GMAT Prep course/class reviews, ratings, discount codes

My GMAT Prep Course with Veritas
Haven't talked about this much, but I'm getting ready to apply to Business PhD programs for admission in Fall of 2010. To that end, I have to take the GMAT again (turns out schools don't accept 14-year-old scores) and since I figured I was going to have a hard time getting myself to study for it, I enrolled in a course with "Veritas Prep", which sounds like an aptly branded high school for nouveau riche children.

It's not. It's just another test prep company like Kaplan and Princeton Review. I've gone for two weeks now and...

Good:

* For the money, they give you a lot of class time (14 sessions vs. 8 or so with the other companies).

* The workbooks they use are pretty well written and lend themselves to self-teaching.

* On the second night of class one person who was re-taking the class said that last time everything moved too fast for her, to which the instructor responded that it moves as fast as it moves and they expect students to have some reasonable understanding of the subject matter beforehand so deal with it. I'm paraphrasing.

* Most of the answer keys are correct.

Bad:

* The teachers are more like TAs than professors. Basically, they just read through the manual and answer questions if they come up. I'm guessing this is the Veritas method, but it seems a little half-hearted.

* More class sessions means it's kind of a pain having to spend three hours twice a week to attend.

* The hotel where the classes are held appears to have no food-vending machines.

* The other students in the class -- well, yeah. I guess they're about what I expected. But since most of the students in the class are going to be happy scoring 600 and the instruction is focused mostly on them -- well...

All in all -- it's probably the right thing for me to be doing to prepare for the test. I get next to nothing out of the in-class instruction, but it gives me six relatively quiet hours a week during which I can work through the workbooks and practice problems, which is a lot more time than I'd spend preparing otherwise.

bkd

bhatiagp · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2009 10:37 pm

Heres my review on Knewton

The Positives :

1) Very helpful set of people. They reply back to all your queries with a lot of detail and you can expect most responses back within 24 hours. I have got responses on Sunday as well, at times.

2) Online learning works . Their site is adaptive, and it generally throws questions to you which it feels you are weaker on.

3) 50 pt guarantee should work for most. I improved my score by 60 points from 660 to 720. Also I had a balanced score as Knewton focuses equally on Quant and Verbal . I have read that a lopsided high score is inferior to a balanced score with the same total.

4) Although many people feel that Knewtons questions are a rip off of the Official material, this strategy works. They drill the Test Prep Makers strategies into your head, and you are far better off doing questions that are similiar to those that you will see on the exam. The SC in verbal were a breeze, as I could spot most errors with ease.

6) Their Quant Strategy and Verbal strategy sections are excellent. They do significantly improve your skills at choosing the correct answer, or atleast chosing between 2 answers , when you are in doubt.

7) Despite many complaining that Knewton Diagnostic isnt a valid interpretation of your actual ability , the truth is that my final scores are more in line with their tests than the Official Gmatprep. This is also because many GMATPrep problems are already tackled by most of us on this forum or in the Vebal and Quant guides, while practicing.

Again for the money back guarantee , they chose the highest of your two previous scores. Either the Offical GMAT or their diagnostic.. So if you score a 660 on their test and have scored 690 on your actual test , earlier , your money back guarantee is based on your baseline of 690.
They could have very easily selected to use the lower of both scores, or just use their diagnostic for the money back guarantee. The fact that they used thehigher score means that they are confident in their material and techniques, and the overall Knewton product. I feel very comfortable in recommending Knewton to any future candidate looking for a one- two month testprep.
8) Instructors on Knewton are top notch, and the live sessions are fabulous. I attend the classes twice. Once live and once I went through the archives. It definiately helped. On many ocassions the TA spent more than 20 minutes with me after class to take me through individual concepts.

9) The guys are value for money. The course isnt expensive, given the fact that they have been offering discounts on most courses off late.

10) Videos of most individual topics , where you are weak, are an excellent way to strengthen your concepts.

11) You cant rewind a live class, but at Knewton you can see atleast two archived lessons on each class, with different instructors, and also attend a live class in addition to that.

12) Last but noth the least, Knewton promises a live Pre MBA class, which will include a live case study discussion with a Harvard Business School professor. This Pre MBA program will be offered free with their already excellent GMAT training package, making it one of the unique combinations in comparison to other GMAT training programs.

Negatives

1) The Quant sections on Knewton tests are simpler than the actual GMAT. I was able to complete all tests with 5 minutes to spare, but on my actual GMAT I was in a tight spot , trying to rush through the last few questions in Quant. I have read that their GMAT Quant questions are being revised for their CAT's to have them be as tough as those seen in the actual CAT's

Overall Review

Can confidently recommend Knewton to any candidate looking at improving his test score. They deserve a 5/5 . But Ill give them a 4.5, because they can still improve on the Quant practice tests.

Again with their killer money back guarantee , there will be no reason to regret joining Knewton . I can vouch for their program's efficacy.

healthbiotech1 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:17 pm

I read all the reviews. RIght now, I am deciding between taking a GMAT course at Kaplan, Manhattan GMAT, or Testmasters. Any recommendations? Does anyone have any information on Testmasters GMAT course?

bb · **Posted:** Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:04 pm

healthbiotech1 wrote:

I read all the reviews. RIght now, I am deciding between taking a GMAT course at Kaplan, Manhattan GMAT, or Testmasters. Any recommendations? Does anyone have any information on Testmasters GMAT course?

Have not hear of TestMasters for a long time. They still around? Anything good?

prepexchange · **Posted:** Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:08 am

TestMasters is still around. But I think they mostly only have classes in Los Angeles.

mchhokar · **Posted:** Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:31 am

bhatiagp wrote:

Heres my review on Knewton

The Positives :

1) Very helpful set of people. They reply back to all your queries with a lot of detail and you can expect most responses back within 24 hours. I have got responses on Sunday as well, at times.

2) Online learning works . Their site is adaptive, and it generally throws questions to you which it feels you are weaker on.

3) 50 pt guarantee should work for most. I improved my score by 60 points from 660 to 720. Also I had a balanced score as Knewton focuses equally on Quant and Verbal . I have read that a lopsided high score is inferior to a balanced score with the same total.

4) Although many people feel that Knewtons questions are a rip off of the Official material, this strategy works. They drill the Test Prep Makers strategies into your head, and you are far better off doing questions that are similiar to those that you will see on the exam. The SC in verbal were a breeze, as I could spot most errors with ease.

6) Their Quant Strategy and Verbal strategy sections are excellent. They do significantly improve your skills at choosing the correct answer, or atleast chosing between 2 answers , when you are in doubt.

7) Despite many complaining that Knewton Diagnostic isnt a valid interpretation of your actual ability , the truth is that my final scores are more in line with their tests than the Official Gmatprep. This is also because many GMATPrep problems are already tackled by most of us on this forum or in the Vebal and Quant guides, while practicing.

Again for the money back guarantee , they chose the highest of your two previous scores. Either the Offical GMAT or their diagnostic.. So if you score a 660 on their test and have scored 690 on your actual test , earlier , your money back guarantee is based on your baseline of 690.
They could have very easily selected to use the lower of both scores, or just use their diagnostic for the money back guarantee. The fact that they used thehigher score means that they are confident in their material and techniques, and the overall Knewton product. I feel very comfortable in recommending Knewton to any future candidate looking for a one- two month testprep.
8) Instructors on Knewton are top notch, and the live sessions are fabulous. I attend the classes twice. Once live and once I went through the archives. It definiately helped. On many ocassions the TA spent more than 20 minutes with me after class to take me through individual concepts.

9) The guys are value for money. The course isnt expensive, given the fact that they have been offering discounts on most courses off late.

10) Videos of most individual topics , where you are weak, are an excellent way to strengthen your concepts.

11) You cant rewind a live class, but at Knewton you can see atleast two archived lessons on each class, with different instructors, and also attend a live class in addition to that.

12) Last but noth the least, Knewton promises a live Pre MBA class, which will include a live case study discussion with a Harvard Business School professor. This Pre MBA program will be offered free with their already excellent GMAT training package, making it one of the unique combinations in comparison to other GMAT training programs.

Negatives

1) The Quant sections on Knewton tests are simpler than the actual GMAT. I was able to complete all tests with 5 minutes to spare, but on my actual GMAT I was in a tight spot , trying to rush through the last few questions in Quant. I have read that their GMAT Quant questions are being revised for their CAT's to have them be as tough as those seen in the actual CAT's

Overall Review

Can confidently recommend Knewton to any candidate looking at improving his test score. They deserve a 5/5 . But Ill give them a 4.5, because they can still improve on the Quant practice tests.

Again with their killer money back guarantee , there will be no reason to regret joining Knewton . I can vouch for their program's efficacy.

Very nice review. I am planning to retake and Knewton looks like a road to me...

osbornecox · **Posted:** Sat Dec 05, 2009 6:15 am

I might try Knewton. I underperformed so badly on test day that it's left me with all sorts of doubts (80 points worse than my 2 GMATPreps...)

wilbase · **Posted:** Sat Dec 05, 2009 9:41 pm

osbornecox wrote:

I might try Knewton. I underperformed so badly on test day that it's left me with all sorts of doubts (80 points worse than my 2 GMATPreps...)

I am sorry to hear about that. I thought the GMATPreps is a good indicator. I haven't taken the real test yet, still practicing. What do you think is the main different when you take the real test?

osbornecox · **Posted:** Sat Dec 05, 2009 10:37 pm

Hi wilbase, I think the following things affected me:

- Most importantly, when I practiced, I didn't do the AWA (just didn't consider it important). I underestimated the impact of expending 50 minutes of intellectual energy before the CAT.
- I was slightly dehydrated from an excrutiating soccer match in the sun two days earlier (I work in the Middle East and it gets very hot here, though right now it's pleasant).
- Cracked under pressure (I think I want this much more badly than I've wanted results in previous tests, in which I've usually done well).

So things to watch out for:
- practice PROPERLY
- stay well hydrated, fed, rested etc
- keep your cool!

I'm going to bounce back.

wilbase · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 1:45 pm

osbornecox wrote:

Hi wilbase, I think the following things affected me:

- Most importantly, when I practiced, I didn't do the AWA (just didn't consider it important). I underestimated the impact of expending 50 minutes of intellectual energy before the CAT.
- I was slightly dehydrated from an excrutiating soccer match in the sun two days earlier (I work in the Middle East and it gets very hot here, though right now it's pleasant).
- Cracked under pressure (I think I want this much more badly than I've wanted results in previous tests, in which I've usually done well).

So things to watch out for:
- practice PROPERLY
- stay well hydrated, fed, rested etc
- keep your cool!

I'm going to bounce back.

Great! I will be sure to practice properly. Thanks

osbornecox · **Posted:** Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:23 pm

wilbase wrote:

osbornecox wrote:

Hi wilbase, I think the following things affected me:

- Most importantly, when I practiced, I didn't do the AWA (just didn't consider it important). I underestimated the impact of expending 50 minutes of intellectual energy before the CAT.
- I was slightly dehydrated from an excrutiating soccer match in the sun two days earlier (I work in the Middle East and it gets very hot here, though right now it's pleasant).
- Cracked under pressure (I think I want this much more badly than I've wanted results in previous tests, in which I've usually done well).

So things to watch out for:
- practice PROPERLY
- stay well hydrated, fed, rested etc
- keep your cool!

I'm going to bounce back.

Great! I will be sure to practice properly. Thanks

I must mention that my preparation wasn't nearly as thorough as it could've/should've been. I used two books (McGraw Hill, Verbal and Math) which were enough to get me a double 710 on the GMATPreps with three weeks of practice, but no Official Guide, no Manhattan, nothing else... Come test day, I lacked DEPTH in my abilities and knowledge of the concepts, and I froze.

I intend on being much more thorough, with greater reservoirs of preparation. I've bought one more McGraw Hill book (low sample size but the reviews are poor!) which has four CAT tests in its DVD, as well as more test strategies; the OG Verbal and Quantitative; I'm considering getting Manhattan Number Properties, Inequalities and Sentence Correction; and considering trying Knewton. I refuse to improve by less than 100 points!

wilbase · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:47 am

osbornecox wrote:

I must mention that my preparation wasn't nearly as thorough as it could've/should've been. I used two books (McGraw Hill, Verbal and Math) which were enough to get me a double 710 on the GMATPreps with three weeks of practice, but no Official Guide, no Manhattan, nothing else... Come test day, I lacked DEPTH in my abilities and knowledge of the concepts, and I froze.

I intend on being much more thorough, with greater reservoirs of preparation. I've bought one more McGraw Hill book (low sample size but the reviews are poor!) which has four CAT tests in its DVD, as well as more test strategies; the OG Verbal and Quantitative; I'm considering getting Manhattan Number Properties, Inequalities and Sentence Correction; and considering trying Knewton. I refuse to improve by less than 100 points!

So, do you think the GMATPreps is a good indicator for your actually score? or was it way easier than the real test?

osbornecox · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:10 am

One would think that there's some reliability to the GMATPrep, normally, it should be in a plus or minus 20 point range, so normally I'd test anywhere between a 690 and a 730. My 630 was unusually poor. I really won't know until I try testing myself again after this second barrage of studying. A bit hard when you have a girlfriend, but we'll see...

wilbase · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:22 am

osbornecox wrote:

One would think that there's some reliability to the GMATPrep, normally, it should be in a plus or minus 20 point range, so normally I'd test anywhere between a 690 and a 730. My 630 was unusually poor. I really won't know until I try testing myself again after this second barrage of studying. A bit hard when you have a girlfriend, but we'll see...

Thanks. Good luck with your study!

prasadrg · **Posted:** Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:33 pm

After throughly analysing the reviews, I have enrolled myself in Knewton. Let us see how far it goes and I hope I can write a success story here.

bb · **Posted:** Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:50 pm

prasadrg wrote:

After throughly analysing the reviews, I have enrolled myself in Knewton. Let us see how far it goes and I hope I can write a success story here.

Please do - will be very valuable for everyone to read your feedback.
Hope you took advantage of the holiday offer with them (ends today) http://gmatclub.com/blog/2009/12/knewto ... gmat-class

gottabwise · **Posted:** Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:00 pm

I partially took a Manhattan GMAT course. I say partially because I didn't really avail myself mentally. I think that the materials are great but that one should do preliminary prep before enrolling in any course. It gives you a better idea of what you're dealing with content wise and also helps prepare you to be a better student, one who can truly take advantage of the knowledgebase of course instructors and tutors.

dmetla · **Posted:** Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:27 pm

Thanks for the consolidated list

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