The Best GMAT Prep Courses of 2023

Frequently Asked Questions: Best GMAT Prep Courses

We go over some frequently asked questions about GMAT review courses in general in the section below. If you’re looking for additional, course-specific information, please see our in-depth, individual reviews. Also, we’d be more than happy to personally address any questions or recommend a course based on your background and circumstances. Simply reach out to us using our contact form, and we’ll be in touch soon!

How Do I Select the Best GMAT Prep Course For Me?

There’s a lot to consider when selecting a GMAT review course. You’ll need to weigh your budget against your GMAT score goals while also giving thought to your learning preferences and exam timeline. To help answer this question, let’s go through a series of steps to narrow down your list.

1. Is a top GMAT score an important factor to gain admission at your target business schools? If you’re applying to one of the more competitive programs or seeking merit-based scholarships, you’re going to want a higher score and may need a potentially bigger budget. Of course, you may find that one of the cheaper options is the best fit for you. 
2. Do you need, or prefer, live exam prep instruction (in-person or online)? Most of the newer test prep companies only offer on-demand review courses. If you think you may need the accountability and personalized attention of a live class, you’ll need to turn to Kaplan Test Prep or The Princeton Review for one of their live GMAT classes. 
3. Both the established as well as the newer prep providers offer on-demand courses, so you’ll have plenty of options if you don’t require live instruction. 
4. Do you like to follow well-structured study plans with detailed guidance? If so, then you may want to consider Target Test Prep GMAT or The Economist GMAT Tutor review courses.
5. If you enjoy a more relaxed approach with less rigid structure, Magoosh may be a good fit for you. I should also note that Magoosh provides GMAT study plans for students who prefer more structured exam prep. 
6. Do you find PowerPoint-style presentations difficult to follow? Do you need visible instructors with HD video to stay engaged in the review lessons? If so, you may need to consider one of the premium providers such as Manhattan Prep or Kaplan. 

Are GMAT Review Courses Worth It?

In my opinion, yes they are worth it. As someone who has taken the GMAT both with and without a prep course, I can attest to the significant score improvements most review courses promise. Studying with a GMAT prep course is more streamlined and effective than studying on your own with books. 

But don’t just take my word for it. Give several of the courses a try via their free trials to see which one you prefer. GMAT courses are available for a wide range of budgets, and a top score can potentially provide scholarship dollars and increased odds of admission at your target business school programs. 

When Should I Plan To Take a GMAT Course?

You should plan to take a GMAT prep course as early as possible once you know which admissions cycle you’ll be applying for. Ideally, you should start your GMAT prep about 9-10 months prior to your first business school application deadline. Why so early? See below for a few considerations:

1. Business school applications should not be underestimated. A great deal of effort and coordination goes into submitting a stellar MBA application. Your statement of purpose and essays are very important to the process, and you’ll likely want to write those without the stress of simultaneously studying for the GMAT. Most admissions consultants recommend at least 3 full months of focused work on your applications meaning you’ll need to have your goal GMAT score no later than 3 months before your first deadline. 
2. One other reason to get your GMAT out of the way early is to allow yourself time for potential retakes. There’s a certain amount of uncertainty around every individual GMAT score, so it’s important to give yourself the opportunity to retake if you had a bad day on your first attempt. Generally, it’s a good idea to plan your second attempt about 4-6 weeks after your first. 
3. The last item to consider is how many months you intend to study for the exam. Many instructors and tutors recommend an average of around 4 months. Any more than that, and it becomes easy to get complacent in your studies or retain everything. That being said, some students can benefit from longer study plans such as those who need to take math refresher courses or if English is a second language. Also, I should mention that 4 months is the average leading up to the first GMAT exam date. Many students plan for a retake 4-6 weeks later so the total time tends to be closer to 6 months start to finish.

Do Review Courses Offer Refunds?

Nearly all of the GMAT review courses we recommend include some type of score increase guarantee, or you’ll be entitled to a full refund. Some providers such as Kaplan even provide an option to continue retaking courses until you’re satisfied with your score. Also, many test prep companies offer a risk-free trial period for up to the first seven days after signing up (see PrepScholar GMAT). While most offer some type of guarantee, be sure to thoroughly evaluate each provider’s full policy as some will have more stringent eligibility requirements than others. 

How Much Does a GMAT Prep Course Cost?

GMAT prep courses are available at a wide variety of price points. The cost of a review course ranges from as low as around $200 for an online, on-demand option and up to $2,000 for a live online GMAT class format with private tutoring options. In general, the fully self-directed courses will cost less while course packages with tutoring hours built-in will cost the most.