Complete Course: Online OR in-person?? MGMAT OR Veritas??

[Preeto123]

Hi - I want to sign up for a compelte GMAT prep course, but can't decide between the following:

1. Online or in-person?
- When studying for the CPA exams after college, I bought the self-study material and hated it. I was mostly a 4.0 student in high school and college, but the "nerdy" side of me somewhat disappeared about 6 years ago. I tried self study for the GMAT in March, but that was a complete fail. So now, I know I have to take a live structured course, but can't decide between online or in-person. Any suggestions?

2. MGMAT or Veritas?
- The more research I do, the more confused I get. I have heard nothing but good things about MGMAT and mixed reviews on Veritas.
- My concerns:
-- 1. MGMAT is 9 weeks of 27 total class hours. Veritas is 6 weeks of 36 total class hours. Minor price difference ($60). Is Veritas really offering more or just making up for ineffective course plan?
-- 2. MGMAT is 13 miles from my work/home and Veritas is 3 miles.
-- 3. Veritas schedule is more convenient than MGMAT.
-- 4. I have the MGMAT books and familiar with their format.

Though Veritas is more convenient, I want to pick the course that will help improve my score the most. Of course, if they are both very comparable, then i'd rather go with the convenient one. So which one???

Please help!!
Thank you!

[David@VeritasPrep]

I encourage you to read the reviews on this very website. The tab is at the top of the page "GMAT Course Reviews" and is at this link: https://reviews.beatthegmat.com/

"Verified Reviews" is probably one of the greatest things that Beat the GMAT has done. The reviews posted here have to be written by real students and each student can only write one.

The next review of Veritas will be review number 500. The average number of stars for Veritas and Manhattan are the only ones above a 4.7. What is interesting is that this happens despite very high expectations that Veritas students have of the course.

The reason I took the time to reply was to answer a couple of things:

1) 9 additional class hours with Veritas, are they a benefit? I cannot imagine trying to pack all of the instruction into 9 fewer hours. For example, Veritas has a 3-hour session devoted just to Data Sufficiency. I taught this session again last week and I cannot get over how EVERY single student learns something from this lesson! Even a theoretical physicist (like Sheldon from Big Bang) still needs to know what the rules of the game are...those extra 9 hours get your sessions like that. In truth, I think 36 hours gives students what they need and no hour is wasted.


2) Online versus in person. In person is like the best college course you have ever taken. Most of the time is spent on problems, explaining problems and this can really be fun. You get to know the other people in the class, the instructor is right there in person. If you benefit from a controlled environment (i.e. cell phones are on vibrate and students tend to really focus) then in -person is for you. It sounds like the Veritas in-person is pretty close so that should work out.

The Online Veritas course is like the best online college course you have ever had! Most of the time is still spent on those same tough problems and it can be just as fun. The difference is that you are in your own home or office or wherever and that is very convenient. Living in Vermont, I am a good distance from the major cities so I teach online and it can be just as effective as in person. Every Veritas online class is recorded so if something does come up with your family or work and you miss part of a session you can watch the recording of that session with the same instructor and classmates, at your convenience.

Online versus in-person is your choice based on your strengths and preferences. Either one can be very effective. Your location gives you the luxury to choose!

Best of luck!