How to choose your GMAT/GRE Prep Course

Taking the first step in mastering the many topics and concepts that GMAT/GRE covers can be harrowing. Many turn to Prep Courses, but are then faced with the daunting decision of which course to choose. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your GMAT/GRE Prep Course.

Your Preferred Format

Are you inclined towards the flexibility of online learning or the structure of a classroom environment? Online courses offer the convenience of self-paced study. However, you won’t have any instructor to further explain concepts or answer explanations that you still don’t fully understand. More importantly, an instructor will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses, which is crucial in GMAT/GRE prep.

Conversely, classroom courses facilitate peer interaction and live instructor guidance with the caveat that the instructor’s attention is divided among all the students.

The Course Structure

Pay attention to the course structure. Most courses pool the quantitative and verbal sections together, so you have to take them both. This can be a problem considering that most people will be more adept at one or the other. Courses that give you the option to take just one section might be more suitable for you.  

Instructor’s Qualifications

The qualifications and teaching methodology of the instructor are key. Make sure that the instructor has actually taken the exam. A qualified instructor that is well-versed in both quant and verbal section is rare since they require different skills. If your instructor for both is the same, look more closely to see whether the person actually has the qualifications needed.  

Ask questions on the instructor’s teaching style since understanding problem-solving strategies and common pitfalls is crucial in prepping for your GMAT/GRE exam.

Course Materials

GMAT/GRE is a meticulously crafted exam that has specific structures and ways to trick exam takers. It is very difficult to exactly replicate the structure of the problems. Using official problems during your prep will help you build sensitivity to key details and trap answers. Check whether the course you’re planning to take is using official GMAT/GRE problems. 

This is especially true when doing a simulation. Unofficial simulation exams will never be able to capture the complexity of the GMAT/GRE exam in terms of time breakdown, question adaptability, or question structure. This can be a huge issue that will result in huge discrepancy between your simulation result and actual test results.  

Ultimately, the best way to find your best GMAT/GRE prep course is by seeking advice from those who have taken a course. Consult individuals who have completed the courses and successfully navigated the exam to get first-hand experiences and recommendations.Check out what our past students say about TOGA’s GMAT/GRE prep here.

All Blog