Prep Class vs. Self Study

[money9111]

What are your thoughts on taking a prep class vs. self study? Everyone has their own best learning practices, but I think this is a valid discussion to have.

As you may know... I am currently taking a prep class because I know that it works for me!

There's also some pressure in taking the class... when I don't feel like studying I remember "um i paid $1400 for this class".. and to me.. that's not chump change, so I don't take it lightly.

What do you guys think?

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

From conversations I've had with people that have taken a course, there are no real negatives (other than the cost) of taking a course. I don't believe its necessary at all to achieve a score between 650-720. It gives some people additional motivation though. Its like shelling out 40 dollars a month for a gym membership, its the only reason I go regularly...lol

[money9111]

hahahahhahaha... see i'm cancelling my gym membership because I pay waaaaay too much and go for 1 hour a week.

In any event...

I don't know if the cost is a "real negative" at least... i don't think one can tell until after they've taken the exam. If you know how to study and can put in the time, then a class may not be for you...

In my case... I would be able to put in the time needed on a daily basis, but the prep class is giving me a headstart. I've been out of high school for 10 years, and took algebra I & II & Geometry in my freshman and sophomore years, so thats...1996/1997.

I know I have the skill level to do well on this test (710). But instead of trying to recall my previous knowledge... I'm happy to be learning it in this new context.

Remember - you don't have to rel-earn math...you need to learn GMAT math!

i was all over the place in this post... i apologize

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

I think you made the right decision by taking the Manhattan class. Manhattan, Veritas, and Kaplan Advanced are the only 3 in person classes I have heard good things about. With Princeton Review I heard it really depends on the instructor and that the materials were only ok. My opinion of them might change after the webinar MLT wants us to listen to from them next week.

[TheRekz]

I'd say it's good if you can be discipline with your self for a self study. To be honest I've taken the kaplan live online classroom course and I feel like I just wasted 1k on it as it doesn't help me to become better... I am worth spending the money on materials and study on myself... I just it depends on what type of person you are as well

[money9111]

During one of my last MBA events... Princeton Review conducted an information session towards the end. I had already decided on MGMAT, but I figured "hey what the heck... i might learn something"... I won't say anything about Princeton Review, but....

I like to learn in a classroom setting...that being said.. if I had the choice between PR and Self Study... i would choose the latter just based on that information session.

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

I don't want to start a new thread, so I'll ask this here. Can anyone with any insights tell me how helpful you found Kaplan's option to take CATs under simulated conditions? Is this a really big thing, or is it relatively minor in the grand scheme of things?

[dmateer25]

I think the prep class vs. self study is really dependent upon the individual. For me, I knew that I would be dedicated enough to put in the time with self study. I am pretty sure that for a lot of people that isn't the case. A lot of people would probably not be motivated enough to self study. Either way is effective, it's just a matter of what works best for the individual.

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

I think the prep class vs. self study is really dependent upon the individual. For me, I knew that I would be dedicated enough to put in the time with self study. I am pretty sure that for a lot of people that isn't the case. A lot of people would probably not be motivated enough to self study. Either way is effective, it's just a matter of what works best for the individual.

Do you think a class would have helped you score 730 plus or do you feel that you scored around your ceiling

[dmateer25]

I think the prep class vs. self study is really dependent upon the individual. For me, I knew that I would be dedicated enough to put in the time with self study. I am pretty sure that for a lot of people that isn't the case. A lot of people would probably not be motivated enough to self study. Either way is effective, it's just a matter of what works best for the individual.

Do you think a class would have helped you score 730 plus or do you feel that you scored around your ceiling

I don't know that a class would have helped much more. I feel like on my best day, I could have scored a 730. I think it was a matter of getting worn down during the test.

[Osirus@VeritasPrep]

Ok, that makes sense. Right now I'm contemplating whether a class would help me or not. Thanks for your input.

[money9111]

I was thinking about this topic while I was coming home from work today... I'm going to say the following...

If you are in the 680+ range already and are aiming for that 720+, a Prep class won't be the best option. If you're already in that scoring range - you know the basics. The prep classes put a lot of emphasis on these basics, rightfully so.

There are different levels of analytical skills between a 500 level student, 600 level, and 700 level. An example my instructor gave during our last class illustrates this point the best.

The question had to do with finding the sum of the last 5 numbers of 10 consecutive integers. The sum of the first 5 integers was given.

Lower Level - would be stumped...

Mid Level - find the average of the 1st 5 numbers... which would be the median... then figure out what the first 5 numbers in the set are.. to figure out the 7th number (median in 2nd set) and then multiply that by 5 to find the sum of the 2nd set. This is the way that I did it during the class... took me about a minute and a half

Upper Level - would find the average of the 1st 5 numbers... then using the median would then realize that the "opposite" number in the set of 10 integers has a difference of 5. Then since there are 5 sets of numbers, would realize that the sum of the last 5 would be 25 more than the first 5. (sorry for that explanation if it was weird... it's easier when written out) but the moral is the way that he did this... was accomplished in about 45 seconds...

Cheers!