Which online prep course to choose?!

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czechchamp: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 36; Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:36 pm; Location: Texas

Which online prep course to choose?!

by czechchamp » Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:50 pm

Hello everyone,

I've been studying GMAT for 6-7 weeks now; however, with my full-time job its not going as well as expected. I'd like to score somewhere in the 670 - 700 range. That would be my goal.

Last time I took a prep test was approximately 3-4 weeks ago and I got 570 (GMAT Official Prep Test). I'd like to get on with my studies and finish before mid May. So my question for all of you GMAT gurus is: Which online prep course do you recommend??

Kaplan, Princeton or Manhattan?! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:50 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; Followed by:694 members; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:34 pm

Hi - you can sit in on one of our class sessions for free and check the class out for yourself. Go to the course section of our website for details (www.manhattangmat.com).

Just FYI, most courses run for 8-10 weeks and it's already early April. (In other words, finishing by mid-May is unlikely.)

Please note: I do not use the Private Messaging system! I will not see any PMs that you send to me!!

Stacey Koprince
GMAT Instructor
Director of Online Community
Manhattan GMAT

Contributor to Beat The GMAT!

Learn more about me

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czechchamp: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 36; Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:36 pm; Location: Texas

by czechchamp » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:42 am

Thank you Stacey,

I guess I misunderstood the concept because I thought the courses were pre-recorded and I could access them 24/7 for limited time period.

Have to do some more thinking now.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; Followed by:694 members; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:42 am

Ah, I see. We do also offer a self-study package that allows you to view tapes of the classes instead of having live instruction - you can find the details on our web site. Even then, I wouldn't recommend doing the course in less than 9 weeks. There's a LOT of work associated with each class and you need to give your brain time to process all of the info. For each 3 hour class, there's something like 10 to 20 hours of homework.

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czechchamp: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 36; Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:36 pm; Location: Texas

by czechchamp » Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:52 pm

Stacey,

I looked up your website and I'm torn between the 2-week bootcamp and the 9-session prep course that you offer. I understand that the boot camp is intense 2 week course and it may take more than 2 weeks before I'll be "ready" to take the GMAT....but I will have the access to the course material for next 3 months following the bootcamp; therefore, it is essentially the same thing as the 9-session prep course am I right (only compressed into 2 week period)?

Because I have to decide before April 13th - that's when the next 9-session prep course begins - could you please answer for me the following questions: What is the cost for the bootcamp? When is the next bootcamp available? And finally, would you recommend the 9-session prep course over the bootcamp or vice versa?!

Thank you Stacey!

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; Followed by:694 members; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:05 pm

Yes, both are the same thing and you will have access to the material for 3 months for either one.

I STRONGLY recommend the 9-week course over the bootcamp. Bootcamp should only be for people who cannot do the 9-week course for some reason. Studying for this test is an immense amount of work.

The boot camp is usually only offered about once every three months in New York. If you don't see a date listed on the web site, you are either not in New York (and therefore not looking at the NY-based list of classes) or there's not one coming up in the next 2 months. You can contact the office (800.576.GMAT or [email protected]) if you want to ask when they plan to schedule the next one. They'll also be able to tell you the pricing; I'm just a lowly instructor and don't know that stuff.

But really? Don't do the boot camp. I think it's more expensive anyway and you'll learn better if you spread it out over a more reasonable length of time.

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czechchamp: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 36; Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:36 pm; Location: Texas

by czechchamp » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:37 am

Fair enough Stacey,

Thank you for the feedback, it's greatly appreciated. I think I'll sign up for the 9-session prep course and get done with the darn test once for all

Although it's a lot of work, its much easier to do so because I'll be taught the concepts as opposed to trying to figure them out myself. My schedule isn't very supportive of that. I just should have done this while back....

I'm shooting for 700 that's a decent score, I'll keep you posted!

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czechchamp: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 36; Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:36 pm; Location: Texas

by czechchamp » Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:18 pm

Stacey,

I've been very pleased with the course so far. Today, I received all the materials including the headphones and, although I just took the first class, I have a good idea how this course will be able to benefit me in the long run. Btw, the first CAT that I took before starting the course - 630 (with few breaks - not 100% testing conditions).

I'll write more as I the course progresses.

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pm; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; Followed by:694 members; GMAT Score:780