BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Do GMAT Prep courses really help?

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 am

Do GMAT Prep courses really help?

by styrax » Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:11 am
Hi,
This is my first post but I have been reading on this forum for over a month now. This is a great forum and thank you for bringing it to us.
I recently took my gmat and wasnt very happy with the score.

I really want to 700 + in my GMAT.

What I want to know is
1. Do the Prep courses by Princeton review or Kaplan help?
2. If someone can tell me what was the difference in points between their first attempt and the attempt after taking the course.
3. Which prep course is better? the one from Princeton review or Kaplan?

Thank you
Styrax
CRASH
Top
Source: — GMAT Strategy |
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 am

by styrax » Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:19 am
anyone???
CRASH
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:25 am

by sense76 » Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:05 am
good questions.. where are the experts..?
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 207
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:33 pm
Thanked: 115 times
Followed by:24 members
GMAT Score:750

by TedCornell » Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:16 am
IN my opinion, given your target score ManhattanGMAT course is better than Princeton.

Consider getting a tutor instead if you're sure he/she is a good one. Classes do work, but I think 1-on-1 tutoring with the right tutor works even better because the curriculum is based on just your needs.

All that is pointless of course if you don't put in the work.

Hope you make the right decision. Best of luck :-)
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:28 am
Thanked: 4 times

by PinkBox » Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:14 pm
that would be neither. go with manhattan gmat instead. best of luck to u!
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:30 pm
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:2 members
GMAT Score:670

by Vitalina » Thu Mar 19, 2009 12:46 pm
I am doing Kaplan online course right now. I can't say it's super brilliant, or that I have improved a LOT, but it does help :)
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 am

by styrax » Thu Mar 19, 2009 1:03 pm
How much of a difference in points have you seen
CRASH
Top
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:57 am
Location: Honolulu, HI
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

by Courtney » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:42 pm
I am taking a GMAT prep course with my local university, and it's not very helpful because there's not any structure and the teacher basically just stands there and makes small talk until we ask for help with specific questions. But at least it's super cheap ($250 for 11 sessions).

I would hope that Kaplan, Princeton Review, Manhattan GMAT and other dedicated test prep companies would be better because they're supposed to be experts at this stuff. If nothing else, taking a class should help you to stay motivated if you are unlikely to practice without having someone prodding you along.
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 6778
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:30 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Thanked: 1249 times
Followed by:994 members

by beatthegmat » Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:07 pm
I'd say that prep courses can be effective. They are especially good for people who have busy schedules and could benefit from the coaching and accountability from these courses.

However, before going down that route, I would do a serious self inventory to determine whether you could do well through the self study route. Many of these courses can be $1000+, and if you think you have the discipline and strategy to study the GMAT on your own, then that may be the better option.

You're in good company too. There are many examples of successful self study in this community. Take a look at the 'I just Beat The GMAT' section as evidence.

Good luck and let us know what you choose!
Beat The GMAT | The MBA Social Network
Community Management Team

Research Top GMAT Prep Courses:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/gmat-prep-courses

Research The World's Top MBA Programs:
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/school
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:30 pm
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:2 members
GMAT Score:670

by Vitalina » Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:14 am
styrax wrote:How much of a difference in points have you seen
was it a question to me? ))
I don't think I can answer this queston... I have improved a lot (from 490 - that was my 1st attempt, withou any preparation at all) to 620.
BUT, improvemnet came with better knowledge of format and stuff.
I am pretty weak in math, where verbal is not such an issue, though I still don't score as high as I would like to, but my main point in purchasing the course was to get a structured Math review. And I got it.
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:25 am

by sense76 » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:02 am
beatthegmat wrote:However, before going down that route, I would do a serious self inventory to determine whether you could do well through the self study route.
This is the best route in my opinion. It just needs patience and practice.
here's an example
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 am

by styrax » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:17 am
Hi all,
I am still a bit confused. I am leaning towards signing up for one of those courses. the only reason being, studying part time juggling work, i think the course would offer me a structure that i need. Couple of people so far told me that Manhatten cuorses are the best one is the best one.
Can people still tell me the before and after scores and if they feel the courses did help.

Thank you for all your input so far.
CRASH
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:28 am

by styrax » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:25 am
After some thinking and consideration. I came to a conclusion that may be using a more systematic approach to studying is the proper way to do this. Rather than spending $1500, i think if i use all the advise on this site it might prove to be more helpful.
CRASH
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 207
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:33 pm
Thanked: 115 times
Followed by:24 members
GMAT Score:750

by TedCornell » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:16 am
Styrax,

If you need help devising a systematic study plan, take a look at people's debriefs in the "I beat the GMAT" section of this site. In my own debrief, I talk about the strategies that didn't work for me as well as the study plans that got me my score (www.tinyurl.com/gmatpost)

Best of luck!
Top

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 383
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 5:20 pm
Location: Online Conferencing - in person in select cities.
Thanked: 55 times
Followed by:21 members

by Bara » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:30 pm
A course is only as good as the tutors. There are Kaplan and PR folks here, so it might be best for them to respond to identify what their best selling points are. When I was looking for test prep, those were the only choices. Now there are others, smaller companies who are more streamlined, private tutors and GMAT-specific companies.

The benefit of a course is that they've all figured out the way that most people can improve their score. They offer methods, materials and curriculum that are one-size-fits-all. And they're around as long as they've been around, because the methods work for most people. To get the highest score on the GMAT (and others), however, you might need supplemental one-on-one tutoring. Not everyone needs it, but some do.

There are also online and self study programs which work well if a student is disciplined and organized.

One-on-one tutoring has the benefit of a more nuanced, focused study that addresses the student's strengths and weaknesses - - so you don't need to waste time with anything else...or anyone elses questions/issues. You tend to move through an individualized study program on your timeline and when it's convenient for you. It also tends to be more expensive per hour than group courses, however, students tend to need far less hours because the time is so potent. So they actually tend to be more economical, both in terms of time = money, AND the number of hours a student uses with private tutoring vs. those of a full course.
Bara Sapir, MA, CHt, CNLP
Founder/CEO City Test Prep
Maximize your Score, Minimize your Stress!
GMAT Badass and Test Anxiety Relief Expert
SPEEDREADING: https://citytestprep.com/mindflow-workshops/
ANXIETY RELIEF: https://citytestprep.com/mindfulness-therapy/
BOOK: https://tinyurl.com/TPNYSC
TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McA4aqCNS-c
Top
Post new topic Post Reply