REVOLUTION PREP - Did I just make $149 mistake?

Question

After getting an email from GMAT Club and taking a look at their site, I used the $100 promotional code for the $249 self-guided study program. When I tried to set up my profile, it wouldn't let me onto the site because it said I was inputting the wrong Time Zone (like I don't know what my time zone is!?!?!?!). When you click the link to send them an email, their manatee mascot kept popping up, saying "Opps...We're working on it!"

Has anyone else used these guys or had issues? Is this a scam?

Its unacceptable for a company to charge my credit card in a matter of milliseconds, and then completely freeze me out of their site. Pretty weak for an internet-based company....

Has anyone else used these guys or had issues? Is this a scam?

Its unacceptable for a company to charge my credit card in a matter of milliseconds, and then completely freeze me out of their site. Pretty weak for an internet-based company....

AbhiJ · Answer

I tried to access their free tests but they won't let me unless am a US student(the options only had US colleges). The registration won't finish because of this.

rasta · Answer

Sorry to hear about your problem. I've sent a pm to the reps, and expect them to resolve this problem very soon. 
Do let us know if & when this issue gets resolved.

TavisM · Answer

Hi AbhiJ,

When you're setting up your account as an international student, select "International" under the School State drop-down, then select "International School, Worldwide" as your school.

You can also give us a call at 877-738-7737 and we'll be happy to help you set up an account.

Thanks,
Tavis

TavisM · Answer

Hi jkey57,

Really sorry to hear that you're having issues right off the bat. We've got our team working on a solution right now. We'll reach out to you directly as soon as we have a solution.

Revolution GMAT is a brand new product and we're committed to making sure that you're satisfied with it.

Thanks,
Tavis

TavisM · Answer

Hi jkey57,

This issue has been resolved. You should have no further problems logging in and getting started. Please accept my apologies for the initial inconvenience, and let us know how you like the course!

Thanks,
Tavis

jkey57 · Answer

I had a rough day yesterday and I took it on these guys with this post. I jumped the gun and came off like a jerk. Totally my fault.
Anyways, they got everything figured out today, even left me a VM saying everything is fixed. They are legit....
New companies are a good thing. Not only do they bring more jobs, they pressure their competitors to keep up.
Thanks for the quick response!

chrisjsnyder · Answer

Hi Jkey - It's good to hear that you have access to your course now. We're sorry for the technical hiccup. Now that that's behind us, the most important thing is your preparation for the GMAT. On that note, please be sure to reach out to me if you have any questions about your studies. We'll also be checking in with you as your studies progress.

Thank you,
Chris

Thank you,
Chris

tstud20 · Answer

JKey57,

How is the actual material and online setup since your problems have been solved....does the material and setup seem worth 149? I'm thinking of ordering the course and also how long do you have access to the online videos? 4 months or so?

jkey57 · Answer

Tstud-

The set-up is clear and straightforward. There's a library of videos that pretty much covers everything for the test and there are drills/quizzes that you can complete after the math videos. In general, all the topics are separated and you can watch each video (usually 10-20 minutes long, depending on topic) at your leisure. There's probably about 25hrs of videos so if you watched an hour a day, I'd imagine you could do them all in about a month. The good thing is that every video is clearly titled and you can go exactly where you need to, as opposed to to sifting through a 5 hr video that's just titled "Math". The videos are focused on conceptual learning, as opposed to memorizing, which is what I need.

After watching/taking notes on the first CR section (I believe there are three?), I already feel much stronger in the area. I did about 20 problems from a book a friend gave me and I got 17 of them right. I really like the strategy they teach for addressing CR.

My opinion: From what I've seen, I think it's well worth the $149 and I would recommend it. I've had it for a day and I already feel like I'm getting my moneys worth. I think most people would respond well to the videos. Two thumbs up!

NvrEvrGvUp · Answer

Jkey57,

Have you taken any other prep courses for the GMAT? If so, how does Revolution compare?

Also, speaking of videos, are there any other prep materials out there that offer video?

Thanks,
Rich

jkey57 · Answer

Hey Rich,

I'm not a pro with the GMAT or other study materials. In 2009, I took a $1200 in-class prep and it was a huge waste of time. The instructor pretty much just recited the review materials for 4 hours at a time and told us,"you need to memorize all of this". Before I took the class, I got a 460. After the class, I got a 470 (M 23, V 32). Pointless!

I should also point out that I am 33 yrs old with a full-time job. I need a something that has a lot of math fundamentals and test-taking strategies. I really don't have the time to devote entire days to this test. My goal is to get 580-600 (M 35, V 35), which seems to be reasonable if I can get a grip on the math side of things. I haven't done geometry/algebra in 15 year so that's kinda my hang-up! I need something that will help me re-learn math concepts.

I have no idea if this something for someone who scores a 680 and is going for a 715. Just being honest. Anyways, hope this response helps.

-Jake

novanative · Answer

I am also in the Revolution Prep course as well. So far on the course, I have taken three CAT's and have seen progress in my weakest areas (data sufficiency and sentence corrections). I don't know if the tests are as accurate as the Kaplan or Manhattan guys (no one is gonna be as accurate as the real boys of course), but one of the video instructors was the head of the GMAT curriculum for Kaplan, fwiw.

The company isn't some quick fly by night operation since it doesn't offer classroom classes. Revolution is one of the biggest test prep companies in the country right now though it is pretty much just an SAT and ACT company until now. It may be third now, after Kaplan and Princeton Review.

bb · Answer

Yes, that's the part I did not realize myself until I had a chance to come out to LA and meet them - Revolution Prep actually employs 140 people and takes up a good chunk of the building on the corner of 7th and Wilshire in Santa Monica. They are just entering the GMAT market, which makes a great opportunity to get high quality product (i have watched about 10 videso) at a discounted price.

novanative · Answer

I didn't know they had that many people at HQ. There is a Revolution office in Alexandria, VA (outside of DC) as well, but it is basically just for the SAT/ACT curriculum. I like the video format of the lessons, and I play them either after work, or even in the car while driving to and from work through my smartphone (thank god for Flash Lite). Repeating the lessons a couple times is what helps me keep the strategies and concepts in my head.

bb · Answer

Oh, that's a cool way to study (though I hope you do this for videos already covered as a refresh as I could not see this to be super productive)... I am not sure if 140 is in the HQ. I think that may be total.

jkey57 · Answer

Yes, I'd have to say the video library is solid and the lessons have been very helpful.

I bought the two month, unlimited deal about two weeks ago and I've noticed a lot improvement. When I bought it, I took one of the full tests just to gauge where I as at. Keep in mind I haven't seen any of this material in years, and even then I wasn't good with it. Anyways, I scored a 370 (Q10 V29) which is obviously weak. After about 2 weeks and going through about 60% of the quant and 60% of the verbal, I recently scored a 450 (Q23 V29) on the Revolution test and a 480 on the GMAT download. With the quant I got wrong, I either mad a small error or I hadn't even gotten to that subject topic yet so I'm hopeful. Is it me or is does there seem to be a ton of combinatorial/permutations on the GMAT practice exams?

I still haven't done any of the strategy stuff for math or any of the stats/combination work, so I think I'll be in good shape. For verbal, I just finished the RC section and have to do advanced CR and SC stuff. I'm taking 3 night classes now and I watch a video whenever I'm free.

I'm gonna try and finish all the videos by the end of the month and begin reviewing heavier then.

-Jake

novanative · Answer

The first time I go through a concept I always review it at home, especially for the quantitative section. For the verbal section, I do the same whenever possible, but I have listened to some verbal videos while in the car without actually watching them during the first run. In those cases I just review them again after I get home.
 
I've faced maybe one or two questions on a test that involved combinations and permutations at most. Your grasp of integers and fundamental algebra is much more essential imo.
 
I've seen improvements in my weak spots after watching the videos in those areas. Still have a few left. I also have the 12th Edition GMAT book (in Redskin burgundy and gold) too from the test makers. Definitely a must have with the course, if you don't have this book already. The downside of the Revolution course is that I don't think there are enough test questions in the course to test your skills on.

AbhiJ · Answer

There is no "International" under the School State drop-down, hence this work around does not work. User gets a message saying "No matches, Please try again."
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