GMAT Study Plan: Low Cost Online Study Courses

Question

GMAT Study Plan: The Online Study Route

Online education and GMAT Courses in particular have gone a long way in the last few years. Today you can get a full course with many tests and thousands of questions for less than $150. That's less than what you would pay for a set of books. This option is different from the traditional Course or the self-study Book approach and we feel finally deserves a discussion of its own.

Improvement: 50-150 points depending on the starting point
Concept: Cheaper and faster than books or if traditional study approaches do not work for you
Recommended for:

Retakers - many providers offer money back guarantee (make sure you read their explanation)
GMAT Novices
Verbal Challenged

Advantages of the Low Cost Online Self Study Courses

Breadth and Depth - of then they are able to incorporate more study elements/pieces than a book would
"Instructor-lead" approach
Can be taken anywhere
Many come with free access to the GMAT Club tests (great value!)
Cost can be often more effective than a set of books (esp if shipping is expensive)
Updated content and ability to ask questions/receive support - many courses offer a certain level of support

Weaknesses of the Low Cost Online Self Study Courses:

No paper - if you are used to textbooks, this may not be for you
Illusion of progress: watching videos may be an easy way to study but you need to think/analyze/process, not just watch videos
Distractions - you can usually isolate yourself with a book but having a computer with FB, Youtube, etc in front of you, may not be easy to focus on the lessons
There is usually support but it is not the same as having an instructor walk you through each lesson

Step 1: Evaluate if the online study approach is for you. Many of the providers such as e-GMAT, Magoosh, and TTP offer free evaluations of their full products. https://gmatclub.com/forum/free-trials-196374.html. Some of the older folks like me have a bit of a harder time not having a book in front of us since that's how we have been trained to study. However, if you take a look at the reviews of the online courses, there are many folks who find them effective (over 3,000 reviews).

Step 2: Figure out what low cost course/option you like the best. There are many flavors and features:

Score guarantee
Intensive
Self-study
Offers Free evaluations
Quant only - you can purchase only the quant or the verbal portion of the course
Verbal only -you can purchase only the quant or the verbal portion of the course
Full length tests included?

Have you taken a course? Share your experience with others using GMAT Club Reviews

bagdbmba · Answer

bb-you're really awesommeeeee man!

vigneshceg · Answer

Awesome compilation BB.. I`ve taken GMAT. Still I feel like doing it again, after this.. :D

annie20166 · Answer

Hi,

I am new and i want guide on the best strategy to use in preparing for my GMAT exams.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi annie20166,

You might want to start your own individual discussion thread (instead of having a discussion at the tail-end of this thread). You'll then be able to have discussions, ask questions, receive advice, etc. and keep the focus solely on your situations and plans.

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

rana2103 · Answer

Thanks a lot for the post bb!
Much appreciated! :D

mokarios · Answer

I am Moyo from Nigeria. Though I work in supply chains as a demand/supply planner (3 yrs), I have a background in Pharmacy, which is not so much a discipline strong in quants.
I have taken the first GMAT Prep test and flunked it (470 Q35, V20). My target score is 700.
I am confused as to what approach to follow. The volume of information here is mind-numbing, like in terabytes.
Paid for e-GMAT online course, bought the OG 2016 and paid for my GMAT exam in exactly 105 days from today.

I am thinking to go through the OG to start with (Quants for 3 weeks, verbal 3 weeks), then start to polish the rough edges with the e-GMAT course.

I need help to navigate the quagmire.
I am just confused.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Moyo,

You might want to start your own individual discussion thread (instead of having a discussion at the tail-end of this thread). You'll then be able to have discussions, ask questions, receive advice, etc. and keep the focus solely on your situations and plans.

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

Inderpreetkaur · Answer

his isr just want to knbow about some elimination techniques 
thanks and regards

Shashwati101 · Answer

I am new . Can someone guide me?

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