{"id":46620,"date":"2019-08-07T06:12:19","date_gmt":"2019-08-07T13:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2019\/08\/comparing-gmat-prep-options-self-study-v-s-in-person-online-tutoring\/"},"modified":"2019-08-07T06:12:19","modified_gmt":"2019-08-07T13:12:19","slug":"comparing-gmat-prep-options-self-study-v-s-in-person-online-tutoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/comparing-gmat-prep-options-self-study-v-s-in-person-online-tutoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Comparing GMAT Prep Options: Self-study v.s. In-Person & Online Tutoring"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"GMAT<\/figure>\n

Although its importance is often overstated, the GMAT is, of course, a critical factor in the MBA admissions process. <\/p>\n

While some applicants can achieve their target score without investing in any sort of GMAT prep service beyond purchasing some prep books, most applicants invest in an app, in-person or online GMAT class, or in-person or online GMAT 1-1 tutoring. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the pros and cons of various GMAT prep options and offer some advice about how to choose among them. <\/p>\n

Before doing that, however, it\u2019s important to ground ourselves in how to begin any GMAT prep decision process. <\/p>\n

What are the basic principles of effective GMAT Prep?<\/h3>\n

Before
\ndeciding how to prepare for the GMAT, it\u2019s important to keep the following core
\nprinciples in mind:<\/p>\n

The GMAT is one part of a broader application. A score >700 does not automatically mean you are in really good shape for most of the top schools and the rest of the application process can be taken lightly. There is still an important story about your application to be told. A score < 700 does not mean you can\u2019t get into HBS, either. MBA programs care deeply about why you are pursuing an MBA, why you want to go to that school, and what you\u2019ll bring in terms of leadership and communication skills. You need to allow time after you take the GMAT to write and re-write essays, prepare your resume, gather recommendations, etc. Don\u2019t underestimate the time it takes to do these things well. Sometimes, not taking the GMAT again so you have time for these activities is the right call.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s
\nimportant to work back from your targeted MBA programs to establish a GMAT goal
\nscore for yourself. Per bullet one, you can overinvest in GMAT prep.  If you have a score of 690 and are targeting
\nan Indiana University MBA<\/a>, a good but not top tier program,
\nyou probably don\u2019t need to take the GMAT again. But you could get denied with a
\n700 score and inconsistent or confusing application.<\/p>\n

It always
\nmakes sense to start early and give yourself time to either a) take the GMAT
\nagain if you don\u2019t hit your target score or b) spend more time on the rest of
\nyour application, which may or may not need to be adjusted based on how you do
\non the GMAT (i.e., if you just can\u2019t seem to get your quant score high enough,
\nyou may want to find ways to highlight your analytical prowess in the rest of
\nyour application).<\/p>\n

If you choose any sort of self-paced approach or GMAT class, always take the outline in the prep book, course, or app, and create a customized study plan. No matter what approach you follow, there should be a diagnostic exam completed upfront, and a customized study plan developed in the early stages of your GMAT prep process.<\/em> Even if you are taking a GMAT course, the homework you do, or at least how you focus on that homework, should be customized to your strengths and weaknesses.<\/p>\n

The following image will guide our discussion of the pros and cons of various GMAT prep options.<\/p>\n

\"GMAT
GMAT Prep Options<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Should you prepare for the GMAT?<\/h3>\n

The only part of the image above that is red, indicating we think it\u2019s clearly a bad idea, is to take the GMAT but not really prepare for it. I don\u2019t think many\u00a0 people really consider doing this, but I DO think some people believe that, to some degree, the GMAT is a bit like an IQ test, and there is a floor or ceiling to how well you can do, making intense preparation unnecessary. But it\u2019s not like that. The GMAT tests knowledge of a foundational set of concepts and theories and your ability to think critically and logically.\u00a0 This ability to think critically and logically through various math and reading comprehension questions is a skill that can be developed. The more you practice, the better you\u2019ll do. Getting a high score is as much about hard work and practice as it is IQ.<\/p>\n

Even if you
\nare targeting a less selective MBA program, don\u2019t assume getting an average GMAT
\nscore is easy. It takes time to remember math formulas and learn how to apply
\nthem, and taking the test cold may just mean you have to spend the money to
\ntake it again after you\u2019ve done at least some prep.<\/p>\n

Should you study on your own or invest in some sort of GMAT prep option beyond a basic prep book?<\/h3>\n

There are a
\nfew pros to self-study. It\u2019s obviously the least expensive option, at least
\nexplicitly (but more on that to come). 
\nIt\u2019s always highly flexible, as you can fit in your studying whenever it
\nmakes the most sense to you. Whether studying on your own is a legitimate
\noption to consider depends on your target score relative to your current skill
\nlevel. If you are considering self-study, you need to take a timed practice
\ntest upfront and compare the results of that to your target score. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say
\nyou are targeting a 700 score at least (a common goal). Even if your diagnostic
\npractice test comes in at 450, you don\u2019t necessarily need to immediately assume
\nyou can\u2019t self-study. During that first few weeks of prep, as you are gaining
\ncomfort with question types and recalling basic math formulas and facts that
\nyou simply have forgotten, your GMAT skills and score can increase
\ndramatically.  So, you should then take a
\npractice test after 3-4 weeks of self-study. If you have improved from 450 to
\n575 after 3 weeks, you may be on the right path and self-studying could be a
\nreasonable option. 3 weeks later, if you are at 625, the self-study option may
\nbe working for you. <\/p>\n

If you aren\u2019t making rapid progress, however, you should probably strongly consider investing in GMAP prep services of some sort. This is our recommendation for two reasons:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Time is money.<\/strong> Even if you ultimately can read and practice and watch videos and build the requisite skills to hit your target score, it will take longer than if you had access to expert teachers or tutors to explain things to you. The time it takes you to get to your target score could be better spent doing other things, and may be worth more than the monetary cost of a GMAT tutor or class.<\/li>\n
  2. The guidance of a teacher or tutor, including the way they explain a concept or how they pose a question, can often \u201cunlock\u201d a difficult concept for you.<\/strong> In that sense, it\u2019s not about time or money for you to figure it out on your own, it\u2019s a matter of either being able to ultimately master the topic, or not being able to. Obviously, this will have a big impact on your GMAT score.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You are going to invest in some paid GMAT preparation services. Should you choose an in-person or online option?<\/h3>\n

    Because the
    \nidea of working with an instructor in a 1-1 vs. class-based environment is
    \nsomething that can be addressed as we discuss the online approach, let\u2019s just
    \nfocus here on in-person vs. online question. Many people understandably
    \ngravitate to in-person GMAT tutor or classes. They believe they will just learn
    \nbetter with a face to face approach where they can see the instructor, read
    \nfacial cues, ask questions, etc. And these are valid points. However, it\u2019s
    \nimportant to note that with the right platform, an online approach can include
    \na live video feed and online whiteboard comes close to approximating an
    \nin-person experience.<\/p>\n

    And an
    \nonline approach has its own benefits. Perhaps the most important benefit to an
    \nonline approach is that you can find the best instructor or class for you and
    \nbring it to wherever you are. Accepting a lower quality of instruction based on
    \nwho is in your particular geographic area doesn\u2019t make sense.<\/p>\n

    Another
    \nprimary benefit of an online approach is convenience\/efficiency. Most GMAT test
    \ntakers are busy professionals juggling many responsibilities. Negotiating
    \nschedules and locations for tutoring sessions or finding a way to make a class
    \nfit into your schedule can be challenging. If you can simply log online from
    \nanywhere, the GMAT prep process becomes more convenient and efficient. <\/p>\n

    And there are other benefits, too, namely:<\/p>\n