Best Online Prep Programs If You Are Broke?

Question

Hello. First of all, I just want to say how thrilled I am that I found GMAT Club! This is very helpful, although it is a lot of information to digest.

What are your suggestions for an online prep program that is low cost? Trust me, if I had the extra money to invest in an expensive program I would. I am looking at 800score, Grockit and Magoosh. If you have any other suggestions for online prep program that is less expensive please let me know.

Also, I am looking at getting a used copy of the MGMAT books that is recommended by BB in the getting started section. Would that be preferable to signing up for one of the online prep courses? I can only afford the 4th edition (2009) version, so hopefully that is adequate.

Thank you!
Maycat

bb · Answer

Take a look here: gmat-study-plan-low-cost-online-study-courses-153193.html

And also here:
gmat-prep-on-the-cheap-side-how-to-save-the-most-money-82151.html

Also, if you have an iPhone or iPod or iPad, the Veritas Prep self-study on demand course, can be downloaded absolutely free on the iTunes App store. They used to charge $20 per lesson/class and recently (perhaps a glitch) those classes/lessons have become free.

I know cost is a big concern for you. However, the prep cost is only a fraction of what you will have to spend on even getting into the MBA (I am not even talking about paying tuition or living expenses). Think about ROI rather than cost and pure numbers ;-)

sarahrs · Answer

Know the feeling. I choice magoosh and really liked it.

Other ways to save money
Find out which part you need to improve maths or verbal and focus your money on that area.

There there are two things you need to do. Revise the concepts of said area. The official guide will tell you what they will test. Secondly learning and practising how the GMAT uses those concepts in its exam.

GMAT specific 
Study groups in local area might be helpful.
Gumtree or other community based forums might be useful in either finding cheap GMAT books or private tutor. I found my tutor through that route and they were good vfm.
 Questions compiled by GMAT club members.
Reusing GMAT prep test several times.
Buying the GMAT club app to get access to lots of questions.
Trail classes or seminars given by the various testing companies.
GMAT club test question of the day. 
Khan academy goes through and answers the official guide.
Blogs written by various test prep companies. Can access through GMAT club app.

Learning the concepts
Revision books from for maths for interimdate school exams.

English grammar books. 
Groupon deals for school level revision courses on line.
Khan academy for maths.
Ted talks
Free access courses run by Stanford, Harvard etc.
Reading the guardian newspaper. The bbc website. 
Free articles on economist website.
Free apps on your smart phone.
Free ebooks-classic English literature.
Cross word puzzles, sudoku, logic puzzles. 
Friends that love maths or English that can trouble shot when you have a problem.

Feel free to drop me a message. Also having to do study on a budget.

Sarah

Posted from my mobile device

maycat · Answer

Thanks, bb, I looked at the links, and am following your advise. I also broke down and ordered the MGMAT series. My employer is going to help me.

It is interesting to think about ROI, as I am struggling with the idea of going to a higher-tier school because of the debt I will incur. I am thinking about driving the 200 miles to the city to interview with my preferred school, and will try to find the room in my budget for gas. I am older and live in a rural small town area with few high paying jobs. I am not sure I will be able to recoup a sufficient return on investment on the large tuition. There is a chance I will be able to relocate to a large metropolitan area and in that case it will be well worth it. Right now as a step-mom to three kids I don't have much choice in were I live.

What I can control is the time and discipline to do really well on this test, so succeeding on the GMAT is my goal for now.

Thanks again,
Maycat.

maycat · Answer

Thanks, Sarah. I will check out Magoosh. And look at some of the other sites and resources you mentioned.

TheEconomistGMATTutor · Answer

Hi maycat,

To echo sarahrs, not only does the Economist offer free articles that you can read to improve your grammar / reading comprehension skills, but we also offer a GMAT prep program. And we provide a very budget friendly trial -- it's completely free and lasts for 7 days. My advice would be to wait for a week when you can devote time to your studies, then sign up for a trial. Then practice, practice, practice!

If you have any questions, just let me know!

(You can sign up for the trial here: https://econgm.at/gmatclub)

GMATPill · Answer

There are plenty of free resources -- the paid content is usually better, better organized (thereby saving you time) and more efficient at conveying information. That said, as bb said, you should focus on ROI. How much return for investment do you get?

If you're striving for a super high GMAT (and potentially scholarship opportunities), you should follow in the footsteps of these gmatpillers who got free tuition at their schools. Under $200 investment yielded $50K. Huge ROI. And under $400 investment yielded, $93K. Huge ROI as well.

https://gmatclub.com/blog/2013/05/93k-mb ... ss-school/
https://www.gmatpill.com/the-gmat-pill-m ... l-student/

Further, you'll probably find the most valuable unique RC resource here, and you won't have to worry about spending money in your pockets. But just be forewarned, to really internalize a thinking process requires repetition, numerous examples, and application. Without a methodology, it's going to be hard to retain the strategies and to apply them effectively on test day.

Here's your freebie on RC:
https://www.gmatpill.com/practice-questi ... -guide-rc/

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