Princeton Review GMAT 700+ Score Guaranteed Taught Me Nothing

Question

This title explains my GMAT experience with the Princeton Review. I've never taken the GMAT test, and I wanted to make sure that I would sign up for the best course so I can get a guaranteed good score so I can sign up for B-school scholarships on time. I signed up for the live classes, got the in-class manual, verbal book, quant book, and the GMAT 2021 Guide for homework. I quit my job and did not do anything else except religiously study the GMAT for 4 months, endlessly practicing the "tricks" and "techniques" from the Princeton Review books. I realize now that the live classes were very deceptive because the "advanced" questions we solved in the classroom were MUCH easier than the medium-level questions on the official GMAT exam prep. Princeton Review has its own practice tests, and I would score around 390-530 on each test. When I bought the official GMAT exam preps, I couldn't even get through the first question on each exam, and shamefully scored even lower than 390. From my experience, the Princeton Review is a scam because the "techniques" are not helpful whatsoever, and it doesn't teach you everything (I saw terms on the official GMAT prep questions that were never mentioned in the Princeton books). I feel so angry because I literally dropped everything in my life just to get scammed by a company. Do yourself a favor and NEVER sign up for any prep class with the Princeton Review. I cancelled my test, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the best ways and tools to study for the GMAT.

AndrewN · Answer

I am sorry to hear of your experience with Princeton Review, abdulalshelian, but I cannot say I am all that surprised. Princeton Review does not have a sterling reputation when it comes to GMAT™ prep. (It may be better for undergraduate-level tests, such as the ACT and SAT, but to be honest, I typically steer my clients away from these resources as well, since nothing beats official material.) Tips and insights are one thing, but tricks and hacks are not the way to break down a test as conceptually complex as the GMAT™. For that, you will need a more refined approach. I would suggest reading this GMAT Study Plan post by GMAT Club founder bb for a start. There are many options for preparation, ranging from self-study with guides or YouTube videos to paid subscriptions to online learning modules. You can check out the Marketplace for more information on those.

I think that once you get your prep on track, you will see that some of the material you learned from Princeton Review was not all that bad. In any case, I wish you the best of luck with your preparation.

- Andrew

I think that once you get your prep on track, you will see that some of the material you learned from Princeton Review was not all that bad. In any case, I wish you the best of luck with your preparation.

- Andrew

CArbitragePM · Answer

Hi,
You should try the EMPOWERgmat course (free trial). They have a 95% focus on the EASIEST approach and strategy. It is a shame you found the first questions hard, however, the first specific Quant tactic you learn can be applied to up to 21 questions, and almost all DS questions. 
In Verbal, I have only learnt the RC tactic, and trust me. My last Offical practice I scored a 100% on RC questions.
Powerful, yes?
However, since I am not getting paid, but only sharing my gratitude for arguably the cheapest, easiest and best course I have tried, I will leave the rest of the job to convince you to  EMPOWERgmatRichC

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi abdulalshelian,

Most GMATers find the Exam to be challenging in at least one way (the Quant, the Verbal or both), so you're not alone. Regardless of what you've experienced during your studies so far, the GMAT is the same consistent, predictable Exam that it's always been, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

From what you described, it sounds as though you put in a LOT of study hours. Going forward, you have to be careful about confusing "quantity" of study with "quality" of study. I've never asked anyone to study 30+ hours a week - and while it's great that you might have the available time to study that much, with that number of study hours, you would run the risk of 'burning out' before Test Day (and that is something that we want to avoid). If you are going to try to study that much, then I suggest that you take one hour "off" for every two hours of study. For example, you could study for 2 hours, then stop for an hour, then study for another 2 hours, then take an hour off, etc.

Before I can offer you the specific advice that you’re looking for, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) What type of study routine have you been following so far? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
3) What is your overall goal score?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Hi, ask for a refund

"If your score does not improve If your official GMAT score after you completed your program did not increase in accordance with the table below and other requirements of the guarantee are met, we will refund your tuition, less the fee for course materials (as reflected in your invoice) that we shipped to you and shipping charges. STARTING SCORE GUARANTEED SCORE/SCORE INCREASE Under 620 At least an 80 point increase 620 or higher Score of at least 700" Source: https://www.princetonreview.com/legal/g ... d=gmat-700

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