This post was updated in 2024 for the new GMAT.
Choosing the best GMAT prep course, like choosing a business school, is all about what works best for you as an individual. There is no objectively ‘best’ course that is right for everyone, but there are six GMAT courses that should be on your radar in deciding which option suits your needs. One way to choose a course is to attend a free session or engage with some free material to see what suits you best.
To make your decision, you’ll have to consider your learning style, and which course elements—from price to score guarantees—matter most to you. Don’t worry. We’ve done the hard work for you and have broken down the pros and cons of what we consider the six best GMAT online prep courses.
Top 6 Best GMAT Prep Courses
Here’s what you need to know about the best GMAT prep courses at a glance. Click the company’s name to read our full, honest review of their offerings!
| Company | Price of Self-paced course | Private tutoring price | Score improvement guarantee | Practice questions and tests | Length of access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magoosh | $349 | N/A | Up to 70 point score improvement guarantee | 800+ questions; 2+ tests | One-year |
| Princeton Review | $799 | $180 an hour | 575 starting score required for 645+ score guarantee | 3,000+ questions; 4 tests | Four-month |
| Target Test Prep | $229 per month or $699 for 6 months | $350 per hour | Up to 130 point score improvement guarantee | 4,000+ questions | One-month to six-month |
| Manhattan Prep (powered by Kaplan) | $850 | $290 per hour | None for self-paced, on-demand course | 1,100+ questions; 6 tests | Six-month |
| PrepScholar | $139-$259 | 4 hours from $779 | 60+ score guarantee | 750 or 1000+ questions; 2 tests | Three or four months |
| e-GMAT | $199-$399 | N/A | N/A | 5,000+ questions; 5 tests | Two-month to six-month |
Magoosh: Best ROI GMAT Prep
- $349 GMAT Premium or $449 for GMAT Premium + MBA Application Support
- One-year access
- Two practice tests
- 200+ video lessons
- 800+ practice questions, each with a video answer explanation
Review
We’re not just tooting our own horn here! Magoosh is consistently ranked among the best GMAT prep courses. And that is not just due to the low price, but to the quality of content, which is on par with competitors. While the cost of Magoosh courses is much lower, you are getting all the content and support you need to ace the test, with one of the best GMAT online prep courses available.
- You can sign up for a seven-day free trial. There is a money back guarantee if you don’t like the product within seven days.
- Up to 70 score improvement guarantee on the total premium package
- Fast, expert email and chat support for students.
- Not only do you get a year’s access to content (the longest access period in the best prep course list), but you can also pause your plan if you need to.
- Accurate score predictor based on scores and official reports of previous students
- Study schedules and checklists, a progress tracker, and smart feedback can help you stay on track.
- Magoosh is the only test prep company on the list to offer both video and written answer explanations.
Cons:
- You get only two practice tests.
Princeton Review: Most Comprehensive GMAT Course
- Price: From $799 to $1999
- Private tutoring: $180 per hour
- Four-month access
- 4,400+ practice problems
- 4 full-length GMAT Focus style practice tests
Review
Princeton Review is a go-to comprehensive course with great question explanations and quality content. They offer solid, tried, and tested courses. The course offers a wealth of video lessons and a truly epic amount of practice questions. It’s a great option for students who value being able to drill through a lot of material The self-paced offering starts at $799 and features a 7 day money back guarantee.
Pros:
- There are adaptive drills that simulate the way the GMAT algorithm increases or decreases the level of difficulty according to your ability.
- 4 full-length GMAT Focus practice tests.
- If you don’t improve your score you can get a refund on your tuition. You are also able to repeat the program for free if you are not satisfied.
- Time-saving adaptive video-based lessons
Cons:
- Self-study students only get four months of access to content.
- The interface and videos are not as slick as those of companies like Manhattan.
- The course is comparatively expensive.
Target Test Prep: Best Quant-focused GMAT Prep Course
- Price: From $229 per month to $699 for six months’ access
- $1599 for six months’ access + live classes
- $350 for private tutoring
- 4,000+ practice questions
- 1400+ video solutions
Review
For a long time, Target Test Prep focused on Quant only and built up a reputation as an excellent Quant course. Now, there is a verbal component added at no extra cost. Target Test Prep is a great option for students who want to do a lot of questions and to see in-depth performance analytics.
- All test prep plans include live expert support
- The content has inbuilt Intelligent metrics and error tracking
- You can test out the course with a five-day free trial
Cons:
- The customer test builder doesn’t mimic the real GMAT test experience. While you can get free and paid-for practice tests from other sources, computer-adaptive practice tests would have made this offering more competitive.
- Still Quant heavy and not as robust an option for students who need Verbal help.
Manhattan Prep: Best GMAT Video Lessons
- $850 for their on-demand course
- Private tutoring: $290 per hour
- Six-month access
- 1,100+ practice questions
- Six official GMAT Focus practice tests
Review
Manhattan Prep is known for its engaging videos and instructors. The materials are top-notch and the self-study GMAT guides frequently make the best GMAT books lists.
- Materials are engaging and tutors have a reputation for dynamic and entertaining lessons.
- You get access to a discussion forum to delve into GMAT topics.
Cons:
- There is no score guarantee for Manhattan Prep’s self-paced, on-demand course option.
- Practice tests are known for being slightly more difficult than the GMAT itself. This could be a pro or a con depending on what motivates you.
PrepScholar: Best Personalized GMAT Experience
- Price: $139 to $259
- Private tutoring: 4 hours of tutoring from $779
- Either three or four months of access
- Between 750-1000+ practice problems depending on the plan purchased.
- Two full length practice tests
Review
PrepScholar’s GMAT prep course is designed around personalization. Students take a diagnostic test upfront, and their proprietary algorithm works to create a custom study plan. You can also see which skills you have mastered and which you still need to work on on your student dashboard.
- The personalized curriculum is perfect for those studying under time pressure.
Cons:
- PrepScholar does not have as many practice questions as its competitors. To be fair though, few students get through all the practice questions on offer, in addition to those in the Official guide.
- Your access period for PrepScholar is well below those of competitors—you get only four months of access for their flagship Completely Customised Online GMAT Prep course.
E-GMAT: Best GMAT Verbal Course For Non-native English Speakers
- Price: $199-$399
- Two-month to six-month access
- 5,000+ practices questions
- Five company made practice tests
Review
e-GMAT has a reputation for helping non-native English speakers improve their Verbal scores. Highly ranked and dedicated tutors are employed full-time.
- You get a customized study plan.
- Ability quizzes isolate your areas of weakness so you can focus on gaps.
- There is a seven-day money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with the course.
- The scoring algorithm of practice tests tries to mimic that of the GMAT.
Cons:
- There are no one-on-one tutoring options available.
GMAT Prep FAQ
Is there anything I need to know about the GMAT Focus when starting my prep?
The GMAT underwent a major overhaul in November 2023 with the updated test being called the GMAT Focus. This name was used to distinguish between the new format and the old GMAT while both versions of the test were available to test-takers. Starting in July 2024 there will only be the updated test available and the name GMAT Focus will no longer be used. All of the prep courses featured here have made extensive upgrades to their materials to make sure students are prepping for the new test format effectively. Make sure that any supplemental resources you use, including books and internet resources, are referencing the new test format.
Are the more expensive GMAT prep courses worth the price?
That depends on what you are getting and what you are looking for. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that cost always equals quality. In general, expect to pay more for more one-on-one time with an instructor. Private tutoring can often be the best way to identify and address gaps in your knowledge. If you are unsure about which is the best GMAT online prep course for you, be sure to utilize free trials or reach out about sitting in on a live session. This will allow you see how each prep course fits with your personal learning style.
What’s the difference between online and in-person GMAT prep courses?
While the content should be the same, in-person GMAT prep courses give you the chance to ask any questions you might have about the topics. In-person classes can also make you feel more accountable and can give you access to a group of peers all going through the same thing. The best GMAT online prep courses, on the other hand, will give you all the materials you need to work around your schedule and ability level. Learners who appreciate being able to learn when and where they want while also enjoying the freedom to adapt their study plans often do better with online courses. Students who value live instructor feedback and the accountability of a live course will prefer in-person courses. Whether in-person or online classes are better for you, will depend on your learning style, schedule, and requirements.
What are the best GMAT prep apps?
One great way to study is to utilize flashcards. The Magoosh Math flashcards give you an overview of all the GMAT math rules. While math is very much about practice, these flashcards make the general rules that you’ll need for Data Sufficiency more explicit and easier to remember.
If you are looking for a mental math workout before the test, look no further than the Math Tricks app and Calculator: The game app which allow you to practice the mental math tricks that can speed up your problem-solving in the GMAT. While these are not GMAT apps per se, they will help you to solve mental math problems more quickly and creatively.
The Wiley Efficient Learning mobile app also needs a mention as a must-have GMAT app. It is essentially a more portable version of the Official Guide. It will give you access to the same Official Guide Questions in the book and online question bank, just on the go.
What materials should I use in my GMAT prep?
You’ll want to get a copy of the GMAT™ Official Guide so you can practice with real GMAT questions. But you’ll also need some guidance on how to answer the questions. For insights, tools, and strategies, you should get hold of some kind of GMAT prep book. Don’t underestimate the usefulness of a GMAT study schedule to keep you on track and focused. Learn how to build your own GMAT study schedule to keep yourself motivated and accountable.
Remember the best GMAT prep materials are the ones that work best for you. Part of the emphasis on practice is to get a sense of what works for you. Everyone is slightly different in their approach so experiment while you are practicing to adapt generic strategies to your benefit. Keeping a diligent error log while you practice is an essential tool to diagnose your areas of weakness and target your study.
Whichever method of study you choose, try not to get too bogged down in the theory. Don’t learn the theory in isolation without considering how the GMAT tests different concepts. The GMAT is all about practice—and gaining as much insight into the test and the question types as you can from each question you practice.
In your first phase of studying you might find it useful not to focus too heavily on timing. Rather, learn the concepts at your own pace. Once you have a good idea of how to answer questions you can introduce timing in the second phase. Lastly, you should have practiced a number of mock tests before you take the GMAT to get a feel of the test, build up stamina and see what checks and balances you can introduce to improve your score.
These are our top picks for the best GMAT online prep courses! Like we mentioned earlier, the best GMAT prep course may vary greatly depending on your study style, strengths and weaknesses, and even your reason for taking the GMAT. Nevertheless, we hope this list can help you decide which prep course or study method works best for you. Good luck! 🙂
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