How are you planning to prepare for the GMAT? The answer might seem obvious (study!), but there are actually several different ways you can get ready to take the exam.

When you’re trying to decide on what the best GMAT prep method is for you, you’ll need to take your unique strengths, weaknesses, and study style into account, as well as your budget and time limits. In this article, I’ll help you decide how you can best prepare for the GMAT in the way that works for you. I’ll also go over what you should look for when you’re considering different GMAT prep methods.

How Can You Choose the Best GMAT Prep Method For You?

The best GMAT test prep method is the one that works for you and your particular needs. Which one is best for you depends on several factors, all of which you should consider as you create your GMAT study plan. Let’s go over each of them.

#1: Score Goal

How in-depth and comprehensive do you need your chosen GMAT prep method to be? How much time do you need to devote to GMAT prep, and how intensively do you need to prepare? Part of that depends, of course, on how much you need or want your GMAT score to improve.

If you’re looking to bump up your score by a few points (say, 30 or so), you might be able to target a few of your major weaknesses through self-paced study or a GMAT prep book.

If you’re hoping to improve your score by 100 points or more, you’ll likely need more in-depth GMAT prep, more hours of study, possibly one-on-one instruction, and/or more customized feedback. After you’ve decided on a target GMAT score (see our article on finding yours), select the best way to prep for GMAT accordingly.

#2: Learning Style

Do you learn best with one-on-one instruction, alone, or in a group? Are you an audio or visual learner? Do you do better when you have lots of uninterrupted time to devote to studying, or when you study in short spurts? Do you learn a lot from reading in-depth explanations of skills, or do short drills and exercises do the trick when you’re trying to fix your mistakes?

As you choose a GMAT prep method, these are questions you should be considering. A GMAT prep method that works perfectly well for another applicant won’t give you the same results if it’s not a good match for how you process information.

Think about how you’ve learned best in the past. In particular, how have you successfully approached the things you found most difficult? Use what you know about your own learning style to help you decide between the four main methods of GMAT prep.

#3: Time

How much time do you have to devote to your GMAT prep? It’s important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in the time you have available for studying, and to choose your form of GMAT prep accordingly.

If you plan on studying for six months or more, it’s a good idea to choose a GMAT prep option that will give you structure and a routine. If you’re studying for a long time, you can sometimes start to lose momentum or focus, which a prep class, online program, or tutor could provide for you. With this much time, you’ll also have time to switch it up if you like, and try out more than one GMAT prep class or shop around for a tutor that works for you.

If you have three months—the standard time to spend on GMAT prep, as it gives you enough time to set up a regular study schedule, but isn’t overly long and doesn’t put you at risk of losing focus—you’ll want to be efficient and targeted in terms of your study sessions. You should plan for about ten hours of study time a week. Any of the four main kinds of GMAT prep could work well in a three to four month span.

Are you trying to do some last-minute one-month prep? Then a class or tutoring likely isn’t the best idea, or even feasible. If you’re looking to target a few weaknesses in a short time, you’d probably be better off with targeted GMAT self-study through prep books and online resources. However, note that cramming isn’t likely to get you the best results in terms of score improvement: check out our article here [link] on why it’s important not to rush when it comes to GMAT prep.

#4: Price

Of course, your GMAT prep budget makes a difference in what method you end up choosing. If you’re low on cash, a private tutor likely won’t be your best option, as experienced GMAT tutors tend to be expensive. Prep classes and online programs are less expensive than most private tutors, but more expensive than a program of self-study (using prep books and online resources).

You should think not only about price, but also about what you’re getting for your money. Self-study is obviously likely to be the cheapest option, for example, but if you’re restricting yourself to only free or inexpensive resources, you might miss out on guidance or reviews of particular skills that you need to improve your score. Think about your budget, but also about your overall investment in your GMAT score.

4 GMAT Prep Options

There are four main GMAT prep options: taking a GMAT prep class, completing an online GMAT prep program, private tutoring, or self-study.

Let’s go through each one, including its pros and cons and why you might choose it or avoid it as your primary prep method.

Method 1: GMAT Prep Class

A live or online GMAT prep class usually involves instruction from an expert in the format of the GMAT. The best GMAT prep course will usually include several practice tests, as well as weekly lessons, quizzes, and drills. You will normally be asked to complete homework in between classes, so that you are prepping both in and outside of class.

Pros: If you learn well in groups and enjoy teamwork, you will likely benefit from an in-person or online GMAT prep class. Instruction in real time, including diagrams, plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and in-person or timed online practice tests, also appeals to many students who might feel more disconnected trying to find the answers to their questions themselves online.

Cons: You don’t get as much one-on-one attention in a GMAT prep class as you would from private tutoring.

Your schedule also won’t be that flexible, as you’ll have to stick to the structure of the course and show up in person or at a particular time online, and new classes might not be consistently offered at times that work for you. If you miss classes, you may or may not be able to make them up later, so you could miss valuable aspects of GMAT prep.

Examples:

#1: Manhattan Prep Live and Online GMAT Prep Courses

• Very comprehensive with 27 hours of instruction and six practice tests.
• Accelerated classes last a month, regular classes last two months.
• In-person and live online Manhattan Prep GMAT courses are $1299. Two-week intensive boot camps are $2650.

#2: Veritas Prep In-Person and Live-Online GMAT Courses

• 36 hours of live instruction,12 full-length computerized adaptive tests, and about 1,500 GMAT practice questions.
• Veritas Prep GMAT courses usually meet twice a week for five weeks. Each class is three hours.
• Live online classes normally cost $1,650 and in-person classes cost $1,850.

#3: Kaplan In-Person and Live Online GMAT Test Prep

• Each course includes six three-hour classroom (or interactive online) sessions.
• Costs
  • In-person basic package: $1449
  • In-person GMAT Prep PLUS: $1889
  • Online basic package: $1249
  • Online GMAT Prep PLUS: $1649
• You can take a practice test at a Pearson VUE testing center, where you will take the actual exam. This can be especially helpful for students with testing anxiety or who have trouble performing well under pressure.

Method 2: Online Programs

Online GMAT prep programs, which can either follow a set schedule or allow you to set the pace, normally begin with a diagnostic test that will assess your strengths and weaknesses. They usually include practice questions of all types and difficulties, regular assessments of your progress, and full-length computerized adaptive practice tests. They may or may not include lessons about the GMAT content and format.

Pros: Online GMAT prep programs are structured and motivating, much like prep courses. The best GMAT prep courses are also flexible and customizable, adapting to your progress as you go along. They can also pinpoint your unique weaknesses quickly and specifically, so you won’t spend as much time on general information about the GMAT (like you might in a prep course or even possibly with a tutor).

With the best online GMAT prep programs, you also bypass the problem of human error. Unlike a tutor or prep course instructor, an online program is less likely to make a mistake or spend too much time on something that doesn’t directly benefit you.

Online programs also tend to be less expensive on average than GMAT tutors and prep classes.

Cons: Online GMAT prep programs are, obviously, missing some degree of a “human” component. Because they are often automated, if you’re someone who enjoys and benefits from connections with teachers and fellow students, you might struggle to stay motivated in an online GMAT prep program.

Examples:

#1: PrepScholar

• PrepScholar’s online GMAT program is a customized prep tool that monitors your progress closely and creates a study plan specifically for you.
• Coming in the summer of 2017!

#2: Princeton Review GMAT Prep

• Self-paced online program for $499.
• The program includes 10 computerized adaptive practice GMATs, customized feedback on one GMAT essay, and 4,000 practice questions, including video answer explanations.
• Princeton Review GMAT practice questions are well-written and realistic, but they tend to be on the easier side. So if you’re already a very high scorer, this program is probably not the best way to prep for GMAT questions.

Method 3: Tutoring

With an online or in-person private tutor, you can create a customized study plan based on your target GMAT score, your prospective business schools, and your strengths and weaknesses.

Pros: A highly qualified GMAT tutor will know all the ins and outs of the exam and will be able to assess what fundamental skills you need to review and what drills you need to complete to get over your particular hurdles. The one-on-one attention offered by a private tutor is obviously the biggest plus.

Tutoring is flexible. It can be highly intensive or short-term, depending on your needs. You can ask a tutor to delve solely into the quant section with you, to work extensively with you on the GMAT essay, to focus primarily on your pacing, or to give you a comprehensive overview of the exam. Because it’s just you and the tutor, you can reach a level of customizability that isn’t possible with other prep methods.

Cons: A private GMAT tutor’s time can be expensive, though prices vary depending on your location, the tutor’s level of experience and expertise, and how many hours of instruction you need.

There’s also a degree of subjectivity in selecting a GMAT tutor that can prove risky. You could always fail to click with a tutor or end up having to find a more reliable one, both of which are problems you’re less likely to encounter with, say, an online program.

Examples

You can find a private tutor through larger test prep companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review, through GMAT consulting firms, or through online sources like The Economist. You can also check at local business schools or on local message boards like Craigslist, especially if you need a cost-effective option.

Method 4: Self-Study

GMAT self-study means just that: you make the rules. You can include GMAT prep books, reviews of foundational skills, online resources, and whatever else you need in your self-study.

Pros: Self-study is likely to be the cheapest GMAT prep method by far, so if you’re on a budget, this may be the best way to prep for GMAT questions, particularly if you’re highly self-motivated.

Self-study is also a good idea if you need a great deal of flexibility in your schedule, or if you only have a short time to prepare. Because you are customizing your own study plan (see our article [link] on crafting an effective GMAT study plan), you can adapt it whenever you need to, add to or subtract from it, and make it work for you and your everyday life. You can spend as much or as little time on any given subject or section as you feel you need.

Cons: The biggest downside of self-study as a form of GMAT prep is that it’s often hard to stay on track and gauge your progress if you’re going it alone. If you struggle at all with time management or self-motivation, or if you feel at all lost without structure or routine, self-study is not the best option for you.

Also, you might miss out on reviewing essential areas of GMAT content if you’re trying to do everything yourself and, unlike a GMAT expert instructor, haven’t learned all the nuances of the exam. You could wind up with gaps in your knowledge or preparation.

Examples

Self-study is, by definition, tailored to whatever you need to review. You should start your self-study for the GMAT with a computerized adaptive diagnostic test (find out more about GMAT diagnostic tests here) and create a specific study plan and timeline to keep yourself on track.

Next, gather your GMAT prep resources, including online tools and/or prep books. Check out our suggestions for the best GMAT prep resources for an idea of where to start.

Reviews of fundamental skills in verbal and quant should also be integrated into your self-study. Find out more about the math concepts you should review and the verbal skills you should brush up on.

Make sure to track your progress as you work. Keep a log of the practice quizzes and tests you take, and adjust your GMAT study plan accordingly.

What to Look For in a GMAT Prep Method

When you’re choosing a GMAT prep method, you need to make sure it fits your particular needs, works for your schedule and budget, and will get you the score increase you want.

There are a few things to look for when selecting a GMAT prep method. Let’s go through the top five.

#1: Realistic Practice

Whichever GMAT prep method you choose should include realistic practice questions and tests, so that you’ll be prepared for anything on exam day. The practice tests you take should be in computerized adaptive format and should be the same length as what you’ll encounter when you take the real GMAT.

The GMAT practice questions you encounter in drills, quizzes, and full-length exams should be as similar in content, tone, difficulty, length, and format to what you’ll see on exam day as possible. You should practice with every question type and, ideally, also get used to the visuals you’ll see on the actual GMAT.

#2: Customization and Responsiveness

One of the most important aspects of preparing for the GMAT is recognizing, assessing, and addressing your personal strengths and weaknesses. Thus, you’ll have to ensure that the prep method you select is customizable to your particular needs and responsive to how those needs change over time.

Private tutors and online programs are usually the strongest prep methods in this regard. A good private tutor will help you adapt your study plan and schedule as you progress in your GMAT prep so that you cover all the bases, devoting more time to things you’re still struggling with and less to topics you’ve mastered.

Likewise, a strong online GMAT prep program will regularly update you on your progress and on where you need to continue to brush up your skills.

#3: Regular Motivation

Many students have trouble keeping up their focus and momentum over the course of their GMAT prep. Particularly if you struggle to stay on track, choose a prep method that will provide you with regular motivation.

Motivation can come in the form of a structured routine that doesn’t allow you to stray too far from your study plan, a scheduled course or study time, and/or regular updates on your progress so that you know where you’re at every step along the way and have a reason to keep moving in a forward direction.

If you’re good at incentivizing yourself and are used to self-directed study, this tip might not be as important for you. But in assessing your GMAT prep needs, be honest with yourself. If you need guidance and structure, don’t be afraid to seek it out.

#4: Similar to the Real GMAT

To prepare for the GMAT, you don’t just need to prepare yourself for the content tested on the exam. You’ll also need to be familiar with the format and logistics of the GMAT.

For example, you’ll have access to a simple onscreen calculator for the integrated reasoning section, but not for the quantitative section. Also, you’ll be given a double-sided, laminated scratch pad with a thin marker to take notes on if you choose during the exam. You should get accustomed to these conditions as much as possible by practicing with a legal pad similar to what you’ll get on exam day and by practicing quant questions without a calculator.

The GMAT prep method you select should also help you focus on timing. Pacing can be as much as a problem for students as the actual content of the GMAT. A good GMAT prep method will help you build stamina for the three-and-a-half-hour tests, administer timed practice tests, and let you take only the two optional eight-minute breaks that will be available to you on exam day.

If you have a lot of testing anxiety and tend to get thrown off during exams by distractions or the unfamiliar, an in-person class or private tutor who can administer a live practice test might be a good idea, as they can help you get accustomed to the realities of taking the GMAT.

#5: Up-to-Date

The GMAT doesn’t change often, but you want to make sure that whatever prep method you use is as up-to-date as possible.

Prep books written before 2012, for example—the year the integrated reasoning (IR) section was added to the exam—might not include advice or drills for the IR section. Make sure that any prep resources you use include the integrated reasoning section and that any tutor you select to work with you has a great deal of experience in helping students with IR questions (especially, of course, if this section is a trouble spot for you).

Be sure at least one of your GMAT study materials is current to make sure you’re getting the most accurate information about the exam.

Summary: The Best GMAT Test Prep Method

So, what’s the best GMAT prep? That depends on you! The best GMAT test prep is one that takes your strengths and weaknesses into account in order to help you achieve your GMAT score goals in the most efficient way possible.

There are many ways to study for the GMAT, including in-person classes, online programs, tutors, and self-study. The best GMAT prep courses, the best online GMAT prep, and the best GMAT tutors and self-study resources will each have strong benefits to using them. Before you make a decision, be sure to do your research so you know the investment required for each method and what you’ll get about it. Think honestly about which method will work best for you to ensure you have the best test day possible.

What’s Next?

A prep book can be your most useful study tool for the GMAT. Check out our reviews of the best GMAT books to get started.

If you’re worried about the Quant section, check out our complete guide to how to prepare for GMAT Math.

Concerned about your grasp of sophisticated vocabulary? Our guide to GMAT vocabulary can help you prepare for the Verbal section.

The post How to Pick the Best GMAT Prep Method for You appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Need to prepare for the GMAT on a budget? Look no further.

In this article, I’ve collected the eight best free GMAT prep resources available, as well as three great inexpensive practice materials if you have a bit of cash to spend. GMAT practice materials can get expensive fast, but with these resources, you won’t break the bank prepping for the exam.

8 Best Free GMAT Prep Resources

If you’ve started searching for GMAT prep materials, you already know that the best GMAT resources can get expensive, especially if you’re looking for high-quality practice questions and tests. Fortunately, there are a few free resources that you can use on their own or add to your GMAT study plan. Let’s go through eight of the best free GMAT test prep resources available.

#1: MBA.com

MBA.com is the official GMAT website, created by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). It boasts a great deal of relevant, up-to-date information about the GMAT, as well as free practice materials.

What It Includes

The Official GMATPrep Software, available for free through an account at mba.com, is the most important resource on MBA.com (and in general, MBA.com is a source of many of the best GMAT resources available). The software includes a comprehensive GMAT quant review, customizable sets of practice questions, and two full-length computerized adaptive practice tests. You can use one of these practice tests as a diagnostic GMAT to gauge where you’re starting from and how much you need to progress before you take the official exam. Find out more about using the GMATPrep Software for a diagnostic test here.

MBA.com also offers a variety of free GMAT articles and other resources that will help you know what to expect on exam day, such as a list of recent analytical writing assessment topics on past GMATs that you can practice with, sample GMAT questions and accompanying answer explanations, and detailed explanations of each GMAT question type.

What It’s Missing

Most of the official GMAT practice materials and other resources available at MBA.com aren’t free. However, it’s certainly worth taking a look for the most up-to-date info on the exam, as well as downloading the essential Official GMATPrep Software, for which you can purchase extensions and updates.

#2: Beat the GMAT

Beat the GMAT is a social network that boasts an active forum and a variety of other free GMAT prep resources.

What It Includes

Beat the GMAT includes a variety of resources for potential GMAT test-takers, including a forum where you can trade tips and advice with other students, a variety of study plans that 700+ GMAT scorers used to excel on the exam, and a 60-day GMAT study plan that you can have delivered to you in newsletter form.

Additionally, you can sign up to have a free daily quant practice question and a free daily verbal practice question sent to you via email.

You can also download free Beat the GMAT mobile apps, including a set of 300 GMAT flashcards that will help you review verbal and quant concepts.

Another helpful free resource at Beat the GMAT is the GMAT error log, which you can download to help you track your progress as you take GMAT practice quizzes and tests.

What It’s Missing

Beat the GMAT isn’t a source of free GMAT practice questions in and of itself. It’s more of a general resource if you’re looking to connect with and hear from other test-takers who are exploring practice materials and who have done well on the exam.

#3: PrepScholar GMAT Blog

The PrepScholar blog is a free resource for all kinds of GMAT-related material, including study timelines, information about GMAT logistics and MBA admissions, breakdowns of every section of the GMAT, and strategies to help you do your best on test day.

What It Includes

Our GMAT articles cover every aspect of the GMAT, from prep to business school. PrepScholar articles can help you formulate a specific, tailored GMAT study plan and find the best resources to use to prepare, as well as to succeed on exam day. We also break down the logistics of the exam, from scheduling to costs. You can also use the PrepScholar blog to learn about all the components of a business school application and to research particular kinds of MBA programs.

What It’s Missing

While PrepScholar provides many lists of the best GMAT resources and reviews of GMAT practice materials, we don’t have practice questions available on the blog itself.

#4: Your Local Library

Many of us don’t think to use the local library as a resource anymore, but it can be valuable when you’re looking for free materials. Picking through the standardized test section for GMAT practice resources might help you out in your quest for affordable GMAT prep.

What It Includes

The free GMAT practice materials you’re likely to find at your local library are comprehensive prep books from test prep companies. You can use them to complete practice quizzes and tests and to learn more about the GMAT format and content.

Use our guide to the best GMAT prep books here to see what you might want to check out.

What It’s Missing

Your local library is only likely to have paper-based GMAT resources. Since there’s no paper version of the GMAT, it’s not likely to help you if you need to take computerized adaptive practice tests.

Also, the GMAT prep books at your local library might be out of date. Though the GMAT doesn’t change much from year to year, it’s always important to make sure that, for example, the prep books you check out include the integrated reasoning section, which was added to the GMAT in 2012.

#5: Manhattan Prep

Manhattan Prep is a comprehensive GMAT prep resource that offers several free materials for future test-takers, including a free full-length practice test.

What It Includes

Manhattan Prep offers a free full-length computerized adaptive practice test and an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses. This can be a great source of extra practice during one of your routine study sessions.

Other free GMAT prep materials offered by Manhattan Prep include five free samples of GMAT Interact (Manhattan Prep’s online on-demand GMAT prep course), tutorials that cover specific GMAT math and grammar concepts, a free downloadable mobile app with GMAT practice questions and drills, a GMAT blog and forum, and study tips and tricks for acing the exam.

What It’s Missing

Besides the practice test, most of the other free Manhattan Prep GMAT resources are samples so you’ll consider purchasing a full-length course, lesson, or prep book. So you should treat these materials as supplemental to your primary study rather than as your main prep resource.

#6: Veritas Prep Question Bank and Free Practice Test

Veritas Prep offers GMAT classes (live and online), practice tests, and practice quizzes and questions. A few of these, including a full-length practice test, are available for free.

What It Includes

The three primary free GMAT resources offered by Veritas Prep include a full-length adaptive GMAT with a detailed analysis of your score compared to other test-takers, video explanations of the questions in the GMAT Official Guide 2018, and the Veritas Prep Question Bank.

The Veritas Prep Question Bank includes hundreds of GMAT practice questions that you can organize into sets based on question type and difficulty. They’re not presented in adaptive format, but you will receive reports about your performance on each question as compared to other Veritas Prep users. You can also save quizzes you’ve completed to review the answer explanations of questions you missed.

What It’s Missing

If you want more Veritas Prep practice tests or more in-depth feedback about your progress, you’ll have to pay for them (check out the “inexpensive resources” section below for more info).

#7: GMAT Club

GMAT Club is best known for its active GMAT forum and user community, but it also offers a variety of other free GMAT prep resources.

What It Includes

The GMAT Club Forum has thousands of active users from all over the world. In the forum, you can discuss nitty-gritty details about the content and logistics of the exam, MBA admissions stats, prep materials, and the most up-to-date info on any changes to the GMAT.

GMAT Club also provides users with access to a variety of free GMAT tools and articles, from sample GMAT study plans and schedules to a downloadable GMAT timer that you can use at home with practice tests and hundreds of flashcards that feature GMAT-specific quant and verbal concepts.

What It’s Missing

If you want practice questions or full-length practice tests, you’ll have to purchase them from GMAT Club.

Also, many of the resources at GMAT Club (such as the flashcards) are community/user-generated, so they’re not always vetted by GMAT experts or official sources.

#8: Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a free educational resource that you can use to review fundamental verbal and quant concepts for the GMAT.

What It Includes

Khan Academy offers tutorials, via video lessons, in a variety of subjects. Each of these lessons is followed by a series of interactive exercises that will help you implement the skills you just learned or reviewed.

For the GMAT, you’ll want to use the math and grammar tutorials to help with the quant and verbal sections (for the latter, sentence correction questions in particular).

The best Khan Academy tutorials to use for the GMAT are arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, algebra 1 and 2, and statistics and probability (for the quant section), as well as parts of speech, syntax, and usage and style (for the verbal section).

Find more in-depth information about how to use Khan Academy to prepare for the GMAT here.

What It’s Missing

Khan Academy doesn’t have any GMAT-specific practice materials, so it’s only helpful for a review of foundational skills. Also, its math review is much more comprehensive than its grammar review.

3 Best Inexpensive GMAT Resources

Looking for cheap GMAT prep? If you have a bit of money to spend on GMAT prep but are still on a tight budget, you might consider these three high-quality, inexpensive GMAT practice resources.

#1: Official GMAT Resources: Integrated Reasoning Prep Tool, GMAT Question Pack 1, GMAT Write, and GMAT Focus Online Quantitative Diagnostic Tool

Cost

GMAT Question Pack 1: $29.99

GMAT IR Prep Tool: $19.99

GMAT Write: $29.99

GMAT Focus Online Quantitative Diagnostic Tool: $29.99 (single-use)

What It Includes

GMAT Question Pack 1 includes 404 official GMAT practice questions (200 verbal, 200 quant, and 24 integrated reasoning). Once you’ve downloaded the Official GMATPrep Software, the practice questions in GMAT Question Pack 1 get added into and integrated with the practice questions on the free software. Your performance reports will also be integrated into the performance reports on the original software.

The GMAT IR Prep Tool, downloadable online, includes 48 integrated reasoning questions and detailed answer explanations of each one. For more on the IR Prep tool, click here.

GMAT Write helps students with the analytical writing assessment. The program includes two unique essay prompts written by GMAC and scores your essays automatically using the same essay-scoring engine that’s used on the real GMAT.

The GMAT Focus Online Quantitative Diagnostic Tool is web-based and allows you to take a single quantitative diagnostic sample test with 12 data sufficiency questions and 12 problem solving questions, followed by a detailed analysis of your performance in each area of the quant section and suggestions on what to work on, as well as in-depth answer explanations. The tool uses only real, retired GMAT quant questions and expires after a year.

What It’s Missing

The official practice tests authored by GMAC (outside of the two provided in the Official GMATPrep Software) are more expensive, so you’ll have to splurge a little if you’re looking for additional full-length tests.

#2: Veritas Prep Practice Tests

Veritas Prep is a high-quality GMAT practice resource, with practice tests and questions that are similar in content and format to the actual exam. Their seven practice tests are offered in an affordable bundle.

Cost

$47 for seven tests

What It Includes

This set of practice tests includes detailed progress reports so you can see how you’re doing and what you need to work on. With seven tests available for $49, each test only costs $7.

Also, you’ll never see the same question twice, and the Veritas Prep practice tests have been updated to allow you to select your own section order (a new change that was implemented in July of 2017; check out our explanation of the change here).

You can also take the practice tests at varying times, so if you struggle with pacing, you can start off slower and work up to moving more quickly.

What It’s Missing

The Veritas Prep practice tests are adaptive (as in, they provide the next question based on what you’re answering correctly and incorrectly, and adjust to your skill level as you go along), but they aren’t precisely in the computerized adaptive format that’s used on the real GMAT.

That means that while your scores on these practice tests will help you, they don’t use exactly the same algorithm as the real GMAT, and you’ll have to take your practice test scores with a grain of salt.

#3: Prep Books for Under $20: Kaplan’s GMAT Prep 2018 and Princeton Review’s Cracking the GMAT

Cost

Kaplan’s GMAT Prep 2018: $16.16 in paperback; $17.99 in Kindle

Princeton Review’s Cracking the GMAT: $18.06

What It Includes

Kaplan’s GMAT Prep 2018 includes one paper-based practice GMAT and one computerized adaptive test online, in addition to over 400 practice questions and step-by-step strategies for each section.

Princeton Review’s Cracking the GMAT provides content reviews for each GMAT section, strategies on how to tackle each GMAT question type, tips on how to avoid the most common GMAT errors, two computerized adaptive practice tests (to be taken online), and “practice bins” of verbal and quant drills and practice questions, accompanied by answer explanations.

What It’s Missing

One of the two practice tests in Kaplan’s GMAT Prep 2018 is paper-based, which won’t necessarily offer you a realistic idea of your potential score on the real GMAT. Also, while the step-by-step strategies for each question type are helpful, the practice questions are also mostly included in the book rather than online, which won’t help you get used to the visuals and the experience of the real exam.

Princeton Review’s Cracking the GMAT is focused heavily on strategy and “tips and tricks,” sometimes at the expense of fundamental concept reviews. Also, the practice questions provided are often a little easier than those on the actual GMAT.

What’s Next?

Now that you know about the best free GMAT resources, are you looking for the best GMAT prep books? Check out our reviews here.

When it comes to the GMAT, you want the best GMAT resources in order to ace the exam. We’ve gathered a list of the 20 best GMAT resources here.

Ready to strategize? These are the eight best ways to get a perfect GMAT score.

The post The 8 Best Free GMAT Prep Resources (and 3 Cheap Ones) appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

Applying to the GMAT can be expensive. There are fees for just about everything, and the costs can quickly add up. GMAT prep can be especially costly, whether you’re investing in prep courses, software, tutoring, or even books. If you’re concerned with keeping your expenses low, studying for the GMAT can seem daunting.

The good news is that there are many high quality GMAT resources available that are free or low cost. In this guide, I’ll take you through the very best free GMAT prep resources, from practice tests to apps, and offer suggestions for ways to save money while you study.

Can I Really Study for the GMAT for Free?

In a word: yes.

It’s definitely possible to study for the GMAT for free. There are numerous free GMAT resources out there, including free GMAT practice tests and free GMAT practice questions, study plans, content review, apps, forums, and flashcards. All of these tools are easily accessible if you have an Internet connection. In the next section, I’ll give my recommendations for the best free resources you should use.

While there are many free GMAT resources out there, spending a little bit of money for supplementary resources can really help further your test prep. For instance, instead of purchasing a prep book that covers the entire GMAT, you can buy one that only focuses on a specific section that’s giving you trouble. Section-specific books tend to be much cheaper than test prep books that cover the entire GMAT and will offer you targeted strategies and content review on the topic areas that you struggle with the most. Later in the article, I’ll suggest other cost-effective ways to supplement your prep.

Best Free GMAT Prep

There are tons of free GMAT prep resources. However, as with any GMAT study material, you want to make sure that any resource is high quality. It’s important to use accurate materials that really prepare you for the content and format of the GMAT. In this section, I’ll tell you about the best free GMAT prep resources you can use.

Best Free GMAT Practice Tests

Taking a free GMAT practice test is a great way to assess your skills and prepare for test day. By taking a full-length GMAT practice test, you’ll be able to track your progress towards your goal score and see which areas of the test are giving you trouble.

GMATPrep Software by GMAC

This free, downloadable software gives you access to two free practice tests that are built using actual, retired GMAT questions.

If you’d like to purchase additional exam packs, you can buy two additional tests for $50 from GMAC.

Taking official GMAT practice tests is one of the best things you can do for your prep. Official GMAT practice tests contain real, retired GMAT questions, so the content and format will be accurate. Unfortunately, the GMATPrep Software doesn’t offer great answer explanations. Most of the answer explanations are quite short, and don’t get into any of the theories or strategies behind the questions.

Veritas Prep

Veritas Prep offers one free full-length GMAT practice test with explanations. You also have the option to purchase six more practice tests for $49. If you become a premium member of Veritas Prep, you’ll get access to seven practice tests for free.

The test is computer-adaptive, just like the real GMAT. Veritas Prep is known for having accurate GMAT questions and in-depth explanations that will help you decide what and how to study.

Manhattan Prep

Manhattan Prep offers access to one free full-length GMAT with a detailed score report and analysis. You can purchase five additional, full-length GMATs for $49. All of Manhattan Prep’s free GMAT practice tests are computer-adaptive, just like the real exam.

Manhattan Prep’s tests have a good adaptive algorithm and solid, quality questions. The score report will help you know what you need to study and what you’re well-prepared for.

KAPLAN

Kaplan offers two types of free full-length online GMAT practice tests: self-proctored and instructor-proctored. You can also purchase six additional CATs for $30 through Kaplan.

For the self-proctored test, you’ll receive your scores and answer explanations to peruse at your leisure. For the instructor-proctored exam, you’ll get your scores, and then work with an instructor in real-time online to get answer explanations. Kaplan is generally fairly accurate, but does have some problems with having questions that are either a little different in format or a little off from GMAT core content.

Best Free GMAT Practice Questions and Content Review

It’s important to supplement your free GMAT practice tests with free GMAT practice questions that target specific skills and content areas. Good free GMAT practice questions will help you go over different topics that you’ll see on exam day.

GMAT Mini Quiz

The GMAT mini quiz offers six real, retired GMAT questions for you to practice with. Each question comes with explanations. The answer explanations are very short, without much depth.

If you’re struggling with content, you’ll need to supplement this resource with other, more in-depth content tools. However, using real GMAT questions is an important part of your prep, so make sure you take a crack at these questions as you’re getting ready for the GMAT.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a great free resource that offers in-depth video explanations of different GMAT quant concepts. The GMAT videos on Khan Academy work through over four hundred questions that are presented in the official GMAC review guide. These videos will help you understand how to solve each of these questions and give you overall strategies for approaching similar questions on the GMAT quant section.

While Khan Academy does offer solid quant content, it also has many cons as a resource. Khan Academy doesn’t offer practice questions of its own, and its videos only expose you to one teaching style. Similarly, the GMAT topics on Khan Academy only cover content from the GMAT quant section. You can find help for grammar and reading review on Khan Academy itself, but it won’t be tailored to the GMAT specifically. You’ll need another resource if you’re looking for help on the GMAT verbal section.

Platinum GMAT Club

Platinum GMAT Club offers a free online question bank of over 250 GMAT practice questions. You can use this resource to practice specific skills, as they breakdown questions by type and content covered, which allows you to target your prep to the areas that you struggle the most with.

However, the formatting of Platinum GMAT Club questions isn’t the best. The online format of Platinum GMAT Club’s free GMAT practice questions is very different than what you’ll see on test day. Other resources, like GMATPrep, Veritas Prep, and Manhattan Prep, offer paid resources that better replicate the real GMAT question format. Knowing what the test will actually look like on test day is a great way to feel prepared for the exam.

Best Free GMAT Apps

Apps are a great way to take your free GMAT prep on the move. Having your GMAT prep available on your smartphone lets you practice any time, any place. These free GMAT apps are great resources to use as you’re preparing for the GMAT.

Prep4GMAT

The Prep4GMAT app (or Ready4GMAT on Google Play) is a great free resource with question banks, lessons, and flashcards. There are a number of different features on the app that can help you in your prep. The lessons help you master the content behind each question, while the question banks allow you to target your prep towards the specific areas you struggle with. The flashcards are great for quick and easy review, and the questions have an X-ray feature that allows you to highlight key words, which help you understand how to solve a question.

There are several spelling errors in the app, as well as several questions that have the wrong answers marked correct. Users have also reported that the newer versions of the app (specifically the version available on Google Play) can be buggy and shut down often.

Complete GMAT Video Course App from Veritas

The Veritas Prep GMAT on Demand app explains GMAT concepts and questions through a series of videos that you stream or download to the app. Videos are divided into 12 modules. While the modules cover verbal and quantitative subjects, most modules focus on math topics, such as arithmetic, statistics and combinations, or geometry. Most of the app’s videos are free, but some are available at an extra cost.

This app only allows you to watch videos – you don’t get access to any practice questions. For that, you’ll need another app. The videos also take a long time to download and can be buggy on newer smartphones.

GMAT Question Bank from Veritas Prep

The Veritas Prep GMAT Question Bank gives you access to realistic GMAT questions across all areas of the GMAT, including Integrated Reasoning. You can tailor your own quizzes by the number and types of questions, which allows you to target your prep. You can compare your own performance against that of other test-takers. The rigor and variety of the questions is quite strong.

However, the app doesn’t give you access to many questions on its free version. You’ll have to pay for more questions. The quizzes also aren’t adaptive, like the actual GMAT. The questions can be difficult to see in mobile formatting, as well.

Other Awesome Free GMAT Resources

In addition to more traditional resources like books, question banks, and apps, there are a number of other great free GMAT prep resources available. Forums are awesome places to ask questions and find tips from other test-takers or test experts. Flashcards are useful tools to take your prep on the go. Check out the resources I’ve suggested below to supplement your GMAT test prep.

Forums

There are some really great GMAT forums out there, specifically Beat the GMAT and GMAT Club, which provide great places for MBA applicants to come together and share strategies.

There are many pros to these forums: first and foremost, the forums are great because they aggregate and review resources. You’ll be able to find reviews on virtually every single GMAT prep book, software, app, etc, so that you know what to use in your prep. You can also find section-specific question sets, places to ask questions (content, application, and prep-related), and moral support from other test takers.

The forums can be clunky to navigate if you’re looking for something specific. Try running a Google search for a specific topic (such as “gmat club geometry tips”) or use the forums’ own search functions to narrow down the hundreds of results

Flashcards

Flashcards are a great tool to help your prep. You can use flashcards anytime, anywhere, to review quick concepts, like math formulas or idioms. Magoosh offers free online flashcards to help with quantitative problems or with idioms for the verbal section. You can download these flashcards online or as an app for iPhone or Android. They aren’t full-length GMAT questions, but rather drills that can help build your foundational knowledge. GMAT Club and Beat the GMAT also offer flashcards to test your verbal and math skills.

How To Save Money While Studying for the GMAT

While it’s possible to study with only free GMAT prep resources, there are plenty of costs associated with taking the GMAT and applying for an MBA program. Here are some tips for how to save money while studying for the GMAT, while also supplementing your free GMAT practice questions and test with some low-cost options to maximize your score.

#1: Take Out Books From the Library

The library! That magical place where you can get free access to hundreds of books! The library’s a great place to look for GMAT resources. Most libraries have test prep sections, where you can find copies of GMAT prep books that you can use to supplement your prep. Taking a book out from the library is a great way to get access to top-notch instructional materials for free.

However, there are definitely some cons to taking books out of the library. If you take a book out of the library, you’ll likely have a time limit on how long you can borrow it. You may be able to renew the book to keep it for longer, but if there’s a waiting list, you’ll have to return the book so the next borrower can use it.

You also can’t (and shouldn’t) write in library books or remove any of the pages. You’ll have to take notes separately and answer practice questions on separate sheets of paper. Using extra paper isn’t a huge deal, but it may be annoying if you want to minimize the supplies you’re using.

#2: Schedule Carefully to Minimize Fees

The GMAT is an expensive test. It costs $250 every time you take the GMAT. If you miss or can’t make your test date, you don’t get your money back. You’ll have to pay another $250 to reschedule the test.

When you’re thinking about when to take the GMAT, make sure you carefully consider your schedule, taking into account application deadlines and the amount of time you’ll need to prep. Scheduling an inconvenient date can be a costly mistake. For more information on how to schedule your GMAT test, check out our in-depth guide.

#3: Apply for a GMAT Fee Waiver

As I mentioned before, with a $250 registration fee, the GMAT is an expensive test. However, you can apply for a GMAT fee waiver to subsidize your testing costs.

Unfortunately, obtaining a GMAT fee waiver can be a time-consuming and confusing process.. You can only get a GMAT fee waiver from a business school, not from GMAC itself, and each business school has its own process and application for doling out fee waivers.

However, if cost is truly a concern, applying for a GMAT fee waiver can be a good decision. To learn more about how to apply for a GMAT fee waiver, read our guide to GMAT fee waivers.

#4: Apply for an Application Fee Waiver

While GMAT fee waivers can be confusing and hard to apply for, business school application fee waivers are much easier to find. Almost all business schools offer fee waivers for economically disadvantaged students. If you’re struggling financially, MBA application fees can add up quickly. Applying for application fee waivers is a great way to reduce costs.

You can find out more information about applying for application fee waivers by visiting a program’s website or calling their office. Each business school has its own process for applying for fee waivers, so make sure you do your research on how and when to apply so that you’re eligible for this financial relief if you need it.

#5: Target Weak Areas With Extra Help

Spending a little bit of money can help you target you prep to conquer problem areas. For instance, you can purchase a book that only focuses on Data Sufficiency questions, if those are the questions that you struggle with.

You can also pay for a small amount of tutoring time that focuses on specific areas you struggle with. Hiring a tutoring for a few hours can really transform your practice. A good tutor will be able to help you learn new strategies for solving problems and help identify and correct mistakes you’ve been making.

What’s Next?

Check out our GMAT study plans to get started with your prep.

Learn more about GMAT fee waivers to help manage costs.

Check out our guides to the best GMAT prep books and best GMAT online practice (coming soon).

The post Free GMAT Prep: 12 Practice Tests, Questions, and Apps appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.

You may have heard of Khan Academy as a free resource offering standardized test prep. But can you use Khan Academy for GMAT prep? What can it help you with?

In this article, I’ll go over the different Khan Academy GMAT prep materials, how to use them, and what Khan Academy can and can’t do for your GMAT study plan.

What GMAT Prep Does Khan Academy Offer?

Khan Academy is a free resource offering exercises, lessons, and instructional videos that allow students to learn at their own pace. It includes lessons on dozens of topics, including the GMAT and other standardized tests.

For GMAT prep, Khan Academy offers hundreds of videos that take you through official, GMAC-authored practice quant questions, showing you how to successfully complete each kind of quant problem from start to finish.

In the Khan Academy GMAT videos, Khan Academy instructor Sal works through GMAT quant problems in real time. You can see the problems being completed on the screen as he goes along, which can help you if you’re getting stuck in practice problems.

The videos tackle 249 problem solving questions and 155 data sufficiency questions, so there’s a ton of material to work through. The quant problems in Khan Academy videos are from the 11th edition of the Official GMAC GMAT Review, published in 2005. You can buy this version online if you want to easily follow along with Sal.

Additionally, Khan Academy has hundreds of videos that aren’t explicitly aimed at the GMAT, but which will help you review or gain basic math and grammar skills that are fundamental to success on the exam. The math videos can help you with areas that are significant to the GMAT, such as algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics and probability. The grammar videos, which target skills and concepts like parts of speech, syntax, and punctuation, can particularly help with sentence correction questions.

What Khan Academy GMAT Prep Can and Can’t Do

Khan Academy is free and definitely helpful, but it has its limitations. Let’s go over what Khan Academy can and can’t do for your GMAT prep.

CAN: Help You Understand What You’re Doing Correctly or Incorrectly on Quant Questions

On Khan Academy, you can follow along with quant questions being solved in real time. This means that you can figure out where your current strategies are falling short or where you’re getting stuck when you complete practice questions. For example, maybe you’re having to go through every possible answer choice in a certain question type and test it out, when you could have eliminated one or more of the answer choices immediately.

CAN: Help You Review Math and Grammar Skills

The GMAT tests many basic math and verbal skills that you might not have fully mastered or may need to review. Khan Academy can help you review these concepts or even learn them for the first time. However, you’ll need to know exactly what you want to study, since there aren’t specific lessons dedicated to GMAT content.

CAN’T: Help You Succeed in Analytical Writing, Verbal, or Integrated Reasoning

Khan Academy GMAT prep doesn’t target any sections besides quant, so it’s not enough for a comprehensive GMAT study plan. It also doesn’t offer any resources or other information about the exam, so it can’t help you in other areas (with the exception of possibly building grammar skills through the general English videos).

CAN’T: Offer Specific Test-Taking Strategies 

As of yet, Khan Academy doesn’t offer any guidance on GMAT strategies. Though you can begin to learn quant strategies by watching Sal work through specific problems, there aren’t any official GMAT lessons offered by Khan Academy. For an overview or in-depth breakdowns of question types, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Top Tips for Khan Academy GMAT Prep

There are several ways to make your Khan Academy GMAT prep most effective. Let’s go through a few tips for using Khan Academy to prepare for the exam.

Try Out Some Quant Questions First

Practice completing at least a few quant practice questions before you begin watching the Khan Academy GMAT videos.

Then take a look at your notes as Sal takes you through his train of thought on each problem. Where are you missing the mark, particularly on questions you’re getting wrong? Where are your strategies already on point? You don’t have to directly adopt every strategy Sal uses, but the comparison can give you some insight into where you can improve.

Use the Math and Grammar Skills Videos to Strengthen Your Weakest Areas

Target your weakest areas when choosing instructional videos. For example, if you’re a non-native English speaker or you struggle with the verbal section, particularly sentence correction questions, a grammar review could be in order.

As you prepare for the GMAT, you will notice your blind spots in question types and knowledge areas. Khan Academy, which allows you to pick and choose what you review and when, is a good way to hone in on those weaknesses.

Choose the Most GMAT-Relevant Topics for Review

The most GMAT-relevant Khan Academy math videos for the quant section are in the algebra, trigonometry, statistics and probability, and geometry subsections.In addition, because you won’t have a calculator on the GMAT quant section, several Khan Academy videos can help you learn to estimate and calculate in your head.

These are the most useful videos to start with:

• Arithmetic
• Fractions
• Trigonometry
• Algebra
• Geometry

Other Free GMAT Prep Resources

Khan Academy isn’t the only free GMAT resource out there. There are a few others where you can find quality GMAT prep at no cost. You can find free practice tests at our article on the best free GMAT practice tests.

MBA.com

MBA.com offers a ton of official GMAT prep materials, all authored by GMAC. Some of these materials, including the GMAT Prep Software (which contains practice questions, two full-length simulated computer-adaptive GMATs, a quant review, and test-taking strategies), are free. The official materials offer a good starting place to discern your weaknesses and strengths before moving on to other resources.

800Score.com

800Score.com offers a free computerized-adaptive sample GMAT. However, its most helpful resources (particularly if used in conjunction with other resources that target the quant and verbal sections) are its five free timed analytical writing assessments. After you complete each 30-minute essay, you will receive a breakdown of the question and sample student essays by email.

GMAT Club

GMAT Club began as a forum where prospective MBA students and GMAT test-takers could chat about study strategies, changes to the exam, and business school.

Now, it also has plenty of free practice questions, including advanced quant problems. In addition, you can find threads addressing strategies for completing specific practice problems and completing certain question types correctly.

What’s Next?

For more free GMAT prep resources, check out our guides to the best GMAT apps and best online GMAT practice.

Our complete GMAT study guide will help you construct a comprehensive prep plan for the exam.

The post Khan Academy GMAT Prep: 3 Tips for How It Can Help You appeared first on Online GMAT Prep Blog by PrepScholar.