I need serious support with my GMAT quant score but am nervous because everyone out there is claiming to be an expert, and often have contradictory responses. What do I do? Who do I listen to? Has anyone else felt this before? How do you tell between a true expert and an "expert?"
BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course
Redeem
Featured Course
Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand
Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.
- 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
- 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
- 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
- 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
- 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
- TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
- 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
- OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
- Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
- MBA Admissions Consulting now available
- 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
- 200,000+ students served
- 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★
5.0
(559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start
then $127/mo
What makes an "expert?"
Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy |
-
machichi
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 174
- Location: San Francisco
- Thanked: 35 times
- GMAT Score:730
You are your own best expert. You should take in as much advice as you can and then figure out which of the strategies make sense for you and your learning style. Some people need a class, others a tutors, and yet others can study independently. The most important advice though is to truly learn the content areas AND the test design. What "true learning" looks like can only come from you!
Blogging about the MBA application process. Because I need to do something with all this bschool energy.
https://www.mbabreakaway.com/
Recent post: July 12, "Summer"
https://www.mbabreakaway.com/
Recent post: July 12, "Summer"
-
David@VeritasPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2193
- Location: Vermont and Boston, MA
- Thanked: 1186 times
- GMAT Score:770
I love what Machichi said! It really does all come down to you.
With that said, you should think about what your needs are on the Quant section. Do you need to review the "math" -- the rules and formulas, etc. Do you need to review the techniques for each type of question and the way to recognize what the question is actually asking? Do you need overall strategy for the quant section and also for not making "silly errors?"
Experts should not really argue much over the rules and formulas! That is the easiest to study on your own in book. With techniques and overall strategy experts may differ. Here is how to know if someone is a true expert...Do they meet you where you are or do they expect you to meet them on their preferred ground? I had a philosophy professor that graduated from college at 18 and had her Ph.D. by 21. She would remember what each student was majoring in and explain each philosophical point for each of those perspectives. Okay here is what this means in economics, here it is in physics, and so on. I have always tried to be like her even though I am sure I cannot match her performance!
A true expert is the one who explains it clearly. Beware of someone who hides behind complexity and jargon. A true expert can explain the same problem several different ways and does not get upset when asked for clarification. One more thing, a true expert should be able to make the difficult seem clearer and the tedious seem almost...fun.
With that said, you should think about what your needs are on the Quant section. Do you need to review the "math" -- the rules and formulas, etc. Do you need to review the techniques for each type of question and the way to recognize what the question is actually asking? Do you need overall strategy for the quant section and also for not making "silly errors?"
Experts should not really argue much over the rules and formulas! That is the easiest to study on your own in book. With techniques and overall strategy experts may differ. Here is how to know if someone is a true expert...Do they meet you where you are or do they expect you to meet them on their preferred ground? I had a philosophy professor that graduated from college at 18 and had her Ph.D. by 21. She would remember what each student was majoring in and explain each philosophical point for each of those perspectives. Okay here is what this means in economics, here it is in physics, and so on. I have always tried to be like her even though I am sure I cannot match her performance!
A true expert is the one who explains it clearly. Beware of someone who hides behind complexity and jargon. A true expert can explain the same problem several different ways and does not get upset when asked for clarification. One more thing, a true expert should be able to make the difficult seem clearer and the tedious seem almost...fun.
