Deciding which Prep Test is the best for me

Question

Hi,

I'm about to start studying for the Gmat and realized that there are a ton of different courses and want to get your opinion in which you think is the best. I want to start with a self-pace course so I can get a handle of what Gmat really is (due to covid I don't want to take a classroom course) and probably after I get to know the test better I'll take a few lessons on the points where I'm the weakest. 
I'm planning to buy the official guide + the course so I can get the best possible result; my goal is to score a 730+ which I know is difficult but I'm sure I can get with enough preparation (that's why I need a pretty good course).

I've been reading Magoosh, examPAL, Kaplan & Princeton and want to know your opinion of which you think is the best. I understand they have different price ranges but I'm investing in my future so I willing to pay more if the course will get me the highest score possible.

Thanks

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi jy18,

In addition to seeking advice in this thread, take a look at the GMAT Club reviews for  the best quant  and  verbal courses , and also read through some  GMAT success stories  to see what materials have worked well for other test-takers.

You also may find it helpful to read this article about  how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

Good luck!

mangamma · Answer

Hi, It would be better to take a diagnosis/mock test before purchasing a course. Based on your score in Verbal and Quant, you can opt the course.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi jy18,

Good to see that you started seeking advises during your initial stages of preparation. This will save you a lot of time and effort. Many students start their prep using random resources and realize later that they need something more standard. Let me shed more light on the same.

The best way to evaluate a course if by checking the free trial of it. Because a free trial helps you to get a real time experience of what the course has to offer for you. Having said that, there are a few key points to be kept in mind while evaluating the course. This is the link to a   blog   regarding “ The key factors to consider while evaluating the right course ”. You can read through it to understand how to evaluate any course.

If you are a working professional, I think a  course offering a personalized study plan would be the most suitable one  for you. Most working professionals struggle to dedicate a particular slot in a day for studies. They become lethargic and feel like they can compensate the lost hours on weekends. Procrastinating is a bad habit. You won’t realize how it affects your learning initially, but in the end (probably in the last 30 days before GMAT), you will realize how much stuff you have left to do and how little time is left. Most students end up entering the fire-fighting mode and eventually end up missing their goal.

What is a personalized study plan? 
A personalized study plan is something which takes into account the number of hours a person can dedicate in a week and the approximate deadlines and then creates weekly tasks based on that. For example,  a person who can dedicate 20 hours a week and plans to appear for the test in 3 months has to have different weekly tasks compared to a person who can dedicate 40 hours a week and plans to appear in 45 days.  This will help students stay motivated right till the end because they have weekly deadlines to meet. Students can focus on just finishing the tasks scheduled for the day and take care of their office work.

So, I recommend you to primarily focus on this parameter while choosing an online course. If you are open to suggestions, I would like you to take a check at the course of GMATWhiz. 
  It is one unique course which offers you the best quality content and employs an artificial intelligence driven learning. 
 It  offers you a personalized study plan  which is integrated with the course. This way you can happily focus on preparation. You just have to click the tart button and everything else is taken care by the course. By everything, I mean the organization of concepts, weekly tasks. It’s still your duty to finish them. 
 The concept booster and practice quizzes after every concept video help you solve GMAT like questions using the right methodology.  
 It offers you  real time improvement modules  so that you can work on your weaker areas right away. 
 It primarily  focuses on the methodology  because GMAT is an test of application of concepts and it is use of right methodology that helps you score well on GMAT

There are many more exciting features offered by the course. I would  recommend you to check the free trial of GMATWhiz before taking the decision . Hope it helped! If you have any more concerns regarding the GMAT preparation or wish to know more about study strategy, you can always write back or a better way would be to discuss over a call. You can  schedule a free consultation call  using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi jy18,

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can take 2 for free at www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete (unless you are planning to take the At-home GMAT, which has no AWA - and is thus shorter), so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have your Score, you should report back here (or you can feel free to PM me directly) and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you interested in?
3) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

KarishmaB · Answer

The course that is best for you depends on how you study best. There are various options available and since it is quite an investment, the best way forward is checking out the free resources and taking a trial class. This would be my suggestion to you: - If you are already comfortable with the various questions types of GMAT, take a full length practice test to understand the gap between your current aptitude level and targeted score. If not, go through the theory provided in OG and then take the test. Our first practice test is freely available so you could take that to gauge your current level. Our test series provides quite an accurate estimate. - Check out our video solutions to the OG problems here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#-solution-station/ It will give you an idea of how we structure our course. - Check out our free trial class here: https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/free-gmat-class/ Join one of our live sessions for free to understand the effectiveness of our instructors. Such resources must be available for other prep companies too so you should be able to find out the one best suited to your needs. For any queries, feel free to contact.

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  jy18 , indeed this is the case. Best way would be for you to do a free trial class at a few service providers and then go ahead with whichever you're more comfortable with.

The instructor's command over the subject and your comfort level with the instructor, should obviously be the topmost parameters in your decision making.

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