40-60 points (it?s all relative), I believe the in-person class to be worth the incremental investment. Research the instructors and consult the online reviews. I had an exceptional and memorable experience with David Mahler, whose instruction was as effective as any college professor I can remember. While I chose Dave because we shared an Alma Mater and he recorded a 790 GMAT, I believe online reviews such as this one testify to his talent and led many of my classmates to choose his course. I?ll begin there: my section was fully booked with ~12 students as opposed to a section with four or five students that I addended as a make-up. All things equal, the smaller section was surprisingly less productive than the larger. The smaller headcount did not come closer to resembling a tutored course?if there is even one other student the curriculum cannot be tailored to you. The increased individual attention only caused the instructor to check in with each student before proceeding to the next practice question or topic. Class is not about solving individual problems?there are too many to address. Rather, as Dave emphasized, a class succeeds if it can polish your study and review process. You must prepare mostly on your own. As a person that struggles with self-regimen, I needed Dave?s guidance to ?work smarter? and accomplish as much as possible with the little time I had. Dave held us accountable in our coursework. There was no passing his class, as his objective was to nudge us as close to our potential as was possible in ten weeks? you are not evaluated by your instructor. I performed well on the problems in class, but this was not a barometer of my ability relative to my classmates. It was an opportunity, each time, to recognize areas of improvement and consider better strategies. I got careless and made silly mistakes. Dave did not hesitate to knock me down a peg and I never once felt like I ?passed the test?. There was always a critique to be made and a weakness to recognize in future problems, when exams don?t break for discussion, when there are 20 problems ahead, when review is no longer a luxury. Dave was able to challenge every person in the room at once, facilitating discussion and holding attention. It was masterful instruction and it was a blast.
The GMAT is a terrific test. I don?t believe it can be conquered, but I know that it can be whittled down to a more manageable feat. Believe it or not, that process can be fun. No exam, including the GMAT, can print an objective assessment of your intelligence. The GMAT doesn?t try to do this. It anchors itself in 30-60-90 right triangles and comma splices and proceeds to test your decision-making and composure. But it doesn?t do this mysteriously?there?s tape on its schemes that you mustn?t break down yourself. Manhattan Prep has done it for you. I can?t imagine approaching the GMAT without being coached on its tricks. It is my enthusiastic recommendation that any prospective MBA student prepare for the GMAT with David Mahler and Manhattan Prep. The cost was a large investment for me, and provided an overwhelming return, which feels pretty good.
Joined: Jul 9, 2018
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2017
College: University of Notre Dame
Major: Accounting
Major: Accounting
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattn prep with Dhivya - WORTH IT!
July 9, 2018- Teacher: Dhivya Arumugham
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
The live Manhattan Prep GMAT course was critical to my success and enabled me to ultimately score a 740. My instructor, Dhivya Arumugham, was very well-prepared, articulate and knowledgeable. I would really recommend Dhivya as an instructor - she provides clear, concise explanations of problems, has a good sense of humor and brings a lot of energy to some mundane topics.
The course is very structured and incorporates quant, verbal, and test taking strategy each week. The online learning portal makes it very easy to manage your assignments weekly, track progress, and flag areas of weakness to review. I took the exam for the first time only two days after the course ended (which is not recommended) and scored a 690. After another month of review using the official guide and other quant drills, I scored a 740. I am convinced that Manhattan prep was key to my success and the price was well worth it.
They also provide additional resources including webinars about certain test areas, selecting the right schools for you, applications, and interviews. You have access to an individual review of a practice exam with an instructor to create a study plan. I also received a free half-hour session with an admissions consultant who helped tremendously and could answer questions about the specific schools to which I applied.
The course is very structured and incorporates quant, verbal, and test taking strategy each week. The online learning portal makes it very easy to manage your assignments weekly, track progress, and flag areas of weakness to review. I took the exam for the first time only two days after the course ended (which is not recommended) and scored a 690. After another month of review using the official guide and other quant drills, I scored a 740. I am convinced that Manhattan prep was key to my success and the price was well worth it.
They also provide additional resources including webinars about certain test areas, selecting the right schools for you, applications, and interviews. You have access to an individual review of a practice exam with an instructor to create a study plan. I also received a free half-hour session with an admissions consultant who helped tremendously and could answer questions about the specific schools to which I applied.
Ryan McGorman: Great Instructor!
July 3, 2018- Teacher: Ryan McGorman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Ryan was an excellent instructor who was very engaging in-class and delivered great lectures. He did a very good job breaking down complex concepts into clear and concise points. I found this to be especially helpful in sentence correction. Ryan emphasized finding splits and taught effective strategies that simplified a lot of hard questions. Outside of class, he made a huge effort in being available for questions 24/7. He was very responsive to emails and attentive to my learning needs. I would strongly recommend taking a GMAT class with him.
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Purchased Course: Apr 24, 2017
Purchased Course: Apr 24, 2017
College: University of Central Arkansas
Major: Music
Major: Music
Industry: Education
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Prep - Shelton Windham
June 29, 2018- Teacher: Shelton Windham
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 580 After: 760
I took the complete GMAT prep course with Shelton, and it was a great experience. He delivered really high-quality, exploratory lectures that really dove into the heart of what the GMAT tests: logic. My first practice score was a 580, and I ended up with a 760 when I finally took the GMAT.
I saw my practice test scores go up considerably during the duration of the course, and kept studying on my own well past the end of the class. My time with Shelton proved more valuable the longer I studied, and I really credit a lot of my success both to his actual instruction and his methodical way of teaching his students to analyze their own weaknesses and address them head-on.
There are no miracles when it comes to test-prep, and you won't wake up with a 700+ score if you don't put in the effort. If you're willing to work for it, though, there's no better choice than Shelton to get you up-to-snuff with the material.
I saw my practice test scores go up considerably during the duration of the course, and kept studying on my own well past the end of the class. My time with Shelton proved more valuable the longer I studied, and I really credit a lot of my success both to his actual instruction and his methodical way of teaching his students to analyze their own weaknesses and address them head-on.
There are no miracles when it comes to test-prep, and you won't wake up with a 700+ score if you don't put in the effort. If you're willing to work for it, though, there's no better choice than Shelton to get you up-to-snuff with the material.
Great Experience with GMAT Manhattan Prep Course - Ryan McGorman
June 28, 2018- Teacher: Ryan McGorman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I took the 9-session GMAT course with Manhattan Prep with Ryan McGorman. Class was extremely helpful in preparing for the test. I increased 140 points from my first practice test. Ryan was a great instructor and does a great job teaching how to approach every type question on the GMAT. He is also very helpful and willing to speak outside of class. The course also comes with great study material for all of the subjects covered on the test as well as 6 realistic practice test
Definitely worth it!
June 10, 2018- Teacher: Logan Thompson
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: 750
Would not have been able to get this score without Manhattan Prep. The framework that they put around the questions is critical and makes it easy to understand how to approach problems. Logan was a fantastic instructor - he reinforced key frameworks / concepts in every class and challenged us to always think of multiple ways to solve problems. In addition to the standard Manhattan Prep offerings, I used the Advanced Quant strategy guide. Even though I only got the book a week before my official test, I felt much more comfortable approaching the more difficult quant problems after reading through it. Would definitely recommend Manhattan Prep and Logan to anyone looking to take the GMAT!
Joined: Jun 1, 2018
Purchased Course: Dec 11, 2017
Purchased Course: Dec 11, 2017
College: Columbia University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Would highly recommend if you need a good study schedule and to learn specific GMAT strategies
June 1, 2018- Teacher: Michael Morgan
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 600 After: 740
Came here for the full 9-week GMAT course and my instructor was Mike Morgan. It was a really useful course. The materials and syllabus for the class are well-planned and kept me on track to take the exam about 1.5 months after finishing the course. I worked a 60+ hour/week job while studying, so the homework was a bit tough to keep up with, but I felt it was very valuable to do so. My instructor was also great. His strength was definitely Quant, which is what I most needed help on and it ended up being my strength on the actual exam. He also did a good job of sending up post-course materials whenever we needed and working with us individually during breaks in class if we had specific questions. Most of my coworkers recommended Manhattan Prep over other prep sites and I agree. I would recommend that you take this course if you want an in-person weekly class to keep you on schedule. In addition, if you don't struggle as much with the content but more with specific GMAT strategies, this course would also be a good option. It's not really a course to teach you math/verbal content, since usually the content itself is straightforward - I feel that this is where a lot of other prep companies fall short, as they spend too much time on the content - but rather the tricks and strategies to help you do well on the exam. Each course also comes with a lot of guides, the OG, and a testing dry-erase pad. The online exams are also extremely helpful to supplement the 2 official GMAC practice exams. To me, the MPrep exams were much harder but also helped me perform better as a result.
Joined: May 21, 2018
Purchased Course: Sep 7, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 7, 2017
Country: United States
A Surprisingly Enjoyable Experience
May 21, 2018- Teacher: Jeff Vollmer
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 710
It was not until after the 9 week in-person group GMAT course was complete that I learned that we had been Mr. Jeff Vollmer's inaugural class. I must say that I was surprised, because Jeff's teaching throughout the course was so effective and seamless. Jeff has an uncanny ability to answer questions and address confusion in such a way that benefits the entire class despite widely varying ability levels amongst the students. He also has a knack for demonstrating multiple viable methods for attacking the same problem. For those new to the exam, this a critical skill; you will not always have time to execute a full algebraic solution to a problem for instance. You must have multiple tools in your GMAT toolbox, and you must be comfortable in quickly discerning which approach is appropriate for the problem at hand. To boot, Jeff is also a humorous and inclusive teacher, and he made our multi-hour Thursday night study sessions, dare I say it, enjoyable.
As a military officer transitioning out of the service to business school, whose quant skills were certainly a bit rusty, I am very happy that I was able to achieve a 710. I am grateful to Jeff and MPrep, and I would enthusiastically recommend the service to anyone who is considering it.
As a military officer transitioning out of the service to business school, whose quant skills were certainly a bit rusty, I am very happy that I was able to achieve a 710. I am grateful to Jeff and MPrep, and I would enthusiastically recommend the service to anyone who is considering it.
Joined: Mar 13, 2018
Purchased Course: May 10, 2017
Purchased Course: May 10, 2017
College: Smith College
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Industry: Real Estate Development
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Prep helped me raise my score 150 points!
March 13, 2018- Teacher: Reed Arnold
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I had a great experience with Manhattan Prep! My starting practice GMAT score was 560 and my final official score was 710. A 150 point increase!! I took the class in NYC with Reed Arnold, and I highly recommend taking the course especially with him. Reed made the classes very enjoyable and effective, and he scheduled weekly "study groups" at a nearby coffee shop for students to get extra help from him and other classmates. I went to a couple of the study groups and was able to ask him about specific problems, and get detailed explanations for them. The Manhattan Prep guide books were a great resource, too. I studied about 25-30 hours per week outside of class for about 8 weeks, so you can't expect the course to raise your score without your own self-guided study. Manhattan Prep was the an awesome resource, along with the Wiley guides.
Manhattan Prep Is Exceptional
January 30, 2018- Teacher: Matthew Brandon
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I had an excellence experience with Manhattan Prep. Manhattan Prep provides a complete package of study material (including practice exams and subject-specific books), ideal for people aiming to reach a top ten percentile score. My instructor, Matthew Brandon, kept the class engaged and had a superb grasp on the content. I left each class excited to practice the skills I learned and discover how much my performance had improved. In the end, it most certainly paid off, as I achieved a score of 760 (Q50, V42), which was well above what I was targeting.
Joined: Jan 30, 2018
Purchased Course: Aug 29, 2017
Purchased Course: Aug 29, 2017
College: Haverford College
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Computers/Software
Country: United States
Country: United States
If you want to get your best score, sign up for Manhattan GMAT right now!
January 30, 2018- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 490 After: 750
Manhattan GMAT is really worth the money! I took an in-person course with Ryan Jacobs, and the overall quality of the class far surpassed my expectations. If you make full use of the homework, subject guides, practice tests, and online "Interact Lessons", you will see significant improvement in your scores (260 points from my first practice test, 100 points from my second)!
Ryan brings a lot of GMAT teaching experience to the class. He has done his MBA, so he also explains why the GMAT tests concepts the way it does. This helped me to adjust my thinking throughout the course, ultimately shaping my test-taking strategy. I come from a mathematics background, so I was used to working on a problem until I got it right. It took a lot of practice and guidance from Ryan to adjust to thinking like a test-writer, improving my speed, and increasing accuracy.
If you are serious about getting the best GMAT score you can, sign up for Manhattan GMAT and do all of the practice problems, assigned homework, practice tests, and Interact Lessons. You will see significant improvement in your scores!
Ryan brings a lot of GMAT teaching experience to the class. He has done his MBA, so he also explains why the GMAT tests concepts the way it does. This helped me to adjust my thinking throughout the course, ultimately shaping my test-taking strategy. I come from a mathematics background, so I was used to working on a problem until I got it right. It took a lot of practice and guidance from Ryan to adjust to thinking like a test-writer, improving my speed, and increasing accuracy.
If you are serious about getting the best GMAT score you can, sign up for Manhattan GMAT and do all of the practice problems, assigned homework, practice tests, and Interact Lessons. You will see significant improvement in your scores!
Manhattan Prep Review
January 29, 2018- Teacher: Dave Mahler
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 590 After: 720
Got my target 720 score after approx 4 months that comprised self study, Manhattan Prep's 9-week course on Wall street Manhattan (Dave Mahler was our instructor), and private tutoring (also with Dave Mahler). I started with a 590 Manhattan Prep GMAT practice test. Quite frankly, I could not have managed the 720 without Manhattan Prep.
1. The 9-week course: This was a great start for me as my math skills were very rusty (haven't touched math since high school and my day-to-day work doesn't require the use of any meaningful quant skill - I'm a lawyer). The math foundations and GMAT test strategies explored in class were concise and immediately helpful. Dave Mahler was our instructor - I highly recommend him for the clarity with which he explains tough concepts (particularly Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning). FYI the 9-week course comes with the full suite of Manhattan Prep Books, which were all great - concise, clear, and effective - no verbiage which is good for busy professionals.
2. Private tutoring: After the 9 week course, I spent a couple of weeks wrapping up the GMAT OG and then I took a real GMAT test. Bombed it. I decided I needed more targetted tutoring, so I splurged on the private tutoring (8 lessons in total). This was worth every penny. Dave diagnosed my flawed test-taking strategies, and his private lessons sharpened my quant and verbal reasoning skills. These lessons were challenging but crucial to my success on the test - he would often ask me to explain my thought processes WHILE I solved tough problems (DS, PS, SC, CR), and this invariably forces you to think critically about every single step in your own problem-solving process. Every step in my problem-solving process was critiqued and improved upon. As important, Dave was extremely optimistic and encouraging throughout this whole process. He was a firm supporter and you feel that he's invested in your success.
TL DR: Manhattan Prep's 9 week course and private tutoring are both very strongly recommended. Manhattan Prep's books are very strongly recommended. Dave Mahler is very strongly recommended.
1. The 9-week course: This was a great start for me as my math skills were very rusty (haven't touched math since high school and my day-to-day work doesn't require the use of any meaningful quant skill - I'm a lawyer). The math foundations and GMAT test strategies explored in class were concise and immediately helpful. Dave Mahler was our instructor - I highly recommend him for the clarity with which he explains tough concepts (particularly Data Sufficiency and Critical Reasoning). FYI the 9-week course comes with the full suite of Manhattan Prep Books, which were all great - concise, clear, and effective - no verbiage which is good for busy professionals.
2. Private tutoring: After the 9 week course, I spent a couple of weeks wrapping up the GMAT OG and then I took a real GMAT test. Bombed it. I decided I needed more targetted tutoring, so I splurged on the private tutoring (8 lessons in total). This was worth every penny. Dave diagnosed my flawed test-taking strategies, and his private lessons sharpened my quant and verbal reasoning skills. These lessons were challenging but crucial to my success on the test - he would often ask me to explain my thought processes WHILE I solved tough problems (DS, PS, SC, CR), and this invariably forces you to think critically about every single step in your own problem-solving process. Every step in my problem-solving process was critiqued and improved upon. As important, Dave was extremely optimistic and encouraging throughout this whole process. He was a firm supporter and you feel that he's invested in your success.
TL DR: Manhattan Prep's 9 week course and private tutoring are both very strongly recommended. Manhattan Prep's books are very strongly recommended. Dave Mahler is very strongly recommended.
10/10 Highly Recommend -- ESPECIALLY CHRIS
January 20, 2018- Teacher: Chris Peckover
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I've conceded to the idea that almost no one is naturally good at the GMAT. I genuinely think that you have to learn how to do this test, and that's the whole reason its so tricky. Manhattan is exceptional in making their test strategies clear and re-framing studying for the GMAT as a process of learning tactics. Their trigger-response methodology is sensible and manageable. Moreover, the course takes 9 weeks, which feels like an appropriate amount of time to get a basic understanding of all the work that should go into the "studying process." When I finished the course, I personally felt energized to get to work with the foundation my phenomenal teacher had laid down.
More on my teacher-- Chris. This guy is where its at. Point blank.
Not only is he brilliant but also he's hilarious. He's the kind of guy that makes even the most ridiculous math problem sound annoyingly logical because of how clearly his brain dissects it and how conversationally he can explain it. He makes the hours of class fly by by keeping his energy up throughout the course. Plus, he's consistent-- every day he showed up to class with the same energized and excited demeanor. Chris truly made the whole 9 week process feel like we were training for a fun event, like learning the new strategies was doing a crossword or a sodoku with friends, as opposed to studying for a big looming test.
If you're going to do a prep course, do Manhattan. And if you're going to do Manhattan, do yourself a favor and get into Chris's class.
More on my teacher-- Chris. This guy is where its at. Point blank.
Not only is he brilliant but also he's hilarious. He's the kind of guy that makes even the most ridiculous math problem sound annoyingly logical because of how clearly his brain dissects it and how conversationally he can explain it. He makes the hours of class fly by by keeping his energy up throughout the course. Plus, he's consistent-- every day he showed up to class with the same energized and excited demeanor. Chris truly made the whole 9 week process feel like we were training for a fun event, like learning the new strategies was doing a crossword or a sodoku with friends, as opposed to studying for a big looming test.
If you're going to do a prep course, do Manhattan. And if you're going to do Manhattan, do yourself a favor and get into Chris's class.
Joined: Jan 4, 2018
Purchased Course: Mar 13, 2017
Purchased Course: Mar 13, 2017
College: Rhodes College
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Instructor, Great Resources
January 4, 2018- Teacher: Marcus Hedahl
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I had a highly positive experience taking a GMAT prep class at Manhattan Prep on Wednesday evenings from March to May 2017. I came in with little familiarity with the GMAT's format as well as a poor understanding of the level of effort necessary to prepare for the exam. Manhattan Prep did a fantastic job of acclimating me to the exam's content and providing excellent resources for preparation.
The most impressive part of the class was, however, the instructor, Marcus Hedahl. Marcus has an exceptional grasp of the GMAT's topics and does a great job of coaching students through the content effectively. Even more impressive, Marcus brings energy and engagement to the class despite its three-hour runtime at the end of the workday. There was never a dull moment over the course of the nine-week class.
Marcus helped me better understand what score range I could reach by test day. Initially, I was happy with the 80th percentile I was getting on Verbal in practice exams, but Marcus encouraged me to push for the high 90th percentile. After putting in additional work on Reading Comp and Critical Reasoning, my Verbal score on test day (44) definitely went a long way in bringing my total score up into the 700s.
I was also really pleased with the wide array of resources- both online and printed- that Manhattan Prep included in their 9-week class. In the final weeks leading up to test day, I used the online video lessons to refresh on earlier topics. I also used topic-specific practice question sets to drill hard on weak points.
Thanks to Manhattan Prep's first-rate instruction and excellent resources, I went from prep scores in the mid-600s to a 730 on test day.
The most impressive part of the class was, however, the instructor, Marcus Hedahl. Marcus has an exceptional grasp of the GMAT's topics and does a great job of coaching students through the content effectively. Even more impressive, Marcus brings energy and engagement to the class despite its three-hour runtime at the end of the workday. There was never a dull moment over the course of the nine-week class.
Marcus helped me better understand what score range I could reach by test day. Initially, I was happy with the 80th percentile I was getting on Verbal in practice exams, but Marcus encouraged me to push for the high 90th percentile. After putting in additional work on Reading Comp and Critical Reasoning, my Verbal score on test day (44) definitely went a long way in bringing my total score up into the 700s.
I was also really pleased with the wide array of resources- both online and printed- that Manhattan Prep included in their 9-week class. In the final weeks leading up to test day, I used the online video lessons to refresh on earlier topics. I also used topic-specific practice question sets to drill hard on weak points.
Thanks to Manhattan Prep's first-rate instruction and excellent resources, I went from prep scores in the mid-600s to a 730 on test day.
Thank you Manhattan Prep!
December 29, 2017- Teacher: David Mahler
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I got my target score of 720+ thanks to Manhattan Prep, and highly recommend the MP program to anyone who is seriously considering applying to a top b-school. I say this for a few reasons:
1) The resources and course content are unparalleled, and very well structured. You start the process by taking a practice test that immediately pin-points your strengths vs areas that may need improvement, and then track your progress by taking more exams throughout the course.
2) The content is carefully curated, and is structured in a way that makes the classes effective without being overwhelming. The MP problem sets enable you to absorb content in the most efficient way.
3) The online interface is well designed and easy to use. Whenever I saw other interfaces friends were using, I was always thankful I decided on MP.
4) The instructor that I had (David Mahler) was amazing. He was intelligent, personable, always prepared, and a great teacher. He was diligent in answering emails, and always made himself available to students.
5) On top of the classes, Manhattan Prep offered a ton of events with top MBA programs which really helps when you get to the application stage.
1) The resources and course content are unparalleled, and very well structured. You start the process by taking a practice test that immediately pin-points your strengths vs areas that may need improvement, and then track your progress by taking more exams throughout the course.
2) The content is carefully curated, and is structured in a way that makes the classes effective without being overwhelming. The MP problem sets enable you to absorb content in the most efficient way.
3) The online interface is well designed and easy to use. Whenever I saw other interfaces friends were using, I was always thankful I decided on MP.
4) The instructor that I had (David Mahler) was amazing. He was intelligent, personable, always prepared, and a great teacher. He was diligent in answering emails, and always made himself available to students.
5) On top of the classes, Manhattan Prep offered a ton of events with top MBA programs which really helps when you get to the application stage.
Joined: Dec 21, 2017
Purchased Course: Jan 27, 2017
Purchased Course: Jan 27, 2017
College: USC
Major: Civil Engineering
Major: Civil Engineering
Industry: Multimedia
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Investment
December 21, 2017- Teacher: Isaac Puglia
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
The Manhattan Prep 9-session GMAT training course greatly exceeded my expectations and made it possible for me to achieve my target GMAT score. One of the best investments I have made. Isaac was a great teacher who kept the entire class motivated throughout the course.
Effective 9-week night course, more than manageable while working a full-time job.
December 20, 2017- Teacher: Josh Yardley
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Manhattan Prep was the main reason that I more than achieved my target score on the GMAT. My score went up almost 200 points from the pre-course exam to my final score, which was in the 99th percentile. Josh was a great teacher - really helped to understand the ins and outs of how to approach the questions and develop a strategy for the GMAT as a whole. I was able take the 9-week in person course at my own pace, which really helped while working full-time. Doing the work suggested for each class was helpful, but i was certainly was not lost if I didn't get to the material in a given week.
MGMAT - Very good course
December 18, 2017- Teacher: Keith Blume
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
Manhattan Prep has an amazing and organized program that walks you through the GMAT books quickly and thoroughly. My professor, Keith was really good, very engaging and fun. He understood our questions and path and customized classes to them. The only weakness that I saw was that for people with quant background, they can get bored easily some times, when professor keeps explaining basic math stuff to people that don't know squat. Overall, I think Manhattan Prep has built their reputation thanks to great professors and amazing results. Their mock-up tests are really good. Quants are more difficult that actual exam but Verbal is really close to actual exam.
Joined: Dec 17, 2017
Purchased Course: Jun 9, 2017
Purchased Course: Jun 9, 2017
Major: Political Science
Industry: Energy/Extractive Minerals
Country: United States
Country: United States
570 to 770: Great course to conquer the GMAT
December 17, 2017- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 570 After: 770
When I first started studying for the GMAT, I couldn't remember how to find the area of a triangle. Manhattan Prep's course was awesome because it outlined everything I needed to learn, and gave me a plan of attack. Ryan walked our class through subjects like geometry and algebra in bite-size amounts so we didn't lose confidence. After learning the basics, I wanted to move at a faster pace. The course was perfect because Ryan would teach us the main concepts in class, and then I could do the hardest practice questions on that subject in Manhattan Prep's online platform. As I went through the ups and downs of finally getting above a 700, but not being able to break a 45Q score, I would have been lost without Ryan to turn to for guidance. He gave me advice that allowed me to make a couple breakthroughs in my performance. The actual test felt pretty easy because I had test techniques and the subject-matter knowledge to succeed thanks to Manhattan Prep.
Worth the Money!
December 15, 2017- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 630 After: 750
Very happy with Manhattan Prep! Class was incredibly helpful in mastering the test taking strategies. Ryan was clear, patient, and very thorough. Well worth the money!
Joined: Nov 15, 2017
Purchased Course: Jun 15, 2017
Purchased Course: Jun 15, 2017
College: UNC-Chapel Hil
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Chris Peckover - great teacher for the LA area
November 15, 2017- Teacher: Chris Peckover
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I highly recommend Chris for those living in the LA area. Chris is an incredibly hilarious, smart, and relatable guy.
Here are some of the things that make him a great instructor.
1. He is knowledgable (even by MGMAT instructor standards). He knows the material, topics, and skills inside and out.
2. He speaks layman's language. He is a math whiz but knows how to concisely and simply articulate the math content.
3. He knows multiple ways to approach every problem. This allows you to find the way that best works for you.
4. He listens to the claass's needs and will tailor his lessons to what the students need/want.
5. He goes the extra mile: willing to stay late, send class follow-up emails with extra content, and responds quickly to emails.
All in all, Chris is a good communicator and hilarious teacher who happens to be a master of the GMAT. He is incredible at engaging the class, which is so important when learning to master the dry/sometimes uninteresting topics at 9pm on a Tuesday night after work.
Here are some of the things that make him a great instructor.
1. He is knowledgable (even by MGMAT instructor standards). He knows the material, topics, and skills inside and out.
2. He speaks layman's language. He is a math whiz but knows how to concisely and simply articulate the math content.
3. He knows multiple ways to approach every problem. This allows you to find the way that best works for you.
4. He listens to the claass's needs and will tailor his lessons to what the students need/want.
5. He goes the extra mile: willing to stay late, send class follow-up emails with extra content, and responds quickly to emails.
All in all, Chris is a good communicator and hilarious teacher who happens to be a master of the GMAT. He is incredible at engaging the class, which is so important when learning to master the dry/sometimes uninteresting topics at 9pm on a Tuesday night after work.
MGMAT Prep -- Excellent!!
October 25, 2017- Teacher: Jamie Nelson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 680
I took an in-person course with Jamie Nelson, and I highly recommend her class to anyone considering taking the GMAT! Jamie is very engaging, and you can tell that she has many years of experience helping students master the GMAT.
The in-person class was definitely beneficial for me, as I was working full time while trying to prepare for the GMAT. Committing to a Manhattan Prep course helped me to develop a prep routine. I attended the three-hour class once a week and followed the assigned homework very closely. Jamie provided supplemental resources for my weakest content areas to help me master the basics.
When you sign up for the Manhattan Prep In-Person Class, you receive a ton of useful resources: Manhattan Prep strategy guides, the most recent Official GMAT Guide, access to pre-recorded online lessons, 6 MGMAT practice exams, and the list goes on. Additionally, once you have complete the prep course, Manhattan Prep offers a one-on-one post course assessment meeting with an instructor to outline a custom study plan for you to follow from the time the course ends until your test day.
Ultimately, I was able to improve my score by 200+ points! The Manhattan GMAT Prep classes are definitely worth the investment.
The in-person class was definitely beneficial for me, as I was working full time while trying to prepare for the GMAT. Committing to a Manhattan Prep course helped me to develop a prep routine. I attended the three-hour class once a week and followed the assigned homework very closely. Jamie provided supplemental resources for my weakest content areas to help me master the basics.
When you sign up for the Manhattan Prep In-Person Class, you receive a ton of useful resources: Manhattan Prep strategy guides, the most recent Official GMAT Guide, access to pre-recorded online lessons, 6 MGMAT practice exams, and the list goes on. Additionally, once you have complete the prep course, Manhattan Prep offers a one-on-one post course assessment meeting with an instructor to outline a custom study plan for you to follow from the time the course ends until your test day.
Ultimately, I was able to improve my score by 200+ points! The Manhattan GMAT Prep classes are definitely worth the investment.
Joined: Oct 16, 2017
Purchased Course: May 29, 2017
Purchased Course: May 29, 2017
College: U of Toronto
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Chemicals
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
540 to 720
October 16, 2017- Teacher: Jamie & Paul
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 540 After: 720
Excellent course overall Jamie & Paul were very engaging instructors and always willing to answer question. Having never taken any sort of standardized test before; having the opportunity to learn about different test taking strategies as well as the course content was very beneficial. Manhattan Prep also offered a mindfulness workshop led by another instructor: Logan. If you have the opportunity to participate I would definitely recommend it. The mindfulness workshop really helped slow down the pace of the test.
Joined: Aug 28, 2017
Purchased Course: May 3, 2017
Purchased Course: May 3, 2017
College: Bowdoin College
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Logan Thompson - Excellent
August 28, 2017- Teacher: Logan Thompson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 620 After: 770
I took the 9-week summer course, led by Logan Thompson, and was extremely happy I did. Logan's sense of humor and personality made the class fun rather than tedious, and I always looked forward to our sessions. Perhaps more importantly, Logan was instrumental in improving my understanding - and therefore my score - over the course of the class. He consistently emphasized finding multiple paths to a solution, and taught us tools to reach the correct answer when we were otherwise stumped. From the beginning of the class to the end, I was able to improve my score from a 620 to a 770, which I wouldn't have been able to do without Logan.
Joined: Aug 8, 2017
Purchased Course: Feb 20, 2017
Purchased Course: Feb 20, 2017
College: Cornell University
Major: English
Major: English
Industry: Legal Services
Country: United States
Country: United States
Highly Recommend Manhattan Prep
August 8, 2017- Teacher: Chris Peckover
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I enrolled in a 9-week GMAT prep course offered through Manhattan Prep with the goal of scoring a 700 or higher. After completing the course and taking a few practice tests, I ultimately scored a 710 (Q:43; V:44; 6/6 AWA).
Overall, I would highly recommend Manhattan Prep to anyone who is considering taking the GMAT. The instructor for my course, Chris Peckover, did a great job teaching the important material while also making class fun and interesting enough that I never dreaded having to go. He was also great at explaining why each of the right answers was right (and why each of the wrong answers was wrong) in plain/easy to understand language. Moreover, the written materials that came free with the course struck the right balance between concision and comprehensiveness and helped me quickly relearn several subjects that I had not seen in over a decade (algebra, geometry, etc...). Lastly, the two tutoring sessions that I did with Daniel Patinkin helped me understand some math concepts that I had previously been struggling with.
Overall, I would highly recommend Manhattan Prep to anyone who is considering taking the GMAT. The instructor for my course, Chris Peckover, did a great job teaching the important material while also making class fun and interesting enough that I never dreaded having to go. He was also great at explaining why each of the right answers was right (and why each of the wrong answers was wrong) in plain/easy to understand language. Moreover, the written materials that came free with the course struck the right balance between concision and comprehensiveness and helped me quickly relearn several subjects that I had not seen in over a decade (algebra, geometry, etc...). Lastly, the two tutoring sessions that I did with Daniel Patinkin helped me understand some math concepts that I had previously been struggling with.
Joined: Jul 19, 2017
Purchased Course: Apr 19, 2017
Purchased Course: Apr 19, 2017
College: Stanford
Major: Engineering Management
Major: Engineering Management
Industry: Real Estate Finance
Country: United States
Country: United States
AMZAZING GMAT PREP!!
July 19, 2017- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: 730
I highly recommend Manhattan prep to help you prepare for the GMAT. I took the in person class with instructor Ryan Jacobs and had a post course assessment with Liz Moliski. Both were extremely helpful in improving my score. By the end of the class, I was able to improve my score from 640 to 730! These people are amazing and I strongly recommend them if you want to get the best score possible.
Joined: Jun 23, 2017
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2017
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2017
College: Emory University
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Prep - The Real Deal
June 23, 2017- Teacher: Reed Arnold
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: 680
Manhattan Prep provides an unparalleled experience. As a test taker who has worked with two different companies, I must admit that Manhattan Prep offers the most value and the best services. I enrolled in the 9-session GMAT prep course and had the pleasure of working with Reed Arnold. Reed was friendly from day 1 and somehow found a way to help me actually enjoy my 3-month study period !
Reed led classes with a unique style that incorporated humor, lessons from his past and proven best practices. Reed always paused for any questions and had an impressive way of ensuring that all students would leave each class feeling positive and confident. Even more impressive, Reed remained available at all times by keeping his promise that he would always respond to any question or urgent request for advice via email! I personally emailed Reed on a weekly basis and am very happy to report that he consistently responded with thoughtful and timely responses and extremely helpful insights. Reed truly cares about all of his students and will take time out of his day or weekend to help any student.
Working with Reed helped me move my overall GMAT score to a 680. I am very happy with this score and was able to make a massive quant jump (37 before to 47 after) because of the combination of Reed's abilities as an instructor and the high-quality/comprehensive structure of the Manhattan Prep course. I plan to take the test again on July 5th and feel confident that I am now capable of scoring even higher!
Reed led classes with a unique style that incorporated humor, lessons from his past and proven best practices. Reed always paused for any questions and had an impressive way of ensuring that all students would leave each class feeling positive and confident. Even more impressive, Reed remained available at all times by keeping his promise that he would always respond to any question or urgent request for advice via email! I personally emailed Reed on a weekly basis and am very happy to report that he consistently responded with thoughtful and timely responses and extremely helpful insights. Reed truly cares about all of his students and will take time out of his day or weekend to help any student.
Working with Reed helped me move my overall GMAT score to a 680. I am very happy with this score and was able to make a massive quant jump (37 before to 47 after) because of the combination of Reed's abilities as an instructor and the high-quality/comprehensive structure of the Manhattan Prep course. I plan to take the test again on July 5th and feel confident that I am now capable of scoring even higher!
Joined: Jun 15, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 6, 2016
Purchased Course: Sep 6, 2016
College: Emory University
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Real Estate Finance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Best value for those looking to push their score 40 - 60 points higher than their natural plateau
June 15, 2017- Teacher: Josh Yardley
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 520 After: 740
Manhattan prep is hands down the best GMAT preparation program out there. I took a full course because I knew I needed the guidance and the added discipline. What surprised me was the majority of the value of the paid course came after the course ended! I had ongoing support from my course teacher, Josh Yardley, as well as a post-course assessment and post-exam assessment with Stacey Koprince. All these tools on top of the books, the course, and the online materials are what make Manhattan stand out above the rest. To give you some perspective, I probably would have plateaued around a 680 studying by myself. I ended up scoring a 740 on my 2nd try...
Worth the Investment!
May 24, 2017- Teacher: Sergio Frisoli
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I had an outstanding experience with Manhattan Prep in getting ready for the GMAT. I took the full nine week class with Sergio Frisoli, who was not only an excellent instructor in the classroom but also went above and beyond by making himself available outside of class via phone or email. Although I had not been in a classroom in several years and the idea of a three hour weekly session seemed daunting, the way Sergio ran the class was so engaging that I never really noticed the time going by. He mentioned at the beginning of the nine weeks that he had been a teacher prior to going to business school, and his experience clearly showed.
While Manhattan has a set curriculum the instructors follow, Sergio (and, I would imagine, other instructors) don't just stick to a script; they always make time to answer questions and customize each session to fit what the students need. This flexibility made my experience that much better and had a huge influence on my score.
Speaking of scores...I started the course "cold" with a baseline score in the low 600s. I sat for the exam twice and ended up with a score over 700, which was my target. Getting the nearly-100 point improvement was great, of course, and is ultimately why people take prep classes in the first place.
But when I think of Manhattan, I will most remember my experience after the first time I took the exam and I did not do very well. Even though class had been done for several weeks, I reached out to Sergio and he responded immediately with several really helpful pointers about what to do in the couple weeks before I took the exam again. I even got an unsolicited email from him the night before the test, just wishing me good luck. While I haven't used another prep service so can't say this with 100 percent certainty, I highly doubt you'll be able to find a better, more personalized experience than the one you get from Manhattan.
While Manhattan has a set curriculum the instructors follow, Sergio (and, I would imagine, other instructors) don't just stick to a script; they always make time to answer questions and customize each session to fit what the students need. This flexibility made my experience that much better and had a huge influence on my score.
Speaking of scores...I started the course "cold" with a baseline score in the low 600s. I sat for the exam twice and ended up with a score over 700, which was my target. Getting the nearly-100 point improvement was great, of course, and is ultimately why people take prep classes in the first place.
But when I think of Manhattan, I will most remember my experience after the first time I took the exam and I did not do very well. Even though class had been done for several weeks, I reached out to Sergio and he responded immediately with several really helpful pointers about what to do in the couple weeks before I took the exam again. I even got an unsolicited email from him the night before the test, just wishing me good luck. While I haven't used another prep service so can't say this with 100 percent certainty, I highly doubt you'll be able to find a better, more personalized experience than the one you get from Manhattan.
Joined: May 19, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 9, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 9, 2017
College: UNC Chapel Hill
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Prep Helped me Score a 750!
May 19, 2017- Teacher: Christine Defenbaugh
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 620 After: 750
My experience with Manhattan Prep went above and beyond my expectations. Having self studied for the GMAT prior to taking the class, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of expertise and skill all of the instructors had and was so happy to have such seasoned GMAT takers teaching me the most helpful tips and tricks for taking the test. I took the course with Christine Defenbaugh - she is an incredible teacher whose explanations are clear and understandable. She is very nice, very smart, and helps you identify target areas to ensure you get the score you are striving for. You've got to put in the work, but they provide you with the tools, tricks, and guidance to help support you through your studies. After scoring 70+ higher on my second test, Manhattan Prep is definitely the way to go.
Joined: Jan 3, 2017
Purchased Course: Sep 10, 2016
Purchased Course: Sep 10, 2016
College: University of Waterloo
Major: Engineering
Major: Engineering
Country: Canada
Exactly What I Was Looking For
January 7, 2017- Teacher: Avi Gutman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
While the cost of Manhattan's prep course is is among the highest, it was exactly what I was looking for. Beyond providing an organized structure to study for the GMAT, the course provides multiple strategies to tackle problems to accommodate personal strengths and weaknesses, analytics to assess areas of improvement, and holistic guidance on how to study, manage time, and approach exam day. It's a complete package.
Avi's approach to instructing is engaging and reflective of the class' needs. There isn't a session that goes by where he doesn't ask for feedback and updates on students' individual progress. While he's efficient in covering content, he also willing to slow down and tailor his delivery for students when asked. He's friendly, patient, and responsive to emails if you students have questions outside of class. Definitely recommended as an instructor.
Avi's approach to instructing is engaging and reflective of the class' needs. There isn't a session that goes by where he doesn't ask for feedback and updates on students' individual progress. While he's efficient in covering content, he also willing to slow down and tailor his delivery for students when asked. He's friendly, patient, and responsive to emails if you students have questions outside of class. Definitely recommended as an instructor.
Joined: Dec 20, 2016
Purchased Course: Aug 15, 2016
Purchased Course: Aug 15, 2016
College: Indiana University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Commercial Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Highly Recommend Manhattan and Isaac Puglia
December 20, 2016- Teacher: isaac puglia
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 690 After: 730
I would highly recommend Manhattan Prep for GMAT prep and Isaac Puglia as an instructor. I subscribed to his teaching method and exceeded my score goals in a timely manner.
Extremely useful course if you don't know anything about the test
December 12, 2016- Teacher: Chris Gentry & Dan Patinkin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I took this course without having taken the GMAT before. I didn't know anything about the format of the exam or the questions when I started it. With this in mind, I had high expectations. From the very beginning, Dan and Chris were thorough and methodical in their approach. The first week consisted of explaining the entire format of the test, how each section is scored, how we should structure our study time, and the logic behind the syllabus. I found this very useful because from the outset I was able to develop a long term plan of how I could tackle the various components of the exam.
Personally, I struggled the most with the math at first. I found the study guides somewhat useful for reviewing the basic math skills that I hadn't used in a while (exponent rules, geometry, etc). That being said, the most useful tool was access to the GMAT Navigator. This tool in conjunction with the Official Guide helped me brush up on my math skills and get my timing down to the second. The verbal lessons provided were also very useful. Dan and Chris broke down the thought process behind each question and this helped me form a consistent method of attack on the tricky CR Q's.
The Post Course Assessment was arguably the most helpful component. After you take 3 practice exams and complete the course, you are scheduled a 30 minute one-on-one session with an instructor. I did mine with Chris and he helped me target exactly what the pain points were, develop a study plan leading up to test day, and give me strategies to use as I studied. The PCA was critical to my success on the exam.
Finally, I should say that I found the MPREP practice exams significantly harder than the actual GMAT and the GMAC practice tests. This is a good thing. While I was quite frustrated throughout the course, my lower scores on the MPREP tests made me keep pushing myself. In the end I beat my target score on the real exam by 10 points! Huge thank you to Dan and Chris for an excellent course.
Personally, I struggled the most with the math at first. I found the study guides somewhat useful for reviewing the basic math skills that I hadn't used in a while (exponent rules, geometry, etc). That being said, the most useful tool was access to the GMAT Navigator. This tool in conjunction with the Official Guide helped me brush up on my math skills and get my timing down to the second. The verbal lessons provided were also very useful. Dan and Chris broke down the thought process behind each question and this helped me form a consistent method of attack on the tricky CR Q's.
The Post Course Assessment was arguably the most helpful component. After you take 3 practice exams and complete the course, you are scheduled a 30 minute one-on-one session with an instructor. I did mine with Chris and he helped me target exactly what the pain points were, develop a study plan leading up to test day, and give me strategies to use as I studied. The PCA was critical to my success on the exam.
Finally, I should say that I found the MPREP practice exams significantly harder than the actual GMAT and the GMAC practice tests. This is a good thing. While I was quite frustrated throughout the course, my lower scores on the MPREP tests made me keep pushing myself. In the end I beat my target score on the real exam by 10 points! Huge thank you to Dan and Chris for an excellent course.
Joined: Sep 11, 2016
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2016
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2016
Country: United States
Excellent Course
September 11, 2016- Teacher: Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
Whitney was a fantastic instructor and was readily available both in and out of the classroom. Moreover, it was clear she really enjoyed teaching the course and brought a lot of energy into every lesson. The overall course was easy to follow and well organized. I was especially impressed with their online portal which contained a myriad of resources, particularly the practice exams. In addition to learning about the exam question types and how to best tackle them, I think the most important aspects of the course were the strategies involved in taking the GMAT. I was very happy with the results of the course, and I am so thankful to have found them!
Joined: Aug 26, 2016
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2016
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2016
College: Funda??o Getulio Vargar
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Food/Beverage
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course
August 26, 2016- Teacher: Christine Defenbaugh
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I took the ManhattanPrep classes early in 2016 and high recommend the course. The classes and material were great and helped me study to take the GMAT and get a score over 700. The books and online material are very streamlined so you study in the most efficient manner and don't waste time learning or doing things that won't help. Our instructor, Christine, was a lot of fun. Make no mistake though, the study and homework workload is heavy. I'd say 10-20 hrs per week.
Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Purchased Course: Dec 3, 2015
Purchased Course: Dec 3, 2015
College: UC Berkeley
Major: Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Industry: Real Estate Finance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great prep course with Manhattan Prep's instructor Eric Caballero
July 30, 2016- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I took the GMAT class with Eric Caballero as highly recommended by my friend, who scored 750+. The first class I had with Eric, I realized he is AWESOME! Not only he was able to explain questions clearly, he taught the strategy of solving questions given limited time. Plus, he is very nice and has good humor.
When I took my first mock test (un-timed) before the class, I scored 700+, however it took me more than twice of the time allowed to finish it. After taking the class with Eric and finishing homework assigned, I was able to solve most questions within suggested time. A month after I finished the class, I was able to score 750+ on my official test. Kudos to Manhattan Prep and Eric!
I would suggest Manhattan prep and Eric to anyone who wants to crack the GMAT and avoid lengthy preparation time.
When I took my first mock test (un-timed) before the class, I scored 700+, however it took me more than twice of the time allowed to finish it. After taking the class with Eric and finishing homework assigned, I was able to solve most questions within suggested time. A month after I finished the class, I was able to score 750+ on my official test. Kudos to Manhattan Prep and Eric!
I would suggest Manhattan prep and Eric to anyone who wants to crack the GMAT and avoid lengthy preparation time.
Highly recommend Kimberly Cabot
July 23, 2016- Teacher: Kimberly Cabot
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I took the prep course with Kimberly, and I really enjoyed my experience. She's very passionate about teaching the class and extremely knowledgeable as well. What I enjoyed most was her unique approach to solving quantitative problems. For example, while she would show us how to solve problems the "traditional" way, she would often point out a simpler solution that relied more on common sense thinking and less on calculation. I also really enjoyed her strategies around timing and pacing- from how to set up your scratch paper to benchmarks you should be following to make sure you're going to finish the exam on time. I think these small details were responsible for that +20 point boost I got on test day.
Manhattan Prep also has a ton of additional resources on their online student portal. My only gripe would be that it's very overwhelming and not presented in the most intuitive way. My favorite resource was the sentence correction book. While the classroom sessions do delve into the basics of sentence correction, this book is an absolute must to master all the nuances.
My final advice would be to take as many practices tests as possible. Manhattan provides 6 CATs, but I used free tests from Kaplan, Veritas, and the official GMAT to as well to improve my timing and pacing instincts and to diversify my prep. In my experience, the scores I got from Manhattan CATs were much lower than my official score (my highest Manhattan CAT was 700 and I was plateauing at that). So don't feel you need to hit your target score before taking the real thing. You may be pleasantly surprised on test day :)
Manhattan Prep also has a ton of additional resources on their online student portal. My only gripe would be that it's very overwhelming and not presented in the most intuitive way. My favorite resource was the sentence correction book. While the classroom sessions do delve into the basics of sentence correction, this book is an absolute must to master all the nuances.
My final advice would be to take as many practices tests as possible. Manhattan provides 6 CATs, but I used free tests from Kaplan, Veritas, and the official GMAT to as well to improve my timing and pacing instincts and to diversify my prep. In my experience, the scores I got from Manhattan CATs were much lower than my official score (my highest Manhattan CAT was 700 and I was plateauing at that). So don't feel you need to hit your target score before taking the real thing. You may be pleasantly surprised on test day :)
Effective GMAT prep class
July 20, 2016- Teacher: David Mahler
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I took David Mahler's GMAT class over the summer. The 9 week session was particularly helpful as they identified my weaknesses and helped me improve in those specific areas. I did well on my first attempt and even better on my second attempt.
Strongly Recommended!
Strongly Recommended!
Joined: Mar 1, 2016
Purchased Course: Mar 30, 2016
Purchased Course: Mar 30, 2016
College: Carleton University
Major: International Business
Major: International Business
Industry: Sales and Trading
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
Avi Gutman: simply AMAZING!
July 8, 2016- Teacher: Avi Gutman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: N/A
Before I dive into my personal story, if you don't want to read the entire review, I will say this right off the bat: Avi is an INCREDIBLE teacher, he is literally the definition of what a perfect, ideal teacher should be.
My story:
I researched online to find a tutor in Toronto with amazing reviews, and found Avi. I approached Avi four weeks before my exam, to inquire about his tutoring availability and rates, and gave him a brief explanation of my situation; I wasn't scoring where I wanted to be in my practice tests, so I figured a few tutoring sessions with the right instructor would help to boost my score. After explaining my situation to Avi, however, he did not encourage me to get tutoring sessions with him (he did not try to sell his tutoring at all, which I found to be very honest and genuine), instead, he made me realize that there was no rush to be done with the GMAT in the time period I was expecting to be, and told me he thought I would benefit more from enrolling in his 9-session course (much cheaper than private tutoring!), which covers the entire GMAT content. I decided to take Avi's expert advice, and enrolled in his course. This was an AMAZING decision! Avi is all of the things an ideal teacher should be: patient, extremely intelligent (goes without saying he knows the content inside and out), caring, devoted, thoughtful, funny!, did I say patient?, very calming and reassuring whenever you are in doubt or stressing, and he is extremely effective at explaining things in detail, he breaks every concept down so much so that everyone is able to understand even the most complex concepts and problems. It's absolutely incredible how simple he makes everything seem! Every time I would email Avi with a question or letting him know I am stressed out about my upcoming exam, etc., as soon as I?d read the first line or two of his email, I would IMMEDIATELY feel calm and reassured, he is truly a fantastic therapist, and always knows what to say to calm students down, while providing great advice with a sound plan of action. For anyone considering it but not sure if it is worth it: IT IS! Plus, with the cost of the course comes the 10-volume Manhattan book series, and access to all of Manhattan?s online services, including 6 practice CATs.
Thank you, Avi, for being an amazing teacher and therapist!!!
Also, the company itself is awesome, they are very dedicated to their students, and they offer plenty of useful resources for students.
My story:
I researched online to find a tutor in Toronto with amazing reviews, and found Avi. I approached Avi four weeks before my exam, to inquire about his tutoring availability and rates, and gave him a brief explanation of my situation; I wasn't scoring where I wanted to be in my practice tests, so I figured a few tutoring sessions with the right instructor would help to boost my score. After explaining my situation to Avi, however, he did not encourage me to get tutoring sessions with him (he did not try to sell his tutoring at all, which I found to be very honest and genuine), instead, he made me realize that there was no rush to be done with the GMAT in the time period I was expecting to be, and told me he thought I would benefit more from enrolling in his 9-session course (much cheaper than private tutoring!), which covers the entire GMAT content. I decided to take Avi's expert advice, and enrolled in his course. This was an AMAZING decision! Avi is all of the things an ideal teacher should be: patient, extremely intelligent (goes without saying he knows the content inside and out), caring, devoted, thoughtful, funny!, did I say patient?, very calming and reassuring whenever you are in doubt or stressing, and he is extremely effective at explaining things in detail, he breaks every concept down so much so that everyone is able to understand even the most complex concepts and problems. It's absolutely incredible how simple he makes everything seem! Every time I would email Avi with a question or letting him know I am stressed out about my upcoming exam, etc., as soon as I?d read the first line or two of his email, I would IMMEDIATELY feel calm and reassured, he is truly a fantastic therapist, and always knows what to say to calm students down, while providing great advice with a sound plan of action. For anyone considering it but not sure if it is worth it: IT IS! Plus, with the cost of the course comes the 10-volume Manhattan book series, and access to all of Manhattan?s online services, including 6 practice CATs.
Thank you, Avi, for being an amazing teacher and therapist!!!
Also, the company itself is awesome, they are very dedicated to their students, and they offer plenty of useful resources for students.
Worth it
May 30, 2016- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I loved everything about my Manhattan Prep experience - the printed materials, the online courses, the online forums, the instruction, the customer service, and the private tutoring.
It's perfect for someone with a solid foundation in verbal/quant - the course teaches you how to tackle the GMAT questions in a smart way that suits you. But the class only works if you actually do the homework as they are assigned - if you don't do the practice exams/the HW assignments, the class is not going to help you.
I like the online materials because if you've missed something in class or didn't understand something, the online videos teach you the same thing.
My instructor also stayed after class all the time to answer questions.
It's perfect for someone with a solid foundation in verbal/quant - the course teaches you how to tackle the GMAT questions in a smart way that suits you. But the class only works if you actually do the homework as they are assigned - if you don't do the practice exams/the HW assignments, the class is not going to help you.
I like the online materials because if you've missed something in class or didn't understand something, the online videos teach you the same thing.
My instructor also stayed after class all the time to answer questions.
Joined: May 24, 2016
Purchased Course: Oct 8, 2015
Purchased Course: Oct 8, 2015
Major: Political Science
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Highly recommend Manhattan Prep
May 26, 2016- Teacher: Ceilidh Erickson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
After attempting to study for the GMAT by myself via GMAC's "Original Guide" and not seeing much improvement in my scores on online practice tests, I decided to enroll in Manhattan Prep's 9-week course. Ceilidh Erickson was my instructor throughout the course, and I highly recommend selecting her as your course instructor due to her incredibly solid grasp of the course materials and her ability to make an unenjoyable process (studying for the GMAT) much more enjoyable.
Taking Manhattan Prep's course was definitely the difference-maker in seeing improvement in my scores. Their study materials, online tests, and vault of resources provide you with the quant and verbal content knowledge base you need to succeed on the test, as well as with a comprehensive knowledge of the best strategy to optimize your results. Knowing all of the math and grammar is important, but you realize quickly that knowing how to approach the test (i.e. timing, in-test strategy, managing test stress) is just as important (if not more important).
A lot of the value derived from Manhattan Prep comes from outside the actual course. Sitting through the 9-week course is just the tip of the iceberg that is your preparation for achieving your desired score. Being plugged into the Manhattan Prep apparatus that provides a vast array of resources and constant support throughout the GMAT journey is extremely important when progressing toward your ultimate GMAT course goal. For instance, after taking the actual GMAT once and falling short of my desired score, Manhattan Prep devised an additional two-month study plan to help me progress toward my desired goal. The instructors (Ceilidh in particular) and also extremely responsive to answering questions and providing you with additional resources on an ad-hoc basis well after you finish the actual course.
In short, if you're serious about realizing your potential in taking the GMAT, Manhattan Prep is an effective way to prepare for the test and is worth the investment of money and time.
Taking Manhattan Prep's course was definitely the difference-maker in seeing improvement in my scores. Their study materials, online tests, and vault of resources provide you with the quant and verbal content knowledge base you need to succeed on the test, as well as with a comprehensive knowledge of the best strategy to optimize your results. Knowing all of the math and grammar is important, but you realize quickly that knowing how to approach the test (i.e. timing, in-test strategy, managing test stress) is just as important (if not more important).
A lot of the value derived from Manhattan Prep comes from outside the actual course. Sitting through the 9-week course is just the tip of the iceberg that is your preparation for achieving your desired score. Being plugged into the Manhattan Prep apparatus that provides a vast array of resources and constant support throughout the GMAT journey is extremely important when progressing toward your ultimate GMAT course goal. For instance, after taking the actual GMAT once and falling short of my desired score, Manhattan Prep devised an additional two-month study plan to help me progress toward my desired goal. The instructors (Ceilidh in particular) and also extremely responsive to answering questions and providing you with additional resources on an ad-hoc basis well after you finish the actual course.
In short, if you're serious about realizing your potential in taking the GMAT, Manhattan Prep is an effective way to prepare for the test and is worth the investment of money and time.
Joined: May 12, 2016
Purchased Course: Nov 6, 2015
Purchased Course: Nov 6, 2015
College: College of William and Mary
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
$$$ but worth it if you put in the time...5 stars for Ceilidh Erickson!
May 12, 2016- Teacher: Ceilidh Erickson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Short version: Manhattan Prep is pricey but worth the investment. MPrep offers various test prep options depending on your learning style, such as online tutorials ($), practice tests and books ($), in-person courses, ($$) and individual tutoring ($$$). The instructors are well-training to teach you effective strategies for identifying various questions types within Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving, Sentence Correction, etc. and selecting / eliminating answer choices based (e.g. avoiding common GMAT traps).
I completed the in-person course at their Chelsea location in February 2016 with instructor Ceilidh Erickson. There are 9 classes in total, 3 hours each. This class is a commitment, as students are expected to follow along the syllabus and complete practice problems outside of class - they suggest 10 hours of studying / week, and I realistically dedicated about 5-6 / week.
My initial practice score was a 600 and after applying what I learned in class for two months, I took the official GMAT and scored a 740. This would not have been possible without Ceilidh's approachable and effective teaching style - her energy is contagious and I actually felt motivated to learn tips and tricks for "beating the GMAT". The GMAT itself does not test math / verbal skills above a high school level, but the way questions are worded and set up are meant to trick and trap test takers. Ceilidh equips you with critical timing strategies and answer-eliminating tricks to help you get (or guess) the right question. She is engaging in class and you will find it's hard to zone out (or you will get called out!). I highly recommend Ceilidh and signing up for a free trial class to see if the class is a fit.After each class, she also sends recap emails which are a great refresher before the exam. As her student, you will always feel supported throughout the course, and after - she genuinely cares about your success and want to celebrate when you reach your goal!
Warning: The test is designed so you miss approximately half of the questions. Accept that you will miss questions and that you will have to give your "best guess" and move on sometimes, so focus on time management and problem recognition.
I completed the in-person course at their Chelsea location in February 2016 with instructor Ceilidh Erickson. There are 9 classes in total, 3 hours each. This class is a commitment, as students are expected to follow along the syllabus and complete practice problems outside of class - they suggest 10 hours of studying / week, and I realistically dedicated about 5-6 / week.
My initial practice score was a 600 and after applying what I learned in class for two months, I took the official GMAT and scored a 740. This would not have been possible without Ceilidh's approachable and effective teaching style - her energy is contagious and I actually felt motivated to learn tips and tricks for "beating the GMAT". The GMAT itself does not test math / verbal skills above a high school level, but the way questions are worded and set up are meant to trick and trap test takers. Ceilidh equips you with critical timing strategies and answer-eliminating tricks to help you get (or guess) the right question. She is engaging in class and you will find it's hard to zone out (or you will get called out!). I highly recommend Ceilidh and signing up for a free trial class to see if the class is a fit.After each class, she also sends recap emails which are a great refresher before the exam. As her student, you will always feel supported throughout the course, and after - she genuinely cares about your success and want to celebrate when you reach your goal!
Warning: The test is designed so you miss approximately half of the questions. Accept that you will miss questions and that you will have to give your "best guess" and move on sometimes, so focus on time management and problem recognition.
Joined: Nov 29, 2015
Purchased Course: Nov 29, 2015
Purchased Course: Nov 29, 2015
College: Fordham University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
590 to 700 - Thank you Manhattan Prep and Joe Martin!
April 24, 2016- Teacher: Joe Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 590 After: 700
I took the GMAT several years ago and scored a 590 after reading through the Official Guide and working through practice tests/problems. This time, I decided to take a more serious approach with a prep course, and I had heard from some of my friends that Manhattan Prep was the best. I registered for Joe Martin's class, followed the syllabus throughout the 9 weeks, self-studied for a month after the class ended, and scored a 700.
After browsing through the course options, I decided to go with the full 9-week course, but wanted to ensure that both the day/time and instructor were right. Many of the reviews I read pointed to Joe Martin, so I registered for one of his classes. That turned out to be the right decision.
Joe will be the first one to tell you that all of the Manhattan Prep instructors are great, but he has consistently proven to be among the best. He is engaging, funny, and knowledgeable about both the mechanics and the content of the GMAT; you will find that understanding the GMAT itself is just as important as understanding the formulas, grammar rules, etc. that the questions are derived from. He also is very approachable for questions in class or via email.
In regards to the Manhattan Prep books: if you are taking the GMAT, you should be using those to study. Although there are 10+ books, they are very clear and not intimidating at all. They break down each topic and prepare you for every kind of question you will see on the test.
The Manhattan Prep CATs are also great. You get 6 CATs, which is more than enough, especially combined with the free tests you get from GMAC itself. After each MPrep test, you get a breakdown of each question, which is extremely valuable to see what you got wrong or even how you can get correct answers faster.
If you are taking the GMAT, use Manhattan Prep and try to get into Joe Martin's class. You will not regret it.
After browsing through the course options, I decided to go with the full 9-week course, but wanted to ensure that both the day/time and instructor were right. Many of the reviews I read pointed to Joe Martin, so I registered for one of his classes. That turned out to be the right decision.
Joe will be the first one to tell you that all of the Manhattan Prep instructors are great, but he has consistently proven to be among the best. He is engaging, funny, and knowledgeable about both the mechanics and the content of the GMAT; you will find that understanding the GMAT itself is just as important as understanding the formulas, grammar rules, etc. that the questions are derived from. He also is very approachable for questions in class or via email.
In regards to the Manhattan Prep books: if you are taking the GMAT, you should be using those to study. Although there are 10+ books, they are very clear and not intimidating at all. They break down each topic and prepare you for every kind of question you will see on the test.
The Manhattan Prep CATs are also great. You get 6 CATs, which is more than enough, especially combined with the free tests you get from GMAC itself. After each MPrep test, you get a breakdown of each question, which is extremely valuable to see what you got wrong or even how you can get correct answers faster.
If you are taking the GMAT, use Manhattan Prep and try to get into Joe Martin's class. You will not regret it.
Joined: Mar 29, 2016
Purchased Course: Dec 29, 2015
Purchased Course: Dec 29, 2015
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT is a must. Thank you Joe Martin!
March 29, 2016- Teacher: Joseph Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
I was initially hesitant to sign up for the course because it was a bit costly. I decided to go through with it since I couldn't reach my target score of 700 by studying on my own (for over 6 months). After reading numerous reviews about Joe Martin, I signed up for his 9-week course and I absolutely LOVED it! Joe was a great teacher who taught the class many GMAT tricks and and gave us an understanding of the exam. He kept the class fun and the 3 hours always flew by. I scored a 580 on my initial practice exam before the class began. When I took the GMAT last weekend, I received my target score of 700! Thank you for all of your help Joe & Manhattan GMAT! No regrets.
Fantastic course for achieving your goals!
March 15, 2016- Teacher: Isaac Puglia
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
About Me
I am a 33-year old Mexican. I attended a Manhattan Prep GMAT course in San Francisco and a live Manhattan Prep GRE course in Oakland in early 2015 and then studied with a tutor in Mexico in mid 2015. I took both courses because my career plan required that I take both the GMAT and the GRE. I have only taken the GMAT so far, and depending on the business schools that I get in, I might or might not need to take the GRE. These are my GMAT results:
06/06/2015: V 32 66%, Q 40 46%, AWA 5 59%, IR 3 25%
Total: 600 60%.
07/09/2015: V 38 85%, Q 39 42%, AWA 6 91%, IR 4 38%
Total: 630 70%.
24/11/2015: V 44 98%, Q 49 78%, AWA 6 91%, IR 6 67%
Total: 750 98%.
Intro
When researching GMAT preparation courses, the options can be overwhelming. You have online self-paced courses, live courses, boot camps, and private tutoring. Depending on your budget, study style, and goals, there is a right option for you. Before I get to my Manhattan Prep review, a brief introduction.
Before deciding on an option, I recommend that you read about the GMAT. Learn how the sections are divided, the timing for each section, and the different question types. Once you are familiar with the exam, download the free GMATPrep software and practice some questions.
You can download the free GMATPrep software from this link: http://bit.ly/1SRwOrA
These are the question types:
Verbal Section (Verbal)
-Sentence Correction (SC)
-Critical Reasoning (CR)
-Reading Comprehension (RC)
Quantitative Section (Quant)
-Problem Solving (PS)
-Data Sufficiency (DS)
Integrated Reasoning (IR)
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
I recommend that you write at least a couple of essays for the AWA section.
You can download the prompts for the AWA from this link: http://bit.ly/1M6qqeD
After two weeks or so of practicing the questions in the GMATPrep software take a practice exam in the GMATPrep software.
It?s important that you imitate official testing conditions when you take the practice exam. Here are some tips for doing so:
-Schedule four hours.
-Work in a quiet place where you won?t be interrupted, such as a library.
-Bring a squared graph notebook and ballpoint pen for working on your answers. I used about 20 sheets per practice exam.
-Turn off your cellphone or leave it at home.
-During the exam you can?t have a watch, calculator, or any other device, so don?t bring one.
-Turn off the Wi-Fi in your computer and close all applications except for the GMATPrep software.
-Begin your test and don?t skip the AWA and IR sections.
After you finish the test look at the score for each section and the overall score.
If your overall score is above 700, congratulations! You don?t need much prep. I am not implying that you shouldn?t prep for the real exam, but pointing out that you won?t need to invest much time to achieve your target score. If your score is below 700, you will benefit from prep. Now let?s discuss the options.
Independently of what you end up deciding, you will need the official guide because it?s the only source of official GMAT questions. Although each prep option has its own practice questions, and these questions are similar to what you will find in a real exam, they aren?t identical. You can actually find many official questions online, but you will have trouble staying organized if you follow this approach.
I recommend that you get the Kindle version of the official guide. It?s $18 dollars on Amazon and you can get it from this link: http://amzn.to/1UeOQVF. Also, there is an official Quantitative Review guide, which you can get for $8 dollars from this link: http://amzn.to/1pn69Hm. There is also an official Verbal Review guide, which you can get for $8 dollars from this link: http://amzn.to/1Vb1k0a.
Now let?s talk about Manhattan Prep. I chose Manhattan Prep because after an hour or so of researching on forums, it was what most people recommended. I chose the live course because it gave me an excuse to travel to San Francisco and spend some time in that wonderful city. I know that these aren?t compelling reasons for choosing Manhattan Prep?s live course, but in retrospect they were the right choice for me, and maybe they will be for you.
Why Manhattan Prep?
It?s difficult to compare preparation options because you usually don?t use more than one. Even if you use more than one, the second option will benefit from the experience acquired during the first. So I?ll tell you what I liked about Manhattan Prep.
Instructors
Manhattan Prep only hires instructors who scored at least on the 99th percentile and have ample teaching experience, teaching classes or as private tutors. Manhattan Prep?s high hiring standards guarantee that you will have an exceptional teacher. In fact my teachers, Isaac for the GMAT and David for the GRE, were comparable to the best teachers I?ve had both in high school and in college. This is relevant for the live course, although not so much for the online self-paced version.
My teachers not only were great during their respective classes, but also were accessible and responsive after finishing my courses. For example, after completing a Manhattan Prep practice exam, I would write to Isaac and he would get back to me within a day with a detailed analysis of my exam. Additionally, I would often send a question with a solution I didn?t understand to either Isaac or David, and they would reply with a detailed explanation within a day.
Some personal experiences about how great Manhattan Prep?s teachers are. I could never, ever, understand combinatorics. Ever since I first learned about them in high school, I always got combinatorics problems wrong. However, David was able to finally help me understand combinatorics through his clear, fun, and relevant examples. Also, David would send corny stories each week by email that used GRE words in creative and compelling ways. The stories were so memorable that they made it easy to learn the new GRE words. Finally, Isaac would send a recap email after each session with the key takeaways to study. These emails weren?t generic. They were specific to our class experience.
Resources
I will focus on the GMAT resources now. The books are fantastic. They cover all the GMAT sections and topics from the basics all the way to the advanced problems and strategies. The Sentence Correction guide is probably the best guide out there. I also found the Advanced Quant book, which is not included in the live course, very useful in my final push. You can get the Advanced Quant book from this link: http://amzn.to/253mzW2. There is one area of improvement though: Manhattan should give you the option to opt for a Kindle version of their books when you buy the live or online self-paced courses. The physical books are bulky and the electronic version that Manhattan Prep gives you works with Adobe Digital Editions, which pales in comparison to the Kindle reader application.
Apart from the books, Manhattan Prep gives you a problem by topic guide that was invaluable in my later studies. The guide breaks down the official guide?s problems by topic, so if you want to focus on geometry, for example, the topic guide lists all the geometry problems in the official guide.
Furthermore, the GMAT Navigator was a key part of my study workflow. The navigator is an online tool in which you enter a problem number, your answer, and the time it took you to solve the problem. You can then see the correct answer and explanations for why the right answer is right, and why the wrong answers are wrong. You even get video explanations for some questions. Additionally, the navigator keeps track of your timing and performance, providing useful analytics for later on. It?s sort of an error log, but not a substitute for one. I wish Manhattan Prep would release the navigator as a standalone app with error logging capabilities. It would be very useful! Maybe I should just code something like it? Moving on!
As a side note, I just found out that Manhattan Prep charges an additional $49 dollars for the GMAT Navigator. It was free when I took my course and for some months afterwards. Nevertheless, I think that the GMAT Navigator totally worth it. Continuing.
Manhattan Prep has six practice exams that are very similar to the real GMAT exam. After you finish an exam, you can access answer explanations and an Assessment Report with useful data, such as timing per question and right and wrong answers by difficulty and topic. The Assessment Report will help you improve your timing strategy and identify and focus in your weak areas. Essentially, the Assessment Report from your Manhattan Prep exams will guide your study plan. Because the GMAT Prep software doesn?t provide this data, the Manhattan Prep exams with the Assessment Report analytics are far more useful.
Post-Exam Assessment
After you take a GMAT exam, Manhattan gives you a free Post-Exam Assessment (PEA) with an instructor. During the assessment, the instructor goes over your results, asks you to solve some problems while he observes, and outlines a customized syllabus for you. By the end of the PEA, the instructor details exactly what you should be doing between now and your next exam date.
In my case, I asked for my PEA after my second attempt because, although I had a significant improvement in verbal, I hadn?t improved in quant. I had an online session with Ryan. In my session, he gave me many pointers, and the most important one was to get the Advanced Quantitative Guide from Manhattan Prep and work on it. He said that I needed to practice with more advanced problems to improve my quant performance. I ended up doing all 150 problems in the guide. By the way, some of these problems are insane. I didn?t even know that there was an Advanced Quantitative Guide before I spoke with Ryan, or that I was above the medium difficulty level but below the hard difficulty level for quant as Ryan pointed out. In the end, my PEA was an important part of my 120-point increase in my third attempt, on which I got a 750 or 98th percentile.
Why live?
There is a $750 dollar difference between the live and the self-paced online Manhattan Prep courses. The difference might seem like a deal-breaker, but in the grand scheme of things it?s not. In fact, I think you should invest as much as you can to get a high GMAT score. Here is why.
Consider that the entering class for the top 15 MBA programs in the United States has an average GMAT score of above 700. Although the GMAT is not the only thing that business schools consider for admission, a high score will certainly improve your chances of admission to a top ranked program. Now, let?s assume you graduate from Stern, which is among the top 15 MBA programs in the United States and has an average entering class GMAT score of 721. Assuming you end up earning the average salary of the graduating Stern class, you would make around $100K dollars per year. Compare Stern with the University of Miami, for which the entering class has an average GMAT score of 621 and an average early career pay of $70K dollars per year. That is a $30K dollar difference per year for a 100-point difference in GMAT score. I know that your GMAT score and the MBA program you end up attending will not be the only factors that affect your future pay prospects, and that correlation between GMAT score and pay doesn?t imply causation, but we could devolve that argument into not needing an MBA, or even a college degree to be successful in life. My point is that a higher GMAT score will increase your chances of entering into a higher ranked program, which will have higher pay prospects holding everything else equal. Also, not only will you have higher pay prospects, but also will you have a higher quality of peers, teachers, and network.
The previous paragraph is irrelevant unless I can prove to you that a live course will yield a higher score than an online self-paced course. Unfortunately, I don?t have the data to backup that claim. However, I can give you some compelling reasons for doing a live course over an online self-paced one, and tell you why I believe that these reasons will yield a higher score.
To begin with, a live course will set you on a study schedule. Unless you can get into the habit of consistently studying for the GMAT, you won?t easily achieve your target score. Also, in the live course it?s more difficult to get distracted than when studying on your own.
Additionally, through the way the live class is conducted, you will get insight into different ways of solving questions. Being more specific, after Isaac asked us to solve the problem on the board, he would ask each of us to share how we approached the problem. Knowing more than one approach to a problem is very important when facing the GMAT, as you will later learn.
The most important reason for taking the live course instead of an online self-paced course is your classmates. You will meet people that are in the same boat as you. Not only you will learn from them, in some cases more than you will from your teacher, but also they will keep you motivated and on track. For example, after my course ended, my class kept meeting on the same day and at the same time of the class for study group. These meetings kept everybody in the GMAT track after class. We even went to an MBA presentation at Stanford where we learned many useful MBA application skills, such as how to write a compelling essay. Additionally, my classmates were very helpful later on in the process. They shared study strategies, MBA application tips, and even helped with my essays. Their struggle becomes yours, and your struggle becomes theirs. Everybody cheers for everybody else, and trust me, there will be many moments during which you will have a need for cheering!
Finally, let me give you a reason that only applies if you want to attend a full-time or part-time MBA. Why do you want to do a full-time or part-time and not an online MBA? Write it down. The answer that you wrote down is the same answer to why you should do a live course instead of a self-paced online course. Clever right? No? Well?
Conclusion
In the end, unless you are willing to put in the time and effort to achieve your target score, it doesn?t matter if you choose Manhattan Prep or Patito Prep (In Mexico, we use the ?Patito? brand whenever we want to imply that something is cheap and of low quality). You are the most important element in your own success. I owe my success to Manhattan Prep?s resources and teachers, my classmates, coaching from my tutor in Mexico, my supportive wife and, above all, my unrelenting desire to beat the GMAT.
PS
I am slowly writing a blog post about my MBA application experience. I will cover the study techniques that ended up being the most helpful for my final score, my essay writing struggles and approaches, and my interview preparation strategy. If you are interested in reading about my experience, go to this link: http://bit.ly/1M6raAs, which will redirect you to the future post about it. Your click will motivate me to write faster. Thanks for reading!
I am a 33-year old Mexican. I attended a Manhattan Prep GMAT course in San Francisco and a live Manhattan Prep GRE course in Oakland in early 2015 and then studied with a tutor in Mexico in mid 2015. I took both courses because my career plan required that I take both the GMAT and the GRE. I have only taken the GMAT so far, and depending on the business schools that I get in, I might or might not need to take the GRE. These are my GMAT results:
06/06/2015: V 32 66%, Q 40 46%, AWA 5 59%, IR 3 25%
Total: 600 60%.
07/09/2015: V 38 85%, Q 39 42%, AWA 6 91%, IR 4 38%
Total: 630 70%.
24/11/2015: V 44 98%, Q 49 78%, AWA 6 91%, IR 6 67%
Total: 750 98%.
Intro
When researching GMAT preparation courses, the options can be overwhelming. You have online self-paced courses, live courses, boot camps, and private tutoring. Depending on your budget, study style, and goals, there is a right option for you. Before I get to my Manhattan Prep review, a brief introduction.
Before deciding on an option, I recommend that you read about the GMAT. Learn how the sections are divided, the timing for each section, and the different question types. Once you are familiar with the exam, download the free GMATPrep software and practice some questions.
You can download the free GMATPrep software from this link: http://bit.ly/1SRwOrA
These are the question types:
Verbal Section (Verbal)
-Sentence Correction (SC)
-Critical Reasoning (CR)
-Reading Comprehension (RC)
Quantitative Section (Quant)
-Problem Solving (PS)
-Data Sufficiency (DS)
Integrated Reasoning (IR)
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
I recommend that you write at least a couple of essays for the AWA section.
You can download the prompts for the AWA from this link: http://bit.ly/1M6qqeD
After two weeks or so of practicing the questions in the GMATPrep software take a practice exam in the GMATPrep software.
It?s important that you imitate official testing conditions when you take the practice exam. Here are some tips for doing so:
-Schedule four hours.
-Work in a quiet place where you won?t be interrupted, such as a library.
-Bring a squared graph notebook and ballpoint pen for working on your answers. I used about 20 sheets per practice exam.
-Turn off your cellphone or leave it at home.
-During the exam you can?t have a watch, calculator, or any other device, so don?t bring one.
-Turn off the Wi-Fi in your computer and close all applications except for the GMATPrep software.
-Begin your test and don?t skip the AWA and IR sections.
After you finish the test look at the score for each section and the overall score.
If your overall score is above 700, congratulations! You don?t need much prep. I am not implying that you shouldn?t prep for the real exam, but pointing out that you won?t need to invest much time to achieve your target score. If your score is below 700, you will benefit from prep. Now let?s discuss the options.
Independently of what you end up deciding, you will need the official guide because it?s the only source of official GMAT questions. Although each prep option has its own practice questions, and these questions are similar to what you will find in a real exam, they aren?t identical. You can actually find many official questions online, but you will have trouble staying organized if you follow this approach.
I recommend that you get the Kindle version of the official guide. It?s $18 dollars on Amazon and you can get it from this link: http://amzn.to/1UeOQVF. Also, there is an official Quantitative Review guide, which you can get for $8 dollars from this link: http://amzn.to/1pn69Hm. There is also an official Verbal Review guide, which you can get for $8 dollars from this link: http://amzn.to/1Vb1k0a.
Now let?s talk about Manhattan Prep. I chose Manhattan Prep because after an hour or so of researching on forums, it was what most people recommended. I chose the live course because it gave me an excuse to travel to San Francisco and spend some time in that wonderful city. I know that these aren?t compelling reasons for choosing Manhattan Prep?s live course, but in retrospect they were the right choice for me, and maybe they will be for you.
Why Manhattan Prep?
It?s difficult to compare preparation options because you usually don?t use more than one. Even if you use more than one, the second option will benefit from the experience acquired during the first. So I?ll tell you what I liked about Manhattan Prep.
Instructors
Manhattan Prep only hires instructors who scored at least on the 99th percentile and have ample teaching experience, teaching classes or as private tutors. Manhattan Prep?s high hiring standards guarantee that you will have an exceptional teacher. In fact my teachers, Isaac for the GMAT and David for the GRE, were comparable to the best teachers I?ve had both in high school and in college. This is relevant for the live course, although not so much for the online self-paced version.
My teachers not only were great during their respective classes, but also were accessible and responsive after finishing my courses. For example, after completing a Manhattan Prep practice exam, I would write to Isaac and he would get back to me within a day with a detailed analysis of my exam. Additionally, I would often send a question with a solution I didn?t understand to either Isaac or David, and they would reply with a detailed explanation within a day.
Some personal experiences about how great Manhattan Prep?s teachers are. I could never, ever, understand combinatorics. Ever since I first learned about them in high school, I always got combinatorics problems wrong. However, David was able to finally help me understand combinatorics through his clear, fun, and relevant examples. Also, David would send corny stories each week by email that used GRE words in creative and compelling ways. The stories were so memorable that they made it easy to learn the new GRE words. Finally, Isaac would send a recap email after each session with the key takeaways to study. These emails weren?t generic. They were specific to our class experience.
Resources
I will focus on the GMAT resources now. The books are fantastic. They cover all the GMAT sections and topics from the basics all the way to the advanced problems and strategies. The Sentence Correction guide is probably the best guide out there. I also found the Advanced Quant book, which is not included in the live course, very useful in my final push. You can get the Advanced Quant book from this link: http://amzn.to/253mzW2. There is one area of improvement though: Manhattan should give you the option to opt for a Kindle version of their books when you buy the live or online self-paced courses. The physical books are bulky and the electronic version that Manhattan Prep gives you works with Adobe Digital Editions, which pales in comparison to the Kindle reader application.
Apart from the books, Manhattan Prep gives you a problem by topic guide that was invaluable in my later studies. The guide breaks down the official guide?s problems by topic, so if you want to focus on geometry, for example, the topic guide lists all the geometry problems in the official guide.
Furthermore, the GMAT Navigator was a key part of my study workflow. The navigator is an online tool in which you enter a problem number, your answer, and the time it took you to solve the problem. You can then see the correct answer and explanations for why the right answer is right, and why the wrong answers are wrong. You even get video explanations for some questions. Additionally, the navigator keeps track of your timing and performance, providing useful analytics for later on. It?s sort of an error log, but not a substitute for one. I wish Manhattan Prep would release the navigator as a standalone app with error logging capabilities. It would be very useful! Maybe I should just code something like it? Moving on!
As a side note, I just found out that Manhattan Prep charges an additional $49 dollars for the GMAT Navigator. It was free when I took my course and for some months afterwards. Nevertheless, I think that the GMAT Navigator totally worth it. Continuing.
Manhattan Prep has six practice exams that are very similar to the real GMAT exam. After you finish an exam, you can access answer explanations and an Assessment Report with useful data, such as timing per question and right and wrong answers by difficulty and topic. The Assessment Report will help you improve your timing strategy and identify and focus in your weak areas. Essentially, the Assessment Report from your Manhattan Prep exams will guide your study plan. Because the GMAT Prep software doesn?t provide this data, the Manhattan Prep exams with the Assessment Report analytics are far more useful.
Post-Exam Assessment
After you take a GMAT exam, Manhattan gives you a free Post-Exam Assessment (PEA) with an instructor. During the assessment, the instructor goes over your results, asks you to solve some problems while he observes, and outlines a customized syllabus for you. By the end of the PEA, the instructor details exactly what you should be doing between now and your next exam date.
In my case, I asked for my PEA after my second attempt because, although I had a significant improvement in verbal, I hadn?t improved in quant. I had an online session with Ryan. In my session, he gave me many pointers, and the most important one was to get the Advanced Quantitative Guide from Manhattan Prep and work on it. He said that I needed to practice with more advanced problems to improve my quant performance. I ended up doing all 150 problems in the guide. By the way, some of these problems are insane. I didn?t even know that there was an Advanced Quantitative Guide before I spoke with Ryan, or that I was above the medium difficulty level but below the hard difficulty level for quant as Ryan pointed out. In the end, my PEA was an important part of my 120-point increase in my third attempt, on which I got a 750 or 98th percentile.
Why live?
There is a $750 dollar difference between the live and the self-paced online Manhattan Prep courses. The difference might seem like a deal-breaker, but in the grand scheme of things it?s not. In fact, I think you should invest as much as you can to get a high GMAT score. Here is why.
Consider that the entering class for the top 15 MBA programs in the United States has an average GMAT score of above 700. Although the GMAT is not the only thing that business schools consider for admission, a high score will certainly improve your chances of admission to a top ranked program. Now, let?s assume you graduate from Stern, which is among the top 15 MBA programs in the United States and has an average entering class GMAT score of 721. Assuming you end up earning the average salary of the graduating Stern class, you would make around $100K dollars per year. Compare Stern with the University of Miami, for which the entering class has an average GMAT score of 621 and an average early career pay of $70K dollars per year. That is a $30K dollar difference per year for a 100-point difference in GMAT score. I know that your GMAT score and the MBA program you end up attending will not be the only factors that affect your future pay prospects, and that correlation between GMAT score and pay doesn?t imply causation, but we could devolve that argument into not needing an MBA, or even a college degree to be successful in life. My point is that a higher GMAT score will increase your chances of entering into a higher ranked program, which will have higher pay prospects holding everything else equal. Also, not only will you have higher pay prospects, but also will you have a higher quality of peers, teachers, and network.
The previous paragraph is irrelevant unless I can prove to you that a live course will yield a higher score than an online self-paced course. Unfortunately, I don?t have the data to backup that claim. However, I can give you some compelling reasons for doing a live course over an online self-paced one, and tell you why I believe that these reasons will yield a higher score.
To begin with, a live course will set you on a study schedule. Unless you can get into the habit of consistently studying for the GMAT, you won?t easily achieve your target score. Also, in the live course it?s more difficult to get distracted than when studying on your own.
Additionally, through the way the live class is conducted, you will get insight into different ways of solving questions. Being more specific, after Isaac asked us to solve the problem on the board, he would ask each of us to share how we approached the problem. Knowing more than one approach to a problem is very important when facing the GMAT, as you will later learn.
The most important reason for taking the live course instead of an online self-paced course is your classmates. You will meet people that are in the same boat as you. Not only you will learn from them, in some cases more than you will from your teacher, but also they will keep you motivated and on track. For example, after my course ended, my class kept meeting on the same day and at the same time of the class for study group. These meetings kept everybody in the GMAT track after class. We even went to an MBA presentation at Stanford where we learned many useful MBA application skills, such as how to write a compelling essay. Additionally, my classmates were very helpful later on in the process. They shared study strategies, MBA application tips, and even helped with my essays. Their struggle becomes yours, and your struggle becomes theirs. Everybody cheers for everybody else, and trust me, there will be many moments during which you will have a need for cheering!
Finally, let me give you a reason that only applies if you want to attend a full-time or part-time MBA. Why do you want to do a full-time or part-time and not an online MBA? Write it down. The answer that you wrote down is the same answer to why you should do a live course instead of a self-paced online course. Clever right? No? Well?
Conclusion
In the end, unless you are willing to put in the time and effort to achieve your target score, it doesn?t matter if you choose Manhattan Prep or Patito Prep (In Mexico, we use the ?Patito? brand whenever we want to imply that something is cheap and of low quality). You are the most important element in your own success. I owe my success to Manhattan Prep?s resources and teachers, my classmates, coaching from my tutor in Mexico, my supportive wife and, above all, my unrelenting desire to beat the GMAT.
PS
I am slowly writing a blog post about my MBA application experience. I will cover the study techniques that ended up being the most helpful for my final score, my essay writing struggles and approaches, and my interview preparation strategy. If you are interested in reading about my experience, go to this link: http://bit.ly/1M6raAs, which will redirect you to the future post about it. Your click will motivate me to write faster. Thanks for reading!
Joined: Mar 7, 2016
Purchased Course: Jul 30, 2015
Purchased Course: Jul 30, 2015
College: UC Berkeley
Industry: Computers/Software
Couldn't have done without it
March 7, 2016- Teacher: Isaac Puglia
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 750
My class was top-notch. The structure of the class, the homework, and the online learning were high quality. I would not have been able to study for this test effectively with just a book - the curriculum helped me navigate the sea of content, in the right order. Isaac, the instructor, was excellent: he anticipated our questions, explained everything clearly, spent extra time to help us after class if we needed, and was funny and warm. I really appreciated the approach of the class as well - first master the content while getting used to timing, and then focus on areas of weakness in the latter part of the class. Definitely could not have increased my score by 100 points without Manhattan. I would recommend it to anybody.
Excellent course to get up to speed with content and strategy
January 30, 2016- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 640
I would echo the view of most of GMAT takers that Manhattan offers the best content. I have attended the course in person in London and it has certainly prepared me well to score over 600. My only issue lack of practice material outside questions in the book. If you are someone learns by practising (and making mistakes) you may find course a little bit light on practice materials. Hence, I choose to sign up for Magoosh which had tons of pracrtice materials for a fraction of the MGMAT price and both course worked very well in combination.
Great Course - High Recommended!
December 17, 2015- Teacher: Ryan Starr
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Based on my experience, Manhattan course is the best GMAT prep course out there. Before I started the Manhattan course, I was using Veritas Prep on demand and did not see huge improvement in my practice test scores.
I enrolled in the Manhattan GMAT 9 week prep course and I am finishing my preparation to enroll in the exam.
I attended all the classes and felt that they were a great supplement to my studying. I cannot recommend Manhattan Prep and instructor Ryan Starr enough. Ryan Starr is a fantastic teacher who genuinely cares about his students' performance. Ryan?s tricks and words of encouragement were incredibly helpful in improving my score.
In addition, the website is amazing - "homework help" hours, the on demand prep, the evaluation of the preparation ? its making a huge difference.
I believe that the approach to learning that Manhattan Prep has created is what truly makes the course successful.
I can only think of good things to say about the company and the employees of Manhattan.
I enrolled in the Manhattan GMAT 9 week prep course and I am finishing my preparation to enroll in the exam.
I attended all the classes and felt that they were a great supplement to my studying. I cannot recommend Manhattan Prep and instructor Ryan Starr enough. Ryan Starr is a fantastic teacher who genuinely cares about his students' performance. Ryan?s tricks and words of encouragement were incredibly helpful in improving my score.
In addition, the website is amazing - "homework help" hours, the on demand prep, the evaluation of the preparation ? its making a huge difference.
I believe that the approach to learning that Manhattan Prep has created is what truly makes the course successful.
I can only think of good things to say about the company and the employees of Manhattan.
A must for the Quant Section!
December 17, 2015- Teacher: Ryan Starr
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 490 After: 650
Its True: Manhattan GMAT provides students with the skills and strategies essential for success
The course is very comprehensive given you the opportunity to improve your skills in each of the section tested on Gmat Exam.
The course is special good for the ones who want to improve the quant score - i notice that the mocks exams on quant section are harder than the real exam. My improvement on quant section were from Q37 to Q47.
Notice that our score really depends on the work he put into studying plan. With discipline, focus, and a time, he can achieve our dream score.
The course is very comprehensive given you the opportunity to improve your skills in each of the section tested on Gmat Exam.
The course is special good for the ones who want to improve the quant score - i notice that the mocks exams on quant section are harder than the real exam. My improvement on quant section were from Q37 to Q47.
Notice that our score really depends on the work he put into studying plan. With discipline, focus, and a time, he can achieve our dream score.
Excellent instructor. I not only mastered the content but also gained test-day strategies.
November 5, 2015- Teacher: Joseph Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
Joe was a great instructor for all aspects of the GMAT in terms of content and test-day strategies. I achieved my target score of >700 after the nine session course and three weeks of self-study. Joe was a great instructor; he clearly knows the material and the exam very well, and took time to help his students succeed. He was always available to provide feedback after class or via email. I'd definitely recommend MGMAT as a prep company and Joe as a teacher.
Joined: Oct 5, 2015
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2015
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2015
College: University of Southern California
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Major: Aerospace Engineering
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT is the Best in the Business
October 5, 2015- Teacher: Jayson Beatty
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
If you are serious about getting into a top-tier business school, Manhattan GMAT can help you get the score you want. Their track record speaks for itself and makes them the best in the business. My personal experience was very positive; after 3 months of classes and 1 month of self-studying, my score went up 80 points and I got my target score.
My instructor Jayson Beatty was fantastic, I looked forward to class every week. He made GMAT learning fun and entertaining, partially because he's just a funny guy. We met once a week for class, which made email communication very important. Jayson is very responsive to emails, always replying within hours. Lectures were systematic, first we learned the concept, then we went applied our learning through a series of examples. I registered for an in-person class with 6 students, which allowed us to take turns answer questions on the board.
Highly recommend both Manhattan GMAT and Jayson Beatty!
My instructor Jayson Beatty was fantastic, I looked forward to class every week. He made GMAT learning fun and entertaining, partially because he's just a funny guy. We met once a week for class, which made email communication very important. Jayson is very responsive to emails, always replying within hours. Lectures were systematic, first we learned the concept, then we went applied our learning through a series of examples. I registered for an in-person class with 6 students, which allowed us to take turns answer questions on the board.
Highly recommend both Manhattan GMAT and Jayson Beatty!
Joined: Sep 30, 2015
Purchased Course: Aug 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Aug 24, 2014
College: William & Mary
Major: Accounting
Major: Accounting
Industry: Accounting
Country: United Arab Emirates
Country: United Arab Emirates
Disappointing.
September 30, 2015- Teacher: Marcus
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 660
My main problem with Manhattan GMAT is that it is just a standardized test machine. I did not feel like the professor or anyone working at Manhattan really cared how I did- even when I asked for help. You would think if you shelled out $1,200 for a prep course that you would get some personalized study tips.
My problem was timing. The only help I got was advice to "just keep doing more problems". I, of course, obliged and did not get near the score I wanted to get.
I went from a 660 after taking Manhattan GMAT course to a 720 after using Magoosh GMAT materials.
Obviously, this course works for some people. If you do end up taking it, my suggestion would be to know your stuff before you go. Make sure you are solid on the fundamentals or else this course will not help you at all.
My problem was timing. The only help I got was advice to "just keep doing more problems". I, of course, obliged and did not get near the score I wanted to get.
I went from a 660 after taking Manhattan GMAT course to a 720 after using Magoosh GMAT materials.
Obviously, this course works for some people. If you do end up taking it, my suggestion would be to know your stuff before you go. Make sure you are solid on the fundamentals or else this course will not help you at all.
Jonathan Schneider is an excellent instructor!
July 21, 2015- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Before signing up for my 9-week GMAT prep course I did a lot of research online and asked coworkers/friends for recommendations about where and with who to take it. Manhattan GMAT was hands down the recommendation across the board. I chose the class based on its convenience with my schedule (and the need to discipline my studying by committing to an in-person course) and had high expectations after reading Jonathan's reviews on BeattheGMAT, Yelp, and LinkedIn. Thankfully, he did not disappoint! I found his strategies for mastering content to be very helpful, and what I appreciated most was the way that he helped put things into perspective and lessen the stress of taking the test. He was very responsive to my emails even after the class ended and helped answer questions/suggest strategies for improving my score after my first exam. Main point - Jonathan is a great instructor and I know I couldn't have received the score I did without the strategies I learned from him.
Joined: Jun 22, 2015
Purchased Course: Feb 24, 2015
Purchased Course: Feb 24, 2015
College: Vanderbilt University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Prep course is a worthwhile investment
June 22, 2015- Teacher: Joe Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I debated doing the self-study or taking the course, and in the end I decided to take the full course, which I would recommend to those who are debating between the two. The most useful pieces of information I gleaned from the course were the overall test taking strategies. I think the breadth of the curriculum necessitates a significant amount of self-study, but the course was very helpful in keeping my study schedule on track. It seems that the overall quality of teachers employed by Manhattan Prep is very high. My teacher, Joe Martin, was awesome: very engaging, knowledgeable, responsive, and funny (which can be crucial when discussing dry GMAT material for hours straight). I also sat in on a makeup class with Ceilidh Erickson, and she was great as well, further proving my assertion about the quality of teachers.
I definitely recommend the Manhattan Prep course to anyone who is thinking about taking the test or looking to improve on a previous score.
I definitely recommend the Manhattan Prep course to anyone who is thinking about taking the test or looking to improve on a previous score.
Joined: Sep 18, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 7, 2015
Purchased Course: Jan 7, 2015
Country: United States
Excellent Teacher, Great Books, Decent Online Resources
June 2, 2015- Teacher: Josh Yardley
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I opted for the 9 week Manhattan course over the much more compact Veritas course because I was working full time and only had about 1-2 hours a night to study.
Right out of the gate, I score a 620 and brought it up to a 730 several months later with Manhattan Prep (studying about 15 hours a week on average).
Pros:
- Incredible Teacher
- Great Schedule (once a week for 9 weeks)
- In depth, well-written, and entertaining (at times) books
- Ebooks (this was HUGE, I didn't even factor it in at the beginning, but it made studying while traveling so much easier)
- Solid online resources (cons below)
- Post-Course Assessment was very helpful
Cons:
- No way to sort by unsolved OG problems in Navigator (seems like such an obvious feature, but they spent all their engineering resources on a site facelift apparently)
- MGMAT math and IR were way harder than the quant problems on the real exam. I believe this did me a disservice, because I over-analyzed easy problems on the test and double-checked my work when I should have spent that time elsewhere
- IR practice sets were obnoxious. I couldn't just practice a few at a time, I had go through an entire section to see the answers
- Couldn't restart an exam. I accidentally started an exam without IR, I realized this 2 seconds in, but couldn't restart and effectively "lost" that section unless I decided to reset all 6 exams
Honestly, I'd probably give the course a 4 overall, but the my teacher was so good that I'll round up to 5 stars
Right out of the gate, I score a 620 and brought it up to a 730 several months later with Manhattan Prep (studying about 15 hours a week on average).
Pros:
- Incredible Teacher
- Great Schedule (once a week for 9 weeks)
- In depth, well-written, and entertaining (at times) books
- Ebooks (this was HUGE, I didn't even factor it in at the beginning, but it made studying while traveling so much easier)
- Solid online resources (cons below)
- Post-Course Assessment was very helpful
Cons:
- No way to sort by unsolved OG problems in Navigator (seems like such an obvious feature, but they spent all their engineering resources on a site facelift apparently)
- MGMAT math and IR were way harder than the quant problems on the real exam. I believe this did me a disservice, because I over-analyzed easy problems on the test and double-checked my work when I should have spent that time elsewhere
- IR practice sets were obnoxious. I couldn't just practice a few at a time, I had go through an entire section to see the answers
- Couldn't restart an exam. I accidentally started an exam without IR, I realized this 2 seconds in, but couldn't restart and effectively "lost" that section unless I decided to reset all 6 exams
Honestly, I'd probably give the course a 4 overall, but the my teacher was so good that I'll round up to 5 stars
Joined: Mar 9, 2015
Purchased Course: Dec 26, 2014
Purchased Course: Dec 26, 2014
College: Dartmouth College
Major: Philosophy
Major: Philosophy
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course, great instructor Jonathan Schneider
March 9, 2015- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I took the 9-week course with Jonathan Schneider and loved it. The class design was thoughtful and structured, and did a good job balancing between learning core concepts and learning test tips and tricks. Probably the biggest asset of the course is the Manhattan GMAT study materials, which go way far beyond the GMAT Official Guide in terms of detail. Whereas the OG explanations start with the right answer and then tell you why it's right, the Manhattan GMAT materials help you think through how to approach a problem from the start and identify the concepts and approaches you can use to arrive at the answer. Overall they emphasize the concepts and variable approaches to problems, whereas the OG only gives one possible way to get to the answer.
Jonathan Schneider is an ideal teacher for the course--he's funny and engaging and makes class enjoyable to go to, and most importantly he really knows his stuff. He can shift gears when needed and provide different ways of thinking about problems, which helped everyone come to understand things. He was always available after class or over email for one-on-one help, and really went beyond what I initially expected when I signed up for a group class.
Overall the class felt like the exact right type of approach. It's important to note that in order to get the results you really have to put in the time; you're not going to learn this stuff by passively listening. The good news is that the class provides the structured approach to get you there. I couldn't recommend this any more strongly.
Jonathan Schneider is an ideal teacher for the course--he's funny and engaging and makes class enjoyable to go to, and most importantly he really knows his stuff. He can shift gears when needed and provide different ways of thinking about problems, which helped everyone come to understand things. He was always available after class or over email for one-on-one help, and really went beyond what I initially expected when I signed up for a group class.
Overall the class felt like the exact right type of approach. It's important to note that in order to get the results you really have to put in the time; you're not going to learn this stuff by passively listening. The good news is that the class provides the structured approach to get you there. I couldn't recommend this any more strongly.
Joined: Jan 19, 2015
Purchased Course: Feb 28, 2014
Purchased Course: Feb 28, 2014
College: Wake Forest University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Very helpful if you're willing to put in the time
January 19, 2015- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Great course. Learned plenty of tips that I would have otherwise not have seen or overlooked in the books. Just make sure that you have enough time during the week to do all of the accompanying work - if you don't the course itself will be far less useful.
Joined: Jul 24, 2013
Purchased Course: May 19, 2014
Purchased Course: May 19, 2014
College: Brigham Young University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Commercial Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT Course
January 6, 2015- Teacher: Jamie Nelson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I tried two other courses and nothing comes close to Manhattan in quality. It really comes down to the quality of their materials, the best instructors in the business (all 99th percentile scorers), the most predictive practice tests, and the fantastic OG tracker to keep track of official guide problems.
When studying on my own, I had hard time knowing what I should study next. Manhattan's syllabus and materials makes it easy to get into a rhythm. If you are serious about scoring above 700 and are willing to put in the time, Manhattan has designed the course and materials to get you there. Jamie Nelson was a fantastic instructor and was extremely responsive even after the course ended.
When studying on my own, I had hard time knowing what I should study next. Manhattan's syllabus and materials makes it easy to get into a rhythm. If you are serious about scoring above 700 and are willing to put in the time, Manhattan has designed the course and materials to get you there. Jamie Nelson was a fantastic instructor and was extremely responsive even after the course ended.
ManhattanGMAT is a weaker course than Veritas - I did both
December 4, 2014- Teacher: Pedro Ledesma
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Veritas and ManhattanGmat have very similar scores here. Given their status at the top of the heap I decided to take both.
Materials:
Veritas and ManhattanGMAT materials are generally pretty similar. Though, with the exception of sentence correction, Veritas materials are either equivalent or better than ManhattanGMAT. The online materials are so poorly organized at Manhattan GMAT it took me a long time to realize that they even had all of the material Veritas had.
Finally, Veritas just put up some new practice tests. They are awesome. They feel very similar to the official test questions and are quite challenging. ManhattanGMAT feels a few years out of date. Maybe it's because they were bought out by Kaplan, but either way, it's clear that they have work to do.
Instructor:
Pedro Ledesma is a solid instructor. Knows the material well. Very approachable.
Materials:
Veritas and ManhattanGMAT materials are generally pretty similar. Though, with the exception of sentence correction, Veritas materials are either equivalent or better than ManhattanGMAT. The online materials are so poorly organized at Manhattan GMAT it took me a long time to realize that they even had all of the material Veritas had.
Finally, Veritas just put up some new practice tests. They are awesome. They feel very similar to the official test questions and are quite challenging. ManhattanGMAT feels a few years out of date. Maybe it's because they were bought out by Kaplan, but either way, it's clear that they have work to do.
Instructor:
Pedro Ledesma is a solid instructor. Knows the material well. Very approachable.
Exceptional Course
November 22, 2014- Teacher: Joseph Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in taking the GMAT or improving a previous score. My professor was Joe who was really great! Every instructor follows the same thorough lesson plan. The material and quality instructors are what make the Manhattan Gmat superior. However, I think you will notice a difference in the class environments. I took a Sunday class. Although it cuts into your weekend, I found it to be much smaller (8ppl) and more easy going than weekday courses. Not sure if this was just my experience but I went to 1 weekday make up class which held about 30 people. This class felt a bit more fast paced and I noticed it was more challenging for the instructor to answer each student's questions or focus on any one student or topic for too long.
Joined: Oct 28, 2014
Purchased Course: Jul 16, 2014
Purchased Course: Jul 16, 2014
College: University of Delaware
Major: English
Major: English
Industry: Food/Beverage
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent instructor - fun class!
October 29, 2014- Teacher: Joe Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 440 After: 590
Joe is a great instructor. He's conversational, and knows how to communicate complex material in a way that is easier to understand. He's also great at making sure everyone has an opportunity to talk through the problem, understand it and encourages multiple approaches. The GMAT is a tricky exam and his approach makes it a lot of fun to try to outsmart the GMAT. I increased my school by 150 points in 2.5 months. I was also accepted into my top choice school (a top tier school in my opinion). I know that without the class this would not have been possible.
Joined: Oct 16, 2014
Purchased Course: Mar 31, 2014
Purchased Course: Mar 31, 2014
College: Northwestern University
Major: Metallurgical & Materials Science
Major: Metallurgical & Materials Science
Country: United States
MGMAT Review (Q49/V40/IR8)
October 16, 2014- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I studied the GMAT starting in Feb/March; enrolled in the course starting in April and finished in June. Took the GMAT once in August after 1.5 months of intense self-studying and improvement. I didn't do as well on the CATs through MGMAT but I was within 10 points. I took a class because I just needed a routine schedule to get into the mode of studying while at work and I also like being able to contact an instructor for any questions. Ron was pretty laid back although he had some quirks about him. But the material was pretty useful. I found that the examples used in class weren't as hard as ones in the practice CATs. I am an engineer so i thought the MGMAT math wasn't so bad but I found MGMAT's math CATs to be harder than what they made you practice during the course. When I took the actual GMAT, I thought the math was extremely easy, so I guess its good to have a training course thats harder than the actual test. On the other hand, I did pretty well on Verbal portion of MGMAT's practice CATs, but I found the actual GMAT to be much harder, in both SC and CR, so that was a throw-off and I didn't get as good of score as I was getting on my practice tests. Lastly, the IR section was insanely easy on the real GMAT compared to the MGMAT practice IR. Markedly large difference. All in all, my score is pretty good and much better than when I started studying in the beginning so using the MGMAT materials definitely boosted my score and understanding of the test.
Joined: Oct 9, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 16, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 16, 2014
College: Emory University
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Real Estate Finance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Jonathan Schneider is the man!
October 9, 2014- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 560 After: 720
I took the 9-week class on Wednesday nights which Jonathan Schneider taught. The entire class felt like they clicked with him right away. He is the kind of instructor who gets it. He doesn't go too slow or too fast. He just teaches at a perfect pace.
In my study group of 3, we started with 550-600 in our diagnostic test. Throughout the class, we all made progress and got around 650. All three of us kept getting 630-670 until the end of the class.
Jonathan recommended we took our tests 3-4 weeks after the end of the class, which we did. As expected, we got 660-680. Unsatisfied with those scores, we kept working, and signed up for the test a month later. All three of us had full-time jobs so that was a big commitment. We sent our breakdown and practice test assessments to Jonathan who gave each of us a detailed path to success. I believe this is really where he added a ton of value. He specifically told us what to work on and what not to work on. This made our lives a lot easier. A week later, 2 of us got our first 700+ on a practice, the third one got a 690.
We kept going, refining our weak spots, and finally took our tests 7-8 weeks after the end of the class. We got 710, 720 and 730 respectively, which we were happy with.
The takeaway is Jonathan is an extremely competent in-class instructor who spends time answering questions after hours (almost 24/7) and will be as good as it gets in class. But most importantly, he will spend the time to sit down and reflect on a study plan and give you a detailed strategy as to what you need to tackle to get a great score.
The three of us took the test twice, but we all felt like we would have gotten an even better score had we taken it a third time. It was just a matter of time until we got a 750+.
Jonathan set us up so we would succeed slowly but surely. We didn?t see it for weeks (and some nights we felt pretty desperate) but in the end it all worked out, and this is all thanks to him. Then again, it happened to the three of us, and the only two things we had in common were busy lives and Jonathan Schneider. It?s no coincidence. Jonathan Schneider is the man.
In my study group of 3, we started with 550-600 in our diagnostic test. Throughout the class, we all made progress and got around 650. All three of us kept getting 630-670 until the end of the class.
Jonathan recommended we took our tests 3-4 weeks after the end of the class, which we did. As expected, we got 660-680. Unsatisfied with those scores, we kept working, and signed up for the test a month later. All three of us had full-time jobs so that was a big commitment. We sent our breakdown and practice test assessments to Jonathan who gave each of us a detailed path to success. I believe this is really where he added a ton of value. He specifically told us what to work on and what not to work on. This made our lives a lot easier. A week later, 2 of us got our first 700+ on a practice, the third one got a 690.
We kept going, refining our weak spots, and finally took our tests 7-8 weeks after the end of the class. We got 710, 720 and 730 respectively, which we were happy with.
The takeaway is Jonathan is an extremely competent in-class instructor who spends time answering questions after hours (almost 24/7) and will be as good as it gets in class. But most importantly, he will spend the time to sit down and reflect on a study plan and give you a detailed strategy as to what you need to tackle to get a great score.
The three of us took the test twice, but we all felt like we would have gotten an even better score had we taken it a third time. It was just a matter of time until we got a 750+.
Jonathan set us up so we would succeed slowly but surely. We didn?t see it for weeks (and some nights we felt pretty desperate) but in the end it all worked out, and this is all thanks to him. Then again, it happened to the three of us, and the only two things we had in common were busy lives and Jonathan Schneider. It?s no coincidence. Jonathan Schneider is the man.
Joined: Aug 28, 2014
Purchased Course: Mar 17, 2014
Purchased Course: Mar 17, 2014
Major: Finance
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Good ROI
August 28, 2014- Teacher: Emily McAteer
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The course was great and really helped me master the materials, understand the questions, and utilize effective test taking strategies. Emily was a great teacher and was very knowledgeable about the materials.
Joined: Aug 20, 2014
Purchased Course: Jun 3, 2014
Purchased Course: Jun 3, 2014
College: university of california, santa barbara
Major: English
Major: English
Country: United States
GMAT 9 week course.
August 20, 2014- Teacher: chris peckover
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
MGMAT helped raise my score 130 points from 580 to 710. Yes, it did require a lot of self study but I could not have done it without MGMAT resources or my teacher Chris! From my own experience I'd say the course really does a good job with the quant preparation. Only qualm I have is that the verbal section, while preparing us with very solid techniques, was a little different on the real test compared to the MGMAT CAT exams. So make sure you study off the Gmat prep exams for verbal as well! Overall I'm extremely satisfied with my score and MGMAT. would definitely recommend!
Joined: Jul 11, 2014
Purchased Course: Nov 3, 2013
Purchased Course: Nov 3, 2013
College: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Marketing
Major: Marketing
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT is the way to go!
July 11, 2014- Teacher: Abby Berry
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I chose to enroll in Manhattan GMAT Prep course because I heard that its students consistently score higher than students of other courses. The entire Manhattan GMAT process exceeded my expectations. The course was fun, interactive, and interesting despite a three hour block being a long period of time. There was a clean study plan arranged for us. The best part of being a Manhattan GMAT student are the post-course (pre-exam) and post-exam assessments because the one-on-one conversation helps get you in the right mindset and on the right track. Everyone I interacted with at Manhattan GMAT was extremely helpful, friendly, and easy to talk to. I highly recommend the course, and any of its materials, to students studying for the GMAT.
Joined: Jun 30, 2014
Purchased Course: Dec 7, 2013
Purchased Course: Dec 7, 2013
College: Emory University
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Food Service/Lodging
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent course to map out your 9 weeks to be as prepared as possible as soon as possible!
June 30, 2014- Teacher: Mira Leytes
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I'm not a particularly disciplined student, so I really took the course to help me get through the materials in an organized fashion, and it really worked! While it would have been possible to just go through the books myself, I learned a lot from hearing other students in the class go through how they thought about problems. I found the weekly homework guides helpful in keeping myself on track with studying. Our teacher was especially helpful when it came to the little "shortcuts" and "tricks" I would usually scan over in the reading if they didn't seem to be a real shortcut. Class wasn't particularly competitive like some other ones are, but it was enough to motivate me to stay on top of the homework and reading before each session.
Joined: Apr 21, 2014
Purchased Course: Nov 24, 2013
Purchased Course: Nov 24, 2013
College: College of William and Mary
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Dedicated Teachers
June 27, 2014- Teacher: Pedro Ledesma
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I was initially hesitant to sign up for a Manhattan course, as it is higher priced than other prep classes. However, you truly get what you pay for - quality! The classrooms are nice and you actually enjoy being there. The teachers are incredibly smart, funny, and attentive. I excelled in this learning environment and with the course was able to raise my score 150 points from start to finish! I performed higher than I thought possible and am so thankful to Manhattan GMAT!
The best way to break out of a decent score
June 12, 2014- Teacher: Keith Blume
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 690 After: 720
Manhattan GMAT is simply the only way to improve a decent score. I have an OK score - lower end of most b school medians. I had taken Kaplan before and they helped me build test tactics off of the foundation of knowledge I already had. At this point I realized I wasn't going to get better with test tactics alone so I ditched Kaplan and went to Manhattan. Their course was thorough and the curriculum/supporting materials were incredible. Approaching the exam I felt confident than I had covered >97% of content and question types going in to the exam. This confidence (along w thorough review) helped me get a significantly better score for the schools I'm applying to. I would HIGHLY recommend Manhattan.
Joined: Jun 9, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 24, 2014
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
San11 GMAT Experience
June 9, 2014- Teacher: Emily Sledge and Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I took the Manhattan GMAT 9 Week Online Course from February to April with Emily Sledge and Whitney Garner. After 3 months of hard work, I scored a way past initial my target score (730)! I couldn't have done it without Manhattan GMAT.
The instructors, Emily Sledge and Whitney Garner, at Manhattan GMAT were very friendly and outgoing. They had a deep understanding of the exam and were able to explain problem solutions clearly. I was a little skeptical about class participation in an online class initially, but I was able to easily interact with the instructors throughout the course. They picked excellent problems to work on to learn the concepts and took the time to analyze each answer choice on why it was wrong. I found myself quickly being able to learn concepts from class. The class also gave a structured homework schedule on problems to read every week and strategy guide chapters to read.
Thanks for All Your Help!
The instructors, Emily Sledge and Whitney Garner, at Manhattan GMAT were very friendly and outgoing. They had a deep understanding of the exam and were able to explain problem solutions clearly. I was a little skeptical about class participation in an online class initially, but I was able to easily interact with the instructors throughout the course. They picked excellent problems to work on to learn the concepts and took the time to analyze each answer choice on why it was wrong. I found myself quickly being able to learn concepts from class. The class also gave a structured homework schedule on problems to read every week and strategy guide chapters to read.
Thanks for All Your Help!
Joined: Jun 4, 2014
Purchased Course: Dec 30, 2013
Purchased Course: Dec 30, 2013
College: Washington & Lee University
Major: Accounting
Major: Accounting
Industry: Sports
Country: United States
Country: United States
Course Review
June 4, 2014- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Great course. All teachers are great, but I think Jonathan Schneider is the best. My score increased 110 points from the first practice test until the actual exam. The online resources are extremely valuable on their own and are available for 9 months after the course ends. You are provided with an amazing amount of resources.
Joined: Jun 4, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 16, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 16, 2014
Major: Economics
Industry: Student
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great class but not super necessary!
June 4, 2014- Teacher: Keith
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
The quality of the materials (MGMAT books) were A+! My instructor was knowledgable and intereting. I actually missed 3 classes but was able to make them up after the course since they have sessions going on at different times of the week. I don't think the classes themselves were very helpful, but the materials and the schedule really motivated me to keep up with the class. I was also able to get a discount as a current student. The practice tests were awesome as well! I improved by 90 points.
Great course - would absolutely recommend
June 2, 2014- Teacher: Rey Fernandez
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Took the 9 week course in SF - absolutely loved it. I found class to be extremely engaging - the detailed walk-throughs of practice problems were very helpful when it came to mastering the content. The online materials were fantastic as well, as they made it very easy to track progress and identify weaknesses. I would recommend this course to anyone thinking about taking the GMAT, regardless of what their score goals are!
Joined: May 14, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 27, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 27, 2014
College: University of Virginia
Major: Chemical Engineering
Major: Chemical Engineering
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Gmat improved my score 110 pints
May 14, 2014- Teacher: David Chong
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I believe taking the Manhattan GMAT course was the difference between me getting an okay score and me getting my goal score. I am a very motivated person and have always been a good student but having the GMAT really focused my efforts. Before starting I had no idea how to approach the Data Sufficiency questions or Critical Reasoning questions. During class, David really emphasized the skills in the course and reviewed the wrong answers. I think that is what helped me the most is seeing the little differences between right and wrong.
It was towards the end of my studying when I got frustrated and actually had a huge drop in my score (620). It was the second to last practice test I took. After that, I reevaulated how to approach the questions specifically the Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction. I thought of how David kept emphasizing how one wrong word could make the difference and how the whole sentence correction needed to be right. That was what really got me over the hump on my last practice test (700) and finally on test day to my 720!
I encourage everyone who is hesitant to spend the money on the class. It is worth the investment. The GMAT is a long and tiring test and the skills and shortcuts they teach you in class make you stay focused on the task at hand and really improve your score.
It was towards the end of my studying when I got frustrated and actually had a huge drop in my score (620). It was the second to last practice test I took. After that, I reevaulated how to approach the questions specifically the Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction. I thought of how David kept emphasizing how one wrong word could make the difference and how the whole sentence correction needed to be right. That was what really got me over the hump on my last practice test (700) and finally on test day to my 720!
I encourage everyone who is hesitant to spend the money on the class. It is worth the investment. The GMAT is a long and tiring test and the skills and shortcuts they teach you in class make you stay focused on the task at hand and really improve your score.
Joined: May 13, 2014
Purchased Course: Feb 10, 2014
Purchased Course: Feb 10, 2014
College: UC Berkeley
Major: Management/Business Administration
Major: Management/Business Administration
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Critical Assessment of Weaknesses & Online Resources
May 13, 2014- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
The course, instructor (Ryan Jacobs), and materials were all extremely helpful and very well thought-out. The lessons were helpful in challenging the class while taking the time to explain or re-explain concepts if necessary. While I ultimately think I could have learned some of the material on my own (which is what you do by doing the homework), I believe that the most beneficial aspect of the class was the deep analysis of my performance, progress and areas of improvement.
The online analysis of the practice tests and the practice questions (OG Archer - which use the Original Guide, but add better explanation) was critical to my score improving. I was able to identify both general areas of opportunity, as well as very detailed issues like timing with very specific types of questions. I relied on Manhattan GMAT to develop a strong foundation for the core concepts, then did every practice question I could get my hands on. Their explanations were so much easier to understand than any other resource I could find.
They also provide a free private session to review your practice tests and help you determine a personalized study strategy for your exam. This was very valuable for me as I was able to pinpoint key areas of improvement that made a big difference in my score. I ultimately improved 200 points from my diagnostic and ended up receiving a score in the top 700's. I would strongly recommend this course - worth the investment!
The online analysis of the practice tests and the practice questions (OG Archer - which use the Original Guide, but add better explanation) was critical to my score improving. I was able to identify both general areas of opportunity, as well as very detailed issues like timing with very specific types of questions. I relied on Manhattan GMAT to develop a strong foundation for the core concepts, then did every practice question I could get my hands on. Their explanations were so much easier to understand than any other resource I could find.
They also provide a free private session to review your practice tests and help you determine a personalized study strategy for your exam. This was very valuable for me as I was able to pinpoint key areas of improvement that made a big difference in my score. I ultimately improved 200 points from my diagnostic and ended up receiving a score in the top 700's. I would strongly recommend this course - worth the investment!
Joined: May 12, 2014
Purchased Course: Dec 5, 2013
Purchased Course: Dec 5, 2013
College: University of Pennsylvania
Country: United States
Turn your weakest areas into your strengths Manhattan GMAT
May 12, 2014- Teacher: Abby Berry
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I would highly recommend the Manhattan GMAT prep course for anyone serious about scoring above 700 on the GMAT. I took the 9-week course on UPenn's campus in Philadelphia, and took the test one month after the end of the course.
Manhattan GMAT provided me with enough practice questions to last an entire semester. The other online resources, such as the IR Interact videos, practice exams, and drill sheets, allowed me to customize my studying to address my weakest areas.
In previous standardized tests, my verbal scores had always lagged well behind my math scores. The strategy guides, combined with the in-class teaching, allowed me to raise my verbal score by over 100 points to score 98th percentile on the actual GMAT exam. Overall, I would highly recommend this prep course.
Manhattan GMAT provided me with enough practice questions to last an entire semester. The other online resources, such as the IR Interact videos, practice exams, and drill sheets, allowed me to customize my studying to address my weakest areas.
In previous standardized tests, my verbal scores had always lagged well behind my math scores. The strategy guides, combined with the in-class teaching, allowed me to raise my verbal score by over 100 points to score 98th percentile on the actual GMAT exam. Overall, I would highly recommend this prep course.
Joined: May 5, 2014
Purchased Course: Nov 14, 2013
Purchased Course: Nov 14, 2013
College: Colgate University
Major: Sociology
Major: Sociology
Industry: High Technology/Electronics
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT materials make all the difference
May 5, 2014- Teacher: Ryan Jacobs
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I took the Manhattan GMAT 9-session prep course, and would be happy to recommend it to anyone interested. The teacher of my course, Ryan Jacobs, is perfect for a class of this style. His high energy style always kept me engaged, and he was always careful to not get too bogged on any one problem during the course.
The real key to Manhattan GMAT though is the materials they provide you with. The course is great, but the syllabus and accompanying books give each student a step-by-step process to follow until they ultimately take the GMAT. My biggest concern before I started studying was that I would eventually run out of material to review, but during the course I was able to follow the GMAT syllabus, and in the ~1 month after the course and before my test I had ample test questions to practice and review.
Additionally, the customer service from Manhattan is great. If I had a question I could always expect a prompt response, even on the weekend.
While I cannot speak to the quality of other GMAT prep companies, Manhattan certainly provides a great service.
The real key to Manhattan GMAT though is the materials they provide you with. The course is great, but the syllabus and accompanying books give each student a step-by-step process to follow until they ultimately take the GMAT. My biggest concern before I started studying was that I would eventually run out of material to review, but during the course I was able to follow the GMAT syllabus, and in the ~1 month after the course and before my test I had ample test questions to practice and review.
Additionally, the customer service from Manhattan is great. If I had a question I could always expect a prompt response, even on the weekend.
While I cannot speak to the quality of other GMAT prep companies, Manhattan certainly provides a great service.
Joined: Apr 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Feb 4, 2014
Purchased Course: Feb 4, 2014
College: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Incredible instructor teaches useful testing strategies
April 24, 2014- Teacher: Abby Berry
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Abby is an incredibly upbeat, knowledgeable, and helpful instructor. She is always eager to hear students attempt answers, and can always turn an off-the-mark response into a learning opportunity for the class. I highly recommend her with no reservations whatsoever - she made GMAT prep both more interesting and efficient than it would have been had I studied on my own.
Manhattan GMAT?s books that come included with the class are comprehensive and helpful. At times there is too much focus on extremely basic information, but that can?t be helped considering the diverse target audience. I found the verbal subject area books to be less helpful, but the math subject area books were superb at helping me cover holes in my foundational knowledge. The included Official Guide questions and answers were key to my studying process.
MGMAT alone can?t get you a good score, but as long as you are willing to put in the time and work, I?m confident that score improvements will come.
Manhattan GMAT?s books that come included with the class are comprehensive and helpful. At times there is too much focus on extremely basic information, but that can?t be helped considering the diverse target audience. I found the verbal subject area books to be less helpful, but the math subject area books were superb at helping me cover holes in my foundational knowledge. The included Official Guide questions and answers were key to my studying process.
MGMAT alone can?t get you a good score, but as long as you are willing to put in the time and work, I?m confident that score improvements will come.
Fun class, but guides are good enough.
April 14, 2014- Teacher: Faruk Bursal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
The class, as it is taught, is OK. I realized that I would've done just as good had I just studied on my own with the manhattan guides (which are phenomenal). However, going to class was a pleasure because Faruk made it fun and engaging. I looked forward to class every week for this reason.
Here is how Manhattan can improve their program:
- Make the process of KEEPING TRACK OF WEAK AREAS easier and more fluid for students. Right now, Navigator is a little clunky and is not optimal. It also doesn't sync well with other study materials. Maybe Manhattan can design some sort of a portal for students to flesh out and keep track of their weak areas. This is key to doing well on the GMAT (especially for scoring 700+): identifying weak areas and focusing on those.
- Connect all the material we learn in each class. The classes seem separate and disjointed.
Here is how Manhattan can improve their program:
- Make the process of KEEPING TRACK OF WEAK AREAS easier and more fluid for students. Right now, Navigator is a little clunky and is not optimal. It also doesn't sync well with other study materials. Maybe Manhattan can design some sort of a portal for students to flesh out and keep track of their weak areas. This is key to doing well on the GMAT (especially for scoring 700+): identifying weak areas and focusing on those.
- Connect all the material we learn in each class. The classes seem separate and disjointed.
Joined: Apr 10, 2014
Purchased Course: Dec 23, 2013
Purchased Course: Dec 23, 2013
College: Emory University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Country: United States
Great Materials provided by Manhattan GMAT
April 10, 2014- Teacher: Rey Fernandez
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
Manhattan does a wonderful job providing you with all the materials you will need with your studies (study guides, practice questions, practice exams, test prep booklet, and more) and gives you a plan of action (which lays out a weekly reading guid, practice problem guide, and practice exam guide). Without these materials and plan of action, I would have been lost in my studies. Manhattan also provides you with numerous full length exams scored in a similar algorithm to the actual GMAT.
I found the quantitative materials to be very helpful, as I had forgotten most of my high school math (which is essentially what the GMAT tests). I followed the syllabus diligently, read all of the quant reading, and completed all of the quant practice problems. My quant score raised dramatically from my first practice exam to my actual GMAT.
I came into the class already very strong in Verbal, and most of the Verbal material was designed for students who started a bit weaker. So although I learned a few useful tips, I did not gain much from the Verbal Review.
My instructor was a really great guy - friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. The 9 3-hour sessions are somewhat helpful, but I definitely found self study of the Manhattan materials to be more helpful.
Overall, I definitely recommend Manhattan!
I found the quantitative materials to be very helpful, as I had forgotten most of my high school math (which is essentially what the GMAT tests). I followed the syllabus diligently, read all of the quant reading, and completed all of the quant practice problems. My quant score raised dramatically from my first practice exam to my actual GMAT.
I came into the class already very strong in Verbal, and most of the Verbal material was designed for students who started a bit weaker. So although I learned a few useful tips, I did not gain much from the Verbal Review.
My instructor was a really great guy - friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful. The 9 3-hour sessions are somewhat helpful, but I definitely found self study of the Manhattan materials to be more helpful.
Overall, I definitely recommend Manhattan!
Joined: Apr 2, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 15, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 15, 2014
College: University of California Berkeley
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Resources, Excellent Teacher
April 2, 2014- Teacher: Eric Garthoffner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I would highly recommend Manhattan GMAT to anyone preparing to take the GMAT. My experience with MGMAT was extremely positive. I took the 9-session course with Eric Garthoffner, a wonderful instructor who not only is entertaining, but also is invested in his students? success. MGMAT provides so many resources to help its students succeed on the GMAT. You are given the tools you need to strategize and come up with a game plan specific for you. Their tips and strategies make studying easy to tackle.
Highly Recommend Manhattan GMAT
April 1, 2014- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
The nine week prep class was incredibly valuable and I cannot speak highly enough about my teacher Jonathan Schneider. Jonathan is the rare kind of teacher that can craft a lesson to make sure you register the information while also being fun and engaging. The prep course involves a lot of work, I probably averaged around 10 hours a week of work, but it made a huge difference. I wound up getting a 710 on my first time taking the test, this after a 400 on the first practice test.
Good course, great materials
March 25, 2014- Teacher: Mira Leytes
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Thought the course itself was as good as expected. Should expect people from all different levels in your class - including some students who may not speak English natively. The value in the course is really the materials and schedule they provide to keep you on track. The online course material is really grade A.
Joined: Mar 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 9, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 9, 2014
College: Northwestern University
Major: Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Experience and the Perfect Amount of Structure for a Busy Student!
March 24, 2014- Teacher: Dhviya
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I would highly recommend this course to others. After having taken the Manhattan GMAT 9-Session Prep Course, I surpassed my goal GMAT score. The instructor was entertaining, the lessons were challenging yet understandable, and the course provided the perfect amount of structure. Furthermore, Manhattan GMAT provides its students with many resources to encourage success on the GMAT as well as during the business school application process in general.
Joined: Mar 10, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 2, 2014
Purchased Course: Jan 2, 2014
College: University of Georgia
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Accounting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Fantastic Prep Course!
March 10, 2014- Teacher: Marcus Hedahl and Stacey Koprince
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
After scoring a 500 on my first practice test at the start of the course, I didn't think I would score into the 700s on test. The instructors are excellent; they are there for you all the time. The curriculum is solid, and the supplementary material supports the class time perfectly. I would HIGHLY recommend this course to anyone looking to break into the 700s and beyond! After 2 months with Manhattan GMAT, my score catapulted from a 500 to a 760!
Joined: Mar 4, 2014
Purchased Course: Sep 5, 2013
Purchased Course: Sep 5, 2013
College: Penn State
Major: Marketing
Major: Marketing
Industry: Sales and Trading
Country: United States
Country: United States
A Manhattan GMAT course should be mandatory for everyone studying for the GMAT.
March 4, 2014- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 680
My GMAT score improved dramatically! From my first practice test (score in the mid-500s) to my eventual score of 680, the journey was challenging but incredible rewarding. My instructor Jonathan was flawless, and quite possibly the most intuitive teacher I've ever had. I have nothing but great things to say about Manhattan GMAT!
Effective and Organized GMAT Prep
February 26, 2014- Teacher: Steven Jupiter
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I had a very positive experience using Manhattan GMAT. To start, the prep materials that come with the course are far better than anything else I've seen on the market. This is especially true for the access to the variety of online resources. In addition to the high quality of materials, I found all of the teachers at Manhattan GMAT to be very knowledgeable and most important willing to help - including answering personal emails etc even after my course had ended. I also found the post exam assessment (I took the GMAT a total of two times) to be extremely helpful and an integral reason why I was able to reach my target score of 750 on my 2nd attempt. I have nothing but good things to say about this course and would argue that it is the most thorough and effective course offered in NYC. If you take this course and put the effort into it that exam prep requires I don't see how your score could not improve!
Joined: Feb 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Oct 10, 2013
Purchased Course: Oct 10, 2013
College: University of Colorado
Major: Accounting
Major: Accounting
Industry: High Technology/Electronics
Country: United States
Country: United States
A Well Rounded Curriculum
February 24, 2014- Teacher: Stacey Koprince and Patrick Tyrell
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I was at first hesitant about joining Manhattan GMAT's online-based classroom. Now that it's over, I can't find enough positive things to say about it. The online classroom surpassed my expectations. I was not only engaged by my instructors' teaching, wit, and humor (shout out to Stacey Koprince and Patrick Tyrell), but I truly felt like they valued me as an aspiring MBA candidate and wanted me to succeed.
The curriculum resources are also outstanding. MGMAT's focus on teaching content instead of test-taking tricks really helped me to feel confident going in to the test. In particular, I found their books on sentence correction and quant to be the most beneficial. I often viewed my verbal skills as a liability, but I scored in the 99th percentile on the verbal section on a couple practice exams to give you an indication. Their practice CATS were also instrumental to my score increase, because it imitated the actual test so well, but the most useful resources to me was OG Archer. The explanations to the official guide problems in OG Archer are in depth and actually useful, unlike the official GMAC explanations.
If you are considering a GMAT program to help you achieve the score that you want, I recommend MGMAT.
The curriculum resources are also outstanding. MGMAT's focus on teaching content instead of test-taking tricks really helped me to feel confident going in to the test. In particular, I found their books on sentence correction and quant to be the most beneficial. I often viewed my verbal skills as a liability, but I scored in the 99th percentile on the verbal section on a couple practice exams to give you an indication. Their practice CATS were also instrumental to my score increase, because it imitated the actual test so well, but the most useful resources to me was OG Archer. The explanations to the official guide problems in OG Archer are in depth and actually useful, unlike the official GMAC explanations.
If you are considering a GMAT program to help you achieve the score that you want, I recommend MGMAT.
Joined: Feb 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Oct 14, 2013
Purchased Course: Oct 14, 2013
College: Yale University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great instructor who can personalize the class for you -- if you seek advice!~
February 24, 2014- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Pro
+Amazing instructors! I absolutely loved my instructor, Jonathan Schneider. He leads teacher recruiting so he's very aware of not only various learning styles but also various teaching styles. Though the class had about 20 people per session, he was able to understand each individual's pace and content mastery. When he realized, for example, that I was doing many of the quant questions quickly, he immediately suggested I ask human resources to add the Advanced Quant book to my Student Center and to start doing those in class. He constantly reminded me that he thought I could do really well on the exam when we realized that my biggest problem was timing rather than content mastery. His faith in my potential performance and being constantly available on email as I continued studying on my own was remarkable. I still go to Jonathan for advice! Definitely recommend Manhattan GMAT for being able to address and "troubleshoot" almost any type of initial test taking style until one attains mastery.
Con
+That said, you definitely have to be proactive to get the most out of your class. Do your homework! And as you start preparing on your own after the class is over, do a lot more questions, really take advantage of the free 30 minutes post-course assessment (30 minutes with a tutor to go over whatever you want), keep in touch with your instructor, take advantage of the analytical writing assessment GMAT write, and free CATs!
+Amazing instructors! I absolutely loved my instructor, Jonathan Schneider. He leads teacher recruiting so he's very aware of not only various learning styles but also various teaching styles. Though the class had about 20 people per session, he was able to understand each individual's pace and content mastery. When he realized, for example, that I was doing many of the quant questions quickly, he immediately suggested I ask human resources to add the Advanced Quant book to my Student Center and to start doing those in class. He constantly reminded me that he thought I could do really well on the exam when we realized that my biggest problem was timing rather than content mastery. His faith in my potential performance and being constantly available on email as I continued studying on my own was remarkable. I still go to Jonathan for advice! Definitely recommend Manhattan GMAT for being able to address and "troubleshoot" almost any type of initial test taking style until one attains mastery.
Con
+That said, you definitely have to be proactive to get the most out of your class. Do your homework! And as you start preparing on your own after the class is over, do a lot more questions, really take advantage of the free 30 minutes post-course assessment (30 minutes with a tutor to go over whatever you want), keep in touch with your instructor, take advantage of the analytical writing assessment GMAT write, and free CATs!
Joined: Feb 18, 2014
Purchased Course: Jul 12, 2013
Purchased Course: Jul 12, 2013
College: Brown Univeristy
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Thank you!
February 18, 2014- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
Like many others who have written, I have to give a shout out to Gregg Lachow. His class goes beyond teaching the material and provides useful, concrete test-taking strategies from day one.
I took the Manhattan GMAT class on a recommendation and would suggest it to anyone else who wants to make sure they cover their bases before taking the test. The ability to join classes on other days to cover the week's material makes life so much easier if your work schedule is unpredictable.
I took the Manhattan GMAT class on a recommendation and would suggest it to anyone else who wants to make sure they cover their bases before taking the test. The ability to join classes on other days to cover the week's material makes life so much easier if your work schedule is unpredictable.
Joined: Feb 7, 2014
Purchased Course: Sep 3, 2013
Purchased Course: Sep 3, 2013
College: Colgate University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Good Course
February 7, 2014- Teacher: Faruk Bursal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I had a very positive experience with my Manhattan GMAT course. Faruk was an excellent teacher, the course was comprehensive, and the tips that I learned definitely contributed positively to my GMAT score. The course is only as good as the effort that you put into it, but if you are willing to put in the effort, it is a good way to study for the test.
Joined: Feb 3, 2014
Purchased Course: Sep 8, 2013
Purchased Course: Sep 8, 2013
College: MIT
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Sports
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great online course
February 3, 2014- Teacher: Stephanie Moyerman, Emily Sledge
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I really enjoyed the Manhattan's 9-week online course. The online format saved me a Sunday morning commute. I streamed the lectures from my laptop to my TV, so I was able to comfortably watch lectures in my living room
My teachers, Emily and Stephanie, were engaging, knowledgeable, and responsive to questions. The lectures and strategy guides were clear, concise, and effective in reinforcing key content and testing strategies. Homework assignments were well-designed to reinforce the lectures. Finally, the online tools, specifically OG Archer, were extremely helpful in helping me to diagnose my weaknesses and strengthen those areas with extra practice.
I hit my target score (well, minus 10) on the first go. I'm going to try Manhattan LSAT in a few weeks as well, and I'm looking forward to it.
My teachers, Emily and Stephanie, were engaging, knowledgeable, and responsive to questions. The lectures and strategy guides were clear, concise, and effective in reinforcing key content and testing strategies. Homework assignments were well-designed to reinforce the lectures. Finally, the online tools, specifically OG Archer, were extremely helpful in helping me to diagnose my weaknesses and strengthen those areas with extra practice.
I hit my target score (well, minus 10) on the first go. I'm going to try Manhattan LSAT in a few weeks as well, and I'm looking forward to it.
Joined: Jan 24, 2014
Purchased Course: Aug 1, 2013
Purchased Course: Aug 1, 2013
College: Cornell University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Broadcasting
Country: United States
Country: United States
They Get You Ready
January 24, 2014- Teacher: Eric caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Manhattan GMAT's 9 session prep course got me, a verbally oriented kid with mediocre math skills, ready to tackle the gmat. Their emphasis on how to do the quantitative section, especially the data sufficiency, truly helped me succeed during the course. What stuck me was the fact that they geared the course toward high achievers and got you to the point where you were able to effectively do 700 level questions within minutes; showing the tricks and shortcuts that would save valuable time. The homework assignments as well as the questions in the books and online had the feel of real GMAT questions, and, I often found, were significantly harder than what I encountered on the test. Overall, I highly recommend them.
Good for forcing you to study, bad material and classmates
January 24, 2014- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I took the Manhattan GMAT course last Fall even after many of my friends told me it was a complete waste of time if you were already pushing 710+.
What I found pretty much confirmed that. Although the course was useful in getting me to study a specific chapter and do all the practice OG problems on that subject every week, I quickly found that the majority of the rest of my class was struggling to break 500. Students in the course with me would routinely give up on questions halfway through class and doze off, and other than me and 1 other student, not a single student did any of the assigned homework.
The instructor, instead of targeting the people who actually have a chance to succeed in life, started explaining solutions by saying..."oh lets just do it the simple way by plugging in numbers instead of the real solution b/c its toooo complicated" and really pandering to the people trying to break 500.
The course moves along very quickly, and I don't think it covered enough 700+ math questions. If you are trying to get into a top 5 school, don't bother with the course. if you want to get into iowa state's mba program - this is probably the course for you.
the one redeeming thing that manhattan has to offer is the advanced quant book - i highly urge you to buy it and use it to prepare for quant after you have the basics down.
What I found pretty much confirmed that. Although the course was useful in getting me to study a specific chapter and do all the practice OG problems on that subject every week, I quickly found that the majority of the rest of my class was struggling to break 500. Students in the course with me would routinely give up on questions halfway through class and doze off, and other than me and 1 other student, not a single student did any of the assigned homework.
The instructor, instead of targeting the people who actually have a chance to succeed in life, started explaining solutions by saying..."oh lets just do it the simple way by plugging in numbers instead of the real solution b/c its toooo complicated" and really pandering to the people trying to break 500.
The course moves along very quickly, and I don't think it covered enough 700+ math questions. If you are trying to get into a top 5 school, don't bother with the course. if you want to get into iowa state's mba program - this is probably the course for you.
the one redeeming thing that manhattan has to offer is the advanced quant book - i highly urge you to buy it and use it to prepare for quant after you have the basics down.
100 Point Improvement
October 7, 2013- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
My experience at Manhattan GMAT was incredibly positive.
First and foremost, I strongly recommend taking the full 9-week course with Jonathan Schneider, who was a fantastic instructor. He is very smart, genuinely cares about his students, and will go out of his way to provide specific study planning for your individual needs. Most importantly, he is an excellent teacher who consistently found entertaining and effective methods of teaching challenging material while keeping our class' attention. He followed up with me after I took the exam several weeks after the course ended to see how it went and provided personalized advice as to how to proceed.
The format of the course is very structured, and Manhattan GMAT will provide you with an overwhelming amount of materials a few weeks before you begin. Despite the volume of information, it is relatively easy to identify what resources will help you improve and eliminate your weak points.
I went to the course seeking to improve my Quant score, which was very low, and paid little attention to improving my Verbal score, which was already near the top of the range. However, after taking the course, I improved in both areas and saw a 100 point increase in my total score.
Overall, I highly recommend investing your time and money in the course, especially if you are able to enroll in a class taught by Jonathan Schneider.
First and foremost, I strongly recommend taking the full 9-week course with Jonathan Schneider, who was a fantastic instructor. He is very smart, genuinely cares about his students, and will go out of his way to provide specific study planning for your individual needs. Most importantly, he is an excellent teacher who consistently found entertaining and effective methods of teaching challenging material while keeping our class' attention. He followed up with me after I took the exam several weeks after the course ended to see how it went and provided personalized advice as to how to proceed.
The format of the course is very structured, and Manhattan GMAT will provide you with an overwhelming amount of materials a few weeks before you begin. Despite the volume of information, it is relatively easy to identify what resources will help you improve and eliminate your weak points.
I went to the course seeking to improve my Quant score, which was very low, and paid little attention to improving my Verbal score, which was already near the top of the range. However, after taking the course, I improved in both areas and saw a 100 point increase in my total score.
Overall, I highly recommend investing your time and money in the course, especially if you are able to enroll in a class taught by Jonathan Schneider.
They give you the tools, the rest is up to you.
July 19, 2013- Teacher: Joe Martin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
The nine week course with Manhattan was great as a comprehensive overview of all things GMAT. My instructor, Joe, was engaging, bright, funny, and very approachable which seems to the be hallmark of Manhattan teachers nation wide. Each class is effectively split into two halves, verbal and quant (not surprisingly) which is great if you need to brush up on all your skills but superfluous if you are already strong in one area. I will say the greatest value from Manhattan was not so much the classroom but rather the materials. OG Archer, the study guides, and the special sections are top notch and will give you every resource you will need to conquer the GMAT. That being said, the hard work after the class is over is entirely up to you. If you have the time, motivation, and commitment necessary to get to a 700+ score, the tools offered by Manhattan will get you there, but the class alone is unlikely to spring board you into the 99th percentile.
Personally, I would say the class gave me about a 90 point jump in raw score (started in the low 600's) but the rest was earned through good old fashioned studying.
The downside to having so much material available to you is that it can be overwhelming at times and Manhattan does not do a good job at giving you a complete inventory of what is offered. Certain tips for studying and test taking are buried in the GMAT roadmap, and I didn't discover them until after the course was completed. In addition, they have some hidden resources (advanced quant workbook for instance) that you have to "qualify" for before they will grant you access. I understand not wanting people to tackle the hardest material before learning the basics but I found it silly they were blocking off material you had already paid for and will eventually need.
Overall, they provide a great service for people who need a way to structure their GMAT studying and/or who are looking for a crash course covering all things GMAT. Although they are not cheap, they provide tremendous value if you come ready to work.
Personally, I would say the class gave me about a 90 point jump in raw score (started in the low 600's) but the rest was earned through good old fashioned studying.
The downside to having so much material available to you is that it can be overwhelming at times and Manhattan does not do a good job at giving you a complete inventory of what is offered. Certain tips for studying and test taking are buried in the GMAT roadmap, and I didn't discover them until after the course was completed. In addition, they have some hidden resources (advanced quant workbook for instance) that you have to "qualify" for before they will grant you access. I understand not wanting people to tackle the hardest material before learning the basics but I found it silly they were blocking off material you had already paid for and will eventually need.
Overall, they provide a great service for people who need a way to structure their GMAT studying and/or who are looking for a crash course covering all things GMAT. Although they are not cheap, they provide tremendous value if you come ready to work.
Great Teacher, Great Course
April 9, 2013- Teacher: Abby Berry
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Abby Berry was an absolute pleasure to have as a teacher and I cannot recommend the course enough. She really takes the time to get to know each of her students personally, and is incredibly accessible if you have any additional questions, concerns, unusual circumstances, etc. The normal course schedule did not fit with my plans, and Abby could not have been more helpful in terms of making sure I made it work.
The resources provided by Manhattan GMAT seem literally endless, and this gives you the ability to spend as much time as you want/need to prepare. The biggest help is the classroom portion though, and my practice scores went up over 100 points from the beginning of the class to the end, and I was able to repeat this success on the actual test.
Overall, could not have been more happy with my experience, and I cannot say enough kind things about Abby.
The resources provided by Manhattan GMAT seem literally endless, and this gives you the ability to spend as much time as you want/need to prepare. The biggest help is the classroom portion though, and my practice scores went up over 100 points from the beginning of the class to the end, and I was able to repeat this success on the actual test.
Overall, could not have been more happy with my experience, and I cannot say enough kind things about Abby.
Joined: May 10, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 17, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 17, 2011
College: University of Virginia
Major: Computer Science
Major: Computer Science
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course with invaluable instruction and tips
August 24, 2012- Teacher: Mark Porath
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The MGMAT course was fantastic. It was very well organized and extremely well taught. My instructor was very knowledgable and personable. The online materials were some of the best I have ever seen, and the instruction books are very thorough. I could not have done well on this test without studying the lessons specific to each question/content type and the practical test taking tips from MGMAT!
Joined: Oct 31, 2011
Purchased Course: Dec 19, 2011
Purchased Course: Dec 19, 2011
College: University of Western Ontario
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Industry: Machinery and Indus Equip Mftrs
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
Great instructors: really helped me identify my weaknesses & concentrate my prep work
July 26, 2012- Teacher: Avi Gutman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I have to say that taking this course was the best thing I did in starting my prep for the GMAT. I was under a time crunch as I started my course in Feb to meet the June 2012 format change. The books and website material provide great deep-dives into each topic area and there are enough questions and practice exams to keep you occupied for months. Avi Gutman was a great instructor, really knowledgeable about the material and always followed up on items he was not immediately able to answer. After the 9 week course was over, he was also available via phone and email for questions that came up.
When I did the re-write I took advantage of the Post-Exam-Assessment and spent an hour on the phone with Brett Beach-Kimball hammering out a 1 month prep strategy for my re-write. Also, since I re-wrote in July and had to deal with IR, I found Stacey Koprince's blog posts and the BTG online workshops on IR an invaluable resource in learning the question types and prompts. Thank You to Manhattan GMAT for all your help. Keep up the good work!
I have written a more in-depth post about my preparation for my 2nd attempt at the GMAT and you can find this here:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/680-to-710-in-30-days-focus-on-your-faults-and-find-success-t115829.html
When I did the re-write I took advantage of the Post-Exam-Assessment and spent an hour on the phone with Brett Beach-Kimball hammering out a 1 month prep strategy for my re-write. Also, since I re-wrote in July and had to deal with IR, I found Stacey Koprince's blog posts and the BTG online workshops on IR an invaluable resource in learning the question types and prompts. Thank You to Manhattan GMAT for all your help. Keep up the good work!
I have written a more in-depth post about my preparation for my 2nd attempt at the GMAT and you can find this here:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/680-to-710-in-30-days-focus-on-your-faults-and-find-success-t115829.html
Joined: Jul 13, 2012
Purchased Course: Apr 29, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 29, 2011
College: Union college
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Retailing/Wholesaling
Great course!
July 13, 2012- Teacher: Jon Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I'm really glad I did this. The course was vigorous and well focused. Jon is a great teacher. He's friendly, smart, and teaches you the skills and strategies you need. I had a number of interruptions which caused me to miss classes, and the company was very flexible in helping me do my make ups.
Joined: Mar 29, 2012
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2011
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2011
College: U. Chicago/Pepperdine
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Multimedia
Country: United States
Country: United States
Rigorous, thorough preparation. No short cuts here.
March 29, 2012- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Rigorous, thorough preparation. No short cuts, but it will definitely prepare you for the exam--especially if you are willing to put in the work. Your score will definitely show significant improvement--again if you do the work. And that's the way it should be.
My instructor, Hemanth, was very good, had very thorough knowledge of the exam and had apparently been teaching the prep course for a long time. Additionally and perhaps most importantly, he was sincerely concerned with our success as students and is a full-time school teacher for his day job (obviously good training for teaching a prep class).
Manhattan GMAT also has great resources for taking practices exams--which probably cannot be emphasized too much--giving you as close to the real experience as possible--and up to like 6 times.
Let's see...Manhattan also has very good online resources. I'm sure their website can describe it better than me.
Their study guides are very thorough, more thorough than the Kaplan guides I've seen. When you sign up for the class, they mail you a box full of study guides--and you are expected to go through approx. 3/4 of them.
If you're serious about a good score and willing to put in some work take Manhattan--just my personal opinion and experience.
My instructor, Hemanth, was very good, had very thorough knowledge of the exam and had apparently been teaching the prep course for a long time. Additionally and perhaps most importantly, he was sincerely concerned with our success as students and is a full-time school teacher for his day job (obviously good training for teaching a prep class).
Manhattan GMAT also has great resources for taking practices exams--which probably cannot be emphasized too much--giving you as close to the real experience as possible--and up to like 6 times.
Let's see...Manhattan also has very good online resources. I'm sure their website can describe it better than me.
Their study guides are very thorough, more thorough than the Kaplan guides I've seen. When you sign up for the class, they mail you a box full of study guides--and you are expected to go through approx. 3/4 of them.
If you're serious about a good score and willing to put in some work take Manhattan--just my personal opinion and experience.
Joined: Mar 13, 2012
Purchased Course: Oct 16, 2011
Purchased Course: Oct 16, 2011
College: University of Maryland - College Park
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Course - Adds the structure needed for success
March 13, 2012- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
Manhattan GMAT's 9-week prep course was a great program. I began my studying quest about 4 months prior to signing up for Manhattan's class. This beginning entailed purchasing a prep book and spending about an hour every other night reading through it. After a few months, this clearly wasn't working and I signed up for Manhattan's class. The class did a great job at not only re-introducing all of the quant/verbal topics you haven't seen since high school, but also teaching strategies on how to approach each type of question and difficulty level.
My teacher at Manhattan GMAT was also great. He had a very firm grasp on all subject matter and laid out very realistic goals for accomplishing practice work. Overall, the combination of a very smart and encouraging teacher, a well structured study/practice regiment, and expansive internet resources allowed me to succeed on the GMAT.
The program is certainly recommended to anyone else looking for that push to finally get the studying done and sit for the test.
My teacher at Manhattan GMAT was also great. He had a very firm grasp on all subject matter and laid out very realistic goals for accomplishing practice work. Overall, the combination of a very smart and encouraging teacher, a well structured study/practice regiment, and expansive internet resources allowed me to succeed on the GMAT.
The program is certainly recommended to anyone else looking for that push to finally get the studying done and sit for the test.
Very Helpful and Thorough Online Manhattan GMAT Course
March 4, 2012- Teacher: Brett & Tim
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I took the Manhattan GMAT 9-session online course over a period of nine weeks because I am currently working in China. Although worried at first that I wouldn't learn as much through the online course as an in-person course, I am very pleased with the results of my online course. My instructors (Brett and Tim) were both very knowledgeable about the content they were teaching and you could tell they prepared for each class thoroughly. They also very well-informed about the actual CAT exam itself and gave helpful tips on how to manage one's time on the test. I am sure that I would not have done as well as I did on the test without their test-taking advice.
Manhattan GMAT also offers fantastic resources for their students. The CAT exams are very similar to the actual test and, in my case, a good predictor of your score on test day. I also really appreciated the notes for each class and the question banks. All in all, I am very satisfied with my Manhattan GMAT experience and would strongly recommend this course to those who want a practical and streamlined GMAT prep course.
Manhattan GMAT also offers fantastic resources for their students. The CAT exams are very similar to the actual test and, in my case, a good predictor of your score on test day. I also really appreciated the notes for each class and the question banks. All in all, I am very satisfied with my Manhattan GMAT experience and would strongly recommend this course to those who want a practical and streamlined GMAT prep course.
Joined: Mar 2, 2012
Purchased Course: Oct 23, 2011
Purchased Course: Oct 23, 2011
College: Washington University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Tons of resources!
March 2, 2012- Teacher: Tom Rose
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Manhattan GMAT provides a comprehensive approach to studying for the GMAT.
They syllabus is a bit intimidating in the brute amount of information in contains, but if you diligently work through it over the course of a few months you'll definitely get improved results.
Tom Rose is a fantastic teacher. His explanations were clear and he's very funny as well.
I also heavily utilized "Thursdays with Ron", which is actually free to anyone. These thorough and difficult sessions significantly helped me with Quant.
They syllabus is a bit intimidating in the brute amount of information in contains, but if you diligently work through it over the course of a few months you'll definitely get improved results.
Tom Rose is a fantastic teacher. His explanations were clear and he's very funny as well.
I also heavily utilized "Thursdays with Ron", which is actually free to anyone. These thorough and difficult sessions significantly helped me with Quant.
Joined: Feb 28, 2012
Purchased Course: Aug 14, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 14, 2011
Country: United States
Expert instructor and concrete strategies to help you achieve a high score
February 28, 2012- Teacher: Andrew Mara
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I would highly recommend the in person Manhattan course for anyone who knows they want/need to achieve a 700's score to get in to the schools they are targeting. I did some research and asked around about other courses and the most positive I kept hearing about was Manhattan, minus the cost. It is expensive, but in my eyes it was worth it because I had heard success stories from others and I knew I needed a top score.
The bottom line is that Manhattan couples harder than average practice questions/tests with pretty legit and specific test taking and problem solving strategies for the GMAT to basically help ensure that you are going to achieve the best score your intelligence will allow, and likely higher because of all the tricks. The in person class was great, the instructor was incredibly smart but had a knack for making sure that you understood the "half ass" ways to do the most difficult problems and increase your chances. I really felt like I benefited from being there in person and getting the perspective of someone who was successful themselves (they are not shy about proclaiming that all teachers scored 99th percentile).
The books themselves are very good and many will recommend just to buy those whether or not you take the course. If you're tight on money that might not be a bad idea, because you get access to their online tests if you simply purchase a book. The books help give the same unique way of tackling all the different problem types that they discuss in class. But like I said, I think the class was valuable, but that is just me. The explanations of the official guide practice problems are also infinitely better than in the official guide itself.
The online practice tests were helpful as well because they are MUCH more difficult than the actual GMAT, so they help you push yourself and force you to get better by pinpointing areas you should work on, timing issues, etc...
Overall the course helped force me to push myself, do the practice, come to class, and ultimately know the best way to tackle the whole process. Expert advice every step of the way (I forgot to mention they have free 30 min virtual sessions with professors every week you can sign up for. I did these a few times and they helped as well).
If you are someone who knows they want a top score, I would highly recommend it. The first class is usually free, try it once and see if you like the instructor. Cheers.
The bottom line is that Manhattan couples harder than average practice questions/tests with pretty legit and specific test taking and problem solving strategies for the GMAT to basically help ensure that you are going to achieve the best score your intelligence will allow, and likely higher because of all the tricks. The in person class was great, the instructor was incredibly smart but had a knack for making sure that you understood the "half ass" ways to do the most difficult problems and increase your chances. I really felt like I benefited from being there in person and getting the perspective of someone who was successful themselves (they are not shy about proclaiming that all teachers scored 99th percentile).
The books themselves are very good and many will recommend just to buy those whether or not you take the course. If you're tight on money that might not be a bad idea, because you get access to their online tests if you simply purchase a book. The books help give the same unique way of tackling all the different problem types that they discuss in class. But like I said, I think the class was valuable, but that is just me. The explanations of the official guide practice problems are also infinitely better than in the official guide itself.
The online practice tests were helpful as well because they are MUCH more difficult than the actual GMAT, so they help you push yourself and force you to get better by pinpointing areas you should work on, timing issues, etc...
Overall the course helped force me to push myself, do the practice, come to class, and ultimately know the best way to tackle the whole process. Expert advice every step of the way (I forgot to mention they have free 30 min virtual sessions with professors every week you can sign up for. I did these a few times and they helped as well).
If you are someone who knows they want a top score, I would highly recommend it. The first class is usually free, try it once and see if you like the instructor. Cheers.
Good course but depends on the teacher
February 6, 2012- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I went to many different instructors based on scheduling conflicts and the teaching styles are wildly different. I needed more help with math and my first teacher loved teaching english. Make sure you look into the teachers first.
Great experience with Manhattan GMAT
January 26, 2012- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I'm a relative slacker that doesn't often find himself impressed with teaching styles or curriculum, and rarely find myself walking away changed from a particular class.
The Manhattan GMAT course, however, taught me an abundance of information, and I left feeling charged and confident about best ways to take the gmats, as well as more knowledgeable about the material itself - both math and verbal.
My instructor was phenomenal, and I would (and have) wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone.
The Manhattan GMAT course, however, taught me an abundance of information, and I left feeling charged and confident about best ways to take the gmats, as well as more knowledgeable about the material itself - both math and verbal.
My instructor was phenomenal, and I would (and have) wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone.
Joined: Dec 3, 2011
Purchased Course: Oct 29, 2011
Purchased Course: Oct 29, 2011
College: Georgia Institute of Technology
Major: Chemical Engineering
Major: Chemical Engineering
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT helped me get 700+ score in a short amount of time
January 24, 2012- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Manhattan GMAT helped me get above a 700 in a short amount of time. Jon Schneider was a great instructor - easy to follow and always kept the class engaged.
I enrolled and started a 9-week prep class a week after the class had started and took the GMAT a week before my last scheduled class. Manhattan GMAT allowed me to take make-up classes until I got on schedule and reschedule the last class so I could take it before the test. I did not take a practice GMAT until my 2nd or 3rd week of class and had never even seen a GMAT problem before the course - the course went over each type of question and a strategy and a few ways to approach each problem.
Although I am a very bad at standardized tests, started the class knowing I would not be able to commit the recommended amount of time, and worked way more than full-time during it, my instructor - Jon Schneider - just kept encouraging me and even helped me decide what was important when I fell behind. He made sure that the class fully understood the problems discussed and was always willing to stay to explain a problem. It was clear that he really wanted all of us to do well and really like teaching the course. The materials were a great way to refresh the math & verbal skills that I had not used for years. The website/student center was filled with resources including practice tests that allow you to assess exactly what specific topics you really need to work on, online seminars that address specific problem types & strategies, free access to the GMAT essay grading tool, and a lot of other things I did not even get around to but am sure would have helped me even more.
I knew I needed a class to give me the structure, work assignments/materials, and motivation to study with such little time and am glad I chose Manhattan GMAT. I don't think another course could have prepared me with the limited amount of time I had to commit. The Manhattan GMAT course helped identify what to focus on and breaks down the material in an organized fashion. I would seriously consider the course even if you don't think you have the recommended amount of time to commit.
I enrolled and started a 9-week prep class a week after the class had started and took the GMAT a week before my last scheduled class. Manhattan GMAT allowed me to take make-up classes until I got on schedule and reschedule the last class so I could take it before the test. I did not take a practice GMAT until my 2nd or 3rd week of class and had never even seen a GMAT problem before the course - the course went over each type of question and a strategy and a few ways to approach each problem.
Although I am a very bad at standardized tests, started the class knowing I would not be able to commit the recommended amount of time, and worked way more than full-time during it, my instructor - Jon Schneider - just kept encouraging me and even helped me decide what was important when I fell behind. He made sure that the class fully understood the problems discussed and was always willing to stay to explain a problem. It was clear that he really wanted all of us to do well and really like teaching the course. The materials were a great way to refresh the math & verbal skills that I had not used for years. The website/student center was filled with resources including practice tests that allow you to assess exactly what specific topics you really need to work on, online seminars that address specific problem types & strategies, free access to the GMAT essay grading tool, and a lot of other things I did not even get around to but am sure would have helped me even more.
I knew I needed a class to give me the structure, work assignments/materials, and motivation to study with such little time and am glad I chose Manhattan GMAT. I don't think another course could have prepared me with the limited amount of time I had to commit. The Manhattan GMAT course helped identify what to focus on and breaks down the material in an organized fashion. I would seriously consider the course even if you don't think you have the recommended amount of time to commit.
Joined: Mar 27, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 3, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 3, 2011
College: Harvey Mudd College
Major: Computer Science
Major: Computer Science
Industry: Computers/Software
Country: United States
Country: United States
D. Manhattan GMAT ALONE is sufficient
January 18, 2012- Teacher: Kim Cabot
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I work 70-80 hours/week at a tech startup and simply did not have the time to figure out what I needed to focus on studying for the GMAT. I signed up specifically for this course so I could exceed a 700 GMAT score and manage my time effectively.
Manhattan GMAT gives you all of this. You receive more than enough textbook material to bury yourself in studying for months, but the instructors and course structure really help distill the essentials for you.
My instructor, Kim Cabot, is a fantastic teacher and I found the energy she brought to the classroom as valuable as her excellent pacing and delivery of the material. She was always able to explain even the most advanced quant questions clearly, and I really valued her advice on sentence correction (PIMPSCV!)
Manhattan GMAT gives you all of this. You receive more than enough textbook material to bury yourself in studying for months, but the instructors and course structure really help distill the essentials for you.
My instructor, Kim Cabot, is a fantastic teacher and I found the energy she brought to the classroom as valuable as her excellent pacing and delivery of the material. She was always able to explain even the most advanced quant questions clearly, and I really valued her advice on sentence correction (PIMPSCV!)
Very informative and tons of resources available to help!
January 16, 2012- Teacher: Dmitry Royter
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The course was very educational and each week built on the foundation learned in a prior week. It is very important to do the work between classes. If you do the work, it really supplements the lectures well and you will see your score improve!
One thing to be aware of - there are a ton of resources available via Manhattan GMAT, the tricky part is navigating them all and figuring out what to use and what works best for you. I'd suggest sitting down with your instructor at the start of the class to figure out what they all are an what they recommend to use and how.
Good luck!
One thing to be aware of - there are a ton of resources available via Manhattan GMAT, the tricky part is navigating them all and figuring out what to use and what works best for you. I'd suggest sitting down with your instructor at the start of the class to figure out what they all are an what they recommend to use and how.
Good luck!
Joined: Mar 22, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 25, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 25, 2011
Major: International Relations
Industry: Trading/Import/Export
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great GMAT content course
January 16, 2012- Teacher: Josh
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I finished Manhattan GMAT in November and was overall pleased with the experience. I believe that the class was very helpful in reinforcing what I had learned through my homework and clearing up some deficiencies.
The problem with MGMAT, however is practice testing. The tests are good for timing purposes, but their content is not at all similar to what I found on test day. The verbal was WAY too easy. The Quant was WAY too convoluted and overly difficult. In reality, a high % of questions on test day were focused on number properties (especially DS questions) and MGMAT seemed to go out of their way to make their problems especially wordy. I scored 700, 710, 720 in their practice tests but then got a 670 on test day round 1.
I finally retook this month and with help of other prep materials received a 710. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without the help of Manhattan GMAT but think that their online system has a ways to go to catch up with Knewton and others.
The problem with MGMAT, however is practice testing. The tests are good for timing purposes, but their content is not at all similar to what I found on test day. The verbal was WAY too easy. The Quant was WAY too convoluted and overly difficult. In reality, a high % of questions on test day were focused on number properties (especially DS questions) and MGMAT seemed to go out of their way to make their problems especially wordy. I scored 700, 710, 720 in their practice tests but then got a 670 on test day round 1.
I finally retook this month and with help of other prep materials received a 710. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without the help of Manhattan GMAT but think that their online system has a ways to go to catch up with Knewton and others.
The juice is worth the squeeze
January 6, 2012- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I gave Manhattan GMAT a shot due to a recommendation from a friend. He told me that it would be a lot of time, a lot of work, and a lot of sacrifice. He was right.
Starting the first day, the instructor said "say bye to all of your friends and loved ones for the next 10 weeks." The classes, homework assignments, online lectures, practice exams, and self preparation definitely took up all of my weekday evenings and virtually all of my weekends. Then again, I am not the brainiac type who can just eat things up in the first review. I'm the "normal" type of person who needs to read things twice (or even 3 times) to fully understand the concepts.
The instructor was very knowledgeable about the actual material (which they give you a LOT of... more than you can actually finish during the 10 week course). What really impressed me was that when he answered questions, he would tell his answer and break down how people usually come to the wrong conclusions. This was true for both the quant and verbal examples. Also, when doing examples in class, he made a point to show us the trickiest ones, or the ones that a majority of people get wrong. By doing this, we are keen on looking out for these ?pitfalls? during the real test.
Side note: This course is NOT for the faint of heart (i.e. the ones who take things personally when they get the wrong answer, or are embarrassed when they say the wrong thing in class). In my opinion, by putting your pride aside, having an open mind, and being a sponge in class, you can more readily grasp the important techniques they are trying to impart. Ok, back to the review.
Manhattan GMAT makes you take a practice exam before starting the course, and then throughout the 9 weeks, you take several practice tests at specific time periods. It was no surprise that my first few practice tests were lower than initial one since I was still adapting to their style. After practicing their methods (a lot), I started to see an increase. At the end of the class, the instructor uses your test results and comes up with a ?self study guide? that is tailored to your time frame (i.e. the time between the last day of class and your actual test), your strengths, and your weaknesses. What I appreciated here was that my instructor was still VERY accessible via phone or email even though the course was over.
One of the downsides about Manhattan GMAT is that after the last class, they give you the aforementioned study guide, but beyond that, you are left to your own devices. The things you study (Word Properties, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, Geometry, etc.), the amount you study for, when you take your left over practice exams? all of that is up to you. If you are the type of person who can set a schedule and stay by it, then you?re OK. If you?re the type who cannot, then you may need extra motivation from somewhere. Things get even less structured when you have to take the test the second time because you must wait an entire month before you can get after it again. My schedule was like this: Last day of class, 2 weeks of study, GMAT #1, 1 month of study, GMAT #2, Have a drink (because you deserve it).
In the end, the course was a LOT of work. I kept an open mind, put in my time, and I squeezed all I could out of the 10 weeks + 1 month? in the end, I got accepted to a Top 5 business school.
I highly recommend Manhattan GMAT if you are gunning for a top tier school and have the time, energy, and motivation to devote to the exam. It?s not cheap, but worth every dime.
Good luck!
Starting the first day, the instructor said "say bye to all of your friends and loved ones for the next 10 weeks." The classes, homework assignments, online lectures, practice exams, and self preparation definitely took up all of my weekday evenings and virtually all of my weekends. Then again, I am not the brainiac type who can just eat things up in the first review. I'm the "normal" type of person who needs to read things twice (or even 3 times) to fully understand the concepts.
The instructor was very knowledgeable about the actual material (which they give you a LOT of... more than you can actually finish during the 10 week course). What really impressed me was that when he answered questions, he would tell his answer and break down how people usually come to the wrong conclusions. This was true for both the quant and verbal examples. Also, when doing examples in class, he made a point to show us the trickiest ones, or the ones that a majority of people get wrong. By doing this, we are keen on looking out for these ?pitfalls? during the real test.
Side note: This course is NOT for the faint of heart (i.e. the ones who take things personally when they get the wrong answer, or are embarrassed when they say the wrong thing in class). In my opinion, by putting your pride aside, having an open mind, and being a sponge in class, you can more readily grasp the important techniques they are trying to impart. Ok, back to the review.
Manhattan GMAT makes you take a practice exam before starting the course, and then throughout the 9 weeks, you take several practice tests at specific time periods. It was no surprise that my first few practice tests were lower than initial one since I was still adapting to their style. After practicing their methods (a lot), I started to see an increase. At the end of the class, the instructor uses your test results and comes up with a ?self study guide? that is tailored to your time frame (i.e. the time between the last day of class and your actual test), your strengths, and your weaknesses. What I appreciated here was that my instructor was still VERY accessible via phone or email even though the course was over.
One of the downsides about Manhattan GMAT is that after the last class, they give you the aforementioned study guide, but beyond that, you are left to your own devices. The things you study (Word Properties, Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, Geometry, etc.), the amount you study for, when you take your left over practice exams? all of that is up to you. If you are the type of person who can set a schedule and stay by it, then you?re OK. If you?re the type who cannot, then you may need extra motivation from somewhere. Things get even less structured when you have to take the test the second time because you must wait an entire month before you can get after it again. My schedule was like this: Last day of class, 2 weeks of study, GMAT #1, 1 month of study, GMAT #2, Have a drink (because you deserve it).
In the end, the course was a LOT of work. I kept an open mind, put in my time, and I squeezed all I could out of the 10 weeks + 1 month? in the end, I got accepted to a Top 5 business school.
I highly recommend Manhattan GMAT if you are gunning for a top tier school and have the time, energy, and motivation to devote to the exam. It?s not cheap, but worth every dime.
Good luck!
Joined: Jan 3, 2012
Purchased Course: Jul 20, 2011
Purchased Course: Jul 20, 2011
College: New York University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Investment Management
Amazing
January 3, 2012- Teacher: Jon Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
Jon Schneider was an awesome instructor. He made the material easy to grasp and classes were always engaging. Materials and prep books were also great. You will get the most out the course if keep up with the schedule and stay on top of your work. Jon was able to answer any questions and explain everything in ways the whole class could understand. They make every attempt to get inside your thought process, especially, if your logic is incorrect. Great course. I heard it was the best going in and I was not disappointed in this course or my score. My verbal score shot up 30 percentage points from start to finish.
Joined: Sep 12, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 27, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 27, 2011
College: Franklin & Marshall College
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Consulting
Country: United Kingdom
Country: United Kingdom
Great instructor in London
December 26, 2011- Teacher: Robert Wilburn
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Manhattan GMAT - London Summer A 2011
I took the Manhattan GMAT class in London this summer taught by Robert Wilburn. The class was small (about 8 students) which probably lent itself to a great experience because of the focused attention we all received.
Robert was a great instructor and was very patient with all the students (we had a wide range of ability in the class). He took his time and was flexible with student requests about course focus. I would highly recommend taking a course with him if you can.
Pros:
- Great teacher / teaching style: Made sure you understood the concept instead of just making sure you were able to get the question right
- I really liked the way the syllabus was structured for math. Each week was devoted to a different "subject" (e.g. Number Properties, Word Translations, Geometry, etc.)
- If you miss a class you can watch a recording on line or sit in on another live course which started a few weeks after ours
- Class was very engaging and not boring at all. Constant class participation, but again, this may have been a function of class size
- The Math books are great. I really like the way they explain the concepts and they seem cover every concept which appears on the exam. I was even able to identify problems on the exam to specific books immediately (but that also comes from practicing the OG Archer)
- Really liked the seemingly anecdotal bits of advice for verbal which were actually providing a structured way of attacking a fairly unstructured set of problems
- finding proof sentences in RC
- how to think about CR
- different types of grammar errors in SC
Cons:
- Would appreciate more concrete "post course" advice but I understand this process is unique for each person so it is tough to give. Personally, would have liked to have been told "don't take the GMAT until you do all of the OG archer problems"
- I personally would have liked more of a focus on Math as I felt I was already strong in Verbal. Would have signed up for a "Quant Only" course if it was offered
- Would have liked more of a focus on 700+ problems and how to attack these
All in all it was a great course. If you are very disciplined then I think an online course or even self study would suffice. The live class offers the motivation to do homework each week and gives you a live instructor to sit down with and work through problems in concepts you may have. The Manhattan GMAT books are very good so I imagine an online course and practice with the books would yield similar results.
I took the Manhattan GMAT class in London this summer taught by Robert Wilburn. The class was small (about 8 students) which probably lent itself to a great experience because of the focused attention we all received.
Robert was a great instructor and was very patient with all the students (we had a wide range of ability in the class). He took his time and was flexible with student requests about course focus. I would highly recommend taking a course with him if you can.
Pros:
- Great teacher / teaching style: Made sure you understood the concept instead of just making sure you were able to get the question right
- I really liked the way the syllabus was structured for math. Each week was devoted to a different "subject" (e.g. Number Properties, Word Translations, Geometry, etc.)
- If you miss a class you can watch a recording on line or sit in on another live course which started a few weeks after ours
- Class was very engaging and not boring at all. Constant class participation, but again, this may have been a function of class size
- The Math books are great. I really like the way they explain the concepts and they seem cover every concept which appears on the exam. I was even able to identify problems on the exam to specific books immediately (but that also comes from practicing the OG Archer)
- Really liked the seemingly anecdotal bits of advice for verbal which were actually providing a structured way of attacking a fairly unstructured set of problems
- finding proof sentences in RC
- how to think about CR
- different types of grammar errors in SC
Cons:
- Would appreciate more concrete "post course" advice but I understand this process is unique for each person so it is tough to give. Personally, would have liked to have been told "don't take the GMAT until you do all of the OG archer problems"
- I personally would have liked more of a focus on Math as I felt I was already strong in Verbal. Would have signed up for a "Quant Only" course if it was offered
- Would have liked more of a focus on 700+ problems and how to attack these
All in all it was a great course. If you are very disciplined then I think an online course or even self study would suffice. The live class offers the motivation to do homework each week and gives you a live instructor to sit down with and work through problems in concepts you may have. The Manhattan GMAT books are very good so I imagine an online course and practice with the books would yield similar results.
Not for the faint-hearted, but worth the effort
December 21, 2011- Teacher: Marcus Hedahl
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
The Manhattan GMAT course is really made for people who are willing to put forth the time and effort to make sure they are achieving to the best of their abilities. They give you tons of information, breaking down each individual component of the test, which can be overwhelming, but really prepares you for what you face in the GMAT.
The practice tests, in combination with timing strategy, are alone worth it because they give you as close an experience to the actual testing environment as you possibly could get prior to the test. However, the other materials are just as good. For not having done math in over five years, it really helped to have the Fundamentals of Math book and course to get up to speed quickly. The verbal section is all about tricks, and Manhattan GMAT definitely knows them!
The other benefit is the specialized attention that is available. The teachers know a ton about the test, so if you are willing to speak up and ask about areas that are troubling you, they will definitely provide targeted advice. They are invested in helping you do better, and want you to understand what you are doing wrong and how you should be thinking about changing your tactics. Office hours too are an opportunity that help you take advantage of the questions you have and give directed feedback. SUPER helpful in areas that are weak and the in-class descriptions are not sufficient.
That said, this course is made for people who really are investing the time, as it is quite expensive. Lots of homework is assigned each week, which is necessary to continue to progress in your individual areas of weakness. If you are thinking about taking this class to get an easy set of pointers to acing the test, look elsewhere. If you put in the effort, though, you can raise your score significantly. My score went up 100 points over the course, and I felt secure in my strategy as I went in to take the test.
All in all, a really strong course, with very strong support materials (especially the flashcards, online recorded webinars), but only if you are really willing to devote a few months to doing well on the GMAT. If so, it definitely pays off.
The practice tests, in combination with timing strategy, are alone worth it because they give you as close an experience to the actual testing environment as you possibly could get prior to the test. However, the other materials are just as good. For not having done math in over five years, it really helped to have the Fundamentals of Math book and course to get up to speed quickly. The verbal section is all about tricks, and Manhattan GMAT definitely knows them!
The other benefit is the specialized attention that is available. The teachers know a ton about the test, so if you are willing to speak up and ask about areas that are troubling you, they will definitely provide targeted advice. They are invested in helping you do better, and want you to understand what you are doing wrong and how you should be thinking about changing your tactics. Office hours too are an opportunity that help you take advantage of the questions you have and give directed feedback. SUPER helpful in areas that are weak and the in-class descriptions are not sufficient.
That said, this course is made for people who really are investing the time, as it is quite expensive. Lots of homework is assigned each week, which is necessary to continue to progress in your individual areas of weakness. If you are thinking about taking this class to get an easy set of pointers to acing the test, look elsewhere. If you put in the effort, though, you can raise your score significantly. My score went up 100 points over the course, and I felt secure in my strategy as I went in to take the test.
All in all, a really strong course, with very strong support materials (especially the flashcards, online recorded webinars), but only if you are really willing to devote a few months to doing well on the GMAT. If so, it definitely pays off.
Joined: Dec 19, 2011
Purchased Course: Sep 7, 2011
Purchased Course: Sep 7, 2011
College: Cornell University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course & instructor
December 19, 2011- Teacher: Kate McKeon
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Manhattan GMAT provided a great framework for me to prepare for the GMAT. The course content was spread over 9 weeks and was really well structured, and allowed me to study independently on my own schedule. My instructor, Kate McKeon, was energetic and really knew the subject matter (e.g. she confidently answered ad-hoc questions and didn't just read from slides). The other resources and materials for the course were also really helpful - instructor office hours, test center for practice exams, etc. - and were a great supplement to the course itself. Overall, I'm really happy with my Manhattan GMAT experience and also with the score that I ended up with. I would highly recommend it!
Joined: Dec 8, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 28, 2011
College: UC Berkeley
Major: English
Major: English
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Worth the money
December 8, 2011- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 690
Manhattan GMAT provides a wide range of excellent resources in preparing for the exam, including their books, online labs, and practice exams. Their math instruction is comprehensive and challenging; their verbal instruction is excellent as well. I needed far more help with math than I did with verbal and Manhattan GMAT really did a great job.
Within 3 months, I went from scoring 650 on my practice exams to 700, and ended up taking the test and getting a 690, a score I am very happy with. Manhattan GMAT was worth the money because I don't have to take the exam again!
I can't say enough about what an excellent teacher Grace Trewartha is. I particularly credit her for keeping students engaged in the material during class. Every class flew by. She taught concepts with clarity but I also appreciated the general advice that she gave on taking the exam, as well as extremely helpful feedback on our test results. She's a fantastic teacher, direct and realistic, positive and supportive, and I highly recommend her instruction to anybody. Positive reviews of her teaching style are why I opted for an in-person class over online, and I am happy to add another positive review.
Within 3 months, I went from scoring 650 on my practice exams to 700, and ended up taking the test and getting a 690, a score I am very happy with. Manhattan GMAT was worth the money because I don't have to take the exam again!
I can't say enough about what an excellent teacher Grace Trewartha is. I particularly credit her for keeping students engaged in the material during class. Every class flew by. She taught concepts with clarity but I also appreciated the general advice that she gave on taking the exam, as well as extremely helpful feedback on our test results. She's a fantastic teacher, direct and realistic, positive and supportive, and I highly recommend her instruction to anybody. Positive reviews of her teaching style are why I opted for an in-person class over online, and I am happy to add another positive review.
Joined: Apr 14, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 14, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 14, 2011
College: New York University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Country: United States
The best way to prepare for the GMAT
December 5, 2011- Teacher: Tommy Wallach
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I am a couple years older than most MBA candidates and it had been over 10 years since I'd done any real math. Manhattan GMAT was a fantastic way to prepare for the exam. The teaching was excellent - the instructors are knowledgeable and try to make the material as interesting as possible. My recommendation would be to supplement your Manhattan GMAT course with practice questions from Beat the GMAT as I felt the practice questions were closer to real questions that appeared on the test. Best of luck!
Manhattan GMAT is the best if you're looking for prep
December 5, 2011- Teacher: Brian Birdwell
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I did the class and supplemented it with a few hours of tutoring to shore up my weak spots and improve my confidence going into the exam. Both experiences were great and very helpful and I ultimately surpassed my score goal. I think Manhattan GMAT has the best instructors in the business and if you do the work your score will show major improvement.
Joined: Nov 22, 2011
Purchased Course: Jul 25, 2011
Purchased Course: Jul 25, 2011
College: James Madison University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Thanks MGMAT!
December 1, 2011- Teacher: Marcus Hedahl
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
I wanted to take a moment to recommend Manhattan GMAT to any student looking to conquer the GMAT. I recently completed the 9 week course and am thoroughly satisfied with the service. They provide strategy guides for every subject and question type that the GMAT has to offer. Additionally, they offer 30 minute private tutoring sessions via an internet classroom, which really helped me work through problems and receive specialized attention.
The 6 CATS provided were very reflective of my actual score. Throughout the course, I took 4 CATs and my score gradually increased each time, until I finally achieved my goal of a 700+ GMAT score. When the time came to take the test, MGMAT provided a 1 hour private strategy session with a specialist to identify the best study material.
In my opinion, to conquer the GMAT, you need to really understand the test and learn what it is trying to test in each question. MGMAT provided this and much more. I can confidently give MGMAT credit for achieving my target score, and I strongly urge prospective MBA students to consider enrolling in MGMAT if they wish to conquer the GMAT!
The 6 CATS provided were very reflective of my actual score. Throughout the course, I took 4 CATs and my score gradually increased each time, until I finally achieved my goal of a 700+ GMAT score. When the time came to take the test, MGMAT provided a 1 hour private strategy session with a specialist to identify the best study material.
In my opinion, to conquer the GMAT, you need to really understand the test and learn what it is trying to test in each question. MGMAT provided this and much more. I can confidently give MGMAT credit for achieving my target score, and I strongly urge prospective MBA students to consider enrolling in MGMAT if they wish to conquer the GMAT!
Joined: Nov 30, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 15, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 15, 2011
College: Texas A&M University
Major: Electrical Engineering
Major: Electrical Engineering
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Very Efficient Course, Helped Me Get Top-Tier Level Score
November 30, 2011- Teacher: Joe Lucero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
The Manhattan GMAT course is very efficient and thorough. The course is clearly geared for students seeking the types of scores needed to get into top-tier b-schools. The materials and classes are extremely well thought out and taught by talented people. Further, the overall flow of information and teaching style seem to incorporate elements of instructional theory that allows the student to effectively absorb the information; i.e., the instructors seem to know something about teaching in general in addition to the materials being taught. I was able to improve my score by 150 points from the first practice test.
Listen to Manhattan GMAT, Do Your Homework!
November 28, 2011- Teacher: Chris Ryan
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
To prepare for the GMAT, I signed up for the 9-week Manhattan GMAT course and am absolutely thrilled with the results. I hadn't done any work prior to this course and knew that I needed a refresher on all the skills required for the exam. After each session I felt more and more comfortable with the material. The homework for this course is pretty extensive but worth the time of putting in the effort. Manhattan GMAT breaks down every subject into different books, allowing each student to focus on what he/she needs to review the most. Not only did I find my course instructor a great teacher, but I also had to switch sections one week and did a private tutoring session and found each instructor to be very knowledgable and helpful. I really felt like Manahattan GMAT had the most resources to help anyone succeed, if they're willing to put in the work.
Get the score you want the first time
November 24, 2011- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
If you are considering taking a class in order to prepare for the GMAT, most of them are going to cost the same. For the money, I found Manhattan GMAT to be the most thorough, with the best instructors and best reputation. I came into the GMAT process wanting to study for 3 months and get it over with, and with Manhattan GMAT, I succeeded in this goal. You have to be able to put in the time required to study (2 hours per night) but the curriculum and resources make it easy to work through it. The only criticism I would have is that the website is not all that easy to navigate and at times it feels like you are flooded with resources (though it's better to have a surplus than not enough).
Joined: Nov 22, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 11, 2011
Purchased Course: Jun 11, 2011
College: UCLA
Major: Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Industry: Consumer Products
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent Course
November 22, 2011- Teacher: Christopher Berman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I did my research on these review sites before taking the course, and Manhattan GMAT seemed to be the best overall - and boy were they right! They really do hire only elite teachers and put them through rigorous training, so you don't have to be nervous about getting a mediocre teacher. The course itself was excellent - they give you a ton of books/materials on every little subtopic, and keep you regimented with homework and practice exams. Also - the six practice exams they provide for you are VERY similar to the real thing, so I felt very well-prepared for the actual exam. I improved my score by 80 points between the beginning of the course and the real thing, so to that end it was worth every penny. On top of all this, everyone at Manhattan GMAT (instructors, staff) is very friendly, accommodating, and truly wants to help you succeed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Joined: Aug 17, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Aug 28, 2011
Major: Management/Business Administration
Country: United States
MGMAT ROCKS
November 22, 2011- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 530 After: 720
If you're serious about a great score, you need to take an in-person course taught by none other than Ron Purewal. I went from a diagnostic score of 530 to an amazing 720! If I can do it, you can too! He really makes sure you're getting good value for the huge dent they put in your wallet.
I also utilized their one-on-one phone sessions and received some of the most useful feedback in the process. "Thursdays with Ron" videos are also a great supplement to your studies too.
The only thing that sucked was that they ran out of supplies (examination booklet, headsets, MBA books, etc) and didn't get them to me until halfway through the course.
I also utilized their one-on-one phone sessions and received some of the most useful feedback in the process. "Thursdays with Ron" videos are also a great supplement to your studies too.
The only thing that sucked was that they ran out of supplies (examination booklet, headsets, MBA books, etc) and didn't get them to me until halfway through the course.
Great class with Excellent Instructor - Scored way better than anticipated
November 21, 2011- Teacher: Tommy Wallach
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
If you're not taking Manhattan GMAT, you're going to be at a disadvantage.
I took their 9 week course with Tommy Wallach. I can't say enough good about him - he was fantastic. He was compelling, encouraging, and insanely well versed with the material. He made the material accessible and interesting while maintaining a light, fun environment in the classroom.
Manhattan GMAT takes a comprehensive approach - focusing on the test's content rather than test-taking skills and tricks. I felt a sense of mastery of the material after the 9 weeks. The confidence made test day feel easy.
I took their 9 week course with Tommy Wallach. I can't say enough good about him - he was fantastic. He was compelling, encouraging, and insanely well versed with the material. He made the material accessible and interesting while maintaining a light, fun environment in the classroom.
Manhattan GMAT takes a comprehensive approach - focusing on the test's content rather than test-taking skills and tricks. I felt a sense of mastery of the material after the 9 weeks. The confidence made test day feel easy.
Joined: Nov 14, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 23, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 23, 2011
College: Villanova
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Prep Class
November 14, 2011- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 660 After: 700
Manhattan GMAT focuses on teaching the actual topics covered on the GMAT, rather than just tips and tricks (you get these too but the focus is on the subject matter). I took another well-known test prep class a year before and MGMAT's class was better. My instructor Eric told us that GMAT success requires you to let out your inner nerd ("nerd" in the positive sense of someone who is very intellectually curious and likes learning obscure things). At Manhattan GMAT you'll find students and teachers who love to let out their inner nerds in the pursuit of a great GMAT score! I was really happy I took the class and I'd recommend it to anyone contemplating taking the GMAT.
Detrimental
November 12, 2011- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: No
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I cannot recommend this course?and I'm shocked at all of those who have. The reason for the one star is because I believe that I would be better off not going to the course and rather spend time studying by myself.
I started the process having read half the OG. I had scored 690 on MGMAT prep. 4 weeks after I was at 660 and at the end of the course I was at 590. Great. i think there are several reasons for this: the level of the problems during the course are about 600 level - which normally only get me if I'm not paying attention - so yeah, any problem below the 600 level I can dominate; guess what? Now I have very little practice with 700-800 level questions.
In the end don't do it. I wish I could get my money back, but honestly, that's not what bothers me; it's the time wasted. This was my experience. I was aiming to be at around 750 by about now. I think I can still do it - on my own.
Best of luck,
AM
I started the process having read half the OG. I had scored 690 on MGMAT prep. 4 weeks after I was at 660 and at the end of the course I was at 590. Great. i think there are several reasons for this: the level of the problems during the course are about 600 level - which normally only get me if I'm not paying attention - so yeah, any problem below the 600 level I can dominate; guess what? Now I have very little practice with 700-800 level questions.
In the end don't do it. I wish I could get my money back, but honestly, that's not what bothers me; it's the time wasted. This was my experience. I was aiming to be at around 750 by about now. I think I can still do it - on my own.
Best of luck,
AM
Joined: Sep 25, 2010
Purchased Course: May 30, 2011
Purchased Course: May 30, 2011
College: Iona COllege
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Sports
Country: United States
Country: United States
MGMAT
October 11, 2011- Teacher: Faruk Bursal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
MGMAT offered a comprehensive course that, combined with the strategy guides and online material, helped me score a 700 on my GMAT.
The course was very good, and introduced you to the GMAT and what to expect. Furthermore, the course helped you learn how to approach the exam-how to think. Because the course is a total of 27 hours, there is not enough time to get in depth into material. This is where their strategy guides as well as the online materials come in. The strategy guides helped me build a foundation, while the online material (especially Thursdays with Ron) help me push to a 700.
The course was very good, and introduced you to the GMAT and what to expect. Furthermore, the course helped you learn how to approach the exam-how to think. Because the course is a total of 27 hours, there is not enough time to get in depth into material. This is where their strategy guides as well as the online materials come in. The strategy guides helped me build a foundation, while the online material (especially Thursdays with Ron) help me push to a 700.
Joined: Sep 15, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 10, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 10, 2011
College: Duke University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent instructors!
September 22, 2011- Teacher: Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
The curriculum is extremely thorough, which allows you to focus on those specific areas where you really need help. The instructors know absolutely everything - it's quite impressive, really. Whitney's enthusiasm made a 3-hour class not only tolerable, but sometimes enjoyable.
Great curriculum, great teaching, great course.
September 22, 2011- Teacher: Michael Schwartz
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I took the Manhattan GMAT 9-session prep course with Michael Schwartz. First, the Manhattan GMAT curriculum was very good. They spend time on all the right things, and they introduce the right kinds of strategy for high scorers. Second, the teaching was excellent. Michael knows the material extremely well, and he has a knack for making the courses interesting and entertaining.
I believe the Manhattan GMAT course raised my performance on the GMAT considerably, and put me in range for the top schools. I highly recommend the course.
I believe the Manhattan GMAT course raised my performance on the GMAT considerably, and put me in range for the top schools. I highly recommend the course.
Joined: Sep 14, 2010
Purchased Course: Apr 7, 2011
Purchased Course: Apr 7, 2011
College: SUNY @ Buffalo
Major: Computer Science
Major: Computer Science
Country: United States
Manhattan provides the structure and tools to achieve your GMAT Target
September 19, 2011- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 580 After: 700
I had previously taken a crash course offered from Kaplan and was disappointed on how much of the content was focused on guessing the answers to the questions instead of building the foundation required to succeed beyond the test.
The GMAT program from Manhattan did not focus on educated guessing until the later classes. The primary goal of the program was to build the foundation and providing shortcuts to solve the issues instead of strengthening a pattern of guessing.
At times, the numerous guides/books can feel like drinking from a fire hose. I found that in addition to using the study guide, the analytical tools provided in the Student Center (such as OG Archer) helps you focus more on your weaker areas.
As any course, the instructor goes a long way in making the material interesting (and bearable for those long classes). Chris has a great sense of humor but with his military background, he doesn't have any trouble asserting the areas you need to improve :-) It's nice to have a Kellogg alumni help you throughout your preparation.
Finally, a shout out to the folks who run 'Office Hours' at Manhattan (where you can schedule an hour to talk over the phone/web to discuss issues you have). I used every session - *Nothing* compares to these 1 on 1 sessions. The teachers are always upbeat, friendly and surprisingly funny.
The GMAT program from Manhattan did not focus on educated guessing until the later classes. The primary goal of the program was to build the foundation and providing shortcuts to solve the issues instead of strengthening a pattern of guessing.
At times, the numerous guides/books can feel like drinking from a fire hose. I found that in addition to using the study guide, the analytical tools provided in the Student Center (such as OG Archer) helps you focus more on your weaker areas.
As any course, the instructor goes a long way in making the material interesting (and bearable for those long classes). Chris has a great sense of humor but with his military background, he doesn't have any trouble asserting the areas you need to improve :-) It's nice to have a Kellogg alumni help you throughout your preparation.
Finally, a shout out to the folks who run 'Office Hours' at Manhattan (where you can schedule an hour to talk over the phone/web to discuss issues you have). I used every session - *Nothing* compares to these 1 on 1 sessions. The teachers are always upbeat, friendly and surprisingly funny.
Joined: Sep 6, 2011
Purchased Course: May 30, 2011
Purchased Course: May 30, 2011
College: UCLA
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT was recommended to me and now I know why
September 6, 2011- Teacher: Daniel Patinkin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
When I was first starting to prepare for the GMAT I met a friend to discuss how he approached the test. He had scored well on the test and been accepted to Tuck, so I really trusted his advice. He told me that his top two tips were to start studying early and to use Manhattan GMAT. He had taken their course online and gave me all of the class materials as well as some books he had bought from other vendors.
I signed up for in person classes since it fit my learning style. I was not disappointed. The materials were top notch. There are about 9 different books that dissect unique elements of the test. While I felt some books by other companies were trying to teach you "tricks" to score a little higher, the Manhattan GMAT books really broke down each concept and taught you the skills you needed to do well.
My instructor, Daniel Patinkin, was also an amazing teacher. All Manhattan GMAT instructors are required to score in the 99th percentile. So of course he had proven he could beat the test, but he was also a very knowledgeable teacher and was able to make some very difficult concepts very accessible.
The other great benefit of Manhattan GMAT is that taking their course gives you access to a lot of extra online materials. They have 6 different practice tests, taped online courses if you need to brush up on a topic, and practice modules for each test skill. Additionally, there is an analytical tool that tracks your speed and accuracy on different types of Official GMAT guide problems so you can zero in on your weaknesses. And there's even flash cards for each topic, which I found very useful to drill myself on different concepts at the gym.
Make no mistake, this course is not a shortcut or replacement for hard work. They recommend doing 8-12 hours of homework a week to prepare for classes. I personally locked myself in my room for several months after work and the gym and studied non-stop. However, the GMAT is a critical component of your MBA application, so for me it was worth it. Having scored a 750 on the test, I am thrilled with choices I made. And I fully understand why my friend insisted I take the Manhattan GMAT course. I am very thankful to them and wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for top notch instruction for the GMAT.
I signed up for in person classes since it fit my learning style. I was not disappointed. The materials were top notch. There are about 9 different books that dissect unique elements of the test. While I felt some books by other companies were trying to teach you "tricks" to score a little higher, the Manhattan GMAT books really broke down each concept and taught you the skills you needed to do well.
My instructor, Daniel Patinkin, was also an amazing teacher. All Manhattan GMAT instructors are required to score in the 99th percentile. So of course he had proven he could beat the test, but he was also a very knowledgeable teacher and was able to make some very difficult concepts very accessible.
The other great benefit of Manhattan GMAT is that taking their course gives you access to a lot of extra online materials. They have 6 different practice tests, taped online courses if you need to brush up on a topic, and practice modules for each test skill. Additionally, there is an analytical tool that tracks your speed and accuracy on different types of Official GMAT guide problems so you can zero in on your weaknesses. And there's even flash cards for each topic, which I found very useful to drill myself on different concepts at the gym.
Make no mistake, this course is not a shortcut or replacement for hard work. They recommend doing 8-12 hours of homework a week to prepare for classes. I personally locked myself in my room for several months after work and the gym and studied non-stop. However, the GMAT is a critical component of your MBA application, so for me it was worth it. Having scored a 750 on the test, I am thrilled with choices I made. And I fully understand why my friend insisted I take the Manhattan GMAT course. I am very thankful to them and wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for top notch instruction for the GMAT.
Very effective, extremely well organized and highly entertaining
September 6, 2011- Teacher: Chris Berman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
The instructor, Chris Berman, is a fantastic teacher. He tells you exactly what you need to know and does so in a highly entertaining manner. I will miss my weekly Tuesday night comedy sessions in Chris' classes. The entertainment factor actually makes it easier to learn since you're engaged in the course.
The strategies guides are excellent. Definitely go through all of them... thoroughly... multiple times. If you do, you will be successful.
The service by admin staff has also been top notch. They checked in for feedback multiple times and answered all questions quickly via email.
The strategies guides are excellent. Definitely go through all of them... thoroughly... multiple times. If you do, you will be successful.
The service by admin staff has also been top notch. They checked in for feedback multiple times and answered all questions quickly via email.
Joined: Sep 5, 2011
Purchased Course: May 13, 2011
Purchased Course: May 13, 2011
College: Wesleyan University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Multimedia
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great results - forced me to stay disciplined
September 5, 2011- Teacher: Sean Murphy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 780
I work a very busy schedule and by the time I get off work I'm usually spent for the day. So when I signed up for Manhattan GMAT, I was worried that I wouldn't have the time or energy to keep up with the class. I thought that the moment I started to lose interest, I'd fall hopelessly behind. Well, that moment never came, because my instructor rocked and the course material seemed designed for people like me.
First, about Sean - he certainly knows how to keep a room full of very sharp people engaged: by challenging and entertaining them at the same time. Sean only caught me looking at my phone once in the entire nine weeks, which says something. He focused on tactics and counterintuitive situations, not merely foundations, so I knew that if I stopped paying attention even for a moment I'd miss something important.
The course materials were the same - always cutting to the chase with something new and important. I'm sure other courses just provide a textbook understanding of the fundamentals -- which is fine, and you can get that too from Manhattan -- but these course books never wasted my time with obvious stuff. For example, the first book focused on number properties -- elementary school stuff -- and yet when it was full of highlights when I was done with it. It was chock full of high level, valuable extrapolations from the easy number properties that I had not been taught in school, but I knew would be incredibly important on the GMAT.
Finally, the most valuable thing the course emphasized was the need to quickly recognize problem types. I got to the point that I could read a problem, realize that I'd done 10 like it, and then I'd follow the same path as before and get it done in half as much time. So with enough practice and recognition skills, you can autopilot your way through this test. That's what Manhattan (and Sean) taught me, and that's what got me a 780.
First, about Sean - he certainly knows how to keep a room full of very sharp people engaged: by challenging and entertaining them at the same time. Sean only caught me looking at my phone once in the entire nine weeks, which says something. He focused on tactics and counterintuitive situations, not merely foundations, so I knew that if I stopped paying attention even for a moment I'd miss something important.
The course materials were the same - always cutting to the chase with something new and important. I'm sure other courses just provide a textbook understanding of the fundamentals -- which is fine, and you can get that too from Manhattan -- but these course books never wasted my time with obvious stuff. For example, the first book focused on number properties -- elementary school stuff -- and yet when it was full of highlights when I was done with it. It was chock full of high level, valuable extrapolations from the easy number properties that I had not been taught in school, but I knew would be incredibly important on the GMAT.
Finally, the most valuable thing the course emphasized was the need to quickly recognize problem types. I got to the point that I could read a problem, realize that I'd done 10 like it, and then I'd follow the same path as before and get it done in half as much time. So with enough practice and recognition skills, you can autopilot your way through this test. That's what Manhattan (and Sean) taught me, and that's what got me a 780.
Joined: Aug 23, 2011
Purchased Course: May 16, 2011
Purchased Course: May 16, 2011
College: New York University - Leonard N. Stern School of Business
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Needed refinement, achieved success
August 23, 2011- Teacher: Kate McKeon
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
This course is invaluable. You could be the smartest person on the planet, but without a solid GMAT strategy, the test will eat you alive. My situation was unique, and MGMAT provided a unique solution to get me the score I wanted.
I tested well on the pre-course diagnostic: 730. I knew this must have been a fluke since I barely started studying, but as soon as I brought this to the attention of my teacher Kate, she immediately put me on a more individualized path. First, she had me take another diagnostic to confirm my current ability. I scored a 710 the second time around, so I was definitely in the ball park of my 720+ goal.
At this point, it was crucial to identify my weaknesses, and attack them hard. Each week before class, Kate scheduled private tutoring sessions with me to cover advanced content (this is at a time when there was a 4 week wait for private tutoring, she really went beyond the call here.). She suggested that I schedule a test mid-course. She rightly felt if I could knock it out in 4 weeks, no need to wait until the end of the nine week course.
I studied hard, completing the intensive course work (there is a lot of work!) + the advanced content provided to me by Kate. Test day came and went, and I scored a 690. I had choked on verbal. I let my fatigue get the better of me. But with a decent score in the books, I pushed ahead, finished the course, refined my verbal strategy, and came out the other side with a 730.
I attribute my success to the following factors:
-Plain hard work. MGMAT may be the best course out there, but if you don't put in the work, any prep course will be useless to you
-Individualized care. The class size hovered around a dozen, but Kate took an interest in each of us. Without her specific direction, achieving a 730 would have been much more difficult to do.
-Excellent course design. MGMAT front-loads the most important topics first, allowing the concepts to sink in over the length of the course. They provide solid fundamental understanding of quant and verbal topics, but they also provide an arsenal of solid strategies that saved me multiple times during the exam. By the time I took the test, it sometimes didn't matter if I was clueless on a certain quant problem. Due to certain strategies I learned at MGMAT, I was able to eliminate answer choices, recognize patterns in wrong answers, and hone in on the correct answer with only a mild understanding of the concept tested. This applies to the verbal side as well. By the end of the course, it was almost impossible for me to get a Critical Reasoning or Reading Comp question wrong! I jumped from 80th percentile in verbal to 95th.
In retrospect, the exam not only tests your proficiency in math and verbal, but it tests your mental endurance and adaptability. You can consider "test strategy" an invisible third section of the test that is ever present. If you are testing at the 500 level or 700 level, MGMAT prepares you for all of this.
I tested well on the pre-course diagnostic: 730. I knew this must have been a fluke since I barely started studying, but as soon as I brought this to the attention of my teacher Kate, she immediately put me on a more individualized path. First, she had me take another diagnostic to confirm my current ability. I scored a 710 the second time around, so I was definitely in the ball park of my 720+ goal.
At this point, it was crucial to identify my weaknesses, and attack them hard. Each week before class, Kate scheduled private tutoring sessions with me to cover advanced content (this is at a time when there was a 4 week wait for private tutoring, she really went beyond the call here.). She suggested that I schedule a test mid-course. She rightly felt if I could knock it out in 4 weeks, no need to wait until the end of the nine week course.
I studied hard, completing the intensive course work (there is a lot of work!) + the advanced content provided to me by Kate. Test day came and went, and I scored a 690. I had choked on verbal. I let my fatigue get the better of me. But with a decent score in the books, I pushed ahead, finished the course, refined my verbal strategy, and came out the other side with a 730.
I attribute my success to the following factors:
-Plain hard work. MGMAT may be the best course out there, but if you don't put in the work, any prep course will be useless to you
-Individualized care. The class size hovered around a dozen, but Kate took an interest in each of us. Without her specific direction, achieving a 730 would have been much more difficult to do.
-Excellent course design. MGMAT front-loads the most important topics first, allowing the concepts to sink in over the length of the course. They provide solid fundamental understanding of quant and verbal topics, but they also provide an arsenal of solid strategies that saved me multiple times during the exam. By the time I took the test, it sometimes didn't matter if I was clueless on a certain quant problem. Due to certain strategies I learned at MGMAT, I was able to eliminate answer choices, recognize patterns in wrong answers, and hone in on the correct answer with only a mild understanding of the concept tested. This applies to the verbal side as well. By the end of the course, it was almost impossible for me to get a Critical Reasoning or Reading Comp question wrong! I jumped from 80th percentile in verbal to 95th.
In retrospect, the exam not only tests your proficiency in math and verbal, but it tests your mental endurance and adaptability. You can consider "test strategy" an invisible third section of the test that is ever present. If you are testing at the 500 level or 700 level, MGMAT prepares you for all of this.
Joined: Aug 22, 2011
Purchased Course: May 22, 2011
Purchased Course: May 22, 2011
College: University of Iowa
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Course Overall - Would have liked more class time spent on advanced sections
August 22, 2011- Teacher: Keith Blume
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
This was a great course and I'm very happy with my results. I spent a lot of time on my own learning the advanced sections of the MGMAT books which I think helped a lot. There are some very useful tricks that were tought by the instructor and in the prep books. The CAT exams are also very good.
My only complaint is that the course didn't cover much of the advanced material (other than a subset of advanced problems we did in class).
My only complaint is that the course didn't cover much of the advanced material (other than a subset of advanced problems we did in class).
Joined: Aug 10, 2011
Purchased Course: Mar 7, 2011
Purchased Course: Mar 7, 2011
College: Buffalo, New York
Major: Electrical Engineering
Major: Electrical Engineering
Industry: Telecommunications
Ride on the experiences of others' success
August 10, 2011- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I did not have the time to figure out what GMAT is about on my own. And Manhattan GMAT has a conveniently located course so I signed on.
Ron was my instructor. I like the most about how he explained what GMAT is trying to test in the prospective students, e.g., both on the big picture and in the details. And of course he showed us how to recognize each type of these questions. Another thing is it was fun to be in Ron's class; I feel challenged and the time was well-spent. The simulated test that M-GMAT gave made taking the test fun too; it gives feedback/score and analysis so it's like a video game ;-)
Last but not the least, Ron gave a detailed and tailored feedback on all my simulated test results toward the test date. That final strategy gave a big push.
Like anything else in life, you can spend tons of time and figure it out yourself (hopefully), or you can ride the experience of others, especially the successful ones like Ron.
Ron was my instructor. I like the most about how he explained what GMAT is trying to test in the prospective students, e.g., both on the big picture and in the details. And of course he showed us how to recognize each type of these questions. Another thing is it was fun to be in Ron's class; I feel challenged and the time was well-spent. The simulated test that M-GMAT gave made taking the test fun too; it gives feedback/score and analysis so it's like a video game ;-)
Last but not the least, Ron gave a detailed and tailored feedback on all my simulated test results toward the test date. That final strategy gave a big push.
Like anything else in life, you can spend tons of time and figure it out yourself (hopefully), or you can ride the experience of others, especially the successful ones like Ron.
Joined: Aug 2, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 26, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 26, 2011
College: Vanderbilt University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Military
Country: United States
Country: United States
A must-do for someone with no GMAT experience
August 2, 2011- Teacher: Dmitri Farber
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Small classes fostered a quality learning environment. Course materials were integral in mastering tested concepts. Great job by Dmitri Farber (instructor). Recommend to anyone trying beat 700 on the GMAT!
Joined: Jul 28, 2011
Purchased Course: May 1, 2011
Purchased Course: May 1, 2011
College: Duke University
Major: Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
680 to 770 in 3 Months with MGMAT
July 28, 2011- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
When I took the Manhattan GMAT diagnostic in late April, I was a little disappointed in the 680. I really wanted a 750+ score on the test, and this meant I was going to have to work hard to get there. I had heard from people that the most rigorous and well regarded course was Manhattan GMAT's 9-week prep course. It's pricey, but for me it was definitely worth it.
Honestly, half the value of the course comes directly from the rigid structure they set up for you. I was working in IB at the same time and living in NYC, where there are tons of distractions and better things to do than study for some standardized test in your free time. But the class focuses you. You are paying a lot to take it, so you admit to yourself weekly that it would be a waste of money to not go and not do the homework. So you go and do the homework.
The other half of the value of the course is quality of the teachers. I actually got to learn from three different teachers over the course of 9 weeks (1st week my guy was out, 7th week I had to make up a class at a different time), all of whom were smart, engaging and excited about the material. My assigned course teacher, Jonathan Schneider, was very very good at the job. He got excited about the problems. He made us think about assumptions we'd never had considered for Critical Reasoning. He showed us how to solve 10-minute long math problems in a minute 30. He was accessible before and after class, and over email. Manhattan GMAT prides themselves on the quality of their teachers, and they do not let you down.
My only grievance with the course was one that I feel I'd have no matter which provider I'd signed up with. As I started to get it, the course became too easy and too slow. In the last two weeks, we were still taking 10 minutes to review a 650-level problem. But I still went to class, and tried to pick up whatever I could from it (which, in hindsight, was still a decent amount to MGMAT's credit). One other issue I just thought of was that multiple instructors at MGMAT told me that it was the quality of my review, not the quantity that mattered (come to think of it, this advice was all over the GMAT Club message boards as well). It clearly depends on how much time you have available to study, but if you have time, quantity is huge. I took the first 1/3 of the questions of the OG and the Verbal and Quant guides and threw them out (these were 300-500 level questions that you're not going to see if you're in the 700's). Then I did all of the rest, under time constraints. I would do two hours of Math under time pressure, take a 5 minute break, and then do two hours of Verbal (this made the timed sections of the actual test so much easier). Afterwards, I woudl go back and review every problem I got wrong and log it in my error log. If you don't have the time for this, then it won't work. Try something else. But if you have the time, I highly recommend doing as many problems as you can.
I take my practice scores as evidence of the improvement from the onslaught of problems.
MGMAT 1 - 680
MGMAT 2 - 730
MGMAT 3 - 720
(This is when I got pissed and decided to start doing tons of official problems everyday - probably 8+ hours a day of GMAT work - I was between jobs)
GMATPrep #1 - 770
MGMAT #4 - 780
GMATPrep #2 - 770
Just to wrap up, and circle back to the main point here - Manhattan GMAT knows what they're doing. Even though I tweaked some of their methods so that they fit my brain a little better, and I disagreed with them on the quantity of review point, I have to admit that I would not have gotten the score I did without the course. If you want to do well on the GMAT, and you can afford it, you are making your life a whole lot harder by not signing up for MGMAT's 9-week course.
Good luck.
Honestly, half the value of the course comes directly from the rigid structure they set up for you. I was working in IB at the same time and living in NYC, where there are tons of distractions and better things to do than study for some standardized test in your free time. But the class focuses you. You are paying a lot to take it, so you admit to yourself weekly that it would be a waste of money to not go and not do the homework. So you go and do the homework.
The other half of the value of the course is quality of the teachers. I actually got to learn from three different teachers over the course of 9 weeks (1st week my guy was out, 7th week I had to make up a class at a different time), all of whom were smart, engaging and excited about the material. My assigned course teacher, Jonathan Schneider, was very very good at the job. He got excited about the problems. He made us think about assumptions we'd never had considered for Critical Reasoning. He showed us how to solve 10-minute long math problems in a minute 30. He was accessible before and after class, and over email. Manhattan GMAT prides themselves on the quality of their teachers, and they do not let you down.
My only grievance with the course was one that I feel I'd have no matter which provider I'd signed up with. As I started to get it, the course became too easy and too slow. In the last two weeks, we were still taking 10 minutes to review a 650-level problem. But I still went to class, and tried to pick up whatever I could from it (which, in hindsight, was still a decent amount to MGMAT's credit). One other issue I just thought of was that multiple instructors at MGMAT told me that it was the quality of my review, not the quantity that mattered (come to think of it, this advice was all over the GMAT Club message boards as well). It clearly depends on how much time you have available to study, but if you have time, quantity is huge. I took the first 1/3 of the questions of the OG and the Verbal and Quant guides and threw them out (these were 300-500 level questions that you're not going to see if you're in the 700's). Then I did all of the rest, under time constraints. I would do two hours of Math under time pressure, take a 5 minute break, and then do two hours of Verbal (this made the timed sections of the actual test so much easier). Afterwards, I woudl go back and review every problem I got wrong and log it in my error log. If you don't have the time for this, then it won't work. Try something else. But if you have the time, I highly recommend doing as many problems as you can.
I take my practice scores as evidence of the improvement from the onslaught of problems.
MGMAT 1 - 680
MGMAT 2 - 730
MGMAT 3 - 720
(This is when I got pissed and decided to start doing tons of official problems everyday - probably 8+ hours a day of GMAT work - I was between jobs)
GMATPrep #1 - 770
MGMAT #4 - 780
GMATPrep #2 - 770
Just to wrap up, and circle back to the main point here - Manhattan GMAT knows what they're doing. Even though I tweaked some of their methods so that they fit my brain a little better, and I disagreed with them on the quantity of review point, I have to admit that I would not have gotten the score I did without the course. If you want to do well on the GMAT, and you can afford it, you are making your life a whole lot harder by not signing up for MGMAT's 9-week course.
Good luck.
Joined: Feb 18, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 18, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 18, 2011
College: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Marketing
Major: Marketing
Industry: Internet Development Services
Country: United States
Country: United States
Definitely recommend it!!!
July 21, 2011- Teacher: Joe Luceron
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 530 After: 690
I took a course with the Princeton Review before this one and MGMAT is sooooooo much better!!! They are much more organized, their books and resources are great and extremely useful! They even provide you with a board(like the one you use on the actual GMAT), which is great for getting used to it. Also, they have an online resource OG Tracker that you can use for tracking your time and responses. It gives you a great input into where you need to improve. They are really concerned with you actually learning and understanding the topics, not only trying to teach you tricks like Princeton Review does. The classes were fun and the teacher was awesome! The teacher would not end the class until he covered everything that was planned. I think this is so much better than stopping it when time is over and getting back to it on the next class.
I will vouch for Manhattan GMAT's strong reputation
July 20, 2011- Teacher: Tom Wallach
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was debating between Princeton Review/Kaplan and Manhattan GMAT. I had heard that Manhattan GMAT was a "better" course, which explains their higher cost. I was very impressed by this course. I'm not sure if it was my instructor (Tommy Wallach is a really great instructor to have for this course), but I learned strategies that the Kaplan GMAT book does not even begin to touch. I have taken so many SAT prep courses so I am familiar with test taking techniques, but this course had some interesting, different approaches. I really recommend that you take this course if you are serious about doing very well on this test. It is WELL worth your money. Also, make sure you are at a point in your career (and social life) where you can set aside time to do the homework- you must do this!
Joined: Jan 4, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 6, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 6, 2011
College: University of San Diego
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Energy/Extractive Minerals
Country: United States
Country: United States
Outstanding Class - As long as you're willing to do the work
July 8, 2011- Teacher: Dmitry Faber
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I took the MGMAT 9-session course and was very pleased with the result. I went from a 650 on my initial practice test to a 730 on the real thing. Its a pretty hardcore class - they really work on your math and verbal fundamentals - but as long as you are willing to put in the work this class will have you prepared for the test. When you sign up for the course - they'll send you a box with literally everything you need to study (all the official books from the GMAC + a series of MGMAT proprietary strategy books + a laminated pad and erasable pen just like the one Pearson gives you when you take the test, which sounds silly but it is actually really nice getting used to that before going to the testing center). My instructor was great and shared some useful tips I would not have gotten in self-study (plus the classes helped keep me on pace). Overall I would highly recommend the class for anyone serious about doing well on the GMAT and willing to put in the necessary work to achieve a good score. They'll make sure you are up to speed on the math and verbal topics covered on the test rather that just teaching basic test-taking tricks.
Joined: Jul 6, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Feb 28, 2011
College: Stanford University
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT was amazing!!
July 6, 2011- Teacher: Daniel Patinkin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
So I just took my GMAT, and I couldn't be happier with the results! 770! What an amazingly pleasant surprise, especially since my first practice test score was in the 600s. It's a huge relief knowing that my GMAT score puts me in the upper ranks of all business school applicants. I was aiming for a score in the 700s, but never thought I would reach the 99th percentile!
That being the case, it wouldn't be right if I failed to highlight the tremendous impact of Manhattan GMAT. The 9 week course was absolutely crucial in helping me achieve my highest potential. The course was well-structured, the practice content was thorough, and my teacher Dan was remarkable. Not only did I learn all of the content needed to ace the test (e.g., relearning the geometry I forgot years ago), I also learned test-taking techniques which proved invaluable during the test. After my class, I felt so well-prepared that I barely had any nerves on my actual test day. It was just a matter of going into the test center and applying what I had learned through Manhattan GMAT. What a great formula for success!
The cherry on top is that my class was really fun. Dan kept the class atmosphere light and enjoyable while at the same time making sure that each student was absorbing the lesson. It's no wonder I recommended Manhattan GMAT to my roommate who's planning on taking the GMAT. I'm a huge promoter of Manhattan GMAT and would take the class again in a heartbeat.
That being the case, it wouldn't be right if I failed to highlight the tremendous impact of Manhattan GMAT. The 9 week course was absolutely crucial in helping me achieve my highest potential. The course was well-structured, the practice content was thorough, and my teacher Dan was remarkable. Not only did I learn all of the content needed to ace the test (e.g., relearning the geometry I forgot years ago), I also learned test-taking techniques which proved invaluable during the test. After my class, I felt so well-prepared that I barely had any nerves on my actual test day. It was just a matter of going into the test center and applying what I had learned through Manhattan GMAT. What a great formula for success!
The cherry on top is that my class was really fun. Dan kept the class atmosphere light and enjoyable while at the same time making sure that each student was absorbing the lesson. It's no wonder I recommended Manhattan GMAT to my roommate who's planning on taking the GMAT. I'm a huge promoter of Manhattan GMAT and would take the class again in a heartbeat.
Great Experience
July 6, 2011- Teacher: Hemanth Venkataraman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
Overall this course was excellent prep for the GMAT. The instructor is very articulate and patient when explaining concepts. He provided a number of tools to help solve problems relating to various topics and difficulty levels. He was able to keep students engaged and focused regardless of the topic. I thought the study materials were clear and very beneficial in helping understand concepts. The website is also a great tool in prepping for the exam.
Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 23, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 23, 2011
College: UCLA
Major: Biology
Major: Biology
Industry: Accounting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great experience with Manhattan GMAT
June 28, 2011- Teacher: Dan Patinkin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I just wanted to briefly write about my experience with Manhattan GMAT. I took the nine session course beginning in April and found it to be surprisingly engaging considering it was usurping a Sunday evening. My instructor was hilarious and seemed to know everything about the GMAT. He was also available to chat outside the class and gave me some good advice when I told him that I was shooting for a 750.
In terms of studying, I used all of the Manhattan GMAT books, the OG Archer (which was very helpful in keeping track of my errors), the Manhattan CAT exams, the two GMAT Prep exams, and the three GMAT Focus quizzes (recommended by my instructor). With a little luck and a good deal of effort, I was able to score a 770 (Q50, V45) on my first try! I would definitely recommend Manhattan GMAT, or at the very least their study materials, to any prospective students.
In terms of studying, I used all of the Manhattan GMAT books, the OG Archer (which was very helpful in keeping track of my errors), the Manhattan CAT exams, the two GMAT Prep exams, and the three GMAT Focus quizzes (recommended by my instructor). With a little luck and a good deal of effort, I was able to score a 770 (Q50, V45) on my first try! I would definitely recommend Manhattan GMAT, or at the very least their study materials, to any prospective students.
Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 11, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 11, 2011
College: Georgetown University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Phenomenal Instruction
June 28, 2011- Teacher: Kate McKeon
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
Manhattan GMAT has fantastic materials and study guides that help you re-learn each math topic easily. Each book provides detailed overviews and explanations of the information required to know, as well as comprehensive practice questions to test your understanding. Alongside the content, each chapter provides a list of official GMAT questions that are representative of real test questions that cover the particular topic. The verbal study guides are equally as detailed and useful, and they are structured in a very similar format. The course itself is a great way to provide a structure and timeline to your studying routine, as well as a great place to test your understanding and ask questions. The teachers are truly superb and have very solid understandings of the GMAT test and the content covered. I would recommend this course to any and everyone who is looking to get a top score. I couldn't be happier.
MGMAT really the best around
June 28, 2011- Teacher: Dan Patinkin
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 610 After: 700
I was skeptical as to whether a course costing the amount of money it did would really help. But, after studying myself with Kaplan, Princeton Review and a couple of the MGMAT book (which alone cost me about $500 for the books) I scored a low 610. I decided to bite the bullet and take the course. It was great! Dan, the instructor, really was able to convey the material in a way that made it easy and interesting....which is almost impossible with gmat problems. He made class a fun environment and was very encouraging and helpful. The course books were great! They helped you with the general outline of the test, how to attack each section by breaking down each section further, but most importantly it taught you how to study and not over work yourself. I took the gmat last weekend and I scored a 700 (Q47/V40) and I couldn't be happier to now be in the range of the schools I was looking to apply to and to also be done with the gmat forever!
Joined: Jun 23, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 20, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 20, 2011
College: The Pennsylvania State University
Major: History
Major: History
Industry: Other Non-Profit
Country: United States
Country: United States
GMAT success
June 23, 2011- Teacher: Marcus
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 690
-I took a practice GMAT before the signing up for the class and scored in the low 500's. I knew at that point that I would need to take a class and I'm so glad that I chose Manhattan GMAT. Marcus was a fantastic instructor! He covered all of the material, tips, pointers, etc, but did so at a pace that worked for the "students". He was very down-to-earth and understood that most of the people in the classroom (if not all) were working full time jobs, and therefore were tight on time. In order to make sure that we focused on the important material, he would give us 3 "priority" homework assignments for each week if we didn't have time to cover all of the homework.
-The free weekly "office hours" were extremely helpful. I didn't miss any sessions and they really helped me focus on my problem areas. They also provided me with additional resources in my weaker areas.
-I took advantage of the Manhattan GMAT's free "you screwed up the GMAT and let's figure out why" phone consultation (scored a 620 on my first GMAT), which was great. I spoke with Daniel, who I believe is based on the west coast, and he set me up with a solid study plan.
-I took GMAT #2 and scored a 690. That's 20 points higher than my best practice exam and 70 points higher than GMAT round #1. I can't remember my exact break down, but I tested in the 65-ish percentile in quant and 92 in verbal. I'll take it!
Thank you Manhattan GMAT
-The free weekly "office hours" were extremely helpful. I didn't miss any sessions and they really helped me focus on my problem areas. They also provided me with additional resources in my weaker areas.
-I took advantage of the Manhattan GMAT's free "you screwed up the GMAT and let's figure out why" phone consultation (scored a 620 on my first GMAT), which was great. I spoke with Daniel, who I believe is based on the west coast, and he set me up with a solid study plan.
-I took GMAT #2 and scored a 690. That's 20 points higher than my best practice exam and 70 points higher than GMAT round #1. I can't remember my exact break down, but I tested in the 65-ish percentile in quant and 92 in verbal. I'll take it!
Thank you Manhattan GMAT
Joined: Jun 22, 2011
Purchased Course: Mar 29, 2011
Purchased Course: Mar 29, 2011
College: Georgetown University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
The program has a steep price but delivers everything advertised.
June 22, 2011- Teacher: Marcus Hedahl
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
Quality of instruction is generally PHENOMENAL. Marcus, my instructor, did an exceptional job keeping the class engaged, clearly organizing the schedule of work and preparation, and managed to coordinate a class of students whose scores probably wil range well over 100 points.
Of my 9 sessions, 1 was with another, substitute instructor. That 3 hour session was unbearable, much slower and far less productive. Highly recommend you use the "1 free trial class" option to make sure you're getting a competent instructor.
I took the class February - May of my senior year of undergrad (class of 2011), and crammed multiple hours a day ~6 days a week from the end of May to my exam on June 15th.
The course materials are comprehensive ad extremely helpful, and the numerous online resources (practice tests, diagnostics, online tutoring, etc.) are likewise very helpful. It is stressed (with reason) that it is imperative each individual tries to prepare ahead of time for each class and reviews the material as suggested by a detailed syllabus & homework schedule. Besides the 36 hours in class, students can probably anticipate 1x-2x that amount in additional personal review.
The program is pricey ($1400 for a 9 week session) but I felt I got a lot of value out of the class. Likewise, the price seems even more worth it in retrospect, now that I have the score to validate it. Had it turned out worse, it'd seem a little more exorbitant.
Of my 9 sessions, 1 was with another, substitute instructor. That 3 hour session was unbearable, much slower and far less productive. Highly recommend you use the "1 free trial class" option to make sure you're getting a competent instructor.
I took the class February - May of my senior year of undergrad (class of 2011), and crammed multiple hours a day ~6 days a week from the end of May to my exam on June 15th.
The course materials are comprehensive ad extremely helpful, and the numerous online resources (practice tests, diagnostics, online tutoring, etc.) are likewise very helpful. It is stressed (with reason) that it is imperative each individual tries to prepare ahead of time for each class and reviews the material as suggested by a detailed syllabus & homework schedule. Besides the 36 hours in class, students can probably anticipate 1x-2x that amount in additional personal review.
The program is pricey ($1400 for a 9 week session) but I felt I got a lot of value out of the class. Likewise, the price seems even more worth it in retrospect, now that I have the score to validate it. Had it turned out worse, it'd seem a little more exorbitant.
Joined: Jun 20, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2011
Country: United States
Excellent company, amazing teacher
June 20, 2011- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I do not doubt that Manhattan and Ron made the gmat as pleasurable an experience as it could possibly be. As other reviews have said, the quality of the materials is generally top notch. I found the verbal strategies a bit more difficult to implement, but that was rectified via office hours and discussions with Ron. As well, I feel the resources that are made available to you are the most robust in the industry, so much so that it can be overwhelming if you don't approach it correctly. The structured way in which Manhattan suggests studying is amazingly helpful, as it removes any additional stress brought on as a result of having to formulate your own study plan. The customer service at Manhattan is, bar none, among the best I have ever received from any company. I have never gone a full business day without having a question answered and I've always been treated with respect in a polite and enthusiastic way. This aspect alone would be enough for me to recommend the company.
Ron is a great instructor and I can say confidently that his knowledge of this test in unparalleled. His approach is no-frills and takes a while to get used to, but he does absolutely everything possible to ensure that your score is as high as it can be. His focus is very practical and he doesn't rely solely on theory. He strives to teach alternative methods to approaching questions (which many people, to their own chagrin, do not take seriously), which proves amazingly helpful in improving accuracy rates. He does an amazing job to get his students thinking about how the test makers think and how they plan to trick test takers, which provides an invaluable inclination to re-assess your answer to each question. If you live near the bay, I would absolutely recommend taking your course with him (though I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of Manhattan's people).
Ron is a great instructor and I can say confidently that his knowledge of this test in unparalleled. His approach is no-frills and takes a while to get used to, but he does absolutely everything possible to ensure that your score is as high as it can be. His focus is very practical and he doesn't rely solely on theory. He strives to teach alternative methods to approaching questions (which many people, to their own chagrin, do not take seriously), which proves amazingly helpful in improving accuracy rates. He does an amazing job to get his students thinking about how the test makers think and how they plan to trick test takers, which provides an invaluable inclination to re-assess your answer to each question. If you live near the bay, I would absolutely recommend taking your course with him (though I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of Manhattan's people).
Highly Recommend the DC Course with Marcus
June 16, 2011- Teacher: Marcus Hendahl
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 780
I decided to take the Manhattan GMAT course during the spring semester of my senior year of college. I was only taking 6 hours and, though I wasn't interested in heading to business school until after 2-4 years of working in finance, I figured I'd have more time on my hands then than I would have at any other point int he near future. A friend from school and I decided to sign up for Marcus's GMAT course because it best fit our schedule, and we were both very, very pleased with the experience.
Besides an amazing beard, Marcus has a lot of positive attributes as a GMAT teacher that made the course an enjoyable and productive experience. He has a very good knack for presenting information in a way that is understandable to everyone in the classroom. He provided a good blend of direct teaching and practice problems. Though the sessions were three hours long and at night, I was always engaged and never bored in class. As well, he was very good about detailing what work we should be doing before and after classes, and how we should go about practicing and taking practice tests.
After the first class, I took my diagnostic exam essentially cold and got a 690. Half-way through the course, I took another and received a 720. After each, I took advantage of the weekly Office Hours service, where a Manhattan teacher evaluated my progress, gave me insight to my weaknesses and offered advice for further practice. After my final class session, I took another test and got a 750.
After taking a week off to graduate/celebrate graduating college, I dug in for two weeks of GMAT studying in preparation for my test, taking 2 more Manhattan tests (740,750), and felt relatively frustrated at my stagnant score. With my Verbal score in the 99th percentile and my Math score in the mid to high 80s, I decided to focus exclusively on math. I re-read each of the Manhattan guides multiple times, completed all of the practice problems, and solved the OG guide and the Quant guide in their entirety.
Finally, during my last week of studying, I took the two GMATPrep tests and, to my surprise, found them significantly less challenging than the Manhattan prep tests, and received 770s on both. While some might see this as a failure of the Manhattan test to accurately match the 'official' prep tests, I saw it instead as the same sort of strategy baseball players take in warming up with heavy bats before stepping up to the plate.
When test day came, I was more confident going in. I finished both sections with 10-15 minutes to spare, and came out with a 780. All in all, I had a very pleasant experience with Manhattan GMAT. I would highly recommend the course, and specifically Marcus as an instructor, to anyone looking to raise their score.
Besides an amazing beard, Marcus has a lot of positive attributes as a GMAT teacher that made the course an enjoyable and productive experience. He has a very good knack for presenting information in a way that is understandable to everyone in the classroom. He provided a good blend of direct teaching and practice problems. Though the sessions were three hours long and at night, I was always engaged and never bored in class. As well, he was very good about detailing what work we should be doing before and after classes, and how we should go about practicing and taking practice tests.
After the first class, I took my diagnostic exam essentially cold and got a 690. Half-way through the course, I took another and received a 720. After each, I took advantage of the weekly Office Hours service, where a Manhattan teacher evaluated my progress, gave me insight to my weaknesses and offered advice for further practice. After my final class session, I took another test and got a 750.
After taking a week off to graduate/celebrate graduating college, I dug in for two weeks of GMAT studying in preparation for my test, taking 2 more Manhattan tests (740,750), and felt relatively frustrated at my stagnant score. With my Verbal score in the 99th percentile and my Math score in the mid to high 80s, I decided to focus exclusively on math. I re-read each of the Manhattan guides multiple times, completed all of the practice problems, and solved the OG guide and the Quant guide in their entirety.
Finally, during my last week of studying, I took the two GMATPrep tests and, to my surprise, found them significantly less challenging than the Manhattan prep tests, and received 770s on both. While some might see this as a failure of the Manhattan test to accurately match the 'official' prep tests, I saw it instead as the same sort of strategy baseball players take in warming up with heavy bats before stepping up to the plate.
When test day came, I was more confident going in. I finished both sections with 10-15 minutes to spare, and came out with a 780. All in all, I had a very pleasant experience with Manhattan GMAT. I would highly recommend the course, and specifically Marcus as an instructor, to anyone looking to raise their score.
Joined: Apr 17, 2011
Purchased Course: Nov 16, 2010
Purchased Course: Nov 16, 2010
College: UCLA
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Best Way to Spend 9 Weeks Prepping
June 15, 2011- Teacher: Michael Kim
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
The Manhattan GMAT company is amazingly well-run and the MGMAT guides are worth every penny. The quant guides are the most clear and helpful materials I used to study and the official guide companion is irreplaceable. My instructor, Michael Kim, was extremely helpful--both inside and outside of class. The practice tests are well written, accurate, and plentiful. I would recommend this class to anyone attempting the GMAT, especially those attempting to achieve a score in the 99th percentile. The price is very reasonable for the amount of materials provided and the quality of the materials. Don't make the mistake of putting the opportunity to achieve a top score in jeopardy by taking a different course.
Great class if you are willing to put in the work
June 9, 2011- Teacher: Chris Berman
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
When I started taking the Manhattan GMAT course I thought if I make it through the 9-week class I would instantly be able to get above a 700. However, that wasn't the case. The class was very useful and created a solid foundation upon which I could obtain the skills needed to get a high score, but you have to do more than just take the class.
The additional resources (the 6 CAT exams, the question banks, the OG Quant answer guide) were extremely helpful in providing an accurate test experience while also helping me in areas that I had initial weakness. I utilized the majority of the CAT exams and the Manhattan GMAT website after I had finished the class and I felt I learned just as much during that 6 weeks as I did during the class itself.
Manhattan is a great way to prepare for the GMAT if you are willing to put in the work. It's definitely demanding, but the results are very much worth it.
The additional resources (the 6 CAT exams, the question banks, the OG Quant answer guide) were extremely helpful in providing an accurate test experience while also helping me in areas that I had initial weakness. I utilized the majority of the CAT exams and the Manhattan GMAT website after I had finished the class and I felt I learned just as much during that 6 weeks as I did during the class itself.
Manhattan is a great way to prepare for the GMAT if you are willing to put in the work. It's definitely demanding, but the results are very much worth it.
Joined: Jun 9, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 1, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 1, 2011
College: University of Michigan
Major: Biology
Major: Biology
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
A wonderful preparatory course!
June 9, 2011- Teacher: Sean Murphy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I went into the course having never taken a practice exam before, and was able to improve over 100 points from my initial assessment to the actual test. I credit my success on the GMAT to materials Manhattan GMAT provided as well as their EXCELLENT instructors. If you utilize all the resources they make available (free weekly "office hour" phone tutoring sessions each week, comprehensive web study materials, fantastic workbooks broken down by topic) and put in the time, Manhattan GMAT will absolutely improve your score.
My instructor, as well as the instructors I interacted with during office hours, were so passionate about making students comfortable with the exam and mastering effective ways to approach each question. I cannot recommend them highly enough! Even the staff at the front desk and on the phone were friendly and helpful when I interacted with them. Overall my experience was wonderful.
My instructor, as well as the instructors I interacted with during office hours, were so passionate about making students comfortable with the exam and mastering effective ways to approach each question. I cannot recommend them highly enough! Even the staff at the front desk and on the phone were friendly and helpful when I interacted with them. Overall my experience was wonderful.
Joined: Jun 3, 2011
Purchased Course: Nov 14, 2010
Purchased Course: Nov 14, 2010
College: Duke University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
I would recommend the Manhattan GMAT prep course to anyone planning to take the GMAT.
June 3, 2011- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 780
The Manhattan GMAT prep course instructor was knowledgeable and interesting, and he kept the classroom engaged. In addition, the printed and online materials were both great ? offering a wide variety of services to all score ranges. After taking the Manhattan GMAT prep course, my score improved over 100 points! I would recommend this course to anyone planning to take the GMAT.
Terrific strategies and resources
May 17, 2011- Teacher: Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 780
Teacher notes:
Whitney Garner is an amazing GMAT tutor. She is incredibly energetic and outgoing and really knows her stuff.
MGMAT resources:
The GMAT is, in my opinion, all about pattern recognition. I think that the way that MGMAT breaks down the different sections (PS, DS, RC, SC, CR) is very intuitive and it makes it easy to understand the different types of problems that one may encounter in each section. The books are easy to read and very applicable (no 'fluff' that will waste your time).
The practice CATs offered by the company are difficult but helpful. They nailed my final score, so at least in my case they were representative of actual performance on the real thing. The problems are written fairly similarly to the actual GMAT, though GMAT Prep is the best place to go for true CATs.
Whitney Garner is an amazing GMAT tutor. She is incredibly energetic and outgoing and really knows her stuff.
MGMAT resources:
The GMAT is, in my opinion, all about pattern recognition. I think that the way that MGMAT breaks down the different sections (PS, DS, RC, SC, CR) is very intuitive and it makes it easy to understand the different types of problems that one may encounter in each section. The books are easy to read and very applicable (no 'fluff' that will waste your time).
The practice CATs offered by the company are difficult but helpful. They nailed my final score, so at least in my case they were representative of actual performance on the real thing. The problems are written fairly similarly to the actual GMAT, though GMAT Prep is the best place to go for true CATs.
Joined: May 11, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 17, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 17, 2011
College: Washington University in St. Louis
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Highly, highly recommend this course!
May 11, 2011- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 570 After: 750
1) Materials: The materials they provide are well written and easy to understand. There are 9 different study guides that are broken up by topic and teach you almost everything you need to know for the test. Additionally, the online resources are incredibly useful. There is an online companion to the Official Guide questions that times your questions and tells you the correct answer, so you don't have to keep flipping to the back of the book to find the answer. It makes it easy to see what areas you need to improve, and see which ones you got wrong and should do over.
2) Teacher: My teacher was brilliant, engaging, and full of great advice. His name is Greg Lachow and you should definitely try to take his class if you are in Manhattan. He knew everyone's name by the second class and made sure to keep everyone involved. Even though it was a three hour class at night, it was never boring or slow. He was not only really good at the GMAT content, he was also a great teacher and would probably be a great teacher no matter what he was teaching.
3) Center: Its a very nice classroom setting and the best part is that you can go there on the weekends to take your practice test. I did this for all of my practice tests and I definitely recommend it. There is free coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and a vending machine if you need a snack during class. The only downside is the very slow elevator in the building, but that is currently being fixed.
Overall, I definitely had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT and think that it is worth the money.
2) Teacher: My teacher was brilliant, engaging, and full of great advice. His name is Greg Lachow and you should definitely try to take his class if you are in Manhattan. He knew everyone's name by the second class and made sure to keep everyone involved. Even though it was a three hour class at night, it was never boring or slow. He was not only really good at the GMAT content, he was also a great teacher and would probably be a great teacher no matter what he was teaching.
3) Center: Its a very nice classroom setting and the best part is that you can go there on the weekends to take your practice test. I did this for all of my practice tests and I definitely recommend it. There is free coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and a vending machine if you need a snack during class. The only downside is the very slow elevator in the building, but that is currently being fixed.
Overall, I definitely had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT and think that it is worth the money.
Joined: May 11, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 4, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 4, 2011
College: university of pennsylvania
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course.
May 11, 2011- Teacher: jonathan schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I thought that the course prepared me extremely well for the test. I felt that the approach taken by my teacher was extremely helpful and he explained things in a very easy-to-follow way. I would definitely recommend Manhattan GMAT to anyone.
Consider Manhattan a requirement
May 9, 2011- Teacher: Ryan Wessel
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
I get asked a lot if Manhattan GMAT was "worth it". Simply put it is, but a more accurate statement is that if you want to score above 700 you need to take the course. Just like you need to pay to take the test and you need to pay to submit your applications, you need to pay for excellent study materials, excellent practice tests and exceptional teaching.
Honestly, the main benefit I got was from the teacher who sorted out all the contradictory or unclear statements I had read online about the GMAT and about how schools evaluate the GMAT.
The course/materials will make sure you perfect the basics and the moderate material and will give you a firm grasp of the especially difficult problems. My only complaint is that there aren't enough practice questions that are specifically focused on the most difficult material.
After I exhausted my study material I bought more tests from http://gmatclub.com. These tests are much more difficult than the actual GMAT will be, and the questions are often poorly phrased. However, this added challenge ensures that you don't make stupid mistakes.
All-in-all I can't imagine studying without Manhattan though. It seems to have the best material and provides the most efficient, least stressful way of covering so much material.
Honestly, the main benefit I got was from the teacher who sorted out all the contradictory or unclear statements I had read online about the GMAT and about how schools evaluate the GMAT.
The course/materials will make sure you perfect the basics and the moderate material and will give you a firm grasp of the especially difficult problems. My only complaint is that there aren't enough practice questions that are specifically focused on the most difficult material.
After I exhausted my study material I bought more tests from http://gmatclub.com. These tests are much more difficult than the actual GMAT will be, and the questions are often poorly phrased. However, this added challenge ensures that you don't make stupid mistakes.
All-in-all I can't imagine studying without Manhattan though. It seems to have the best material and provides the most efficient, least stressful way of covering so much material.
Great Materials, Great Instructor
April 26, 2011- Teacher: Daniel Gonzalez
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
Manhattan GMAT was great. I took it on Saturday morning from 10-1 PM, which was a very convenient time since I travel a lot during the week. Obviously it was brutal getting out of bed early on a Saturday, but I actually looked forward to the class because the instructor was phenomenal! He really made the course materials come to life and made the class enjoyable.
The course materials were also really good; they had a framework / approach for every kind of problem. It was a bit overwhelming at first in terms of how many books you had to review, but as you get further into the course, they help you to identify your weaknesses and focus your studies on what will have the most impact. The best way that they do this is through their online diagnostic exams, where they give you a breakdown of the questions you got wrong, categorize them by question type, etc. They also have another great resource that is a companion to the 12th Edition Official Guide that is produced by the GMAC. This companion is an online portal where you can enter in your answers and it provides you recommendations on how to increase your score in certain areas, where to decrease your time, etc. The data that this online companion and the online test provided really helped me to focus my studies during the last few weeks and jump from a 660 to a 700!
The course materials were also really good; they had a framework / approach for every kind of problem. It was a bit overwhelming at first in terms of how many books you had to review, but as you get further into the course, they help you to identify your weaknesses and focus your studies on what will have the most impact. The best way that they do this is through their online diagnostic exams, where they give you a breakdown of the questions you got wrong, categorize them by question type, etc. They also have another great resource that is a companion to the 12th Edition Official Guide that is produced by the GMAC. This companion is an online portal where you can enter in your answers and it provides you recommendations on how to increase your score in certain areas, where to decrease your time, etc. The data that this online companion and the online test provided really helped me to focus my studies during the last few weeks and jump from a 660 to a 700!
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Purchased Course: Nov 10, 2010
Purchased Course: Nov 10, 2010
College: University of Pennsylvania
Major: International Relations
Major: International Relations
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great experience with Manhattan GMAT! Terrific instructor.
April 24, 2011- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
SUMMARY: I began the ManhattanGMAT course in December 2010 and completed the course in March 2011 (delayed due to the need to take a couple makeup classes) and then took the GMAT at the beginning of April 2011. I recommend Manhattan GMAT because its materials are far more thorough than the competitors? and the instructors really are top-notch.
RESULTS: I took a diagnostic test before the beginning of the MGMAT class and scored a 680. I then took subsequent MGMAT tests every 3-4 weeks and scored 680, 690 and 690 (in that order). Then, approximately three weeks before my actual test date, I scored a 760 on an actual ManhattanGMAT practice test. I scored a 750 (98% percentile) on the actual GMAT (99% percentile verbal and 82% math) and 5.5 on the essays.
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR: My course was taught by Jonathan Schneider. I found him to be very thorough and intelligent and I really enjoyed his instruction style. He taught the class to the median student, which I think in our class was probably ~600. My one complaint during the course was that the class didn?t focus as much as I would have liked on 700-800 level questions Looking back however, I think the question mix in class was just right. If you want to achieve a 700+, it?s extremely important to get the 600-700 level questions right and the in-class questions prepare you very well to do that. In order to get the 700-800 level questions right it requires a lot of work on your own (and going to the instructor with specific questions).
MANHATTAN GMAT vs. KAPLAN etc.: My fianc? took a Kaplan class. Her score appreciation from the diagnostic to the actual test was very similar (670 to 740). I think she took 2-3 more practice tests than I did though and took the test twice to achieve her target score (I only took it once). I think MGMAT is generally better for several reasons (1) Better pay = better instructors (2) ManhattanGMAT has their own study materials for each math topic and type of verbal question. There were about 10 books in all. That said and although they are very good, be leery not to rely on these too much at the expense of not doing a sufficient number of OG problems (there?s no substitute for the real thing!) (3) Practice tests and question banks are generally very challenging and I think it helps to study with a program that makes the test seem harder than it?s actually going to be (rather than vice versa) and (4) The analytics on the website related to how long you are taking and how well you are doing on specific question types is extremely valuable and I?m pretty sure it?s not something Kaplan offers (at least they didn?t as recently as one year ago).
MGMAT also has office hours and study labs. I personally didn?t find either of these to be terribly useful. I found the lab instructors to be condescending in their tone and the material to be overly rudimentary. As for the office hours, I used it about 3 times. Once I had a very good instructor who was helpful in addressing my questions, but the other two times I thought that I was going around in circles with the instructor (not sure if that had to do with the communication medium or because they just didn?t understand the material).
ADVICE: I had a great experience with ManhattanGMAT. I thought the materials were very thorough and the instruction was very good. I strongly recommend taking a prep class of some sort for two reasons. First, the ?tips? on how to attack data sufficiency problems, the essays and how to gues strategically et. are very valuable and are not likely to be in the printed materials. Second, the syllabus and associated weekly classes and homework assignments provide a regimen that in my opinion makes it more likely that you will study more and achieve your potential, which relates to my next point. The single biggest variable related to how well you will do is study time (and not which class you take). There is unfortunately no substitute for putting in the requisite study time.
If you are worried about raising your math score, you are going to have to do a significant amount of work. I work in finance and crunch numbers all day and am generally quick with the kinds of calculations seen on the GMAT, but I found the math section very difficult. For the avoidance of doubt, I found the principles relatively elementary and straightforward, but figuring out to apply them in the 2min/question allotted time frame is not simple. I?m not sure what to say about this other than practice makes perfect?.
RESULTS: I took a diagnostic test before the beginning of the MGMAT class and scored a 680. I then took subsequent MGMAT tests every 3-4 weeks and scored 680, 690 and 690 (in that order). Then, approximately three weeks before my actual test date, I scored a 760 on an actual ManhattanGMAT practice test. I scored a 750 (98% percentile) on the actual GMAT (99% percentile verbal and 82% math) and 5.5 on the essays.
COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR: My course was taught by Jonathan Schneider. I found him to be very thorough and intelligent and I really enjoyed his instruction style. He taught the class to the median student, which I think in our class was probably ~600. My one complaint during the course was that the class didn?t focus as much as I would have liked on 700-800 level questions Looking back however, I think the question mix in class was just right. If you want to achieve a 700+, it?s extremely important to get the 600-700 level questions right and the in-class questions prepare you very well to do that. In order to get the 700-800 level questions right it requires a lot of work on your own (and going to the instructor with specific questions).
MANHATTAN GMAT vs. KAPLAN etc.: My fianc? took a Kaplan class. Her score appreciation from the diagnostic to the actual test was very similar (670 to 740). I think she took 2-3 more practice tests than I did though and took the test twice to achieve her target score (I only took it once). I think MGMAT is generally better for several reasons (1) Better pay = better instructors (2) ManhattanGMAT has their own study materials for each math topic and type of verbal question. There were about 10 books in all. That said and although they are very good, be leery not to rely on these too much at the expense of not doing a sufficient number of OG problems (there?s no substitute for the real thing!) (3) Practice tests and question banks are generally very challenging and I think it helps to study with a program that makes the test seem harder than it?s actually going to be (rather than vice versa) and (4) The analytics on the website related to how long you are taking and how well you are doing on specific question types is extremely valuable and I?m pretty sure it?s not something Kaplan offers (at least they didn?t as recently as one year ago).
MGMAT also has office hours and study labs. I personally didn?t find either of these to be terribly useful. I found the lab instructors to be condescending in their tone and the material to be overly rudimentary. As for the office hours, I used it about 3 times. Once I had a very good instructor who was helpful in addressing my questions, but the other two times I thought that I was going around in circles with the instructor (not sure if that had to do with the communication medium or because they just didn?t understand the material).
ADVICE: I had a great experience with ManhattanGMAT. I thought the materials were very thorough and the instruction was very good. I strongly recommend taking a prep class of some sort for two reasons. First, the ?tips? on how to attack data sufficiency problems, the essays and how to gues strategically et. are very valuable and are not likely to be in the printed materials. Second, the syllabus and associated weekly classes and homework assignments provide a regimen that in my opinion makes it more likely that you will study more and achieve your potential, which relates to my next point. The single biggest variable related to how well you will do is study time (and not which class you take). There is unfortunately no substitute for putting in the requisite study time.
If you are worried about raising your math score, you are going to have to do a significant amount of work. I work in finance and crunch numbers all day and am generally quick with the kinds of calculations seen on the GMAT, but I found the math section very difficult. For the avoidance of doubt, I found the principles relatively elementary and straightforward, but figuring out to apply them in the 2min/question allotted time frame is not simple. I?m not sure what to say about this other than practice makes perfect?.
Joined: Dec 13, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 8, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 8, 2011
College: University of Ottawa
Major: Marketing
Major: Marketing
Industry: High Technology/Electronics
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
Absolutely worth the price!!! AMAZING
April 24, 2011- Teacher: Tony Caldarone
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 650
I really cannot say enough good things about this course.
-The teacher-
-Tony was AMAZING. Super friendly and helped us approach every problem in a way we could relate to. He was also infinitely patient with us in trying to solve tough problems. As others have mentioned, what was also good was he showed us lots of different ways to solve each problem, so we could use the method that best suited our own style.
-Course content-
-This course is taught very much like a university class- the class covers the most important topics but you are expected to do a lot of reading and practice problems on my own. This suited me perfectly. The content in the books was AMAZING- especially all of the math books. I felt like I got the game genie codes to the secret way to success on the GMAT. So awesome.
-Supplemental materials-
-You get 6 practice exams that are made by MGMAT itself. They are all really amazing practice and were very similar to what I saw on the real exam. Great preparation tools!
-Extra practice questions on their site also helped too
If you are looking for success on the GMAT, TAKE MGMAT!!!
-The teacher-
-Tony was AMAZING. Super friendly and helped us approach every problem in a way we could relate to. He was also infinitely patient with us in trying to solve tough problems. As others have mentioned, what was also good was he showed us lots of different ways to solve each problem, so we could use the method that best suited our own style.
-Course content-
-This course is taught very much like a university class- the class covers the most important topics but you are expected to do a lot of reading and practice problems on my own. This suited me perfectly. The content in the books was AMAZING- especially all of the math books. I felt like I got the game genie codes to the secret way to success on the GMAT. So awesome.
-Supplemental materials-
-You get 6 practice exams that are made by MGMAT itself. They are all really amazing practice and were very similar to what I saw on the real exam. Great preparation tools!
-Extra practice questions on their site also helped too
If you are looking for success on the GMAT, TAKE MGMAT!!!
Joined: Nov 11, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2011
Purchased Course: Jan 18, 2011
College: Spain
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Industry: Aerosp/Autom/Transp Equipment
Country: Spain
Country: Spain
Manhattan Gmat course and materials are excellent
April 18, 2011- Teacher: Carrol Chang
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 460 After: 740
I believe that Manhattan's course and web materials are the best.
I was a little worried about the GMAT because English is not my first language, but here they taught me all I needed to get a good score.
I was a little worried about the GMAT because English is not my first language, but here they taught me all I needed to get a good score.
Joined: Apr 3, 2011
Purchased Course: Dec 2, 2010
Purchased Course: Dec 2, 2010
College: Lehigh University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
720 With Manhattan GMAT!! Thank you MGMAT!
April 16, 2011- Teacher: Abby P.
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I am so overwhelmed with how great my experience with Manhattan GMAT was! I began my GMAT prep in December 2010 with materials from a different company and was less than impressed. As I moved through the books I felt as though I was only learning strategies to back into the right answer, and how to guess with the best chance of getting the question right. After a few weeks of using this material, I felt like I needed a more comprehensive program through which I could actually learn the topics tested on the GMAT.
That is when a colleague of mine suggested Manhattan GMAT. In January 2011 I took my first practice test ? 640. Not bad, but not where I wanted to be since I was looking to at least break the 700 barrier. I dove into the Manhattan GMAT 9 Week course in Philadelphia with Abby, and followed the syllabus exactly. I spent most of my time during the week moving through the Strategy Guides, making sure that I really understood the content before moving on. The In-Action problems at the end of each section are especially helpful because they helped me identify topics that I didn?t really understand after my first read of the chapter. I also stuck pretty close to Abby?s direction not to touch the Quant and Verbal Official Guides (the blue and green books), and used only the Official Guide 12th Edition in my practice.
As the course progressed, I had some disappointing results in my subsequent practice exams (600, 640), but after meeting with Abby, I was able to understand that my performance was due to two factors: 1) My timing. Now that I understood the topics better, and had more tools to solve the quant problems, I was taking too long on really difficult problems, with little pay off. 2) I was burning myself out. Abby helped me understand that this process is a marathon, and not a sprint, and that one could not study for 6+ hours at a time without impairing his or her critical thinking skills. Abby?s advice to relax a little, and find some more balance paid off in a big way. On my final MGMAT CAT I scored a 700, and on my GMAT Prep practice exam I scored a 710.
With a few more weeks of diligent studying, and without over-doing it, I was elated to score a 720 (77th percentile Quant, 95th percentile Verbal, 6.0 AWA) on my actual GMAT. I couldn?t have done it without Manhattan GMAT and Abby. The materials, including the strategy guides, and the online resources (Official Guide Tracker, question banks, CATs, Online Labs, etc.) are arguably the best GMAT prep materials on the market. However, the real difference between Manhattan GMAT and the other test prep programs are the instructors. MGMAT instructors invest a significant amount of time and energy in students? learning, and help tailor the experience to each student?s specific needs. With weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions, and an individualized post-course evaluation, each student is able to address his or her own particular weaknesses and achieve significant score appreciation. Abby, in particular, was a very important factor in my success, and I couldn?t have done it without her guidance.
Thank you Manhattan GMAT!!
That is when a colleague of mine suggested Manhattan GMAT. In January 2011 I took my first practice test ? 640. Not bad, but not where I wanted to be since I was looking to at least break the 700 barrier. I dove into the Manhattan GMAT 9 Week course in Philadelphia with Abby, and followed the syllabus exactly. I spent most of my time during the week moving through the Strategy Guides, making sure that I really understood the content before moving on. The In-Action problems at the end of each section are especially helpful because they helped me identify topics that I didn?t really understand after my first read of the chapter. I also stuck pretty close to Abby?s direction not to touch the Quant and Verbal Official Guides (the blue and green books), and used only the Official Guide 12th Edition in my practice.
As the course progressed, I had some disappointing results in my subsequent practice exams (600, 640), but after meeting with Abby, I was able to understand that my performance was due to two factors: 1) My timing. Now that I understood the topics better, and had more tools to solve the quant problems, I was taking too long on really difficult problems, with little pay off. 2) I was burning myself out. Abby helped me understand that this process is a marathon, and not a sprint, and that one could not study for 6+ hours at a time without impairing his or her critical thinking skills. Abby?s advice to relax a little, and find some more balance paid off in a big way. On my final MGMAT CAT I scored a 700, and on my GMAT Prep practice exam I scored a 710.
With a few more weeks of diligent studying, and without over-doing it, I was elated to score a 720 (77th percentile Quant, 95th percentile Verbal, 6.0 AWA) on my actual GMAT. I couldn?t have done it without Manhattan GMAT and Abby. The materials, including the strategy guides, and the online resources (Official Guide Tracker, question banks, CATs, Online Labs, etc.) are arguably the best GMAT prep materials on the market. However, the real difference between Manhattan GMAT and the other test prep programs are the instructors. MGMAT instructors invest a significant amount of time and energy in students? learning, and help tailor the experience to each student?s specific needs. With weekly one-on-one tutoring sessions, and an individualized post-course evaluation, each student is able to address his or her own particular weaknesses and achieve significant score appreciation. Abby, in particular, was a very important factor in my success, and I couldn?t have done it without her guidance.
Thank you Manhattan GMAT!!
Joined: Apr 14, 2011
Purchased Course: Sep 6, 2010
Purchased Course: Sep 6, 2010
College: Victoria University of Wellington
Country: England
Well structured course for busy people
April 14, 2011- Teacher: Robert Wilburn
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
I couldn't have done as well as I did on the GMAT without the help of Manhatten GMAT (MGMAT).
MGMAT's course framework provided me with a clear and effective plan to cover all the areas that I needed to revise for the GMAT (in particular, the quant material); this meant that each week I could focus on specific areas in depth, while knowing that I would still cover all the material by the end of the course. Most people doing the MGMAT course are trying to balance work and life, let alone studying for the GMAT, so to be given a set study program was a lifesaver for me. In addition to this study programme, the MGMAT study books are brilliant; they are well written and clearly explain the concepts, so are an invaluable resource outside of the tutorials. The MGMAT diagnostic tools are also excellent for identifying particular weaknesses so that these can then be worked on.
The classroom tutorials are also worth their weight in gold. The tutor I had was brilliant at explaining math concepts that I, and the rest of the class, struggled with. The tutorial numbers are small, which means it's possible for the class to take the extra time on the tough problems or topics, and also allows you to ask questions when you're just not understanding it. Studying with the other classmates definitely helps with the motivation as well.
There's no doubt about it that preparing for the GMAT requires a lot of hours of individual study; what MGMAT did for me was help create a study strategy and provide me with the motivation to achieve my goals. On top of that, MGMAT took me to new heights, enabling me to solve the more difficult GMAT problems, that I could not have achieved studying alone.
MGMAT's course framework provided me with a clear and effective plan to cover all the areas that I needed to revise for the GMAT (in particular, the quant material); this meant that each week I could focus on specific areas in depth, while knowing that I would still cover all the material by the end of the course. Most people doing the MGMAT course are trying to balance work and life, let alone studying for the GMAT, so to be given a set study program was a lifesaver for me. In addition to this study programme, the MGMAT study books are brilliant; they are well written and clearly explain the concepts, so are an invaluable resource outside of the tutorials. The MGMAT diagnostic tools are also excellent for identifying particular weaknesses so that these can then be worked on.
The classroom tutorials are also worth their weight in gold. The tutor I had was brilliant at explaining math concepts that I, and the rest of the class, struggled with. The tutorial numbers are small, which means it's possible for the class to take the extra time on the tough problems or topics, and also allows you to ask questions when you're just not understanding it. Studying with the other classmates definitely helps with the motivation as well.
There's no doubt about it that preparing for the GMAT requires a lot of hours of individual study; what MGMAT did for me was help create a study strategy and provide me with the motivation to achieve my goals. On top of that, MGMAT took me to new heights, enabling me to solve the more difficult GMAT problems, that I could not have achieved studying alone.
Joined: Mar 21, 2011
Purchased Course: Nov 15, 2010
Purchased Course: Nov 15, 2010
College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Metallurgical & Materials Science
Major: Metallurgical & Materials Science
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Highly structured program with plenty of resources
March 21, 2011- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
I recently completed Manhattan GMAT's 9 week prep course. I took the GMAT last week and scored 760. A lot of credit for my score goes to Manhattan GMAT and the instructor Chris.
The instructor explained the material well and deconstructed example problems very clearly in class. Additionally, Manhattan GMAT offered a ton of study material and other resources including office hours with instructors. My favorite was an online tool that one could use to complete all the Official Guide problems.
I would highly suggest this course and instructor to anyone aiming to get a 700 on GMAT.
The instructor explained the material well and deconstructed example problems very clearly in class. Additionally, Manhattan GMAT offered a ton of study material and other resources including office hours with instructors. My favorite was an online tool that one could use to complete all the Official Guide problems.
I would highly suggest this course and instructor to anyone aiming to get a 700 on GMAT.
Joined: Feb 28, 2011
Purchased Course: Sep 12, 2010
Purchased Course: Sep 12, 2010
College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan
February 28, 2011- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I took one of the Fall courses in San Francisco under Ron, and have nothing but good things to say about the experience.
I'm a recent Econ and Chem graduate from UNC, so I wasn't really in need of a huge amount of Quant review. However, the couple of sections I wasn't entirely sure on, Ron did a great job of reviewing. Combinations and Permutations were killing me at the beginning of the class, but I had them down cold after the session focused on them.
He must have done a great job with me on the Verbal as well because I ended up with a higher percentile on that section than the Quant.
I missed a couple classes due to business trips, but Ron did a great job covering my questions on what I missed.
I'm a recent Econ and Chem graduate from UNC, so I wasn't really in need of a huge amount of Quant review. However, the couple of sections I wasn't entirely sure on, Ron did a great job of reviewing. Combinations and Permutations were killing me at the beginning of the class, but I had them down cold after the session focused on them.
He must have done a great job with me on the Verbal as well because I ended up with a higher percentile on that section than the Quant.
I missed a couple classes due to business trips, but Ron did a great job covering my questions on what I missed.
Joined: Feb 21, 2011
Purchased Course: Nov 8, 2010
Purchased Course: Nov 8, 2010
College: Columbia College
Country: United States
MGMAT helped me beat the GMAT...I highly recommend it
February 21, 2011- Teacher: Kate McKeon
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
I recently completed the 9 session Manhattan GMAT course, then got a great score on the GMAT. While I'm a good test taker to begin with, MGMAT was definitely the difference between a decent score and an amazing score. It provided me with both the strategy and confidence to see through all the GMAT's tricks.
The course in general is structured well...some Math and Verbal each day, with homework done throughout the week that prepares you for each class. The books are great and I know people that have used just the books, but having the personal touch each weekend really adds a lot.
The course is kind of like a spin class...you can go through the motions, or you can really hammer it out and make the most of it. I did all the homework and recommend others do too. Then in the two weeks before the test, you already know your deficiencies and you can just work to address them.
I can't speak for all professors but I can speak for mine--she was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and I looked forward to going to class. So between the well-constructed curriculum and the personal attention you get (very small class size, mine was 7 or so), MGMAT is totally worth it.
The course in general is structured well...some Math and Verbal each day, with homework done throughout the week that prepares you for each class. The books are great and I know people that have used just the books, but having the personal touch each weekend really adds a lot.
The course is kind of like a spin class...you can go through the motions, or you can really hammer it out and make the most of it. I did all the homework and recommend others do too. Then in the two weeks before the test, you already know your deficiencies and you can just work to address them.
I can't speak for all professors but I can speak for mine--she was extremely knowledgeable and personable, and I looked forward to going to class. So between the well-constructed curriculum and the personal attention you get (very small class size, mine was 7 or so), MGMAT is totally worth it.
Joined: Jun 22, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 8, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 8, 2010
College: York University
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Broadcasting
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
Great Course and Prep Materials, Highly Recommended
February 17, 2011- Teacher: Tony Calderone
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
This course is highly recommended to anyone preparing for the GMAT.
In May 2010, I decided to start pursuing an MBA, so naturally I began looking at GMAT prep courses. After reading several reviews and discussing with friends, I settled on MGMAT because of the stellar reviews. Overall, I was not disappointed.
The materials are solid for the most part. The quant guides are a must-have for anyone who is not naturally-gifted at math. These were a godsend, and actually taught me new math concepts that I never learned in high school. The only guide I thought lacked clarity was Word Translations. It seems to briefly skim over very important and, often, confusing concepts such as Work/Rate, Overlapping Sets, and Combinatorics. I had to go to outside materials to master these concepts. Otherwise, the quant guides were solid.
The verbal guides are pretty decent as well. The Sentence Correction guide will be your best friend during prep. I probably read through it six or seven times, and referred to my notes countless more times. However, I felt the guide was complex for people without a formal grammar education. I used the PowerScore SC Bible to "warm up". After I went through PowerScore, which described concepts in simple terms, my understanding of topics in the MGMAT SC guide went up significantly. These two books are a powerful duo.
I didn't really make much use of the CR guide. I pretty much used PowerScore CR Bible from the get-go based on reviews.
The RC guide is a nice bonus, but the only way to master RC, in my opinion, is to practice. RC is the hardest to prep for unless you are a reader.
The course itself was great. The teacher obviously knew his stuff and even taught a few tricks that are not covered in the guides. He is reachable by email and typically stay after class to cover a few advanced problems or answer questions. He was patient with students and paced the class well.
I think the biggest bonus was Office Hours. Of the six people that sat near me, I was the only one to use this invaluable resource. You get a 30min weekly call with a MGMAT instructor to discuss any aspect of your prep, be it RC, CR, geometry, etc. This was a great way to ask about advanced topics such as 700+ level overlapping set problems or the difference between which/that. If nothing else, I would just ask the instructor "discuss permutations" and we would go from there.
Overall, the course was solid. If you can spare the cash, it is a great way to keep on track and have an expert guide you. If you can't afford the course, get the course materials and you will not be disappointed.
In May 2010, I decided to start pursuing an MBA, so naturally I began looking at GMAT prep courses. After reading several reviews and discussing with friends, I settled on MGMAT because of the stellar reviews. Overall, I was not disappointed.
The materials are solid for the most part. The quant guides are a must-have for anyone who is not naturally-gifted at math. These were a godsend, and actually taught me new math concepts that I never learned in high school. The only guide I thought lacked clarity was Word Translations. It seems to briefly skim over very important and, often, confusing concepts such as Work/Rate, Overlapping Sets, and Combinatorics. I had to go to outside materials to master these concepts. Otherwise, the quant guides were solid.
The verbal guides are pretty decent as well. The Sentence Correction guide will be your best friend during prep. I probably read through it six or seven times, and referred to my notes countless more times. However, I felt the guide was complex for people without a formal grammar education. I used the PowerScore SC Bible to "warm up". After I went through PowerScore, which described concepts in simple terms, my understanding of topics in the MGMAT SC guide went up significantly. These two books are a powerful duo.
I didn't really make much use of the CR guide. I pretty much used PowerScore CR Bible from the get-go based on reviews.
The RC guide is a nice bonus, but the only way to master RC, in my opinion, is to practice. RC is the hardest to prep for unless you are a reader.
The course itself was great. The teacher obviously knew his stuff and even taught a few tricks that are not covered in the guides. He is reachable by email and typically stay after class to cover a few advanced problems or answer questions. He was patient with students and paced the class well.
I think the biggest bonus was Office Hours. Of the six people that sat near me, I was the only one to use this invaluable resource. You get a 30min weekly call with a MGMAT instructor to discuss any aspect of your prep, be it RC, CR, geometry, etc. This was a great way to ask about advanced topics such as 700+ level overlapping set problems or the difference between which/that. If nothing else, I would just ask the instructor "discuss permutations" and we would go from there.
Overall, the course was solid. If you can spare the cash, it is a great way to keep on track and have an expert guide you. If you can't afford the course, get the course materials and you will not be disappointed.
Joined: Feb 9, 2011
Purchased Course: Jul 23, 2010
Purchased Course: Jul 23, 2010
College: College of the Holy Cross
Major: Mathematics
Major: Mathematics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Well worth the money
February 9, 2011- Teacher: Faruk Bursal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
I went into this class knowing I was not a great test taker and would need to improve a ton on my verbal skills in order to break 700. My Manhattan GMAT Professor Faruk Bursal was incredibly helpful in teaching how to approach the test so that timing wouldn't be an issue. The materials that you receive are incredibly helpful and versatile enough that you can adjust how much time you want to spend on a given subject depending on how comfortable you were. Manhattan GMAT also provides awesome excel files that help you budget your study time on a weekly basis. I wound up scoring in the 86th and 85th percentiles for the Verbal and Quant sections. This class was worth every penny.
Startegies and Material
January 5, 2011- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
I initially was planning to prep on my own for the GMAT and just take the test. Then someone suggested I take a prep course with Manhattan GMAT and am I glad I did.
Knowing the material is not enough for the GMAT learning the proper strategies is essential to a successful score on the GMAT. Without Manhattan GMAT I would have never learned those strategies. The instructors in my online prep course taught a basic strategy for each type of question so students could modify the techniques to fit themselves. The instructors also went over the various strategies to take to eliminate answer choices if you can not find a final solution to a question. Most importantly the instructors stress time management so that you keep on pace and don't fall behind during the test to avoid leaving answers blank at the end of the test (which will kill your score). Also what was very handy was the fact that the instructors gave strategies on how to handle the essay portion of the test.
Of course the Manhattan GMAT prep course covers the material as well; the instructors were very active in keeping the students involved and participating in the course. The way the instructors keep students involved makes sure the students pay attention and learn the material. I especially found this useful in the verbal section.
The material both online and hard-copy that Manhattan GMAT gives you is top notch. As a student you are given separate subject review books for both the quantitative and verbal subjects, an overall GMAT book full of strategies and problems, and separate quantitative and verbal problem books. As for online material students are given a standard recorded of each session; if you take an online course like me you will also have your recorded sessions available. Also online you have the availability to take many full practice exams, labs to practice and master your strategies, and other online sessions of various topics.
The instructors, teaching methods, and teaching material of the Manhattan GMAT prep course provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain a superb score on the GMAT and I would suggest it to any one planning to take the GMAT
Knowing the material is not enough for the GMAT learning the proper strategies is essential to a successful score on the GMAT. Without Manhattan GMAT I would have never learned those strategies. The instructors in my online prep course taught a basic strategy for each type of question so students could modify the techniques to fit themselves. The instructors also went over the various strategies to take to eliminate answer choices if you can not find a final solution to a question. Most importantly the instructors stress time management so that you keep on pace and don't fall behind during the test to avoid leaving answers blank at the end of the test (which will kill your score). Also what was very handy was the fact that the instructors gave strategies on how to handle the essay portion of the test.
Of course the Manhattan GMAT prep course covers the material as well; the instructors were very active in keeping the students involved and participating in the course. The way the instructors keep students involved makes sure the students pay attention and learn the material. I especially found this useful in the verbal section.
The material both online and hard-copy that Manhattan GMAT gives you is top notch. As a student you are given separate subject review books for both the quantitative and verbal subjects, an overall GMAT book full of strategies and problems, and separate quantitative and verbal problem books. As for online material students are given a standard recorded of each session; if you take an online course like me you will also have your recorded sessions available. Also online you have the availability to take many full practice exams, labs to practice and master your strategies, and other online sessions of various topics.
The instructors, teaching methods, and teaching material of the Manhattan GMAT prep course provide you with an excellent opportunity to gain a superb score on the GMAT and I would suggest it to any one planning to take the GMAT
Joined: Dec 30, 2010
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Sep 25, 2010
College: Yale University
Major: Biochemistry
Major: Biochemistry
Industry: Biotechnology
Country: United States
Country: United States
660 to 750 in 3 months.
December 30, 2010- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 660 After: 750
I signed up for Manhattan GMAT's 9-week live course after being disappointed with my first score (660). I had studied on my own using a KAPLAN prep-book. Obviously, I needed a bit more help to achieve my goals.
A colleague of mine went from a 660 to a 760 after taking the Manhattan GMAT class from the same instructor, Ron Purewal. I'm very grateful that I took my friend's advice because my second score was 750! I took the second exam 3 months after taking the first test.
Here is why Manhattan GMAT was right for me:
- There are so many different resources to use that you can use from web-tutoring, great exams, challenging problems, and online recording of classes.
- Their tips and tricks are spot on! Once I started implementing their recommendations my scores went up.
- Manhattan GMAT classes are offered at a range of times and locations.
- The weekly plans, including the classes, can be completed while you hold a time-intensive full-time job.
- I travel for work a few times a month and was able to keep up with the class by leveraging the online archive. Without this I would have been left far behind.
- The instructors are actually teachers! The last thing you want is to pay for some smart guy who scored 800 and can't help you replicate his results.
A colleague of mine went from a 660 to a 760 after taking the Manhattan GMAT class from the same instructor, Ron Purewal. I'm very grateful that I took my friend's advice because my second score was 750! I took the second exam 3 months after taking the first test.
Here is why Manhattan GMAT was right for me:
- There are so many different resources to use that you can use from web-tutoring, great exams, challenging problems, and online recording of classes.
- Their tips and tricks are spot on! Once I started implementing their recommendations my scores went up.
- Manhattan GMAT classes are offered at a range of times and locations.
- The weekly plans, including the classes, can be completed while you hold a time-intensive full-time job.
- I travel for work a few times a month and was able to keep up with the class by leveraging the online archive. Without this I would have been left far behind.
- The instructors are actually teachers! The last thing you want is to pay for some smart guy who scored 800 and can't help you replicate his results.
Joined: Dec 28, 2010
Purchased Course: Oct 5, 2010
Purchased Course: Oct 5, 2010
College: University of Notre Dame
Major: Foreign Language and Literature
Major: Foreign Language and Literature
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great GMAT Prep Company!
December 28, 2010- Teacher: Liz Ghini
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
Manhattan GMAT is a great company for preparing students to take the GMAT. I had a great instructor who was engaged and energetic, as well as an extremely good teacher.
I think the materials cover all the necessary points, both for math and verbal. The wealth of material is almost overwhelming, but if your teacher guides you through what is most important (which ours did) its manageable.
I'm also very happy with the results. I improved 50 points, to a 760 through the Manhattan GMAT course. This takes me from an average score at the top 5 business schools to within the top 90% of accepted students for my target schoos. I am extremely happy with the results!
I think the materials cover all the necessary points, both for math and verbal. The wealth of material is almost overwhelming, but if your teacher guides you through what is most important (which ours did) its manageable.
I'm also very happy with the results. I improved 50 points, to a 760 through the Manhattan GMAT course. This takes me from an average score at the top 5 business schools to within the top 90% of accepted students for my target schoos. I am extremely happy with the results!
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Purchased Course: Jul 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Jul 25, 2010
College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Engineering
Major: Engineering
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great instructor and well delivered, thoughtful content.
December 16, 2010- Teacher: Dan
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
Dan had a fantastic, patient, and effective instructional style. His delivery and class engagement were top notch and really brought out the best in students, forcing even those who might struggle a bit to comprehend. There is a lot of homework and study content, and the more this is kept on top of, the more it will set students up for success (I fell behind pretty badly but still managed to do well on the test, which I attribute in large part to course absorption of material). Great class and definitely highly recommended!
Excellent
December 6, 2010- Teacher: Jon Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
My course with Manhattan Gmat far exceeded my expectations. They provided me all of the tools and resources I needed to perform well on the exam. I found the online materials to be extensive and very helpful, especially since I was traveling 90% of the time while I was studying. I also appreciated Manhattan Gmat's approach, which focused on teaching the underlying concepts of the material instead of only focusing on guessing and timing strategies. My instructor was amazing and had a keen ability to articulate complex concepts in an easy to understand manner. He also did an excellent job of pacing the class so that everyone's questions were answered, but he never slowed the class down for one particular person. I After I took several practice tests, my instructor also spent time reviewing my test data and providing me with personalized feedback to improve my performance. Overall, great experience.
If you are serious about getting a good score
December 2, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
On the first day of class, our instructor Gregg told us the most important lesson of all: taking this class won't guarantee a good score but putting in the work will. That said, this class will teach you strategies that will help you on test day. I am a native-English speaker and found that my biggest area of improvement from my first diagnostic test to the real thing was on verbal. I scored 740 on the actual test (Q-48/V-44) after starting out at roughly 640 (Q-44, V-34) level at the beginning of the course.
Gregg makes learning the material interesting. He has a great sense of humor and creates a fun class environment. He is very clear in his style of teaching and moves through the structured class at a speed that is ideal for someone who knows the material but can use a refresher on some concepts. For someone hoping to score over 700+, the class was challenging enough and Gregg offered multiple ways to solve difficult problems. The instructor, the class, and the company are all top-notch.
Gregg makes learning the material interesting. He has a great sense of humor and creates a fun class environment. He is very clear in his style of teaching and moves through the structured class at a speed that is ideal for someone who knows the material but can use a refresher on some concepts. For someone hoping to score over 700+, the class was challenging enough and Gregg offered multiple ways to solve difficult problems. The instructor, the class, and the company are all top-notch.
Joined: Nov 18, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 10, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 10, 2010
Major: Engineering
Industry: High Technology/Electronics
Country: United States
Country: United States
The most fun I've ever had studying for a standarized test.
November 22, 2010- Teacher: Jayson Beatty
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 760
Irreverent and determined. Jayson kept class interesting with his personal anecdotes and self depricating humor. His attitude is leave no student or question behind, always patient he finds a way to answer tough questions. I really appreciated the emphasis on instruction over in class studying that is built into the Manhattan curriculum. In Jayson's class you are treated like an adult who can plan and study independently but wants a teacher to explain and clarify new and tricky topics. I never felt like my time was wasted on the trivial or the obvious.
I have always considered myself a good student, but I never took to proper grammar. Thanks to my MGMAT class I can't even send a work email without checking to make sure my pronouns have antecedents. Even if I had never taken the GMAT I would have gotten my money's worth for the knowledge I gained at as a writer. If you're still not convinced MGMAT has the cure for what ails your verbal score, let me add that I'm an engineer who avoided English classes for my entire formal education.
I have always considered myself a good student, but I never took to proper grammar. Thanks to my MGMAT class I can't even send a work email without checking to make sure my pronouns have antecedents. Even if I had never taken the GMAT I would have gotten my money's worth for the knowledge I gained at as a writer. If you're still not convinced MGMAT has the cure for what ails your verbal score, let me add that I'm an engineer who avoided English classes for my entire formal education.
Joined: Oct 11, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 16, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 16, 2010
College: Arizona State University
Major: Computer and Information Sciences
Major: Computer and Information Sciences
Industry: Aerosp/Autom/Transp Equipment
Country: United States
Country: United States
Plain Ol' Awesome
November 17, 2010- Teacher: Jayson Beatty
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 680
Teaching was amazing.
Material was amazing.
I don't really have to say much more. If you are willing to put in the work, this class will pay off.
Material was amazing.
I don't really have to say much more. If you are willing to put in the work, this class will pay off.
Joined: Nov 4, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 7, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 7, 2010
College: Rutgers University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Build the foundations first
November 4, 2010- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The course was helpful in that it built the foundations of math and verbal first before tackling the test taking strategy. The instructor was very helpful in teaching things in a simple and logical way. Also, he was very available for any question beyond class. The books are fantastic! My GMAT score improved significantly from the first time to the second time taking the test. I was not happy with the score on my first test, but on the second one I executed the test taking strategy learned in class (especially managing time and focusing on the easy questions) and I hit 700. I?m highly satisfied.
Joined: Oct 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 5, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 5, 2010
College: University of Michigan
Country: United States
Fantastic Experience
October 24, 2010- Teacher: Jon Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I have nothing but extremely positive things to say about my experience with Manhattan GMAT. I took the evening 9 week prep class from 6-9 on Wall Street the summer between my junior and senior years of college. My teacher, Jon Schneider, did a great job of explaining each topic in Manhattan GMAT's comprehensive yet concise curriculum. After finishing the class, I continued to prepare for the exam back at school with Manhattan GMAT's online supplementary material. There is a wealth of resources on the website that students have access to.
Overall, I could not be happier with my selection of Manhattan GMAT. I highly reccomend it to anyone who plans to take the GMATs and is serious about doing well.
Pre-Manhattan GMAT score with no preparation: 590
Post-course official score: 730
Overall, I could not be happier with my selection of Manhattan GMAT. I highly reccomend it to anyone who plans to take the GMATs and is serious about doing well.
Pre-Manhattan GMAT score with no preparation: 590
Post-course official score: 730
without this course you cannot get a great score on GMAT
October 23, 2010- Teacher: Joshua Braslow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
i realy liked it especially the materials they give you, like thebooks and outlines are fantastic. i was trying to study for GMAT by myself and in bookstore it was only severa books and after reading one book you suppose to know how to answer complicatedGmat questions, however Manhattan GMAT gives you about 15 books, which in detail explain everything you need to know with a tons of sample questions. before i took the course i was terrified to take GMAt but now i am ready for it. in addtion, class itself helps you to get on track with the things you need to know for GMAT; but be prepared they will give you so much to study; however it will all pay off!!!
Joined: Oct 20, 2010
Purchased Course: Sep 1, 2009
Purchased Course: Sep 1, 2009
College: McGill
Major: Electrical Engineering
Major: Electrical Engineering
Industry: Telecommunications
Country: Canada
Country: Canada
Great Course
October 20, 2010- Teacher: Stacey Koprince
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The course was taught in such a way that we were always learning a new aspect of the GMAT with each practice question. Stacey stressed the point of studying smarter, with specific questions, so as to learn the strategies taught at Manhattan GMAT. I thought the work done in class was great, and the way the group discussed their answers afterward was extremely beneficial.
The study materials were also excellent, there are a ton of resources that if properly used, are the best way to improve on the GMAT.
The study materials were also excellent, there are a ton of resources that if properly used, are the best way to improve on the GMAT.
Joined: Oct 12, 2010
Purchased Course: Aug 31, 2009
Purchased Course: Aug 31, 2009
College: Union College
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great experience
October 12, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
Manhattan GMAT's 9-week prep course was a great experience. They provide all of the necessary study tools as well as an easy to follow structure. Each class was well rehearsed and our great instructor, Eric, did a great job tailoring the classroom portion of the class to our specific needs.
The practice tests were very helpful to show the progression of my scores and were also very accurate as I ended up with a 700 on the actual gmat and was right around 690 on my latter practice tests.
I would highly recommend not only the Manhattan GMAT class, but also Eric Caballero specifically as a great teacher!
The practice tests were very helpful to show the progression of my scores and were also very accurate as I ended up with a 700 on the actual gmat and was right around 690 on my latter practice tests.
I would highly recommend not only the Manhattan GMAT class, but also Eric Caballero specifically as a great teacher!
Joined: Mar 31, 2009
Purchased Course: Apr 1, 2009
Purchased Course: Apr 1, 2009
Major: American Studies
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Thorough Prep Course
September 27, 2010- Teacher: Erica Lee
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 580 After: 660
I studied on my own first in an attempt to avoid paying for a class (they're not cheap) but improved my score by 90 points after the course.
I think you get the most out of the course if you put in the time during the course and do the homework. Manhattan GMAT offers a lot of additional study tools, but it's your prerogative to take advantage of them (free weekly one on one tutor session online, simulated practice tests, etc).
My instructor was Erica Lee and she was wonderful. I've had great professors and teachers and I put Erica on par with the best teachers that I've had. She was super responsive and made class fun -- if you can imagine that preparing for the GMATs can be fun. She definitely gives what could otherwise be dry material energy. I also stayed in touch with her between the time that I finished the course and took the test, and touched base with her after the test. She was great.
The Manhattan GMAT books themselves are a worthwhile investment. They explain things so thoroughly, it's like reading beginner text books from middle school (in a good way). If you ever come across something you don't understand the book is a great reference.
I think you get the most out of the course if you put in the time during the course and do the homework. Manhattan GMAT offers a lot of additional study tools, but it's your prerogative to take advantage of them (free weekly one on one tutor session online, simulated practice tests, etc).
My instructor was Erica Lee and she was wonderful. I've had great professors and teachers and I put Erica on par with the best teachers that I've had. She was super responsive and made class fun -- if you can imagine that preparing for the GMATs can be fun. She definitely gives what could otherwise be dry material energy. I also stayed in touch with her between the time that I finished the course and took the test, and touched base with her after the test. She was great.
The Manhattan GMAT books themselves are a worthwhile investment. They explain things so thoroughly, it's like reading beginner text books from middle school (in a good way). If you ever come across something you don't understand the book is a great reference.
Joined: Sep 27, 2010
Purchased Course: Dec 3, 2009
Purchased Course: Dec 3, 2009
College: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Major: Manufacturing Engineering
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Well worth the money!
September 27, 2010- Teacher: Emily Sledge
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
This course really whipped me into shape for the big test. I loved the strategy guides and the lessons were very interactive. Most helpful pieces: Number Property Strategy Guide, Timing Lab, Data Sufficiency strategies (mostly in class), and the instructor office hours. I got a 730 on the first try and I felt like I could scored even higher if I took it again.
Joined: Nov 24, 2009
Purchased Course: Aug 17, 2009
Purchased Course: Aug 17, 2009
College: Cal State Northridge
Major: Business
Major: Business
Industry: Real Estate Finance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan Gmat is the only way to go
September 27, 2010- Teacher: Emily Sledge
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 630 After: 730
I initially took the gmat after about a month of studying. I got a 630, and was initially content with the score. I applied to a couple schools, but was rejecting from all of them. Two years lapsed and I decided to take the Gmat again, but this time with the goal of getting above a 680. I did a great deal of research regarding what the best program would be. After looking into all of the programs, i decided on Manhattan GMAT. I am very glad I made my decision. Emily was incredible, and the online study dynamic was exactly what I was looking for. If you follow the program the way it is intended, I can almost guarantee an improvement in your score. The material was excellent, and the teaching methods were great. Above all, I benefited greatly from the practice exams that Manhattan GMAT provided. Having taken all of the practice exams a number of times, I was able to specifically pinpoint the areas I had mastered, as well as the areas I still needed work on. I took the GMAT a week after finishing the course. I managed to boost my score from a 630 to a 730 :).
In any case, I do not typically write reviews, but felt that I needed to write this review for the benefit of future GMAT examinees. You cannot go wrong with the Manhattan GMAT.
In any case, I do not typically write reviews, but felt that I needed to write this review for the benefit of future GMAT examinees. You cannot go wrong with the Manhattan GMAT.
Joined: Sep 27, 2010
Purchased Course: Oct 7, 2009
Purchased Course: Oct 7, 2009
College: New York University
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Course!
September 27, 2010- Teacher: Dave Malloy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I would have to agree with many of the reviewers - this course was great! Not only was the instructor and staff personable and knowlegable, they made my overall experience fun. I recommend taking a weekend course and really trying to make every class to maximize your ability to perform well come test day. Although I did end up taking the test, several externalities weighed me down on test day and I never ended up releasing my score =/ But that in no way was attributable to Manhattan GMAT!
I am retaking the test this fall and plan to re-engage with Manhattan GMAT and my previous instructor in the next couple weeks.
I am retaking the test this fall and plan to re-engage with Manhattan GMAT and my previous instructor in the next couple weeks.
Joined: Aug 10, 2010
Purchased Course: May 23, 2010
Purchased Course: May 23, 2010
College: Pratt Institute
Major: Graphic Arts/Media Arts
Major: Graphic Arts/Media Arts
Industry: Multimedia
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course! Solid program
September 26, 2010- Teacher: Chris Ryan
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The truth about this course is that if you go to every class, follow the instructions, do all the homework and the tests, you have no choice but to get a great score! I was impressed with how consistent, organized and well thought out the program was! I could not have been happier.
My teacher, Chris, was amazing. He managed to make a mid-week night class as fun and engaging as possible. All questions were always answered and we got out of the class 200%!
My score on the GMAT was 700 after a the two-month ManhattanGMAT course without any prior preparation whatsoever! Not only did I got the score I was shooting for, got my money's worth, but also improved my math and English grammar skills.
My advice: GO FOR IT!
My teacher, Chris, was amazing. He managed to make a mid-week night class as fun and engaging as possible. All questions were always answered and we got out of the class 200%!
My score on the GMAT was 700 after a the two-month ManhattanGMAT course without any prior preparation whatsoever! Not only did I got the score I was shooting for, got my money's worth, but also improved my math and English grammar skills.
My advice: GO FOR IT!
Best Prep!
September 26, 2010- Teacher: Kara Thornton
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 690
Manhattan GMAT is definitely the most effective course out there.
I've read through the review books and materials of basically every single possible prep company out there. The extensive verbal and quant strategy guides that MGMAT uses was really a critical piece to my preparation. The content covered in the guides beats all other prep materials out there. After taking the course I really felt as prepared as I possibly could be.
My instructors were excellent and very well-qualified to teach the course. They were very attentive and always answered my questions and emails promptly. Everything that we discussed in class were not just a repeat of the strategy guides but in fact went beyond what was in the books.
Thorough preparation. Best and smartest material prep in the market. Professional, attentive instructions.
I've read through the review books and materials of basically every single possible prep company out there. The extensive verbal and quant strategy guides that MGMAT uses was really a critical piece to my preparation. The content covered in the guides beats all other prep materials out there. After taking the course I really felt as prepared as I possibly could be.
My instructors were excellent and very well-qualified to teach the course. They were very attentive and always answered my questions and emails promptly. Everything that we discussed in class were not just a repeat of the strategy guides but in fact went beyond what was in the books.
Thorough preparation. Best and smartest material prep in the market. Professional, attentive instructions.
Joined: Sep 5, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 25, 2010
College: Princeton
Major: English
Major: English
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
great prep experience and materials
September 25, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I came into the course not really knowing much about the GMAT. The most I knew was that it was computer-adaptive, whatever that meant.
Since the first class, Gregg quickly got the class up to speed on the ins and outs of the exam--from getting the class familiar with both the content of the exam and the scoring mechanism to providing very good study tips for the exam.
Overall, Gregg had a great sense of humor and made the class enjoyable. By D-day, I felt very much at ease with the test. He delivered material in a way that made me remember key tips. I'll still remember the following:
- Breathe
- Read small, 'Rite big, and Reread the question
- Put things on flash cards
- Keep track of your errors, especially the stupid ones
In addition to the superb teaching, Manhattan GMAT comes with 6 great CAT exams. The best part about this, for me, was that we could book test appointments at the Manhattan GMAT test center to take tests in simulated environments. This was key for me, as I am prone to getting derailed by various distractions. By the end of the course, I was--dare I say--not too stressed about the test. I became consistent in my GMAT performance, and on d-day, I felt prepared enough to go in to the test center with a smile.
The test is hard--no doubt, there were moments during the actual exam when I thought I was crashing and burning. But because of the tremendous amount of preparation and practice that Manhattan GMAT afforded me, I was able to power through some of the tougher moments during the test.
Since the first class, Gregg quickly got the class up to speed on the ins and outs of the exam--from getting the class familiar with both the content of the exam and the scoring mechanism to providing very good study tips for the exam.
Overall, Gregg had a great sense of humor and made the class enjoyable. By D-day, I felt very much at ease with the test. He delivered material in a way that made me remember key tips. I'll still remember the following:
- Breathe
- Read small, 'Rite big, and Reread the question
- Put things on flash cards
- Keep track of your errors, especially the stupid ones
In addition to the superb teaching, Manhattan GMAT comes with 6 great CAT exams. The best part about this, for me, was that we could book test appointments at the Manhattan GMAT test center to take tests in simulated environments. This was key for me, as I am prone to getting derailed by various distractions. By the end of the course, I was--dare I say--not too stressed about the test. I became consistent in my GMAT performance, and on d-day, I felt prepared enough to go in to the test center with a smile.
The test is hard--no doubt, there were moments during the actual exam when I thought I was crashing and burning. But because of the tremendous amount of preparation and practice that Manhattan GMAT afforded me, I was able to power through some of the tougher moments during the test.
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 31, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 31, 2010
College: Nairobi, Kenya
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Thank God for sliced bread and Manhattan Gmat
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Mark Porath
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 570 After: 680
The material is great, and the teacher Mark Porath, is masterful. He was firm and focused and yet flexible, he not only taught but also inspired.
Joined: Aug 1, 2009
Purchased Course: Aug 1, 2009
Purchased Course: Aug 1, 2009
College: Yale
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Country: United States
Scared me into studying (the math part).
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Andrew Mara
- Recommended for —Verbal: No Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I thought the instructor, Andrew, was pretty good. He was patient when I was completely clueless about something everyone else seemed to understand, and explained it to me. One thing I really dislike is the "pick an answer" exercises, using the cards labeled A through E and a question mark for "I have no clue." It's kind of embarrassing. The classroom is on 14th Street, next to the men's bathhouse -- kind of a transitional area and a hassle to get to if you don't live nearby. Some of the math questions were incredibly difficult (in my opinion), and that scared me so much that I was really giving it my all. In verbal, I was pretty strong already, so I kind of took that part a bit easier (a change to breathe). I give it four stars, vs. 5, because it's kind of an uncomfortable class to take: everyone else is really smart and seemingly smug; it's intimidating and the questions are so much harder than the real exams. I didn't feel happy in the classroom; I felt afraid, insecure, and stupid. But I guess the class did its job.
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 24, 2010
College: University of Pennsylvania
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Private Equity
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great GMAT Prep Class
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Dave Malloy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
Manhattan GMAT's 9-session prep course was an appropriately thorough review of the material for the GMAT for working professionals considering applying to business school in the future. Dave did a great job of covering all of the topics addressed on the exam in as much detail as our class required. In particular, Dave guided us in how to study efficiently and make sure to improve our weaknesses rather than merely confirming our strengths. Overall I thought it was a great course and would definitely recommend it to others looking for a GMAT prep course.
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 17, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 17, 2010
College: Stanford University
Major: Engineering
Major: Engineering
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
Course was more helpful in terms of discipline than content
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Dave Malloy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
Pro's:
- Practice problems discussed in class and detailed explanations afterward
- Dave was very accessible as a teacher and enthusiastic about the content
- 6 CAT exams that were available online for practice
- Extensive question bank and focused content capsules to zone in on problem areas
- Syllabus provided an excellent guideline to break up material / suggest timetables for studying
Con's:
- classes tended to drag a bit at times; sometimes as function of the class participation aspect
- content was helpful but not especially groundbreaking
- Manhattan GMAT books not that helpful; found official GMAT guide to be the most helpful
- Practice problems discussed in class and detailed explanations afterward
- Dave was very accessible as a teacher and enthusiastic about the content
- 6 CAT exams that were available online for practice
- Extensive question bank and focused content capsules to zone in on problem areas
- Syllabus provided an excellent guideline to break up material / suggest timetables for studying
Con's:
- classes tended to drag a bit at times; sometimes as function of the class participation aspect
- content was helpful but not especially groundbreaking
- Manhattan GMAT books not that helpful; found official GMAT guide to be the most helpful
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 13, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 13, 2010
College: San Diego State University
Major: Communication and Journalism
Major: Communication and Journalism
Industry: Legal Services
Haven't learned this much in years!
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The balance between verbal and math is perfect, there are more resources than you know what to do with, and the teachers are incredible. If you miss something, you can go online and listen to the class again.
The online resources and endless, from extra practice work to online demonstrations, to forums about troublesome material.
Ron Purewal was my instructor in San Francisco and I literally don't think I have ever met a more intelligent person that also has such an innate teaching ability.
You get every penny's worth of your money for this course and I can't recommend it highly enough.
The online resources and endless, from extra practice work to online demonstrations, to forums about troublesome material.
Ron Purewal was my instructor in San Francisco and I literally don't think I have ever met a more intelligent person that also has such an innate teaching ability.
You get every penny's worth of your money for this course and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Joined: Sep 24, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 21, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 21, 2010
College: Spelman College
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Manhattan GMAT is amazing.
September 24, 2010- Teacher: Andrew Mara
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
If you?re willing to do your part----Manhattan GMAT will absolutely help you beat the GMAT. The course material that is provided covers every topic you need to know in order to do well on the test. The course is outlined in such a way that students have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the material to a great extent and to master the concepts needed to grasp the concepts being covered. The Math guides that the course offers break the seemingly impossible quant section down into different subtopics that are tackled on a weekly/bi-weekly basis generally speaking so that students can become fairly comfortable with the material being covered before moving on to the next area. The Verbal content of the course was spread fairly evenly throughout the class although, for Sentence Correction for example, students would work of Subject/Verb Agreement one week, modifiers another week, pronoun agreement another week etc. etc. Basically, the course and course materials are organized in such a way that students don't feel as overwhelmed as they otherwise might when faced with the test as a whole.
My instructor Andrew Mara was phenomenal. He broke down complex math/verbal concepts to the very basics so that my classmates and I could better understand the tougher material that we covered. He was always engaging (which is saying something considering we aren't covering very interesting stuff when we?re talking about the GMAT) and he was always willing to answer any and all questions from the class. He gave me advice that was probably the most important piece of information I received when preparing for the GMAT: "Finish the Test." With his help, I came to face the fact that if you can?t answer it within a certain amount of time on the GMAT (i.e. 2 mins for math questions) you need to make your best guess (quickly!!!) and move on. Literally with this advice and the material that we covered in the course that helped shore up my foundation in math which was shaky at best---I saw my score increase over 160 points from my first practice CAT with Manhattan GMAT to the actual exam. In closing---this company knows the GMAT. They give you everything you need do well on the test if you are willing to use the tools they provide and put your best foot forward. The Official Guide Companion and the bright yellow stopwatch and towards the end of my prep period the dry erase board they provide all helped me a great deal. You cannot ask for much more than you get with Manhattan GMAT.
My instructor Andrew Mara was phenomenal. He broke down complex math/verbal concepts to the very basics so that my classmates and I could better understand the tougher material that we covered. He was always engaging (which is saying something considering we aren't covering very interesting stuff when we?re talking about the GMAT) and he was always willing to answer any and all questions from the class. He gave me advice that was probably the most important piece of information I received when preparing for the GMAT: "Finish the Test." With his help, I came to face the fact that if you can?t answer it within a certain amount of time on the GMAT (i.e. 2 mins for math questions) you need to make your best guess (quickly!!!) and move on. Literally with this advice and the material that we covered in the course that helped shore up my foundation in math which was shaky at best---I saw my score increase over 160 points from my first practice CAT with Manhattan GMAT to the actual exam. In closing---this company knows the GMAT. They give you everything you need do well on the test if you are willing to use the tools they provide and put your best foot forward. The Official Guide Companion and the bright yellow stopwatch and towards the end of my prep period the dry erase board they provide all helped me a great deal. You cannot ask for much more than you get with Manhattan GMAT.
Joined: Sep 23, 2010
Purchased Course: Mar 19, 2009
Purchased Course: Mar 19, 2009
Major: Economics
Country: United States
Great Experience With Manhattan GMAT
September 23, 2010- Teacher: Erica Lee
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 700
I had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT - Prior to the course I had a GMAT score of 650, and MGMAT helped propel me to reach 700.
The instructor, Erica Lee, was wonderful. Furthermore, the online tools were extremely useful and complimented to the lessons taught in class.
MGMAT is especially helpful with preparing for the quantitative section of the GMAT as the course not only teaches the underlying math, but also the various and quickest approaches to solving the problems.
In comparison to my previous GMAT course that led me to a score of 650 (I won't mention the name of the provider of that course), the course taught by Manhattan GMAT is vastly superior.
The instructor, Erica Lee, was wonderful. Furthermore, the online tools were extremely useful and complimented to the lessons taught in class.
MGMAT is especially helpful with preparing for the quantitative section of the GMAT as the course not only teaches the underlying math, but also the various and quickest approaches to solving the problems.
In comparison to my previous GMAT course that led me to a score of 650 (I won't mention the name of the provider of that course), the course taught by Manhattan GMAT is vastly superior.
Great teacher, great experience, but no score improvement
September 23, 2010- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 650
The best part about this course was the quality of the instructor. He was enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. Having a boring instructor could have made taking this prep course terrible, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The materials given to you at the beginning are great guides. The practice problems are helpful. I think the best book is the new Official Guide Quantitative Solutions book which provides an in-depth guide to every solution. Also, I found Manhattan Gmat's online materials to be helpful- in the "forum", students copy/paste questions from practice exams, and the questions are answered by staff.
That being said, I didn't improve my score at all. I took the exam 3 times- 2 of the times, I scored lower than my original score (BEFORE taking the course), and the 3rd time I scored the same as my original score. I found there to be a pretty large discrepancy between my verbal score when I did Manhattan Gmat problems and when I took the actual exams (I scored significantly lower on the actual exam). So... overall, I thought the quality of the course was great, but I didn't end up improving at all.
That being said, I didn't improve my score at all. I took the exam 3 times- 2 of the times, I scored lower than my original score (BEFORE taking the course), and the 3rd time I scored the same as my original score. I found there to be a pretty large discrepancy between my verbal score when I did Manhattan Gmat problems and when I took the actual exams (I scored significantly lower on the actual exam). So... overall, I thought the quality of the course was great, but I didn't end up improving at all.
Joined: Sep 23, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2009
Purchased Course: Jan 12, 2009
College: University of Pennsylvania
Major: History
Major: History
Industry: High Technology/Electronics
Country: United States
Country: United States
Phenomenal Classes and Materials!
September 23, 2010- Teacher: Erica Lee
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 660
I had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT. I credit my teacher, Erica Lee and MGMAT's prep materials and website for my success. The biggest factor to improving my score 120 points (from the first practice test I took), was Erica. Her classes were dynamic and quite engaging considering the subject. Erica was able to boil down the concepts required for the test to their fundamental pieces and then helped us combine our new skills and knowledge to solve increasingly difficult problems.
Additionally, I never ran out of practice problems and practice tests. MGMAT's printed materials, while very expensive, proved valuable as I had the opportunity to practice each skill over and over again. The website and the MGMAT practice tests were another significant asset.
Without MGMAT and especially Erica, I don't think I would have gotten into one of my top choice schools.
Additionally, I never ran out of practice problems and practice tests. MGMAT's printed materials, while very expensive, proved valuable as I had the opportunity to practice each skill over and over again. The website and the MGMAT practice tests were another significant asset.
Without MGMAT and especially Erica, I don't think I would have gotten into one of my top choice schools.
Good preparation of material
September 22, 2010- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
This course was a 9 week course. Each week, the instructor focused on a couple of different topics that come up often on the test (ie. Reading comp & geometry) and potential pitfalls of students. Basically, the class is a review session of the homework for that week. The syllabus breaks down the course into more manageable practice sets (but it's a lot of work). You have to do the work to get the most out of the classes. But I liked Manhattan GMAT because they were very flexible about making up classes, scheduling practice exams and using the facilities. They are really nice to their students.
The instructor obviously had a lot of years of teaching experience. Answered questions solidly and knew what she was talking about, earned the class' respect. Made class after work amusing and engaging. She was also a really nice person which was a bonus.
The instructor obviously had a lot of years of teaching experience. Answered questions solidly and knew what she was talking about, earned the class' respect. Made class after work amusing and engaging. She was also a really nice person which was a bonus.
Joined: Sep 22, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 8, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 8, 2010
College: Hamilton College
Major: History
Major: History
Industry: Education
Country: United States
Country: United States
Reap What you Sow
September 22, 2010- Teacher: Ian Jorgeson
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 620 After: 700
MGMAT's class is fantastic. Ian helped me get my math to an acceptable level (42), while imparting the advanced tricks that helped me to squeeze every last point out of the verbal section (44). I actually looked forward to going to class, and Ian was always organized and ready to go.
The materials are also well done and very useful. There is a large volume of material to review, and that leads me to one caution for future students: You have to work at this class. I spent 10-15 hours per week reviewing and doing practice problems. Do not expect the three hours per week of class to help you at all, unless you go home and put your time in. With plenty of work, the class will help you refine your technique, timing, and brush up on any deficient content areas. If you need help with the Verbal section in particular, I would suggest enrolling with Ian. He also teaches LSAT, and it shows in his mastery of the GMAT verbal. I scored in the 99%ile in the verbal on both SAT and ACT, but I found Ian's help invaluable in posting a good verbal score on the GMAT. Good luck!
The materials are also well done and very useful. There is a large volume of material to review, and that leads me to one caution for future students: You have to work at this class. I spent 10-15 hours per week reviewing and doing practice problems. Do not expect the three hours per week of class to help you at all, unless you go home and put your time in. With plenty of work, the class will help you refine your technique, timing, and brush up on any deficient content areas. If you need help with the Verbal section in particular, I would suggest enrolling with Ian. He also teaches LSAT, and it shows in his mastery of the GMAT verbal. I scored in the 99%ile in the verbal on both SAT and ACT, but I found Ian's help invaluable in posting a good verbal score on the GMAT. Good luck!
Joined: Jun 18, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 17, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 17, 2010
College: Boston College
Major: Communication and Journalism
Major: Communication and Journalism
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
The GMAT... Death by Data Sufficiency
September 21, 2010- Teacher: Ron Purewall
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The GMAT and I were never meant to be friends. I am not a standardized test taker; I have the 520 GMAT score where I panicked during the math section to prove it. I was lucky enough to take the Manhattan GMAT course not once but twice because I was determined to get a 700. Thanks to Ron's engaging teaching style, enthusiasm for the GMAT and patience for many questions combined with Manhattan GMAT's excellent course materials, I was finally about to get that dream score. I have recommended Manhattan GMAT to anyone willing to listen. It is absolutely worth the investment for anyone who does not excel at standardized tests. It's a no-brainer.
Joined: Sep 20, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 23, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 23, 2010
College: Arizona states
Industry: Highly Diversified Manufac and Service
Country: United States
Country: United States
MGMAT- good course if you are prepared to work hard!
September 20, 2010- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I took one in Jun 2010, I am going to take GMAT in Nov so I don't have results yet however the experience has been great. The instructor put his full efforts in showing us all the tricks and tips to watch out for twists in questions. The class was very conveniently located and was very decent. The material however is the best part of the course. MGMAT provides you the best books, online resources and class room trainig. The books are very well written and the online resources are very useful. They provide you good techniques to save time and answer intelligently.
I would recommend this to working professionals who have less time to prepare but want to score high to get into decent school
I would recommend this to working professionals who have less time to prepare but want to score high to get into decent school
Joined: Sep 20, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 18, 2010
Purchased Course: Feb 18, 2010
College: University of Michigan
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Biotechnology
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great course with excellent teachers!
September 20, 2010- Teacher: Ron Purewal
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
Manhattan GMAT provided an excellent course in all areas (math, verbal, and writing) and I highly recommend it to any students who are taking the GMAT.
The course has 9, in-depth sessions with homework that allows the student to really learn the material and understand what the GMAT is after The goal of the course is to teach the students how to solve the problems with the appropriate methods. At the same time, the course teaches techniques for guessing correctly at problems that may be too tough and understanding where the GMAT is actually trying to trick you.
The teachers are all AMAZING and have scored in the 99th percentile. Their interview process is quite rigorous, and they get are compensated quite well, so their incentives are aligned. Manhattan GMAT really spares no expense in making sure its students get the best possible education.
My teacher, Ron Purewal, was excellent. He covered all the material needed and also made learning a very down to earth and fun experience. He was able to take problems are really help all the student's understand while also implementing a test-like atmosphere at times with timed answers. If you ever had any questions, he was always available to answer. The best thing about Ron is that he understands how people learn, so he is well suited to teach students.
After my course was I over, I spent about 6 more weeks studying for the test per the course material and recommended review. I found the online material (for post-course studying) very, very helpful. It allowed me to thoroughly practice on various sections that I felt weak on and had clear explanations for why I got an answer wrong.
I highly recommend the Manhattan GMAT course. Everyone I know who has achieved the highest scores did it through this course!
The course has 9, in-depth sessions with homework that allows the student to really learn the material and understand what the GMAT is after The goal of the course is to teach the students how to solve the problems with the appropriate methods. At the same time, the course teaches techniques for guessing correctly at problems that may be too tough and understanding where the GMAT is actually trying to trick you.
The teachers are all AMAZING and have scored in the 99th percentile. Their interview process is quite rigorous, and they get are compensated quite well, so their incentives are aligned. Manhattan GMAT really spares no expense in making sure its students get the best possible education.
My teacher, Ron Purewal, was excellent. He covered all the material needed and also made learning a very down to earth and fun experience. He was able to take problems are really help all the student's understand while also implementing a test-like atmosphere at times with timed answers. If you ever had any questions, he was always available to answer. The best thing about Ron is that he understands how people learn, so he is well suited to teach students.
After my course was I over, I spent about 6 more weeks studying for the test per the course material and recommended review. I found the online material (for post-course studying) very, very helpful. It allowed me to thoroughly practice on various sections that I felt weak on and had clear explanations for why I got an answer wrong.
I highly recommend the Manhattan GMAT course. Everyone I know who has achieved the highest scores did it through this course!
Joined: Sep 15, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 25, 2010
College: New York University
Major: History
Major: History
Industry: Retailing/Wholesaling
Country: United States
Country: United States
Consistent amazing test prep!
September 15, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I just got out of the 9 week prep class and it was absolutely worth every penny. The material was not just about tricks for taking the test, but Manhattan GMAT coursework and classes actually taught you the material tested on the exam in only 9 weeks. If you are serious about getting a good score and improving, the resources are at your service at Manhattan GMAT. I would highly recommend this course.
Joined: Sep 8, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 10, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 10, 2010
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Good Experience, a lot of hard work
September 15, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: 740
I initially took the GMAT without any formal test prep company. I just studied from the Cracking the Princeton Review book and ended up with a 640...After this I enrolled with Manhattan GMAT. The instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable on the material. The course initially brushed up on basic topics and then dove into more advanced concepts. The material taught and resources used are top notch - especially would recommend the Sentence Correction, Word Translation, and Number Properties guides. However, simply taking the course itself is not enough. I found that even after I finished the course, my practice scores were not improving significantly (hovering between 640 - 670). It was only after I practiced through the Origina Guide questions (both 12th ed and the Review books) that I found my score increase substantially (720-760 range). Ultimately, I did find the course useful from a theory perspective, but you will need to put in a lot of additional effort to iron out the concepts and use them in a time effective manner on the real test. Was happy with the final outcome, 740!
Joined: Sep 11, 2010
Purchased Course: Jul 8, 2010
Purchased Course: Jul 8, 2010
College: Columbia
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great prep program
September 11, 2010- Teacher: Gregg
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
Manhattan GMAT offers smart instructors who know the ins and outs of the GMAT and a solid structure and timeline to prep for the exam. I took the exam before my 9 week course was over and still scored over 700. While ultimately you need to put in the time studying (regardless of which prep program you use, if any) MG teaches great tips and tricks that are helpful on the exam. I have already recommended Manhattan GMAT prep courses to my friends.
Joined: Sep 3, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 6, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 6, 2010
College: Georgetown University
Country: United States
The best decision I ever made!
September 3, 2010- Teacher: Andrew Mara
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
The Manhattan GMAT Prep course is designed for students that want to get a score in the high 600s and 700s. The classroom sizes are small and the instructors themselves have scores in the high 90s percentile. In addition to your weekly classes, Manhattah GMAT offers a free one-on-one phone session with instructors to answer any questions you have - I found this to be really helpful when working through homework problems. What I loved the best about the course however was the test prep materials, including the step by step syllabus - they're set up really well. I would recommend this course to everyone - seriously the best decision I ever made!
Joined: Aug 31, 2010
Purchased Course: May 14, 2010
Purchased Course: May 14, 2010
College: Yale University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Investment Management
Country: United States
Country: United States
Provided firm foundation for understanding in short amount of time
August 31, 2010- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I found that in the course of 9 weeks (plus 2 weeks of post class study time), MGMAT was able to lay a solid foundation of not just content but test taking strategies.
Regarding verbal - I found that the content was not nearly as helpful as the test taking strategies. Their methods of note taking (diagramming) and classification of answer types really help in taking the test.
Math - they cover a ton of content in a very organized fashion. The books are very readable and were useful to get the background of the content. The in-class instruction on the more complex nuances of each topic were done extremely well, though that may likely vary by instructor. I found my instructor, Jonathan, to be excellent. He presented ideas in a clear, understandable manner and managed to move the class along at a good pace while still giving each student a tailored experience.
All in I would highly recommend this class and company, especially as I have friends concurrently using Kaplan and finding it to be much less useful, if helpful at all.
Regarding verbal - I found that the content was not nearly as helpful as the test taking strategies. Their methods of note taking (diagramming) and classification of answer types really help in taking the test.
Math - they cover a ton of content in a very organized fashion. The books are very readable and were useful to get the background of the content. The in-class instruction on the more complex nuances of each topic were done extremely well, though that may likely vary by instructor. I found my instructor, Jonathan, to be excellent. He presented ideas in a clear, understandable manner and managed to move the class along at a good pace while still giving each student a tailored experience.
All in I would highly recommend this class and company, especially as I have friends concurrently using Kaplan and finding it to be much less useful, if helpful at all.
Joined: Aug 27, 2010
Purchased Course: May 19, 2010
Purchased Course: May 19, 2010
Major: Political Science
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent Instructor + Personal Focus = Great Score
August 27, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
The first time I took a GMAT (diagnostic), I scored a 550. After my ManhattanGMAT experience, I scored a 720 (on the actual test). Two things helped (immensely) to get there:
1. Gregg Lachow. Gregg was my instructor. He was nothing short of amazing. He understands what students need to hear (and how they need to hear it) in order to truly grasp something. Gregg knows his stuff. Besides his intelligence, what makes him outstanding is HOW he teaches - his approach to the material. He uses imagery and analogy and association to communicate the content so that it sinks in. He once explained divisibility in terms of espionage - the prime factors of one number spying on the prime factors of another. It was both entertaining and effective.
2. Putting in the time. There's no way around this one. You can't cram for the GMAT. ManhattanGMAT suggests 10-15 hrs a week of studying (outside the classroom). For some, it will be less; for others, more. 10-15 hrs a week is about what I did - for 3 months. It paid off. That's not to say I never felt like I was hitting my head against the wall. I did. I remember pouring hours of time into studying and feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere. You will feel like that too (most of you anyway). Trust that all the time of focused studying you put in will pay off. You might not see returns immediately (in fact, you probably won't), but trust that you will. Carve out the right amount of time (over time), Pour everything you have into those study periods, and see results.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention this: Gregg was the third in-class instructor I experienced at ManhattanGMAT. The first one I had was surprisingly bad; the second one was OK but didn't live up to the ManhattanGMAT hype; the third was Gregg (see #1 above). My point here is not to disparage ManhattanGMAT - no, they were quite amenable to my feedback and willing to place me more appropriately - but rather to let you know that if you find that something is not working at ManhattanGMAT, work with them to fix it (and don't let them charge you extra, or give you a hard time, to do it. You paid good money for a program that bills itself as tops. You should both expect it and tell them you expect it.). It's also fair to say that of all the instructors I interacted with at ManhattanGMAT (I'm including those with whom I interacted in the weekly 30-min tutoring sessions over the phone), the excellent ones outnumbered the not-so-excellent ones. There's variability everywhere - even at ManhattanGMAT.
Last thing I'll say is this: Take advantage of the complimentary 30-min tutoring sessions every week on the phone/online - it's one-on-one tutoring with a real person! One-on-one time is both sparse and critical in GMAT prep. Sign up for the weekly tutoring - what ManhattanGMAT calls Office Hours. You only get one session per week during the course - and if you miss one, it doesn't roll over - so make sure you sign up every week.
Good luck!
1. Gregg Lachow. Gregg was my instructor. He was nothing short of amazing. He understands what students need to hear (and how they need to hear it) in order to truly grasp something. Gregg knows his stuff. Besides his intelligence, what makes him outstanding is HOW he teaches - his approach to the material. He uses imagery and analogy and association to communicate the content so that it sinks in. He once explained divisibility in terms of espionage - the prime factors of one number spying on the prime factors of another. It was both entertaining and effective.
2. Putting in the time. There's no way around this one. You can't cram for the GMAT. ManhattanGMAT suggests 10-15 hrs a week of studying (outside the classroom). For some, it will be less; for others, more. 10-15 hrs a week is about what I did - for 3 months. It paid off. That's not to say I never felt like I was hitting my head against the wall. I did. I remember pouring hours of time into studying and feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere. You will feel like that too (most of you anyway). Trust that all the time of focused studying you put in will pay off. You might not see returns immediately (in fact, you probably won't), but trust that you will. Carve out the right amount of time (over time), Pour everything you have into those study periods, and see results.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention this: Gregg was the third in-class instructor I experienced at ManhattanGMAT. The first one I had was surprisingly bad; the second one was OK but didn't live up to the ManhattanGMAT hype; the third was Gregg (see #1 above). My point here is not to disparage ManhattanGMAT - no, they were quite amenable to my feedback and willing to place me more appropriately - but rather to let you know that if you find that something is not working at ManhattanGMAT, work with them to fix it (and don't let them charge you extra, or give you a hard time, to do it. You paid good money for a program that bills itself as tops. You should both expect it and tell them you expect it.). It's also fair to say that of all the instructors I interacted with at ManhattanGMAT (I'm including those with whom I interacted in the weekly 30-min tutoring sessions over the phone), the excellent ones outnumbered the not-so-excellent ones. There's variability everywhere - even at ManhattanGMAT.
Last thing I'll say is this: Take advantage of the complimentary 30-min tutoring sessions every week on the phone/online - it's one-on-one tutoring with a real person! One-on-one time is both sparse and critical in GMAT prep. Sign up for the weekly tutoring - what ManhattanGMAT calls Office Hours. You only get one session per week during the course - and if you miss one, it doesn't roll over - so make sure you sign up every week.
Good luck!
Joined: Aug 27, 2010
College: Brandeis University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent Instructor + Personal Focus = Great Score
August 27, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 720
The first time I took a GMAT (diagnostic), I scored a 550. After my ManhattanGMAT experience, I scored a 720. Two things helped (immensely) to get there:
1. Gregg Lachow. Gregg was my instructor. He was nothing short of amazing. He understands what students need to hear (and how they need to hear it) in order to truly grasp something. Gregg knows his stuff. Besides his intelligence, what makes him outstanding is HOW he teaches - his approach to the material. He uses imagery and analogy and association to communicate the content so that it sinks in. He once explained divisibility in terms of espionage - the prime factors of one number spying on the prime factors of another. It was both entertaining and effective.
2. Putting in the time. There's no way around this one. You can't cram for the GMAT. ManhattanGMAT suggests 10-15 hrs a week of studying (outside the classroom). For some, it will be less; for others, more. 10-15 hrs a week is about what I did - for 3 months. It paid off. That's not to say I never felt like I was hitting my head against the wall. I did. I remember pouring hours of time into studying and feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere. You will feel like that too (most of you anyway). Trust that all the time of focused studying you put in will pay off. You might not see returns immediately (in fact, you probably won't), but trust that you will. Carve out the right amount of time (over time), Pour everything you have into those study periods, and see results.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention this: Gregg was the third in-class instructor I experienced at ManhattanGMAT. The first one I had was surprisingly bad; the second one was OK but didn't live up to the ManhattanGMAT hype; the third was Gregg (see #1 above). My point here is not to disparage ManhattanGMAT - no, they were quite amenable to my feedback and willing to place me more appropriately - but rather to let you know that if you find that something is not working at ManhattanGMAT, work with them to fix it (and don't let them charge you extra, or give you a hard time, to do it. You paid good money for a program that bills itself as tops. You should both expect it and tell them you expect it.). It's also fair of me to say that of all the instructors I interacted with at ManhattanGMAT (I'm including those with whom I interacted in the weekly 30-min tutoring sessions over the phone), the excellent ones outnumbered the not-so-excellent ones. There's variability everywhere - even at ManhattanGMAT.
Last thing I'll say is: Take advantage of the complementary 30-min tutoring sessions every week on the phone/online - it's one-on-one tutoring with a real person! One-on-one time is both sparse and critical in GMAT prep. Sign up for the weekly tutoring - what ManhattanGMAT calls Office Hours. You only get one session per week during the course - and if you miss one, it doesn't roll over - so make sure you sign up every week.
Good luck!
1. Gregg Lachow. Gregg was my instructor. He was nothing short of amazing. He understands what students need to hear (and how they need to hear it) in order to truly grasp something. Gregg knows his stuff. Besides his intelligence, what makes him outstanding is HOW he teaches - his approach to the material. He uses imagery and analogy and association to communicate the content so that it sinks in. He once explained divisibility in terms of espionage - the prime factors of one number spying on the prime factors of another. It was both entertaining and effective.
2. Putting in the time. There's no way around this one. You can't cram for the GMAT. ManhattanGMAT suggests 10-15 hrs a week of studying (outside the classroom). For some, it will be less; for others, more. 10-15 hrs a week is about what I did - for 3 months. It paid off. That's not to say I never felt like I was hitting my head against the wall. I did. I remember pouring hours of time into studying and feeling like I wasn't getting anywhere. You will feel like that too (most of you anyway). Trust that all the time of focused studying you put in will pay off. You might not see returns immediately (in fact, you probably won't), but trust that you will. Carve out the right amount of time (over time), Pour everything you have into those study periods, and see results.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention this: Gregg was the third in-class instructor I experienced at ManhattanGMAT. The first one I had was surprisingly bad; the second one was OK but didn't live up to the ManhattanGMAT hype; the third was Gregg (see #1 above). My point here is not to disparage ManhattanGMAT - no, they were quite amenable to my feedback and willing to place me more appropriately - but rather to let you know that if you find that something is not working at ManhattanGMAT, work with them to fix it (and don't let them charge you extra, or give you a hard time, to do it. You paid good money for a program that bills itself as tops. You should both expect it and tell them you expect it.). It's also fair of me to say that of all the instructors I interacted with at ManhattanGMAT (I'm including those with whom I interacted in the weekly 30-min tutoring sessions over the phone), the excellent ones outnumbered the not-so-excellent ones. There's variability everywhere - even at ManhattanGMAT.
Last thing I'll say is: Take advantage of the complementary 30-min tutoring sessions every week on the phone/online - it's one-on-one tutoring with a real person! One-on-one time is both sparse and critical in GMAT prep. Sign up for the weekly tutoring - what ManhattanGMAT calls Office Hours. You only get one session per week during the course - and if you miss one, it doesn't roll over - so make sure you sign up every week.
Good luck!
Joined: Aug 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 15, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 15, 2010
College: Whitman College / Duke University
Major: Political Science
Major: Political Science
Industry: Student
Country: United States
Country: United States
Excellent Prep Company!
August 25, 2010- Teacher: Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was on the waitlist for a top-tier B-school that I had applied to with the GRE. I was then in another degree program (Master of Public Policy) and had an excellent GRE score from that program; intra-university applications accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.
While I was waitlisted I was researching my options and found that the admissions committee at my school heavily favored the GMAT for transfer/dual degree students, not just because they consider it a better test than the GRE (I agree) but because they also feel it shows commitment. I resigned myself to the belief that I would not make it off the waitlist and decided to start preparing a future application to a top-tier MBA program. I would start by taking the GMAT, in case the effort helped with my waitlisted application.
Just a week after I signed up for the Manhattan GMAT course I was accepted off the waitlist. While I no longer needed a great GMAT score, I still attended most of the remaining classes to recoup a little of what I had paid for and give myself a good quantitative foundation before B-school started this fall.
But I didn't have much choice in the matter: my excellent teacher wouldn't LET me quit. I received all the help I could ask for and then some; I was even pushed to learn the material better even though I no longer had to take the test and do well on it.
Everything about the company--from the books, to the accessory materials, to the incredible instructor--was impressive, professional, and presented in the highest caliber I could've expected. I highly recommend them as a test prep service. My only direct comparison is with the ~9 session Kaplan course, which my younger sister completed earlier this year. We both agree that I had the better prep experience BY FAR, and now after a mediocre test session she is even considering doing the Manhattan GMAT course before she re-takes the test.
While I was waitlisted I was researching my options and found that the admissions committee at my school heavily favored the GMAT for transfer/dual degree students, not just because they consider it a better test than the GRE (I agree) but because they also feel it shows commitment. I resigned myself to the belief that I would not make it off the waitlist and decided to start preparing a future application to a top-tier MBA program. I would start by taking the GMAT, in case the effort helped with my waitlisted application.
Just a week after I signed up for the Manhattan GMAT course I was accepted off the waitlist. While I no longer needed a great GMAT score, I still attended most of the remaining classes to recoup a little of what I had paid for and give myself a good quantitative foundation before B-school started this fall.
But I didn't have much choice in the matter: my excellent teacher wouldn't LET me quit. I received all the help I could ask for and then some; I was even pushed to learn the material better even though I no longer had to take the test and do well on it.
Everything about the company--from the books, to the accessory materials, to the incredible instructor--was impressive, professional, and presented in the highest caliber I could've expected. I highly recommend them as a test prep service. My only direct comparison is with the ~9 session Kaplan course, which my younger sister completed earlier this year. We both agree that I had the better prep experience BY FAR, and now after a mediocre test session she is even considering doing the Manhattan GMAT course before she re-takes the test.
Joined: Aug 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Apr 13, 2010
Purchased Course: Apr 13, 2010
College: Tufts University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Investment Banking
Country: United States
Country: United States
Beat the GMAT and My Expectations!
August 25, 2010- Teacher: Gregg
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
While studying for the GMAT is never fun and a lot of work, Manhattan GMAT provided me with the motivation to put in the hours and the sage advice to keep me calm about the whole process. They provide more than enough problems (I didn't get a chance to open the supplemental guides).
My teacher was not only great at cutting to the core of each problem, but he handled the class well (keeping us on time and on focus without rushing) and provided a lot of good strategies. He went beyond the written material and really added value to the learning experience.
After completing the course, I studied (no more than 2 hrs a day for 6 days a week) for another 5-6 weeks before taking the exam as instructed by my teacher. Although I was nervous during the exam and felt like I didn't do well initially, these were all things that my teacher had prepared me for and I was very pleased with the result!
It was definitely worth taking the class and putting in the necessary effort so I only had to take the exam once and Manhattan GMAT provided more than enough resources to do that.
My teacher was not only great at cutting to the core of each problem, but he handled the class well (keeping us on time and on focus without rushing) and provided a lot of good strategies. He went beyond the written material and really added value to the learning experience.
After completing the course, I studied (no more than 2 hrs a day for 6 days a week) for another 5-6 weeks before taking the exam as instructed by my teacher. Although I was nervous during the exam and felt like I didn't do well initially, these were all things that my teacher had prepared me for and I was very pleased with the result!
It was definitely worth taking the class and putting in the necessary effort so I only had to take the exam once and Manhattan GMAT provided more than enough resources to do that.
Joined: Aug 25, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 23, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 23, 2010
College: Brown University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: Luxembourg
Country: Luxembourg
1/2 course -> 730!
August 25, 2010- Teacher: Tom Rose
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 630 After: 730
Within 5 weeks, I improved my score from a 630 (cold) to a 730. Had I finished the full 9-week course and allowed myself an extra 2 weeks for review, I could have probably scored in the upper 700s.
I had the pleasure of taking the course in Summer 2010 after graduating undergrad. I was in somewhat of a unique situation, because I did not complete the course before I took the GMAT. About a third of the way through, my teacher recommended that I start taking 2 practice tests per week. By the third exam, I became confident in my ability to score in the 700s, and took the test only 5 weeks after the start of the course. I had never even looked at a GMAT or Computer Adaptive Test before, and was able to score a 730.
The teaching style was very effective, though, at times, I wanted the class to move a bit quicker. To compensate for what I saw as a "slower" in-class treatment of material, I used Manhattan GMAT's online tools, labs and spreadsheets (Thank you, thank you, thank you OG Tracker!). These helped me tremendously in tailoring my own schedule, and made it possible for me to get extra practice and feedback outside of the classroom. The excel spreadsheets are the most underrated tool in all of GMAT review. They allowed me to:
- Effectively track my errors and areas of weakness
- Sort every problem in all OG guides by topic area and type
- Continue reviewing outside of the assigned homework
- Create custom problem sets that were suited to my personal needs
Bottom line: classes were informative and well-structured, my instructor gave me incredible advice by recommending that I go ahead and take the GMAT early (thanks for a month of my life back, Tom!), and Manhattan GMAT gave me every tool to succeed on the GMAT. If you want a class that will prepare you for the test, give you the learning materials that cover the exam, and provide you with intelligent, experienced GMAT teachers, go Manhattan GMAT.
I had the pleasure of taking the course in Summer 2010 after graduating undergrad. I was in somewhat of a unique situation, because I did not complete the course before I took the GMAT. About a third of the way through, my teacher recommended that I start taking 2 practice tests per week. By the third exam, I became confident in my ability to score in the 700s, and took the test only 5 weeks after the start of the course. I had never even looked at a GMAT or Computer Adaptive Test before, and was able to score a 730.
The teaching style was very effective, though, at times, I wanted the class to move a bit quicker. To compensate for what I saw as a "slower" in-class treatment of material, I used Manhattan GMAT's online tools, labs and spreadsheets (Thank you, thank you, thank you OG Tracker!). These helped me tremendously in tailoring my own schedule, and made it possible for me to get extra practice and feedback outside of the classroom. The excel spreadsheets are the most underrated tool in all of GMAT review. They allowed me to:
- Effectively track my errors and areas of weakness
- Sort every problem in all OG guides by topic area and type
- Continue reviewing outside of the assigned homework
- Create custom problem sets that were suited to my personal needs
Bottom line: classes were informative and well-structured, my instructor gave me incredible advice by recommending that I go ahead and take the GMAT early (thanks for a month of my life back, Tom!), and Manhattan GMAT gave me every tool to succeed on the GMAT. If you want a class that will prepare you for the test, give you the learning materials that cover the exam, and provide you with intelligent, experienced GMAT teachers, go Manhattan GMAT.
Joined: Aug 18, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 7, 2010
Purchased Course: Jun 7, 2010
College: UCLA
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Accounting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great Course and Instructor
August 18, 2010- Teacher: Tommy Wallach
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Tommy is a great instructor who is honestly interested in helping students succeed on the GMAT. He communicates the material clearly and provides his personal insight and strategies when possible. The classroom setting was a mix between lecture and discussion. He maintains a comfortable pace throughout the session so all material is presented. During each class session, students are trained to answer questions quickly or guess and move on. This prepares students for the time sensitivity of the actual exam.
The course material is logically divided into 8 books which focus on a particular area of the GMAT. They teach the basics and advanced concepts and strategies. The amount of homework assigned each week was challenging to complete. Class meetings were used to teach new concepts and review certain elements from prior sessions. Homework problems were not reviewed during the class. However, students are allocated 30 minutes a week for private tutoring sessions over the phone. Also, the course uses webcasts effectively to provide students with access to additional lectures.
The course material is logically divided into 8 books which focus on a particular area of the GMAT. They teach the basics and advanced concepts and strategies. The amount of homework assigned each week was challenging to complete. Class meetings were used to teach new concepts and review certain elements from prior sessions. Homework problems were not reviewed during the class. However, students are allocated 30 minutes a week for private tutoring sessions over the phone. Also, the course uses webcasts effectively to provide students with access to additional lectures.
Joined: Aug 17, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 22, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 22, 2010
College: Cornell University
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Major: Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
Industry: Printing/Publishing
Country: United States
Country: United States
Got What I Expected
August 17, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewatha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I've had a a number of friends try Manhattan GMAT, and they've all said that it's fantastic. The tutors are knowledgeable (and relatable), which is key, and the studying materials, incredibly useful.
Some advice: Time management is key. From work to extracurricular activities to all the other stuff that takes up your day, the schedule that the tutors have you on is intense. It's non-stop for more than two months, so take some time out to devote a good portion of your free time to studying. Another tip: Don't take the class during the summer. Your head is someplace else. Mine was on the beach, on where I was eating that night, on weekend mini-trips, not studying. No matter how disciplined you are, summer will temp any student to "cut class" for a day.
Some advice: Time management is key. From work to extracurricular activities to all the other stuff that takes up your day, the schedule that the tutors have you on is intense. It's non-stop for more than two months, so take some time out to devote a good portion of your free time to studying. Another tip: Don't take the class during the summer. Your head is someplace else. Mine was on the beach, on where I was eating that night, on weekend mini-trips, not studying. No matter how disciplined you are, summer will temp any student to "cut class" for a day.
Joined: Oct 29, 2008
Purchased Course: Oct 22, 2008
Purchased Course: Oct 22, 2008
College: Providence College
Major: Finance
Major: Finance
Industry: Diversified Financial Svcs/Insurance
Country: United States
Country: United States
740 (Q49, V41) thanks to MGMAT
August 16, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 740
I know it's just a silly test but I'm so excited that I don't even know where to begin or what to do now. I started in late October 2008 with a 530 MGMAT CAT score and finished the GMAT on Wednesday with 740 result. I am no propeller head so this can be accomplished with time and good study habits. It may take 1 month for the gifted ones out there, 3 months for others, or maybe even a year if you completely screwed off during high school math classes. But eventually things will click. Below is my debrief:
I first thought about an MBA back in 2001 when every other NYC investment banking turd that I was working with at the time told me that I had to do it. So, being young, being dumb, and in over my head with these guys, I followed the crowd. I took a Kaplan class and studied (while working long hours) for a few months before taking the GMAT. Back then I used to put so much pressure on myself that I'd simply have a meltdown on these things. Rule #1 of success on this exam: chill out dude, it's just a test. 1st try 590 (Q44, V27), 2nd try 630 (Q44, V33). I was completely crushed, embarrassed and just gave up on the MBA idea. Although I realize that a 630 isn't bad, I was confident that the net present value of my MBA would certainly be negative. I was not going to get into a top program and I have a somewhat non-conventional opinion on the MBA degree that just forced me to forget about it.
Fast forward 7 years later...I'm in Boston now, unemployed, and thinking a lot about my future so I spent a couple days researching GMAT prep programs in late October. I had never even heard of ManhattanGMAT but most reviews, including those on Beat The GMAT, pointed them out as the best of the bunch. So, since I despised my Kaplan experience and obviously the results, it was a no brainer to check out a free class class.
The instructor was Eric Caballero and his teaching style actually made the subjects interesting and fun. My only concern was that the MGMAT curriculum would be similar to the Kaplan class that I took in '01/'02. Perhaps Kaplan is much different now so I won't bash them too bad but I remember a lot of focus on "Backsolving" and other educated guessing techniques that just didn't work for me (I still find them almost useless.) I also don't recall much focus on Reading Comp or Critical Reasoning techniques, which was a big help to me this time around. Nor do I remember ever seeing OG questions. It was all Kaplan books and practice tests. Anyway, I knew that taking a class would at least get me focused so I forked down a few unemployment checks on it.
About halfway through the syllabus I began to get some sort of sick enjoyment out of this stuff, almost like a puzzle addict. The MGMAT guides were excellent and I followed the heavy syllabus pretty closely (did all the assignments and online labs but usually didn't get to do many OG practice problems). However, I didn't really get serious until after the class was finished in early January. I have a bit of a competitive streak in me and tend to go "tunnel vision" on things that I sincerely commit to doing. So, with the distracting holidays behind me, I completely immersed myself in GMAT for the last 2 months determined to not only erase the embarrassment of '01/'02 but also to beat the hell out of this exam in general. So, although my competitive side is telling me that I could have done better on the test (I need therapy!), I know that a 740 is plenty good enough and I'm happy to say that I achieved my goals. Below was my progression:
MGMAT #1 530 (46%) Q28, V35 (24%, 77%) Oct 24
MGMAT #2 690 (91%) Q44, V39 (73%, 89%) Jan 21
MGMAT #3 710 (94%) Q44, V42 (73%, 96%) Feb 3
MGMAT #4 680 (90%) Q43, V39 (70%, 89%) Feb 10
GMAT Prep #1 690 (88%) Q47, V39 (79%, 87%) Feb 22
GMAT Prep #2 730 (96%) Q45, V45 (75%, 98%) Feb 25
GMAT real 740 (97%) Q49, V41 (88%, 92%) Mar 4
Further thoughts on MGMAT:
Quant
Outstanding. I always considered my quant skills slightly above average, not engineer good but above average. The strategy guides teach all the basic rules that need to be memorized in order to do well on this. The MGMAT guides alone are sufficient to get a 640-680 score. However, when used in conjunction with the online forums (both MGMAT and BTG), one's understanding of these topics explodes as you figure out the different ways of asking about the same subjects. I did just about all of the Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions in the OG 11th Ed (big yellow book), taking notes on tough questions and lessons learned. However, most of the OG answer explanations stink at best. Without the MGMAT and Beat the GMAT forum discussions on just about every OG question out there, I could never have fully understood the topics tested. On the MGMAT CATs and the OG questions, I spent a silly amount of time reviewing different ways to answer each question and the theory behind it. Relative to other people who have posted their results on these forums, I don't think I did nearly as many questions but I spent an absurd amount of time understanding each one that I did do. The explanations to the MGMAT CATs, Question Banks, and Challenge Questions were also thorough and very helpful. I have to say, primarily because of my score jump, that the MGMAT quant in general is more difficult than the GMAT Prep and the real GMAT (especially Geometry). I did not feel that I had done well when I had finished the Quant section on Wednesday's main event (I had to guess on question #1!) so I am pretty shocked by my jump in score.
Verbal
My bread and butter but historically also my achilles heel. In high school, I had a drill sergeant of an english teacher for 2 years who permanently branded parallelism and proper grammar in my head for life. So, from the get go I was killing SC questions, similar to my experience '01/'02. However, as evidenced by my poor Verbal scores back then, I could never get to flash the grammar skills on the GMAT. Since my early school days, teachers have been trying to get me tested for some sort of reading disability. I could never digest what I was reading without having to reread things immediately after. SAT and GMAT RC questions were impossible under the timed conditions. I would never finish things like reading comp questions in the allotted time. It was torture and I dreaded those types of questions. But for whatever reason, after once through the MGMAT RC and CR guides, that problem disappeared forever (where the hell were you for the SATs?). Maybe I got better at critically reading things over the past 8 years of working in a high paced, sink or swim Wall St. environment but still, something clicked when I read those guides. I got so good at RC/CR on the CAT exams that I barely even bothered to do the OG problems (as I look at my OG tracker, I only did 12 RC passages and about 24 CR questions). Because of this drastic improvement in these areas, I not only was able to use the grammar skills to push it on high level questions throughout the verbal section but I also hoped for as many RC questions as possible for easy, quick points. All that said, I'm slightly disappointed in my Verbal score. I got tied up on some hard SC for too long and had to hustle through a couple RC/CRs to catch up. I think another 2 points puts me into the 750+ range but whatever.
AWA
I did little to no prep for this. Study consisted of a brief discussion in class, the online lab, reading a few 6-score topic and essay examples, and practicing on the 4 CATs and 2 GMAT Preps. I hope to hell that it was enough.
Forums
As I mentioned, the content in the forums was a vital study aid. One issue, however: about a month ago MGMAT changed up the search function in the forums. I'm not sure what they did but the new "search" function is garbage. I won't get into it unless you really care but try searching the MGMAT forums for a few Number Properties or Equations, Inequalities, or VIC OG questions that you know have been discussed there. There's a good chance that the query will not produce the threads. Then search for the same question on the Beat the GMAT forum and you'll get my frustration. I can't emphasize enough how important Ron and Stacey were (on both MGMAT and BTG forums) to my understanding of the topics. They are like 24/7 private tutors so thanks guys. But the forums are useless if your search produces no results because of a technology hitch. Someone has to fix the MGMAT search function.
One other comment regarding a class: Most of us want to get this test over as soon as possible. So, if you're signing up for a class (and I do recommend you do if for no other reason than to mold good study techniques), then I suggest checking the class schedule. DO NOT take a class that will be broken up by holidays, vacations, etc. I found momentum to be a strong ally for this stuff but it kept getting cut off by Thanksgiving, Xmas and New Years'. There were 3 weeks between the next-to-last and final class. That's not how you want to finish up when you're hoping to fire out of the gate on your own when the class is over.
Anyway, I hope that's helpful. Thanks again everyone, especially Eric, Stacey and Ron from MGMAT. Remember to commit to good study habits, study at your own pace, and most of all remember that it's only a foolish test. Don't beat yourself up if you get knocked down.
Dave
I first thought about an MBA back in 2001 when every other NYC investment banking turd that I was working with at the time told me that I had to do it. So, being young, being dumb, and in over my head with these guys, I followed the crowd. I took a Kaplan class and studied (while working long hours) for a few months before taking the GMAT. Back then I used to put so much pressure on myself that I'd simply have a meltdown on these things. Rule #1 of success on this exam: chill out dude, it's just a test. 1st try 590 (Q44, V27), 2nd try 630 (Q44, V33). I was completely crushed, embarrassed and just gave up on the MBA idea. Although I realize that a 630 isn't bad, I was confident that the net present value of my MBA would certainly be negative. I was not going to get into a top program and I have a somewhat non-conventional opinion on the MBA degree that just forced me to forget about it.
Fast forward 7 years later...I'm in Boston now, unemployed, and thinking a lot about my future so I spent a couple days researching GMAT prep programs in late October. I had never even heard of ManhattanGMAT but most reviews, including those on Beat The GMAT, pointed them out as the best of the bunch. So, since I despised my Kaplan experience and obviously the results, it was a no brainer to check out a free class class.
The instructor was Eric Caballero and his teaching style actually made the subjects interesting and fun. My only concern was that the MGMAT curriculum would be similar to the Kaplan class that I took in '01/'02. Perhaps Kaplan is much different now so I won't bash them too bad but I remember a lot of focus on "Backsolving" and other educated guessing techniques that just didn't work for me (I still find them almost useless.) I also don't recall much focus on Reading Comp or Critical Reasoning techniques, which was a big help to me this time around. Nor do I remember ever seeing OG questions. It was all Kaplan books and practice tests. Anyway, I knew that taking a class would at least get me focused so I forked down a few unemployment checks on it.
About halfway through the syllabus I began to get some sort of sick enjoyment out of this stuff, almost like a puzzle addict. The MGMAT guides were excellent and I followed the heavy syllabus pretty closely (did all the assignments and online labs but usually didn't get to do many OG practice problems). However, I didn't really get serious until after the class was finished in early January. I have a bit of a competitive streak in me and tend to go "tunnel vision" on things that I sincerely commit to doing. So, with the distracting holidays behind me, I completely immersed myself in GMAT for the last 2 months determined to not only erase the embarrassment of '01/'02 but also to beat the hell out of this exam in general. So, although my competitive side is telling me that I could have done better on the test (I need therapy!), I know that a 740 is plenty good enough and I'm happy to say that I achieved my goals. Below was my progression:
MGMAT #1 530 (46%) Q28, V35 (24%, 77%) Oct 24
MGMAT #2 690 (91%) Q44, V39 (73%, 89%) Jan 21
MGMAT #3 710 (94%) Q44, V42 (73%, 96%) Feb 3
MGMAT #4 680 (90%) Q43, V39 (70%, 89%) Feb 10
GMAT Prep #1 690 (88%) Q47, V39 (79%, 87%) Feb 22
GMAT Prep #2 730 (96%) Q45, V45 (75%, 98%) Feb 25
GMAT real 740 (97%) Q49, V41 (88%, 92%) Mar 4
Further thoughts on MGMAT:
Quant
Outstanding. I always considered my quant skills slightly above average, not engineer good but above average. The strategy guides teach all the basic rules that need to be memorized in order to do well on this. The MGMAT guides alone are sufficient to get a 640-680 score. However, when used in conjunction with the online forums (both MGMAT and BTG), one's understanding of these topics explodes as you figure out the different ways of asking about the same subjects. I did just about all of the Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency questions in the OG 11th Ed (big yellow book), taking notes on tough questions and lessons learned. However, most of the OG answer explanations stink at best. Without the MGMAT and Beat the GMAT forum discussions on just about every OG question out there, I could never have fully understood the topics tested. On the MGMAT CATs and the OG questions, I spent a silly amount of time reviewing different ways to answer each question and the theory behind it. Relative to other people who have posted their results on these forums, I don't think I did nearly as many questions but I spent an absurd amount of time understanding each one that I did do. The explanations to the MGMAT CATs, Question Banks, and Challenge Questions were also thorough and very helpful. I have to say, primarily because of my score jump, that the MGMAT quant in general is more difficult than the GMAT Prep and the real GMAT (especially Geometry). I did not feel that I had done well when I had finished the Quant section on Wednesday's main event (I had to guess on question #1!) so I am pretty shocked by my jump in score.
Verbal
My bread and butter but historically also my achilles heel. In high school, I had a drill sergeant of an english teacher for 2 years who permanently branded parallelism and proper grammar in my head for life. So, from the get go I was killing SC questions, similar to my experience '01/'02. However, as evidenced by my poor Verbal scores back then, I could never get to flash the grammar skills on the GMAT. Since my early school days, teachers have been trying to get me tested for some sort of reading disability. I could never digest what I was reading without having to reread things immediately after. SAT and GMAT RC questions were impossible under the timed conditions. I would never finish things like reading comp questions in the allotted time. It was torture and I dreaded those types of questions. But for whatever reason, after once through the MGMAT RC and CR guides, that problem disappeared forever (where the hell were you for the SATs?). Maybe I got better at critically reading things over the past 8 years of working in a high paced, sink or swim Wall St. environment but still, something clicked when I read those guides. I got so good at RC/CR on the CAT exams that I barely even bothered to do the OG problems (as I look at my OG tracker, I only did 12 RC passages and about 24 CR questions). Because of this drastic improvement in these areas, I not only was able to use the grammar skills to push it on high level questions throughout the verbal section but I also hoped for as many RC questions as possible for easy, quick points. All that said, I'm slightly disappointed in my Verbal score. I got tied up on some hard SC for too long and had to hustle through a couple RC/CRs to catch up. I think another 2 points puts me into the 750+ range but whatever.
AWA
I did little to no prep for this. Study consisted of a brief discussion in class, the online lab, reading a few 6-score topic and essay examples, and practicing on the 4 CATs and 2 GMAT Preps. I hope to hell that it was enough.
Forums
As I mentioned, the content in the forums was a vital study aid. One issue, however: about a month ago MGMAT changed up the search function in the forums. I'm not sure what they did but the new "search" function is garbage. I won't get into it unless you really care but try searching the MGMAT forums for a few Number Properties or Equations, Inequalities, or VIC OG questions that you know have been discussed there. There's a good chance that the query will not produce the threads. Then search for the same question on the Beat the GMAT forum and you'll get my frustration. I can't emphasize enough how important Ron and Stacey were (on both MGMAT and BTG forums) to my understanding of the topics. They are like 24/7 private tutors so thanks guys. But the forums are useless if your search produces no results because of a technology hitch. Someone has to fix the MGMAT search function.
One other comment regarding a class: Most of us want to get this test over as soon as possible. So, if you're signing up for a class (and I do recommend you do if for no other reason than to mold good study techniques), then I suggest checking the class schedule. DO NOT take a class that will be broken up by holidays, vacations, etc. I found momentum to be a strong ally for this stuff but it kept getting cut off by Thanksgiving, Xmas and New Years'. There were 3 weeks between the next-to-last and final class. That's not how you want to finish up when you're hoping to fire out of the gate on your own when the class is over.
Anyway, I hope that's helpful. Thanks again everyone, especially Eric, Stacey and Ron from MGMAT. Remember to commit to good study habits, study at your own pace, and most of all remember that it's only a foolish test. Don't beat yourself up if you get knocked down.
Dave
Joined: Aug 15, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 5, 2010
Purchased Course: Jan 5, 2010
College: Northwestern University
Major: Speech Communication
Major: Speech Communication
Industry: Advertising/Marketing
Superior test-taking fuel
August 15, 2010- Teacher: Chris B.
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 700
I took the Winter 2010 class with Chris B. and had an excellent experience. His enthusiasm for business school was contagious (in a positive way) and his instruction/the Manhattan GMAT curriculum left me feeling very prepared for the test. Achieved my goal score on the first try! A word of advice, though -- if you're committing to the class, then commit to doing the homework assignments. All the insider tips in the world can't replace solid, steady practice.
great program / teacher
August 15, 2010- Teacher: jon schnieder
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 770
i took the course with jon schnieder who did a great job of keeping our overworked group engaged with the material. it was nearly impossible to keep up with the homework during the nine weeks, but Manhattan GMAT is really good about allowing you to attend additional classes and access their amazing online resources once you have finished the course. i buckled down for a month afterward and do not think that i would have scored as well had it not been for going through the 6 adaptive tests, question banks, sentence correction study guide, and listening to some of the lectures online. i would highly recommend manhattan gmat and jon schnieder.
MGMAT All the Way!
August 14, 2010- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 620
Manhattan offers a very comprehensive and thorough course for anyone of any academic or professional background looking to take the GMAT exam. The strategy guides and online materials that the course comes with are very helpful. The only negative that i encountered was that, if anything, there was so much material that at times it seemed like it was impossible to get through everything in the allotted time. The instructor was very engaging, and made sure that everyone was not only prepared, but also excited, to face the GMAT. My experience with Manhattan was totally positive, and i would highly recommend this course to anyone who is serious about scoring ugh on the exam.
IMO the best GMAT prep available
August 13, 2010- Teacher: Dave Malloy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 630 After: 710
I've taken a course through two different test companies and the difference really was night and day. The Manhattan course was superior in nearly every aspect: instructors, curriculum, materials, and facilities. I took the competitors course first and scored a 630, I then took some time off and enrolled in the MGMAT course about one year later. After completion of MGMAT?s 9 week prep I received a 710.
When compared to this specific competitors program, MGMAT?s course requires significantly more time and effort. It?s a big commitment. The curriculum is ambitious and, if you put the time in, very effective.
The materials included with the course were great, they give you all the official guides and their own guides, which were very helpful (especially the SC guide, buy that even if you don?t take the MGMAT course). My instructor was very encouraging and enthusiastic throughout the 9 weeks, which made the whole process easier. I couldn?t be any happier with my experience.
When compared to this specific competitors program, MGMAT?s course requires significantly more time and effort. It?s a big commitment. The curriculum is ambitious and, if you put the time in, very effective.
The materials included with the course were great, they give you all the official guides and their own guides, which were very helpful (especially the SC guide, buy that even if you don?t take the MGMAT course). My instructor was very encouraging and enthusiastic throughout the 9 weeks, which made the whole process easier. I couldn?t be any happier with my experience.
Joined: Aug 11, 2010
Purchased Course: Apr 6, 2010
Purchased Course: Apr 6, 2010
College: Northwestern University
Major: Economics
Major: Economics
Industry: Consulting
Country: United States
Country: United States
Great prep course!
August 11, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 620 After: 660
Chris was a great teacher and really tailored the information to meet the classes needs. He made sure to focus on material that we were more unsure about and quickly go over other material that we were more confident about.
The class is great in terms of giving an overview of the types of questions you can expect to encounter on both the verbal and math sections. Additionally, the class gives helpful hints of how to tackle some of the problems to save time during the test.
The class is great in terms of giving an overview of the types of questions you can expect to encounter on both the verbal and math sections. Additionally, the class gives helpful hints of how to tackle some of the problems to save time during the test.
Well worth it! Helped me get into first choice school and flexible in regards to work schedule.
August 10, 2010- Teacher: Angela Guido
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Highly recommend. Instructors are top notch. Program is very flexible to fit personal needs. Lessons plans fit all learning styles. Improved my GMAT score significantly. End result was acceptance into my first choice MBA program. Also should take into account the resume review, over the phone tutoring, and interview prep help. Angela was engaging and all around a great instructor.
Manhattan GMAT is the only test prep program to use.
August 9, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT is by far and away the best GMAT prep course. I may be biased because it is the only course I have taken, but after speaking with friends who took other courses, I know Manhattan is the best. Many of the most helpful tips and tricks that i used on test day were never even covered by the test prep companies my friends took. The structure of the course is hard but not overwhelming, and the staff is unparalleled. Chris Brusznicki is the absolute man! and everyone should try to take the course with him. Good luck and ace the test!
Comprehensive Coverage and an Excellent Strategic Approach
August 9, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT was an excellent GMAT prep experience. The course combines comprehensive coverage of topics with pragmatic problem-solving strategies.
Grace was both an effective and engaging teacher who could make the most difficult topics both accessible and interesting.
For anyone who is looking for a targeted program that really works, I could not more highly recommend Manhattan GMAT.
Grace was both an effective and engaging teacher who could make the most difficult topics both accessible and interesting.
For anyone who is looking for a targeted program that really works, I could not more highly recommend Manhattan GMAT.
Awesome prep course
August 8, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballeros
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT's books are amazing for self study even without the 9 weeks of instruction. Their teachers are the best- or at least mine certainly was. They do hold you to a high standard- there's a ton of homework to be completed for the course, but doing it all all but ensures a good score.
The only complaint is that the course starts off easy, and then about halfway through it kind of leaves you in the dust if you're not keeping on top of your work. It's also expensive. But if you've got time to do the work and money to spare, I doubt there's a better choice.
The only complaint is that the course starts off easy, and then about halfway through it kind of leaves you in the dust if you're not keeping on top of your work. It's also expensive. But if you've got time to do the work and money to spare, I doubt there's a better choice.
20 percentile point increase in score
August 8, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I took the MGMAT course after taking one if its competitors classes. The results were strikingly different - after taking the MGMAT course my score increased 20 percentile points. This incremental jump in score aided in my admission to a top business school located in Chicago, IL.
The MGMAT curriculum in superior in approach, content, and required level of dedication asked of the students. If a student applies him or herself and completes the required work the MGMAT program will get the individual to his or her maximum ability level. The course doesn't teach tricks or traps; it requires a student to master the content and then teaches how to apply that knowledge to the exam. This is a superior test prep program.
My instructor was great. He maintained a level of enthusiasm through the long process which made is easier to stay on top of the subject content. I recommend seeking his class out if you are taking the course in Chicago.
The MGMAT curriculum in superior in approach, content, and required level of dedication asked of the students. If a student applies him or herself and completes the required work the MGMAT program will get the individual to his or her maximum ability level. The course doesn't teach tricks or traps; it requires a student to master the content and then teaches how to apply that knowledge to the exam. This is a superior test prep program.
My instructor was great. He maintained a level of enthusiasm through the long process which made is easier to stay on top of the subject content. I recommend seeking his class out if you are taking the course in Chicago.
Excellent Teacher and Preparation Materials
August 8, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was a little skeptical of all preparation courses at first. They all seem to be a little pricey and I thought I might be able to study on my own and get the same results. I went to the free trial MGMAT course and I didn't hesitate to sign up as soon as it was done.
Needless to say, the material on the GMAT is not the most exciting for all people, but Chris did a great job of making the class fun and I actually looked forward to attending. The 9-week course does a great job of laying out a framework to follow in order to help you prepare for the GMAT and it is hard to not reach your potential if you commit to doing the work. There is definitely a significant time commitment required to keep up with the course, but if you are serious about getting a great GMAT score, you are going to have to commit yourself one way or another.
The course supplements the GMAT Review books sold by the GMAC with several other books that walk you through solid methods for attacking every problem you will face on the test. The online labs and resources also are valuable resources to help with your test-taking strategy and planning.
There are many other courses out there and I am sure many of them are good, but you cannot go wrong with the Manhattan GMAT 9-week prep course. If you are in Chicago and have a change to take a class with Chris B., I highly recommend jumping on the opportunity.
Needless to say, the material on the GMAT is not the most exciting for all people, but Chris did a great job of making the class fun and I actually looked forward to attending. The 9-week course does a great job of laying out a framework to follow in order to help you prepare for the GMAT and it is hard to not reach your potential if you commit to doing the work. There is definitely a significant time commitment required to keep up with the course, but if you are serious about getting a great GMAT score, you are going to have to commit yourself one way or another.
The course supplements the GMAT Review books sold by the GMAC with several other books that walk you through solid methods for attacking every problem you will face on the test. The online labs and resources also are valuable resources to help with your test-taking strategy and planning.
There are many other courses out there and I am sure many of them are good, but you cannot go wrong with the Manhattan GMAT 9-week prep course. If you are in Chicago and have a change to take a class with Chris B., I highly recommend jumping on the opportunity.
Manhattan GMAT Prep Course (Winter 2010)
August 8, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow, Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 610 After: 700
Course was excellently structured. Instructors were regularly available to answer questions via email and in-person, and the online prep materials can't be beat. I have tried other prep materials, and Manhattan GMAT's are the best. They allow you to accurately track your progress as well as provide clear feedback on what needs to be worked on to improve your score. And benefits from the teachings are tangible - I improved from a 610 to 700. All and all a lot of great resources are at your disposable with Manhattan GMAT to improve your GMAT score - moreso than any other prep course out there.
Excellent prep class
August 7, 2010- Teacher: Alex Cappy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT is the best. I like how they really teach you the material. They don't waste time teaching useless test strategies, they focus on the core concepts and allow you to spend time studying where you need it.
I needed help with the math section of the GMAT, and the Manhattan GMAT material was incredibly useful. I followed their recommended studying schedule and then after the course ended studied the areas I knew I needed the most help on. The study guides and practice tests alone is worth the price of the course.
My instructor was very helpful. It was great to hear from someone who had gone through the test recently - she shared great tips and gave us lots of advice.
By the time I finished studying I felt almost completely prepared. Thanks Manhattan GMAT!
I needed help with the math section of the GMAT, and the Manhattan GMAT material was incredibly useful. I followed their recommended studying schedule and then after the course ended studied the areas I knew I needed the most help on. The study guides and practice tests alone is worth the price of the course.
My instructor was very helpful. It was great to hear from someone who had gone through the test recently - she shared great tips and gave us lots of advice.
By the time I finished studying I felt almost completely prepared. Thanks Manhattan GMAT!
Excellent GMAT Strategy Course
August 7, 2010- Teacher: Sajeev Cherian
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I began this 9-week prep course in April 2010 after reading several compelling reviews rating the effectiveness and quality of the course. I was a little skeptic to sign up for the course since my first practice tests were in the 80th percentile range. However, I found this course to be extremely beneficial in accurately gauging my strengths and weaknesses, and my individual tailored strategy on attacking the GMAT quantitative and verbal sections.
To begin, the professor teaching the course was extremely informative and helpful. He knew the material extremely well and was able to answer any question that I had proposed during or after class. He was able to point light at different strategies at solving problems and ultimately save me time in areas that I had struggled. Not only so, he was able to also improve my accuracy rate in questions I was getting right but also save me plenty of time. Besides being extremely knowledgeable, he was very willing to help his students in any way, whether it was by e-mail, phone, or in person.
Furthermore, the material provided by the Manhattan GMAT prep course was extremely detailed and yet easy enough for the student to tackle. I found the material to be extremely helpful in that the strategy course would focus on mastering all the fundamental topics before the students are asked to attack and complete the full length practice exams. The GMAT official guide also incorporated real and previous GMAT problems and I was able to fully discover the complexities and variations of the different types of problems used.
I would highly recommend Manhattan GMAT to any student or professional looking to master the components of the GMAT. The course is very well constructed in which you find time to adequately prepare for scoring high on the GMAT. I appreciated the course for the fact that it is individually tailored towards one personal performance and provides useful strategy for students who also want to improve their score who are scoring well. The small size of the classroom coupled with the great staff at Manhattan GMAT make this an amazing learning experience.
To begin, the professor teaching the course was extremely informative and helpful. He knew the material extremely well and was able to answer any question that I had proposed during or after class. He was able to point light at different strategies at solving problems and ultimately save me time in areas that I had struggled. Not only so, he was able to also improve my accuracy rate in questions I was getting right but also save me plenty of time. Besides being extremely knowledgeable, he was very willing to help his students in any way, whether it was by e-mail, phone, or in person.
Furthermore, the material provided by the Manhattan GMAT prep course was extremely detailed and yet easy enough for the student to tackle. I found the material to be extremely helpful in that the strategy course would focus on mastering all the fundamental topics before the students are asked to attack and complete the full length practice exams. The GMAT official guide also incorporated real and previous GMAT problems and I was able to fully discover the complexities and variations of the different types of problems used.
I would highly recommend Manhattan GMAT to any student or professional looking to master the components of the GMAT. The course is very well constructed in which you find time to adequately prepare for scoring high on the GMAT. I appreciated the course for the fact that it is individually tailored towards one personal performance and provides useful strategy for students who also want to improve their score who are scoring well. The small size of the classroom coupled with the great staff at Manhattan GMAT make this an amazing learning experience.
More than I could have hoped for
August 7, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 590 After: 710
Manhattan GMAT was an excellent prep course, and Eric Caballero was an excellent instructor. I took this course in March of 2009 to prepare to take my GMAT that upcoming summer. I was more concerned with math portion of the test than the verbal. Eric was an easy to follow, personable, and helpful instructor who made class as interesting as a prep course has any right to be. He is always available to answer questions and is always ready to assist in any way he can.
The books that come with the course are also excellent. They teach you how to crack the code of GMAT questions quite well and provide tons of practice.
I was able to improve my score by 140 points with this course, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to prep for the GMAT.
The books that come with the course are also excellent. They teach you how to crack the code of GMAT questions quite well and provide tons of practice.
I was able to improve my score by 140 points with this course, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to prep for the GMAT.
Fantastic prep course that helped me crack 700
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I needed a prep course that would keep me on track and give me enough rigor to study while I was in the middle of my junior year of undergrad. I'm generally pretty good at standardized tests but especially needed help on the math section, and on generally keeping up with a regimented study schedule. Manhattan GMAT was all that and more. My class size was super small and the quality of instruction highly attentive and specialized. Eric was a fantastic teacher - super bright, enthusiastic, engaging, funny and willing to go the extra mile. When I fell behind in coursework he was accommodating but still supportive, and he worked with me after the course was over to devise an individually customized studying plan for the final 3 weeks before my exam. Without Manhattan GMAT I would have never cracked a 700.
Strong Teachers and Strategies
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Thought the entire class was very informative but still focused on the easier questions. I paid for the more comprehensive course because I figured it would focus on harder questions, but it rarely did. Overall, fabulous experience and would recommend it.
Provides a good foundation and structure for taking the GMAT
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
-The courses are well organized with a syllabus distributed during the first class
-The instructor kept the class on-schedule so that we never felt as if we were rushed to cover material
-There is a large amount of homework for each week. I would definitely recommend taking the time to complete the assigned homework each week to get the most out of the course
-The course also comes with access to Manhattan GMAT's robust online resources. The one drawback is that access to the online component expires within 3 months of having completed the course
-The instructor kept the class on-schedule so that we never felt as if we were rushed to cover material
-There is a large amount of homework for each week. I would definitely recommend taking the time to complete the assigned homework each week to get the most out of the course
-The course also comes with access to Manhattan GMAT's robust online resources. The one drawback is that access to the online component expires within 3 months of having completed the course
Excellant GMAT Prep Course
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Tommy Wallabach
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I would highly recommend anyone looking to understand the GMAT in depth to take their class with Manhattan. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable and enjoyed teaching the material.
He made the material fun and was very encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a better prep session and instructor. I highly recommend this class for anyone wanted to know the gmat in detail.
He made the material fun and was very encouraging. I couldn't have asked for a better prep session and instructor. I highly recommend this class for anyone wanted to know the gmat in detail.
Excellent Test Preparation
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
All aspects of the course, including the in-class sessions, online question banks and video tutorials, and books are extremely thorough and well-organized. It was easy to understand the strategies and techniques presented. I was also able to customize my own study-schedule, based on feedback from practice tests to hone in on needed target areas.
The biggest asset of this course was my teacher, Grace. She has been teaching for years, and it definitely shows. She kept the class moving, gave clear explanations and instructions and had a wonderful sense of humor to keep the class engaged.
There are tons of online resources - you will not run out of practice questions or tests. You need to keep in mind that thorough preparation for the class will require hours of outside class time (at least 6 or 7 hours if you want to keep up).
The biggest asset of this course was my teacher, Grace. She has been teaching for years, and it definitely shows. She kept the class moving, gave clear explanations and instructions and had a wonderful sense of humor to keep the class engaged.
There are tons of online resources - you will not run out of practice questions or tests. You need to keep in mind that thorough preparation for the class will require hours of outside class time (at least 6 or 7 hours if you want to keep up).
Exactly what I needed
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
This course gave me the materials I needed to pick up on content and the in class strategy sessions necessary to master every question type. Both teachers that I experienced were fun, knowledgeable and professional. Although the course was expensive, it was not overly so compared to similar courses and the amount of material you have access to makes the price worth it. I've already referred two of my friends and colleagues to Manhattan GMAT.
Unbeatable GMAT prep
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Based on conversations with friends and other fellow GMAT-takers, Manhattan GMAT's materials and teachers are far superior to other test prep companies. My teacher, Grace, was very approachable and taught at a comfortable pace, considering the complexity of the material. She somehow kept me engaged and entertained through each class, even if my brain hurt every time I left. The classrooms were clean and easily accessible from Midtown. If the timing works, I recommend the winter session, in which you have a week off over the holidays to catch up on the material.
Great Overall Experience! Very helpful and knowledgeable
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Grace Trewartha
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
All in all, the GMAT Prep Course gave me the confidence that I needed to tackle the GMAT. The instructor was very knowledgeable and always took the time to answer student questions. I would greatly recommend this class to anyone interesting in doing well on the GMAT.
Manhattan GMAT Score: A+
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Abby
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
In reviewing all test prep sites as well as attending a few free seminars hosted by GMAT preparation test companies, I decided to enroll in Manhattan GMAT. Compared to the other companies that considered, Manhattan GMAT instructors possess a higher level of expertise and the capability to educate. Additionally, the materials provided by Manhattan GMAT, the online assistance, and the practice tests enable a student to really customize a strategy to his/her weak areas.
Throughout the course, all of the instructors, ranging from Abby, my main MGMAT instructor in Philadelphia, to those with whom I interacted during homework help hours throughout the week were phenomenal. MGMAT?s policy that an instructor be in the 99 percentile combined with the extensive training undergone by each instructor seems to really ensure that their educators are not only intelligent but well versed in the material. Even in a classroom of 15, I felt the approach was individualized and that Abby genuinely went out of her went to answer all questions, even if that meant that she stayed after class with one or two students.
Beyond the classroom experience, MGMAT provides incredible test prep books and insight on strategy. The CAT tests knock out the other companies by miles. The reports that are generated are granular in detail and in effect, it is easier for you to assess your areas of difficulty and where you should focus your energy. In the event that you should have questions on the homework outside of the classroom, 30 minutes of online help with an instructor are also at your disposal each week.
While that I have not yet taken the exam, I am most certainly more confident after taking the MGMAT course.
Throughout the course, all of the instructors, ranging from Abby, my main MGMAT instructor in Philadelphia, to those with whom I interacted during homework help hours throughout the week were phenomenal. MGMAT?s policy that an instructor be in the 99 percentile combined with the extensive training undergone by each instructor seems to really ensure that their educators are not only intelligent but well versed in the material. Even in a classroom of 15, I felt the approach was individualized and that Abby genuinely went out of her went to answer all questions, even if that meant that she stayed after class with one or two students.
Beyond the classroom experience, MGMAT provides incredible test prep books and insight on strategy. The CAT tests knock out the other companies by miles. The reports that are generated are granular in detail and in effect, it is easier for you to assess your areas of difficulty and where you should focus your energy. In the event that you should have questions on the homework outside of the classroom, 30 minutes of online help with an instructor are also at your disposal each week.
While that I have not yet taken the exam, I am most certainly more confident after taking the MGMAT course.
650 to 760 with Manhattan GMAT
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Dave Malloy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 650 After: 760
I took the 9 week Manhattan GMAT prep course and was incredibly happy with the results. I took the course in Chelsea, NYC and studied with Dave Malloy. Dave was an exceptional teacher. He had this amazing energy and was always very helpful when students asked questions. I know that I asked him some pretty tough questions and he was always able to quickly respond. I appreciated the way he stayed current on "gmat events" and would draw our attention to gmat rule changes - especially in the area of sentence correction. He was great at balancing the different levels in our class and trying to help us all grow - no matter how well-prepared we were at that moment. In addition, we would always talk about alternative ways to solve a problem (including strategic guessing) to really understand the problem - not just memorize one potential solution.
I also had an amazing tutor - Horacio Quiroga. would ask some pretty off-the-wall questions and Horacio was always willing to talk through difficult issues and help me. There were times when we would finish tutoring and have a couple of minutes to spare - he was always willing to "wing it" and do an extra problem that I was struggling with; this ability to "wing it" really amazing me. He sent a supplemental list of problems which really helped my knowledge of ratios and he would always target explanations to the specific questions (rather than just going through problems in a standard way). In addition, we would often go over the problem in a number of different ways so I could feel more comfortable with them.
Overall, a great course. The course materials were helpful - way better than the Princeton Review books I had bought originally. The only book I thought was (somewhat) lacking was the geometry book (the number properties and sentence correction are the best in my opinion). In addition, some of their practice test questions are much more involved than one would expect to see on the actual GMAT.
Barring these two caveats, it is a great program and really helped me increase my score!
Daniel
I also had an amazing tutor - Horacio Quiroga. would ask some pretty off-the-wall questions and Horacio was always willing to talk through difficult issues and help me. There were times when we would finish tutoring and have a couple of minutes to spare - he was always willing to "wing it" and do an extra problem that I was struggling with; this ability to "wing it" really amazing me. He sent a supplemental list of problems which really helped my knowledge of ratios and he would always target explanations to the specific questions (rather than just going through problems in a standard way). In addition, we would often go over the problem in a number of different ways so I could feel more comfortable with them.
Overall, a great course. The course materials were helpful - way better than the Princeton Review books I had bought originally. The only book I thought was (somewhat) lacking was the geometry book (the number properties and sentence correction are the best in my opinion). In addition, some of their practice test questions are much more involved than one would expect to see on the actual GMAT.
Barring these two caveats, it is a great program and really helped me increase my score!
Daniel
Manhattan GMAT Experts in the Field
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I had nothing but a great experience with Manhattan GMAT. My instructor Chris was truly a professional in the GMAT. The curriculum was well laid out and provided with students many different options that could be tailored to their needs. I was provided with a multitude of resources that helped track my progress. One of the most impressive features was the Official GMAT Questions Tracker. It provided students with an analytical tool to analyze what areas of the GMAT they were strongest in and which areas they needed to hone in and develop on.
The course books that were provided were also written in a simple, easy-to-understand and follow format. They did a great job of explaining the different strategies and provided plenty of practice to perfect the strategies. Chris did a fantastic job in class with explaining the different methods and providing many different strategies for the same topics. This allowed students to become familiar with several strategies so that they would have more than one way to attack problems. While Manhattan GMAT is one of the pricier courses, I soon came to realize the value in the investment. It is true what they say, "You get what you pay for." I may have paid more than I would have liked to, but in return, I got a great course to prepare me to tackle the GMAT. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is considering taking the GMAT. Chris is an excellent instructor and really did a great job of engaging students and making sure everyone understood the material.
The course books that were provided were also written in a simple, easy-to-understand and follow format. They did a great job of explaining the different strategies and provided plenty of practice to perfect the strategies. Chris did a fantastic job in class with explaining the different methods and providing many different strategies for the same topics. This allowed students to become familiar with several strategies so that they would have more than one way to attack problems. While Manhattan GMAT is one of the pricier courses, I soon came to realize the value in the investment. It is true what they say, "You get what you pay for." I may have paid more than I would have liked to, but in return, I got a great course to prepare me to tackle the GMAT. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is considering taking the GMAT. Chris is an excellent instructor and really did a great job of engaging students and making sure everyone understood the material.
Complete Verbal and Math score booster for Non-natives
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
As an non-native speaker I found this course very useful.The course recordings after the class and the lab sessions offered really tell you how to approach and tackle the GMAT questions.The verbal section was dealt with in a detailed manner in the class.The course guides you a through preparation schedule in their welcome guide.Though,it is tough to keep up with the assignments over the span of 9 weeks,I found it very helpful after the course.The 6 CAT exams ,office hours and the official guide companion provided to me was useful.The classes are good,but it is very advantageous if we keep up with at least 70% of the assignments.The Manhattan GMAT question bank and challenge archives are a wonderful source of additional questions.
Great Class!
August 6, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 710
This is a great class - well worth the money. The study materials are robust and more than you could need. Chris is a great teacher, very energetic in class and engages you throughout the sessions. If you stay up to speed with the class (or even a little behind like me) you'll see dramatic increases to your scores! I highly recommend this class (and Chris!)
Special thanks to Manhattan GMAT
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I am so glad that I decided to take Manhattan GMAT. I took the in-class course. I decided to apply to business school kind of late in the application cycle and really needed to prep for the GMAT in a short period time. My friend recommended MGMAT. My practice exam score was around 600 and after the course, I got 750 (and got into b school). English is my second language so the verbal section was little tough but the course was very helpful. My verbal went up dramatically. Just do all the work the course recommends! Btw, Eric was the best teacher ever! I am not sure whether he is still teaching but if you can, try to get into his class. Good luck!
Don't consider anyone else!
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Angela Guido
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The Manhattan GMAT course raised my score 150 points, enabled me to beat my goal score, and helped me gain admission to the program I wanted to attend within 6 months of taking the class.
If that doesn't say it all...
The teacher, Angela, was brilliant, and not only helped you recognize your weaknesses, but motivated you to correct them between each class. The amenities and class size were perfect. Classes are grueling but entertaining, the proprietary texts teach you all the tricks behind the test, and the practice tests are well administered and actually more demanding than the actual test (which is a blessing in disguise when you score higher than your practice sessions.)
That being said, I highly recommend taking the 9 week class with Manhattan. If you live in the North, take it in the winter months so you are distraction free and can really set the time to focus on studying. By the spring you will have aced the GMAT.
If that doesn't say it all...
The teacher, Angela, was brilliant, and not only helped you recognize your weaknesses, but motivated you to correct them between each class. The amenities and class size were perfect. Classes are grueling but entertaining, the proprietary texts teach you all the tricks behind the test, and the practice tests are well administered and actually more demanding than the actual test (which is a blessing in disguise when you score higher than your practice sessions.)
That being said, I highly recommend taking the 9 week class with Manhattan. If you live in the North, take it in the winter months so you are distraction free and can really set the time to focus on studying. By the spring you will have aced the GMAT.
Am glad I took the course!
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The Manhattan GMAT 9 session course was super helpful. Our instructor, Eric Caballero, made the class very interesting and covered a significant number of topics every week. The pace was good, and he made sure everyone in class was on the same page. The other great thing about Manhattan GMAT is the quality of the online resources e.g., practice tests, the online performance assessment software, online labs, etc. I was very happy with the course and would recommend it to anyone who is thinking of signing up for a class!
The best GMAT course available
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT has a winning combination: fantastic instructors and a killer curriculum that completely prepare you for the GMAT. My instructor, Eric Caballero, was engaging, dynamic, and funny. He made it easy to learn the material and easy to want to attend class. Eric also made himself accessible outside of class, and was a great resource for both GMAT and MBA related questions.
The curriculum attacks the GMAT from two fronts: while it teaches you tips and tricks for "beating the test", it also teaches you the fundamentals necessary to arrive at the right answer without guesswork. Armed with both strategy and knowledge, my GMAT score jumped 70 points. The homework is essential and, if you need the extra discipline, the course materials include a day by day schedule for assignments.
As an added bonus, the GMAT location in Boston has great snacks during class. It may seem trivial, but it helps!
The curriculum attacks the GMAT from two fronts: while it teaches you tips and tricks for "beating the test", it also teaches you the fundamentals necessary to arrive at the right answer without guesswork. Armed with both strategy and knowledge, my GMAT score jumped 70 points. The homework is essential and, if you need the extra discipline, the course materials include a day by day schedule for assignments.
As an added bonus, the GMAT location in Boston has great snacks during class. It may seem trivial, but it helps!
Thorough and Very Helpful
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Kara Thornton and Whitney Garner
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
1. The course material offered by Manhattan is very comprehensive and covers all GMAT topics in detail along with corresponding problem solving strategies
2. The instructors have a thorough knowledge of each area tested on GMAT and are adept at explaining concepts to the class.
3. The course is well structured and the sessions are very interactive and lively.
4. Unique features such as availability of class recordings, lot of practice tests, question banks etc is very helpful.
5. A must take for everyone preparing for GMAT!!
2. The instructors have a thorough knowledge of each area tested on GMAT and are adept at explaining concepts to the class.
3. The course is well structured and the sessions are very interactive and lively.
4. Unique features such as availability of class recordings, lot of practice tests, question banks etc is very helpful.
5. A must take for everyone preparing for GMAT!!
Excellent Preparation
August 5, 2010- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I took the Manhattan GMAT 9-session course this winter in advance of taking the GMAT in March and it was an excellent preparation. Not only are the instructors top notch, but the books and practice tests are extremely comprehensive. I recommend this course to anyone who wants to improve their score. I know I wouldn't have achieved my score without their help.
A must-do course!
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Angela Guido
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I highly recommend this course for anyone who is interested in taking the GMAT. I had originally tried to study on my own, but once it proved to be fruitless, I signed up for the 9-week prep course from Manhattan GMAT.
The study guides are very clear in explaining the different strategies. The points are written in simple terms, making it easy to retain many different tips and guides.
The instructors are also great at breaking things down and providing short cuts to help shave down on time. After a long day of work, the last thing I wanted to do was study math tactics and correct, but this course made it very easy to digest! As expected with any prep course, there is a good amount of homework, but it is necessary!
Overall, I had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT, got my target score and was accepted into my first choice school!
The study guides are very clear in explaining the different strategies. The points are written in simple terms, making it easy to retain many different tips and guides.
The instructors are also great at breaking things down and providing short cuts to help shave down on time. After a long day of work, the last thing I wanted to do was study math tactics and correct, but this course made it very easy to digest! As expected with any prep course, there is a good amount of homework, but it is necessary!
Overall, I had a great experience with Manhattan GMAT, got my target score and was accepted into my first choice school!
Everything you need to know before you take the GMAT
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was hesitant about spending $1500 on a GMAT prep course and wondered how much it could possibly help me. I cannot stress enough how important MGMAT verbal was in boosting my verbal score. Everything you need to know about SC and CR are all taught at MGMAT. They tell you that you can't really do much to improve drastically in RC which is totally true.
I've had friends take courses from competitors and it doesn't seem like the materials are advance enough.
Simply put: if you're aiming for above 700, go with MGMAT. If you're aiming for 600, take any course or just study on your own with the OG books!
I've had friends take courses from competitors and it doesn't seem like the materials are advance enough.
Simply put: if you're aiming for above 700, go with MGMAT. If you're aiming for 600, take any course or just study on your own with the OG books!
MGMAT IS THE BEST!
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Took the class right on Northwestern's campus in the Spring Quarter of my senior year...Taking the gmat was the LAST thing i wanted to do as a senior but Chris (the instructor) made the experience actually enjoyable. To top it off he (and the course) helped raise my score 150 points to get the exact score I was reaching for. All the MGMAT instructors are the best since they get paid the best wages and score in the 99th percentile...I know this is said on the website, but it's true. Don't do Kaplan, go with a company that specializes in the GMAT.
Also be sure to take advantage of all the amazing resources you get...from the online calculator, study tracker, FREE office hours, etc. You are going to work hard but Manhattan GMAT will make sure that work does not go to waste.
Also be sure to take advantage of all the amazing resources you get...from the online calculator, study tracker, FREE office hours, etc. You are going to work hard but Manhattan GMAT will make sure that work does not go to waste.
Manhattan GMAT is Essential to Acheiving a High Score
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
My GMAT score went from a 570 to a 760, doing nothing except Manhattan GMAT. I ended up going to HBS, and am quite confident I would not have gotten in without this significant bump in my score.
The materials were good enough, but nothing special. Really the only materials you need are the questions, and Manhattan gives you lots of those. But that's not the secret sauce...
The secret is in the instructor and classroom. Eric Caballero take a boring subject, and keeps it alive -- and the techniques Manhattan teaches you are what makes the score go up. You're not learning material like you would from self-study, you're learning efficiency and patterns. Without the deep knowledge of the test that Manhattan has built up, it would be impossible to learn this on your own.
I think the GMAT is a so-so predictor of performance in the MBA classroom. However, it's something MBA programs use to measure you. So you need to do well, and taking Manhattan GMAT gives you an unfair advantage over everyone else.
The materials were good enough, but nothing special. Really the only materials you need are the questions, and Manhattan gives you lots of those. But that's not the secret sauce...
The secret is in the instructor and classroom. Eric Caballero take a boring subject, and keeps it alive -- and the techniques Manhattan teaches you are what makes the score go up. You're not learning material like you would from self-study, you're learning efficiency and patterns. Without the deep knowledge of the test that Manhattan has built up, it would be impossible to learn this on your own.
I think the GMAT is a so-so predictor of performance in the MBA classroom. However, it's something MBA programs use to measure you. So you need to do well, and taking Manhattan GMAT gives you an unfair advantage over everyone else.
Rapid Improvement in Just Two Months!
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 640 After: 730
Manhattan GMAT provided me everything it advertised: relevant knowledge, time-saving strategies, and most importantly, immediate and dramatic results!
From the first session, my instructor quickly gauged the knowledge-level of different members in the class and tailored his teaching style appropriately. I was extremely impressed by how even from Day 1 I was learning advanced strategies that were quickly becoming second nature for me.
In addition to my charismatic instructor's ability to make challenging (and occasionally dull) topics come to life, the course materials and books were instrumental in breaking down difficult topics into easy-to-understand concepts. Manhattan GMAT also provides students with a sophisticated GMAT tracker, which provides automated, real-time, customized strengths and areas of development for each student. This tracker was key in helping me know where to focus my attention, particularly after completing the course.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with how invested the company any my instructor were in my success. Not only was Manhattan GMAT willing to extend my access to practice exams numerous times, but my instructor also took the time to write detailed, personalized feedback for each student in the course following completion of our classes. This allowed each of us to have a individualized game plan in place on how to finalize our preparation for the exam.
In a few short months, my GMAT scored jumped roughly 100 points, and I ultimately finished with a score of 720. Many thanks to the great folks at Manhattan GMAT!
From the first session, my instructor quickly gauged the knowledge-level of different members in the class and tailored his teaching style appropriately. I was extremely impressed by how even from Day 1 I was learning advanced strategies that were quickly becoming second nature for me.
In addition to my charismatic instructor's ability to make challenging (and occasionally dull) topics come to life, the course materials and books were instrumental in breaking down difficult topics into easy-to-understand concepts. Manhattan GMAT also provides students with a sophisticated GMAT tracker, which provides automated, real-time, customized strengths and areas of development for each student. This tracker was key in helping me know where to focus my attention, particularly after completing the course.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with how invested the company any my instructor were in my success. Not only was Manhattan GMAT willing to extend my access to practice exams numerous times, but my instructor also took the time to write detailed, personalized feedback for each student in the course following completion of our classes. This allowed each of us to have a individualized game plan in place on how to finalize our preparation for the exam.
In a few short months, my GMAT scored jumped roughly 100 points, and I ultimately finished with a score of 720. Many thanks to the great folks at Manhattan GMAT!
Absolutely Awesome Class
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
This class was great! Although studying for and taking the GMAT made for a pretty brutal several months, this class was a huge help, and our Sunday meetings were actually fun...at least as fun as this subject can be. The teacher, Eric, made the class enjoyable and enriching. I give nearly full credit to them for my ability to get a 730 on the test.
Excellent Instructors and Study Materials
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was extremely please with my Manhattan GMAT experience- beginning to end. The customer service folks are excellent, and the classes are clearly top-of-the line. I took a 9-week course last August and was really impressed by the way in which our instructor (Eric Caballero) engaged the class during each session- he somehow managed to make the 3-hour sessions really fun and rewarding. He also knew each of the students by name, and gave really solid advice about applying to schools during breaks and after each class.
The Manhattan GMAT materials are also excellent. I was particular impressed with the quality of the workbooks. Each book is extremely helpful for all levels of GMAT takers- with great challenge questions in the back. Also, if you have any questions on the materials between classes, it's really easy to get in touch with either your instructor or someone else at Manhattan GMAT to give you some help.
Overall, I was extremely impressed by Manhattan GMAT!
The Manhattan GMAT materials are also excellent. I was particular impressed with the quality of the workbooks. Each book is extremely helpful for all levels of GMAT takers- with great challenge questions in the back. Also, if you have any questions on the materials between classes, it's really easy to get in touch with either your instructor or someone else at Manhattan GMAT to give you some help.
Overall, I was extremely impressed by Manhattan GMAT!
ManhattanGMAT's course is a must if you're prepping for the GMAT.
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The ManhattanGMAT course was incredible in every aspect. From the beginning to the end of the course, my scores improved by over 100 points. The improvement was consistent and tied to what we had covered in class during the previous weeks. The tests that come with the course are amazingly accurate and help you identify weaknesses.
I've heard presentations from quite a few GMAT instructors, and Eric Caballero was by far the best teacher. He set a perfect pace, explained everything in detail, and taught me quite a few tricks that I used on the actual GMAT to solve problems I never would have gotten otherwise.
Overall, five stars - would highly recommend it!
I've heard presentations from quite a few GMAT instructors, and Eric Caballero was by far the best teacher. He set a perfect pace, explained everything in detail, and taught me quite a few tricks that I used on the actual GMAT to solve problems I never would have gotten otherwise.
Overall, five stars - would highly recommend it!
Great instructor, phenomenal strategy guides made all the difference.
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Marcus
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I completed the Manhattan GMAT course about 8 weeks prior to taking the actual test, which was a really good idea. Working full-time in finance while taking the class was tough, but spending time to familiarize myself with the type of material through the individual classes was a big help in allowing me to get to a decent level of competency. From there, I built on my notes and studied the strategy guides (which were awesome; see below) for hours on end to get up the learning curve.
While everyone learns differently, I felt like this was the right way for me as the individual classes didn't quite give you enough to truly master the material. Even with the six days of prep time in between, working a busy job didn't really allow me to get a firm grip on some of the broader topics, like number properties, which appear frequently on the test.
That being said, Marcus (the instructor) was really great in showing several different ways to get to the end result. I sat in on other classes a few times and found that Marcus's methods were more in line with my own way of thinking, and quite frankly his teaching style made the 3 hour classes much easier to sit through.
Admittedly, my strategy relied heavily on the strategy guides--ordinarily, I wouldn't have been that comfortable with this, but the guides were so good that it made the work a bit easier. The level of detail contained in the books was perfect, and the breakdown between the "normal" level of material and the "advanced" material was super helpful. This way, I didn't get frustrated by problems that I couldn't solve with a basic understanding of the material, and could master the basics that allowed for the more creative thinking required to solve many of the advanced problems.
The online CAT exams were also extremely helpful, as I found them significantly more difficult than the practice tests available on MBA.com. This helped to prepare me for the real test. In the end, I took 8 practice tests--with scores starting at 550 (taken before the course) and ending with 730 (last practice test, taken two days before the actual test). On the real test, I came out at a 710, which was above my stated goal of 700. I'd say 160 points of improvement was well worth it.
In the end, I would definitely recommend MGMAT to anyone preparing to take the test. Allow for a couple of months, use the strategy guides, and take A LOT of practice tests.
Dan
While everyone learns differently, I felt like this was the right way for me as the individual classes didn't quite give you enough to truly master the material. Even with the six days of prep time in between, working a busy job didn't really allow me to get a firm grip on some of the broader topics, like number properties, which appear frequently on the test.
That being said, Marcus (the instructor) was really great in showing several different ways to get to the end result. I sat in on other classes a few times and found that Marcus's methods were more in line with my own way of thinking, and quite frankly his teaching style made the 3 hour classes much easier to sit through.
Admittedly, my strategy relied heavily on the strategy guides--ordinarily, I wouldn't have been that comfortable with this, but the guides were so good that it made the work a bit easier. The level of detail contained in the books was perfect, and the breakdown between the "normal" level of material and the "advanced" material was super helpful. This way, I didn't get frustrated by problems that I couldn't solve with a basic understanding of the material, and could master the basics that allowed for the more creative thinking required to solve many of the advanced problems.
The online CAT exams were also extremely helpful, as I found them significantly more difficult than the practice tests available on MBA.com. This helped to prepare me for the real test. In the end, I took 8 practice tests--with scores starting at 550 (taken before the course) and ending with 730 (last practice test, taken two days before the actual test). On the real test, I came out at a 710, which was above my stated goal of 700. I'd say 160 points of improvement was well worth it.
In the end, I would definitely recommend MGMAT to anyone preparing to take the test. Allow for a couple of months, use the strategy guides, and take A LOT of practice tests.
Dan
Excellent teacher and very good course material
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Eric Caballero
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
The course material at Manhattan GMAT is very good, typically when you are taking the GMAT you are out of touch with high school maths and also verbal, the course material is structures keeping that in mind, they start with the basics, there are good tools designed to handle different kind of problems. Also I liked my teacher here, Eric, he was full of energy, very smart and you could make out he was not there just to get his job done and leave, but he was there to make the students succeed. I am guessing most instructors there are like Eric because I read and also heard about their very rigorous instructor recruitment process. I would highly recommend Manhattan GMAT to anyone looking to excel in the GMAT.
Excellent course for anyone looking to improve their score
August 5, 2010- Teacher: angela guido
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I liked the course because it covered all the bases and if you put in the work you have everything you need to succeed. After the course its all up to you.
I like the class because of the practice problems and discussions. I'm a big fan of face to face vs. online so for me it was well worth the money.
I like the class because of the practice problems and discussions. I'm a big fan of face to face vs. online so for me it was well worth the money.
It was very productive
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: 430 After: 560
I really like the style and systematic approach of teaching, The best thing about this class is the timetable that they give out and if you follow the timetable, you would be able to cover all the topic.
Would certainly recommend as they have excellent gmat materials and have classes on various timing which is flexible for people to attend.
Would certainly recommend as they have excellent gmat materials and have classes on various timing which is flexible for people to attend.
Highly Recommend
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I just completed the Manhattan 9-week course and couldn't imagine taking the GMAT without it. Chris was an outstanding instructor that has a passion for bringing his students to the next level. The small class size allows a personal atmosphere and the study material and program is second to none.
I've read some other prep reviews and talked with some people about them. While other classes might teach you the tricks of the GMAT, Manhattan takes the time to actually learn the material starting from a beginners level and building upon it throughout the course.
The class is not easy though, it requires, just like everything good in life, a lot of time and dedication.
I've read some other prep reviews and talked with some people about them. While other classes might teach you the tricks of the GMAT, Manhattan takes the time to actually learn the material starting from a beginners level and building upon it throughout the course.
The class is not easy though, it requires, just like everything good in life, a lot of time and dedication.
Thorough background to help you understand all the concepts testing in a addition to test strategy
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Alexandra Cappy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
When you first sign up for the class they mail you a big heavy box full of at least 10 books. The vast majority of the books are like high school textbooks for each topic on the test in that they have a chapter about a concept and then practice questions testing your understanding of the concept. The other books are all practice questions.
This class will make sure you know all of the concepts inside and out if you can keep up with the fast pace of the class. You really need to devote 10-25 hours per week outside of class in order to get full value from the course, which is extremely difficult if you are working full time at a job rigorous enough to get you into a top b-school. The class is all about working through questions that were in the homework or prepping you for questions that will be in the homework. I really wished the 9 sessions were spread out over a longer time period that 9 weeks so that I could have had the chance to do all the homework before classes.
Alex was a great teacher. She knew the concepts inside and out as well as how to teach them and how to understand and help people through the common misinterpretations that lead people to get the answers wrong. Compared to the substitute that taught 2 of our classes, I liked how she helped us work through an answer before giving us the answer and how she explained how all of the other traps to get you to the wrong answer are structured.
This class will make sure you know all of the concepts inside and out if you can keep up with the fast pace of the class. You really need to devote 10-25 hours per week outside of class in order to get full value from the course, which is extremely difficult if you are working full time at a job rigorous enough to get you into a top b-school. The class is all about working through questions that were in the homework or prepping you for questions that will be in the homework. I really wished the 9 sessions were spread out over a longer time period that 9 weeks so that I could have had the chance to do all the homework before classes.
Alex was a great teacher. She knew the concepts inside and out as well as how to teach them and how to understand and help people through the common misinterpretations that lead people to get the answers wrong. Compared to the substitute that taught 2 of our classes, I liked how she helped us work through an answer before giving us the answer and how she explained how all of the other traps to get you to the wrong answer are structured.
Excellent Material, The Best Teacher, Class a little too large
August 5, 2010- Teacher: Sean Murphy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
As a veteran of the SAT, the LSAT, and now the GMAT, I have a pretty good perspective on test prep.
Material:
The materials provided by Manhattan GMAT are top notch. They are incredibly thorough, very easy to use, and will teach you everything that you need for the GMAT. I liked the material because it focused on teaching you the subject, not just on a few tricks. When it comes down to test day, tricks can let you down, while knowing and understanding how the GMAT approaches math, grammar, etc. will get you through the test.
Teacher:
Sean Murphy, my instructor, was hands down the best instructor for test prep that I've had. He was incredibly smart, very energetic, and helped keep some rather dry material interesting. He clearly knew the GMAT inside and out and shared everything he could to give his students the edge.
Class:
I was a little frustrated that the class I was in was so large. It had about 20 people, some of which didn't show up every week (nothing the course could do about that). It is frustrating to have such a large class because you get bogged down in things you don't need to focus on. Were I to prepare for the GMAT again, I would definitely choose Manhattan, but I would want a smaller session with Sean. To be fair, Manhattan offers small group rates which are comparable to the larger class if you can get a group of 5-6 friends together.
Material:
The materials provided by Manhattan GMAT are top notch. They are incredibly thorough, very easy to use, and will teach you everything that you need for the GMAT. I liked the material because it focused on teaching you the subject, not just on a few tricks. When it comes down to test day, tricks can let you down, while knowing and understanding how the GMAT approaches math, grammar, etc. will get you through the test.
Teacher:
Sean Murphy, my instructor, was hands down the best instructor for test prep that I've had. He was incredibly smart, very energetic, and helped keep some rather dry material interesting. He clearly knew the GMAT inside and out and shared everything he could to give his students the edge.
Class:
I was a little frustrated that the class I was in was so large. It had about 20 people, some of which didn't show up every week (nothing the course could do about that). It is frustrating to have such a large class because you get bogged down in things you don't need to focus on. Were I to prepare for the GMAT again, I would definitely choose Manhattan, but I would want a smaller session with Sean. To be fair, Manhattan offers small group rates which are comparable to the larger class if you can get a group of 5-6 friends together.
Efficient, convient, effective: three words to describe Manhattan GMAT
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Andrew Mara
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I found MGMAT's class, online CATs and content terrific. Some thoughts on my Manhattan GMAT experience:
(1) The online supplement that explains the OG's quantitative solutions and offers alternative methods for solving the problem is worth the price of admission alone. Let's be honest, unless you majored in mathematics, some of the OG explanations are, at best, downright useless.
(2) The available online homework banks and problem sets are phenomenal practice and do a fantastic job of facilitating learning - students can set the time to whatever you like, allowing themselves time to practice without worrying about the clock or setting a time limit per question or for the whole section.
(3) I found the online Fundamentals of Math workshop and accompanying problem sets priceless, particularly since I hadn't taken a math class since high school.
(4) Manhattan GMAT's forums are phenomenal. Manhattan staff have an almost superhuman ability to respond within a day, unwrapping difficult problems into manageable bites.
(5) The ability to watch prerecorded classes online is a convenient asset for those students who may have missed a session or two.
(6) The proprietary books are second to none. Scan any non-partisan GMAT forum and you'll read the same. The math books and Sentence Correction guides are crucial to any student prepping for the exam. I didn't find the Reading Comprehension or Critical Reasoning books earth-shattering, but I was scoring consistently high in verbal coming into the class and ended up with a verbal score in the 98th percentile.
(6) Last, but certainly not least, I have to give credit to Andrew Mara. He was a fantastic instructor. He cared about the students and by the third or fourth session had a pretty good sense of what areas of the GMAT students excelled and where they were struggling, and, most importantly, adapted to those parameters.
As I see it, the whole endeavor is run both efficiently, conveniently, and ? most importantly ? effectively. I wouldn't have cracked the 700 barrier without Manhattan GMAT.
(1) The online supplement that explains the OG's quantitative solutions and offers alternative methods for solving the problem is worth the price of admission alone. Let's be honest, unless you majored in mathematics, some of the OG explanations are, at best, downright useless.
(2) The available online homework banks and problem sets are phenomenal practice and do a fantastic job of facilitating learning - students can set the time to whatever you like, allowing themselves time to practice without worrying about the clock or setting a time limit per question or for the whole section.
(3) I found the online Fundamentals of Math workshop and accompanying problem sets priceless, particularly since I hadn't taken a math class since high school.
(4) Manhattan GMAT's forums are phenomenal. Manhattan staff have an almost superhuman ability to respond within a day, unwrapping difficult problems into manageable bites.
(5) The ability to watch prerecorded classes online is a convenient asset for those students who may have missed a session or two.
(6) The proprietary books are second to none. Scan any non-partisan GMAT forum and you'll read the same. The math books and Sentence Correction guides are crucial to any student prepping for the exam. I didn't find the Reading Comprehension or Critical Reasoning books earth-shattering, but I was scoring consistently high in verbal coming into the class and ended up with a verbal score in the 98th percentile.
(6) Last, but certainly not least, I have to give credit to Andrew Mara. He was a fantastic instructor. He cared about the students and by the third or fourth session had a pretty good sense of what areas of the GMAT students excelled and where they were struggling, and, most importantly, adapted to those parameters.
As I see it, the whole endeavor is run both efficiently, conveniently, and ? most importantly ? effectively. I wouldn't have cracked the 700 barrier without Manhattan GMAT.
Was a good boot camp
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Alexandra Cappy
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Overall, I am very happy with my experience with Manhattan GMAT experience. Alexandra was very knowledgeable and answered questions well. However, I think the real strength of this course comes from the materials and the practice tests online. I personally liked the course because it kept my focused and one track for the most part. However, for a very driven person, you can easily do just as well by reading the materials alone and practicing.
kicks you in gear!
August 4, 2010- Teacher: whitney garner, kara thornton
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
3 hours every wednesday night for 9 weeks is streneous enough, and the instructors made it entertaining but packed with tips and reviews. if you had done the homework for the week, it was extremely helpful to review and ask questions (there was ALWAYS time for questions). the math was extremely helpful but you MUST have the discipline to do the workbooks and study on your own. the workbook included with the course are extremely thorough and are divided into sections, instead of most programs that clump them together. i feel much more prepared for my test in September.
The verbal was reviewed and taught on methods instead of instincts and tricks. also very thorough but i mostly attended because of the math portion.
the online resources are phenomenal, testing your skills at each step of the way, with online guide explanations, and 6 tests included with the price.
the price was steep but definitely worth it to get into a good school.
The verbal was reviewed and taught on methods instead of instincts and tricks. also very thorough but i mostly attended because of the math portion.
the online resources are phenomenal, testing your skills at each step of the way, with online guide explanations, and 6 tests included with the price.
the price was steep but definitely worth it to get into a good school.
Excellent Class: Highly Recommended
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Gregg Lachow
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Class covered every aspect of the test needed to score your best; from specific math concepts to question topics to broader test taking strategies. The teacher specifically tailored explanations and strategies to individual students' needs, making it feel like a one-on-one approach. The course came with extensive study materials that were extremely easy to follow and learn from; the supplemented the class teachings very well. Gregg was also extremely friendly and very accessible for questions outside of class time. By the end of the 9 weeks, there was nothing on the real test that I had not been prepared for in some way and was never caught off guard. Highly recommended.
Manhattan GMAT helps tailor the class to your learning type
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Alexandra Clappy/ Abby Pelcyger
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was very impressed with the way my instructors went above and beyond to make sure that I absorbed the material in the most effective way possible. My instructors were able to provide tips and instructions on how to approach the materials and practice tests in ways that made the most sense for me. They truly understand the material and the complexity of the GMAT to turn around an aid their students in their learning process. My instructors were young and not far removed from their days of GMAT test taking and were able to relate to my circumstances as well as challenges. The structure of the class and having not only a supportive instructor but also a group of motivating peers, was fantastic!
Convenient and Sufficient
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Chris Brusznicki
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 730
I took this course because a friend recommended it after taking the course and breezing through the gmat.
I'm not sure how this course compares to others, but here are some pros/cons of my course:
Pros:
-The course and syllabus gave me structure and discipline to get coursework done each week
-The MGMAT books were extremely helpful and comprehensive
-MGMAT had numerous online resources I used frequently (the 9 online labs, official guide timer, 6 CAT exams, question banks)
-The advice my MGMAT advisor gave me about how to prepare to retake the exam was outstanding. He really took the time to diagnose what I needed to change the second time around, analyzed my CAT exams, and was very supportive.
-My instructor gave great tips about stories from his and other people's gmat experiences and helped to put the test into perspective
-My instructor was well versed in GMAT content and answered any and all questions easily.
-My class location and time were very convenient
Cons:
-I didn't think the class sessions were that helpful. While it was nice to go over challenge problems as a group, I would have been able to do this on my own or through the online course.
-This may just be me specifically, but I actually preferred the self study I had to do before my retake to the MGMAT syllabus. During the course, I was so concerned with getting the coursework done each week that I didn't take a step back to consider what my weaknesses were and what I ought to really focus on.
I'm not sure how this course compares to others, but here are some pros/cons of my course:
Pros:
-The course and syllabus gave me structure and discipline to get coursework done each week
-The MGMAT books were extremely helpful and comprehensive
-MGMAT had numerous online resources I used frequently (the 9 online labs, official guide timer, 6 CAT exams, question banks)
-The advice my MGMAT advisor gave me about how to prepare to retake the exam was outstanding. He really took the time to diagnose what I needed to change the second time around, analyzed my CAT exams, and was very supportive.
-My instructor gave great tips about stories from his and other people's gmat experiences and helped to put the test into perspective
-My instructor was well versed in GMAT content and answered any and all questions easily.
-My class location and time were very convenient
Cons:
-I didn't think the class sessions were that helpful. While it was nice to go over challenge problems as a group, I would have been able to do this on my own or through the online course.
-This may just be me specifically, but I actually preferred the self study I had to do before my retake to the MGMAT syllabus. During the course, I was so concerned with getting the coursework done each week that I didn't take a step back to consider what my weaknesses were and what I ought to really focus on.
Good class but very time consuming
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Chris B
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I enjoyed the class and thought the strategy and organization were really helpful. The one major drawback was the amount of weekly homework. I was studying on average 3 hrs each weekday and 5-6 hrs on Saturday and a few hours on Sunday. While the amount of work was clearly outlined at the beginning, it was a but over the top.
Our instructor was really great. Chris was helpful and enthusiastic. He made our Sunday morning class bearable. He answered emails in a timely manner and was very knowledagable on all aspects of the GMAT.
The class material was very thorough and there were many tools available to assist with questions or additional resources. All in all the class was good.
Our instructor was really great. Chris was helpful and enthusiastic. He made our Sunday morning class bearable. He answered emails in a timely manner and was very knowledagable on all aspects of the GMAT.
The class material was very thorough and there were many tools available to assist with questions or additional resources. All in all the class was good.
MGMAT offers thorough and comprehensive GMAT preparation
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Jonathan Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I enrolled in Manhattan GMAT's NYC Winter C 2010 9-Session Prep Course and was extremely satisfied with both the services provided by MGMAT as well as my score.
My instructor, Jonathan Schneider, was engaging, energetic, and most importantly, an awesome instructor. His grasp of the test and the material was seemingly unparalleled. Jon would consistently push students to their limits in way that everyone felt comfortable to participate and to learn. He had the command of the material to make up examples on the spot that targeted specific areas, which are tested on the GMAT. These can range from relative clauses to number properties. Jon was able to clearly and concisely review key concepts in order for the students to learn the material and do well on the test. This brings me to my next point. The goal of MGMAT is to teach the material as opposed to gaming the test with tricks/tips, which may or may not work on test day. I have found myself using the grammar learned in the class on a day to day basis. I understand this isn't the goal of the course but it helped me to A. score well on the test and B. become a more polished writer.
In addition to the weekly live in person session, MGMAT offers all of its students more tools than I believe any student can actually use in order to prepare for the GMAT. Some of these include video labs, online q banks, spreadsheets to track your progress on OG problems, 30 minute telephone tutoring sessions, calendars aimed to guide your preparation, Ipod flash cards, in class handouts, and the list goes on. This is important because everyone studies a little differently and it is great to have a bevy of resources so that each student is able to find multiple offerings to aid in his/her test prep.
The personal touch is something that set MGMAT apart in my opinion. Due to some unforeseen plans, my test date got pushed back later than I would have liked and Jon was still willing to review all of my test data and help guide my preparation during the final weeks leading up to the test.
I recommend MGMAT to all prospective students. From my experience you will have an instructor that feels vested in your success and will provide you with all the tools necessary to reach your potential.
My instructor, Jonathan Schneider, was engaging, energetic, and most importantly, an awesome instructor. His grasp of the test and the material was seemingly unparalleled. Jon would consistently push students to their limits in way that everyone felt comfortable to participate and to learn. He had the command of the material to make up examples on the spot that targeted specific areas, which are tested on the GMAT. These can range from relative clauses to number properties. Jon was able to clearly and concisely review key concepts in order for the students to learn the material and do well on the test. This brings me to my next point. The goal of MGMAT is to teach the material as opposed to gaming the test with tricks/tips, which may or may not work on test day. I have found myself using the grammar learned in the class on a day to day basis. I understand this isn't the goal of the course but it helped me to A. score well on the test and B. become a more polished writer.
In addition to the weekly live in person session, MGMAT offers all of its students more tools than I believe any student can actually use in order to prepare for the GMAT. Some of these include video labs, online q banks, spreadsheets to track your progress on OG problems, 30 minute telephone tutoring sessions, calendars aimed to guide your preparation, Ipod flash cards, in class handouts, and the list goes on. This is important because everyone studies a little differently and it is great to have a bevy of resources so that each student is able to find multiple offerings to aid in his/her test prep.
The personal touch is something that set MGMAT apart in my opinion. Due to some unforeseen plans, my test date got pushed back later than I would have liked and Jon was still willing to review all of my test data and help guide my preparation during the final weeks leading up to the test.
I recommend MGMAT to all prospective students. From my experience you will have an instructor that feels vested in your success and will provide you with all the tools necessary to reach your potential.
Great Preparation
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Sajeev Cherian
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
After researching prep classes for a few weeks, it became clear that Manhattan GMAT would be the best class for me. The focus on 700+ scores along with emphasis on learning the fundamentals of the subject matter made the course well worth the cost. I'd recommend it to anyone willing to put in the effort.
Make no mistake about it, the course load is heavy, particularly if you are working a full time job at the same time. The curriculum focuses on drilling the fundamentals of each subject into your head, as opposed to just giving you test day tricks and strategies. While this takes considerably more time and effort, I think this is the best way to achieve a 700+ score. You aren't going to get to that tier of scores by simply eliminating a few answer choices and guessing. You need to have the fundamentals down pat.
Their website is a bit intimidating initially, but only because there is so much information available on it. I highly, highly recommend using the OG tracker from day one. This spreadsheet helps you zero in exactly where you need to focus your study time leading up to the test, both in regards to accuracy and time. This is priceless in that last week before the test when you're just trying to improve your score on the margins.
My instructor (Sajeev) was great. He built a good rapport with students and really seemed interested in improving our scores. I'm very happy with my choice to go with Manhattan GMAT, and the score I was able to get with their help.
Make no mistake about it, the course load is heavy, particularly if you are working a full time job at the same time. The curriculum focuses on drilling the fundamentals of each subject into your head, as opposed to just giving you test day tricks and strategies. While this takes considerably more time and effort, I think this is the best way to achieve a 700+ score. You aren't going to get to that tier of scores by simply eliminating a few answer choices and guessing. You need to have the fundamentals down pat.
Their website is a bit intimidating initially, but only because there is so much information available on it. I highly, highly recommend using the OG tracker from day one. This spreadsheet helps you zero in exactly where you need to focus your study time leading up to the test, both in regards to accuracy and time. This is priceless in that last week before the test when you're just trying to improve your score on the margins.
My instructor (Sajeev) was great. He built a good rapport with students and really seemed interested in improving our scores. I'm very happy with my choice to go with Manhattan GMAT, and the score I was able to get with their help.
Great Course; Big Results
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Jon Schneider
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 750
I bought the 9 session MGMAT package, and I strongly reccommend the course for anybody looking to post a serious score on the exam.
I scored a 580 on my first practice, and needless to say, I was extremely concerned. Furthermore, the materials provided by GMAC, while useful practice tools, did little to help me learn the neccessary materials. Furthermore, the explanations GMAC provides for correct answers are flat-out useless.
The materials provided by Manhattan GMAT, however, were extremely helpful. They are well-ordered, easy to follow, clear and thorough. Furthermore, the vast resources available on the online Student Center, the addtional office hours, the 9 class sessions and the 6 adaptive practice tests provided so many practice opportunities, that I walked into the actual exam feeling there was nothing that could surprise me. And as result, I left the actual exam having scored in the 98th percentile.
My one quibble is that perhaps there was too much emphasis on the material as opposed to exam-taking strategy. However, overall, if you are shooting for a 700+ score, Manhattan GMAT can certainly help you get there.
I scored a 580 on my first practice, and needless to say, I was extremely concerned. Furthermore, the materials provided by GMAC, while useful practice tools, did little to help me learn the neccessary materials. Furthermore, the explanations GMAC provides for correct answers are flat-out useless.
The materials provided by Manhattan GMAT, however, were extremely helpful. They are well-ordered, easy to follow, clear and thorough. Furthermore, the vast resources available on the online Student Center, the addtional office hours, the 9 class sessions and the 6 adaptive practice tests provided so many practice opportunities, that I walked into the actual exam feeling there was nothing that could surprise me. And as result, I left the actual exam having scored in the 98th percentile.
My one quibble is that perhaps there was too much emphasis on the material as opposed to exam-taking strategy. However, overall, if you are shooting for a 700+ score, Manhattan GMAT can certainly help you get there.
Most comprehensive review out there!
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Jason Arvanites
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Let me preface that I learn best in a live classroom but if you're an online student, I'm sure Manhattan GMAT would be just as good.
I cannot say enough good things about this company. They really have it together.
Material: Their materials are extremely comprehensive. I have been out of school for almost 20 years. Their materials weren't just about how to take the GMAT, they reviewed all those little things you might have forgotten. The course does give you the strategies on how to answer certain questions but a lot of the material rebuilds that foundation from your years in high school and college. If you know the foundation, you can answer the questions, even the 700 ones.
Teacher: My teacher, Jason, was very knowledgeable. He would show you 2-3 ways of answering a question just depending on how your brain works. The nice thing about Manhattan GMAT is that they don't just hire anyone. You needed to have scored over 700. This told me that their teachers not only got it but actually took the GMAT too so they could share their own experiences.
Tutors and other teachers' office hours were always available as well to answer questions.
Back Office: Another HUGE plus for this company. Never have I dealt with a company that got back to me so quick. Whether I had a question on my account, needed materials, anything, they were always there to accommodate my needs and answer my questions. So many companies could take a lesson from this.
Manhattan GMAT is superior to other companies. I signed up for Kaplan close to 10 years ago and their customer service and instructors fell very short to what I experienced with Manhattan GMAT. You won't be disappointed!
I cannot say enough good things about this company. They really have it together.
Material: Their materials are extremely comprehensive. I have been out of school for almost 20 years. Their materials weren't just about how to take the GMAT, they reviewed all those little things you might have forgotten. The course does give you the strategies on how to answer certain questions but a lot of the material rebuilds that foundation from your years in high school and college. If you know the foundation, you can answer the questions, even the 700 ones.
Teacher: My teacher, Jason, was very knowledgeable. He would show you 2-3 ways of answering a question just depending on how your brain works. The nice thing about Manhattan GMAT is that they don't just hire anyone. You needed to have scored over 700. This told me that their teachers not only got it but actually took the GMAT too so they could share their own experiences.
Tutors and other teachers' office hours were always available as well to answer questions.
Back Office: Another HUGE plus for this company. Never have I dealt with a company that got back to me so quick. Whether I had a question on my account, needed materials, anything, they were always there to accommodate my needs and answer my questions. So many companies could take a lesson from this.
Manhattan GMAT is superior to other companies. I signed up for Kaplan close to 10 years ago and their customer service and instructors fell very short to what I experienced with Manhattan GMAT. You won't be disappointed!
Manhattan GMAT is the BUSINESS!
August 4, 2010- Teacher: Jason Arvanites
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I had the opportunity to take the Manhattan GMAT Prep Course and it was honestly the best thing for me. The MGMAT books you receive are very helpful, especially the Number Properties, Sentence Correction, Geometry & Word Translations Books. The course itself was very challenging but the GMAT is very challenging. The curriculum MGMAT employs during the 9 week session is very helpful and helps guide students on what they should be doing everyday. The class component was very helpful as well. I was fortunate to have a great teacher and an intimate class setting and I definitely learned a lot from the class sessions. If you are serious about boosting your score and getting into the schools you want, I highly recommend taking the Manhattan GMAT prep course.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Good stuff
August 3, 2010- Teacher: Dan
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
Manhattan GMAT was totally worth it and a great investment. After my initial CAT I scored in the low-mid 600s. Over the course of 9 weeks, the weekly classes combined with the rigorous homework schedule helped me a ton in preparing for the real thing. I ended up scoring in the low 700s with both 80+ percentile on quant and verbal on the actual thing. Dan was a great teacher and made the classes lively and fun.
ManhattanGmat can really help - but you have to do the work ...
August 2, 2010- Teacher: Grace
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: 760
First off - it helps that the ManhattanGmat teachers recently went through the test. For the most part they know what they're doing; however, like any sort of teaching environment, you will find some teachers that are better or worse than others.
For the 9 week session, they give a description of your teacher. My advice is to read it closely - a teacher can make or break the process. My teacher Grace was awesome in that she touched on the material, but really didn't treat the class as a chance to rehash the book. She really emphasized how that material will appear on the exams and what does mean about the way you have to think about it. This is the value of having a instructor over the books. The books will give you the content. If you're a good test taker you'll probably figure a lot of this out on your own. However, if you're like me - hearing Grace talk about better ways to approach a problem or how you can sense the GMAT "tricks" really helped.
That being said, I had to relearn geometry, number properties, and grammar. And then I had to unlearn how to read passages or arguments and make my own conclusions. However, Grace's tips and tricks about questions definitely always helped.
It was more than a year between my course and the test - which I don't recommend. After reviewing all the content - AGAIN - I then had my notes and the practice tests to get me through. In the end, the practice test were the saving grace as they helped me feel ready for the test. The official guides were a huge help as they provided more questions and allowed for studying on the go (you can't be all GMAT all the time). The test did not feel like a surprise - really you knew what to expect. If you're a good test taker then the practice tests, official guides, and the content books might be enough for you. But if you need to hear the strategy then sign up for the test.
For the 9 week session, they give a description of your teacher. My advice is to read it closely - a teacher can make or break the process. My teacher Grace was awesome in that she touched on the material, but really didn't treat the class as a chance to rehash the book. She really emphasized how that material will appear on the exams and what does mean about the way you have to think about it. This is the value of having a instructor over the books. The books will give you the content. If you're a good test taker you'll probably figure a lot of this out on your own. However, if you're like me - hearing Grace talk about better ways to approach a problem or how you can sense the GMAT "tricks" really helped.
That being said, I had to relearn geometry, number properties, and grammar. And then I had to unlearn how to read passages or arguments and make my own conclusions. However, Grace's tips and tricks about questions definitely always helped.
It was more than a year between my course and the test - which I don't recommend. After reviewing all the content - AGAIN - I then had my notes and the practice tests to get me through. In the end, the practice test were the saving grace as they helped me feel ready for the test. The official guides were a huge help as they provided more questions and allowed for studying on the go (you can't be all GMAT all the time). The test did not feel like a surprise - really you knew what to expect. If you're a good test taker then the practice tests, official guides, and the content books might be enough for you. But if you need to hear the strategy then sign up for the test.
This course got me where I need to be
July 23, 2010- Teacher: Dan B.
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
I was somewhat stressed out the outset of this course...I didn't think I'd be able to improve my verbal scores and I was concerned over how much math material there was.
But this class got me there. I followed my instructor's directions and did the work and improved my verbal scores into the high 90s and improved my math by 10 percentile points.
I trusted the process and it worked out great. There was a lot of material but I recommend manhattan gmat to my friends all the time--
But this class got me there. I followed my instructor's directions and did the work and improved my verbal scores into the high 90s and improved my math by 10 percentile points.
I trusted the process and it worked out great. There was a lot of material but I recommend manhattan gmat to my friends all the time--
The course has its ups and downs
July 21, 2010- Teacher: I had several - I honestly do not remember!
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
My title is true to form - the course is excellent, but it has its ups and downs. Everyone kept discussing how great the teachers were. I honestly found many holes in the instruction style. Plus, the classroom was tiny and humid, so that distracted the student during the learning process. Anyway...
I had one instructor during my first few weeks. He was so arrogant and ridiculous that I began to dislike him. It really detracted from learning. I really did not feel like I learned much in the actual class. To be honest, I learned SO much more from just watching the online class recordings and other course material. It was just not helpful.
So, I decided to switch my days of attendance. My second instructor explained the lessons in a very rapid manner - it was TOO fast. I asked him to slow down, repeatedly, which did not seem to help the matter. After class, I would hear constant comments from him to the other students about how "Stanford is just not likely...it is a longshot" and "INSEAD is for people who could not get into Harvard". I felt like I was in a classroom with true elitists. I wanted to be in a class with a teacher and students that were all like-minded: ready to take the exam. The class caused more frustration than helped it.
I believe it depends upon the person. Some people would truly benefit from a classroom style instruction. However, if you are more of a free-thinker, I would try the online class. I believe Emily Sledge and Dan Gonzalez were instructors on some of the online recordings I would listen to. They were excellent. I think it is easy to follow without distractions of a classroom.
Hope this helps!
I had one instructor during my first few weeks. He was so arrogant and ridiculous that I began to dislike him. It really detracted from learning. I really did not feel like I learned much in the actual class. To be honest, I learned SO much more from just watching the online class recordings and other course material. It was just not helpful.
So, I decided to switch my days of attendance. My second instructor explained the lessons in a very rapid manner - it was TOO fast. I asked him to slow down, repeatedly, which did not seem to help the matter. After class, I would hear constant comments from him to the other students about how "Stanford is just not likely...it is a longshot" and "INSEAD is for people who could not get into Harvard". I felt like I was in a classroom with true elitists. I wanted to be in a class with a teacher and students that were all like-minded: ready to take the exam. The class caused more frustration than helped it.
I believe it depends upon the person. Some people would truly benefit from a classroom style instruction. However, if you are more of a free-thinker, I would try the online class. I believe Emily Sledge and Dan Gonzalez were instructors on some of the online recordings I would listen to. They were excellent. I think it is easy to follow without distractions of a classroom.
Hope this helps!
Great course and great testing prep
July 20, 2010- Teacher:
- Recommended for —Verbal: Yes Math: Yes
- GMAT Scores —Before: N/A After: N/A
This was a great course. I was very surprised at how interactive the online class format was. It was great, the teachers were energetic and the class was responsive. Overall, everyone enjoyed the learning.
The material was also good, though it emphasized the MGMAT methods over personal discovery of methods which I preferred. It taught me all about the test and question types which I would not have learned without this resource.
The tests were also very good. One of the best resources was the analysis of the tests. These tests go through all question types to analyze performance and timing. Also helpful were these BTG forums to help me along in preparations for test day and keeping me on the ground in terms of realistic scores.
I went from a 620 to a 730 thanks to Manhattan GMAT!
The material was also good, though it emphasized the MGMAT methods over personal discovery of methods which I preferred. It taught me all about the test and question types which I would not have learned without this resource.
The tests were also very good. One of the best resources was the analysis of the tests. These tests go through all question types to analyze performance and timing. Also helpful were these BTG forums to help me along in preparations for test day and keeping me on the ground in terms of realistic scores.
I went from a 620 to a 730 thanks to Manhattan GMAT!
