{"id":36647,"date":"2017-03-30T17:27:37","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T00:27:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=36647"},"modified":"2017-03-30T17:44:56","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T00:44:56","slug":"affordable-online-test-prep-episode-198","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/affordable-online-test-prep-episode-198\/","title":{"rendered":"Affordable Online Test Prep [Episode 198]"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Listen<\/a><\/p>\n

We are now getting calls from applicants who plan to plan to apply in the summer, fall, and winter to matriculate in 2018. A few have all their ducks lined up \u2013 test score in place, school visits planned, a GPA they\u2019re proud of, and maybe they\u2019re just rounding out their profile to put icing on the application cake. Others wish they had the test score they wanted. And still others are studying for, or more likely, planning to start test prep to take their particular exam for the first time. Those applicants \u2013 the ones still dealing with aptitude exams \u2013 are probably the majority of applicants preparing to apply in the upcoming application cycle.<\/p>\n

Because so many people are thinking about test prep, I\u2019ve invited Bhavin Parikh, CEO & Co-Founder of Magoosh back to Admissions Straight Talk<\/a>. His company is an innovative leader in the online test prep industry. Magoosh is, according to its website, \u201can affordable online test prep company the offers study programs and apps for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL AND Praxis.\u201d Bhavin attended Duke University where he earned a joint BS\/BA in Economics and Computer Science. He then worked for Deloitte Consulting for 5 years and attended UC Berkeley\u2019s Haas School of Business where he earned his MBA and co-founded Magoosh with three others. Welcome, Bhavin!<\/p>\n

What does Magoosh provide?<\/strong> [2:10]<\/p>\n

We help students prepare for standardized tests. The broader mission of the company is helping people overcome barriers at various points in their careers \u2013 standardized tests are one of those barriers as people enter college or grad school.<\/p>\n

We offer a web-based product \u2013 people can sign up for a free trial. Our courses include short video lessons explaining concepts, and then people can do practice questions. We also provide a service where people can reach out with questions.<\/p>\n

Is it a monthly subscription? Or a fee for a set period of time?<\/strong> [3:18]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a set fee, generally for six or 12 months. Most of the products are $100 or $150.<\/p>\n

Is Magoosh intended to be a standalone course, or a supplement to other study methods (such as classes or tutoring)?<\/strong> [4:05]<\/p>\n

When we started seven to eight years ago, it was meant more as a supplement. Now it\u2019s effectively standalone. But given our price-point, many people do use it as a supplement to a class.<\/p>\n

What is distinctive about Magoosh?<\/strong> [5:18]<\/p>\n

We have in-house content experts who\u2019ve been tutoring this material for years, and we update our content based on data from our users. Since our content creation is in-house, we can see where students are getting stuck and where we can improve.<\/p>\n

So you\u2019re looking at data as well as qualitative feedback?<\/strong> [6:40]<\/p>\n

Yes. We collect both qualitative and quantitative information. For example, we collect a \u201clike\u201d rate on each video, so we know how students are responding. But we also track requests for help \u2013 if we get a lot of requests for help on the same video, we know we need to update something or add an explanation.<\/p>\n

Are you using AI or adaptive learning?<\/strong> [8:45]<\/p>\n

We\u2019re using some adaptive learning technology. Since the early days of Magoosh, we\u2019ve used an adaptive algorithm that contributes to our product and makes sure students are provided questions at the right level for them to learn what they need to. The GMAT is adaptive itself, and that was part of our impetus early on.<\/p>\n

We focus on content first, then technology, but the adaptive element is important.<\/p>\n

When do you recommend people start preparing for exams?<\/strong> [11:10]<\/p>\n

Our experts recommend three to six months. We have study schedules<\/a> that guide people on a one month, three month, six month study plan \u2013 but for your schedule\/sanity, it\u2019s most manageable if you have three to six months to study.<\/p>\n

It also depends on the test and your starting level. We have a team of tutors who can provide a personalized estimate.<\/p>\n

How much does it cost?<\/strong> [13:30]<\/p>\n

Most of our services are between $100-150.<\/p>\n

We generally respond to questions within one to two weekdays. We want to provide high quality service at a fraction of the cost of a class. We also have one month plans at a lower cost.<\/p>\n

How does access to a tutor work?<\/strong> [14:40]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s email access. You can email our help email. There\u2019s also a \u201chelp\u201d button on every page \u2013 then our tutors can see the question\/page you were looking at.<\/p>\n

You just released a GRE prep book. Can you tell us about that?<\/strong> [15:50]<\/p>\n

We realized some students wanted something physical to work from \u2013 they might not always have web access, or some people just prefer to have a book sometimes.<\/p>\n

Our content has been used by tens of thousands of people \u2013 we\u2019ve collected that data and created a book. We thought it would be a great way to reach more people. If you buy the book, you get a discount for the online product.<\/p>\n

Is the book a supplement to the online course? Or a replacement?<\/strong> [17:40]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not a full replacement for the online course \u2013 there are no videos or access to tutors. So it\u2019s more of a supplement.<\/p>\n

Can you tell us about the new MCAT product?<\/strong> [18:25]<\/p>\n

It\u2019s new, so we don\u2019t have practice questions up yet. But we do have videos. Currently the price is $49. That will go up to $100 once we add the practice questions.<\/p>\n

MCAT prep<\/a> is often very expensive, so this is a product we\u2019re very excited about.<\/p>\n

We hired an MCAT expert \u2013 we always have an in-house curriculum manager.<\/p>\n

Is there anything else new at Magoosh?<\/strong> [20:30]<\/p>\n

We\u2019re releasing an IELTS product soon \u2013 in about a month. About two million people worldwide take the IELTS each year.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also realized that a portion of the population wants more personalized guidance, so we\u2019re experimenting with tutoring sessions. That\u2019ll be more than our basic $100, but less than typical tutoring rates.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot of ferment in the ed tech world. Is there anything you see in the future for Magoosh?<\/strong> [22:20]<\/p>\n

We try to think about what will serve our students best. For tutoring, it\u2019ll be some kind of video chat. We\u2019ve been expanding our use of apps. We\u2019ve also been expanding our use of voice apps: for those who have an Amazon Alexa, we have a vocabulary game in the Alexa store for people to practice their vocabulary.<\/p>\n

What really matters is the student who\u2019s studying for one of the most important exams of their life \u2013 an entrance exam for college or grad school.<\/p>\n

On a personal note, it\u2019s now about 7 years since you earned your MBA at Haas<\/a> and nine years since you started Magoosh. What\u2019s your perspective on the value of the MBA and your Haas experience now?<\/strong> [26:00]<\/p>\n

I would not be where I am today \u2013 and Magoosh would not exist \u2013 if not for my Haas MBA. The education, network, and professional opportunities were so important.<\/p>\n

You get a really strong, broad education in how to run a business \u2013 so when you come out, you have those tools at your disposal. The Haas network is so important in terms of building partnerships, recruiting, etc. (We have some Haas MBAs on our team.) In terms of professional opportunities \u2013 as an MBA student, you have the chance to meet people and build your career. We were able to meet investors and raise capital.<\/p>\n

What keeps Magoosh going?<\/strong> [30:40]<\/p>\n

The people: the team is wonderful. Everyone really cares about the students and the mission. Seeing the company grow is really exciting and motivating.<\/p>\n

Any advice for applicants preparing to take standardized tests?<\/strong> [32:05]<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t wait until the last minute, like I did! Check out our products \u2013 we also offer lots of free material.<\/p>\n

\"Click<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Magoosh<\/a>
\n\u2022 Articles by Magoosh on the Accepted Admissions Blog<\/a>
\n\u2022 A Review of the Magoosh GRE Prep Program
\n<\/a>\u2022 5 Killer GMAT Prep Tips<\/a>, on demand webinar
\n\u2022 <\/em>5 Killer GRE Prep Tips<\/a>, on demand webinar<\/em>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Shows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Firecracker \u2013 A Dynamite Way to Approach Med School Education<\/a>
\n\u2022 Individual Mobile Test Prep and the MIT Sloan MBA Who Created It<\/a>
\n\u2022 A Cure for MCAT Anxiety and Lots More MCAT Advice<\/a>
\n\u2022 Haas, McCombs, and Case Interviews<\/a>
\n\u2022 Exploring the Haas MBA: An Interview with Peter Johnson<\/a>
\n\u2022 MCAT Expertise + Harvard MBA Experience<\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"\"Listen<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n

This article<\/a>\u00a0originally appeared on\u00a0<\/i>blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/p>\n

Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>get accepted<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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