final verdict
Overall, Magoosh is our top pick because it offers a comprehensive GMAT prep course at a reasonable price. The $250 course includes one year of access to the course materials and comes with a 50-point score improvement guarantee. It’s not the cheapest or most robust course, but it does a good job of balancing cost and value for future GMAT takers.
If you’re considering taking the GMAT, a GMAT prep course or study guide can be an essential resource. Some students can get by with just a test prep book, but online courses with live help, practice exams, and large libraries of practice questions help others score higher. Magoosh does a good job of accommodating various learning styles and needs without breaking the bank.
Compare the Best GMAT Prep Courses
| Company | Price | Platform | Guarantee | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magosh Best overall | $249 | On line | 50 dots | 1 year access |
| Official GMAT Starter Kit Best Free Course | Free | On line | None | Unlimited |
| Kaplan Best Online Course | $999 to $1,599 | Self-paced or live online instruction (in-person also available) | Score improvement | 4 months |
| Princeton Review Best In-Person Class | $1,299 to $1,649 | Live instruction online or in person | Score improvement or 700+ score (depending on the course) | 4 months |
| The Economist GMAT tutor Ideal for student support | $449 to $989 | On line | 70 dots | 2 to 6 months |
| TestMasters High score improvement guarantee | $899 to $2,999 | Online, in class or one-on-one | 100 dots | 4 months |
| PrepScholar Best on a budget | $69 to $259 | On line | 60 dots | 4 months |
How to Choose the Best GMAT Prep Course
To choose the best GMAT prep courses, it’s a good idea to look at course material, number of practice exams and questions, cost, score improvement guarantees, and duration as key factors. .
- Course material: The quality and type of material is key to learning what you need to pass the GMAT.
- Number of resources: Each vendor offers a varying number of practice exams, sample questions, and other resources.
- Price: Cost is a big factor in the course you choose, although it is a relatively small factor due to the overall cost of taking the GMAT and earning an MBA.
- Score Boost Guarantee: Score improvement guarantees indicate the quality of teaching and the success of alumni.
- Duration: Longer courses give you more time to prepare and study.
Is a GMAT prep course worth it?
GMAT prep courses aren’t the only way to study for the GMAT, but they’re an important option for many prospective GMAT takers. GMAT prep courses are worth it for anyone who wants to do better on the GMAT exam and doesn’t trust themselves to study well using only books and other non-course resources. Depending on your needs, there’s likely a GMAT prep course that fits your budget, schedule, and learning style.
What is the GMAT?
The GMAT is the test for admission to graduate studies in management. This test is the standard entrance exam for Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programs worldwide. The GMAT is a computer-based test that includes multiple-choice questions and an essay section. GMAT scores range from 200 to 800, with an average score of around 565. Each university has different MBA admission requirements, so you should check your desired programs for typical undergraduate scores and GMAT scores for the ‘admission.
How do GMAT prep courses help improve test scores?
GMAT preparation courses teach both the content included in the GMAT test and the test skills to help you succeed with the GMAT format. Classroom-style instructions, practice tests, and sample questions prepare future GMAT candidates with the knowledge and skills to score their best possible score on the exam. Depending on the GMAT prep course you choose, you can get a guaranteed score improvement of up to 100 points from previous attempts.
How much do GMAT prep courses cost?
While there are free GMAT prep resources out there, most GMAT-related people would probably benefit from a paid GMAT prep course. Of the courses we reviewed, costs ranged from $69 for basic self-guided online programs to around $3,000 for a personalized, one-on-one course experience. Quality courses start at around $250 for self-guided online courses and materials. Many course providers offer additional tutoring and one-on-one instruction for an additional fee.
Methodology
To choose the best GMAT prep courses, we looked at the details of 10 popular course providers, focusing on materials, cost, duration, and learner outcomes. Courses with large question banks, multiple practice exams, and long durations performed best in our ratings. Cost was a factor but carried less weight, as MBA programs can cost up to six figures and GMAT prep is a relatively small expense, even in the $3,000 range. Only reputable test prep companies were included in our final results.