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GMAT examination scores, while only a part of your business school application, can be the difference between getting accepted or rejected in their first choice school. In fact, 55% of the 250 MBA admissions officers who responded to the School of Business 2008 Kaplan said that the survey admission GMAT is the most important factor in the business school application. While the schools see the complete package, which goes off by a lower than average GMAT score, used to determine how successful you are academically. That is why many candidates spend a lot of time preparing for the GMAT – and doing everything possible to increase your score. Often the tests are aimed at preparation to help businesses.

In recent years, these companies have worked to improve their offerings online and create custom courses and materials. "We do not believe in one-size-fits-all. We respect the fact that students who come to our class are not all on the same level," says Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep. "Our job is to know GMAT and arm them with the tools."

In fact, Shrum agreed that competitors offer personalized attention is a necessity for today’s test-taker – from work on the basis of the weak points of your computer reading your analysis of the GMAT results, you help decide where to focus their efforts. If you have not studied a geometry problem from the 10th grade or an engineer is exposed to various quantitative problems every day, GMAT test-prep companies to get their attention. And judging by his comments on BusinessWeek’s Business School Forum, which appeared to have succeeded.

If you are thinking of preparing for the GMAT, which has a wide range of options – from free practice tests are offered by GMAC, the creators of the GMAT, and teaching himself to a private tutorial with the Test preparation programs. The best way to determine what course of study is right for you, take a practice test first, then determining a reasonable goal, and then decide that, if the program would help to reach it. Here is what you can leave some of the most popular GMAT test-prep companies:

Kaplan
While not going to rest on its laurels, Kaplan believes that the experience is its greatest strength. "Our goal is to offer more than 40 years of teaching experience in a way that the GMAT is broad, but also personalized for each student," said Andrew Mitchell, director of programs for Kaplan GMAT. With 160 centers in the U.S. and others in France and United Kingdom, in addition to online courses, Kaplan also reaches a large audience. The company Smart Reports Service provides information on the progress of each student based on the results of practice exams. An alliance with Pearson VUE allows students to take a practice exam in the room where they take the GMAT real time, to get an idea of what the test day.

Kaplan offers traditional courses, advanced classes for those who score 600 or more practice tests and want to improve your score even more, online courses and live, where students see their instructor via webcam . If your score does not increase, you are eligible for a full refund, and if you are dissatisfied with their results or do not feel ready to test at the end of your course, you can retake the entire course for free.

"The reason we’ve been in business for so long is because a backup (promises), with this guarantee," says Mitchell.

From Kaplan Test Prep offers a variety of tests, which already has a preparation for the Graduate Record Examination in place of class for those interested in taking this test, which is now accepted by many business schools as an alternative to GMAT. The classroom of online courses and live each cost $ 1449. The price of 35 hours of private lessons is $ 4649, and Kaplan’s books can cost as little as $ 17.

Matthew McCloskey recently took the advanced course and raised a score of 680 to 740. Even though the instructors spent too much time on the verbal test, which was pleased with the results. "Most people in the advanced class and had a solid understanding of what the test was about and could correctly answer the easy / medium questions within the time," McCloskey wrote in an e-mail. "Given that, my instructor was able to see the details of the most difficult / difficult issues and to explain alternate routes to the correct answer if the usual approach does not work."

But there are some people who are critical of Kaplan to be the fast food chain in the test preparation with a number of services through the quality of mind, because the size of the company and its offerings. You can study everything from the latest SAT with Kaplan, the company has no specialty in itself. Some students think that makes it a generic curriculum and instruction. "Although we scored well in the review, I honestly do not think that is directly attributable to the majority of (Kaplan Premium Online Course) itself," writes Andy Johnson, a student in an e-mail. "For the most part, the" tricks "and course work themselves were not completely original, and most abandoned by those who simply be too much for thinking and planning for the actual test."

Balance: Kaplan is conveniently located for most people and has more experience with testing in general, and GMAT, in particular, that most of the other test preparation available. If you do not mind that do not specialize in the GMAT, then you could be the place for you.

Knewton
The creators of this relatively new program – was less than a year since December 2008 – are from Kaplan. Knewton, unlike its competitors, offers online courses for the GMAT. Good Riddance telling traditional test preparation, Knewton says hello to technology-based courses. "There is no reason to spend much money to support a failing business model," said Jose Ferreira, founder and CEO of Knewton. "The money we spend goes directly into our courses to improve its course and the learning experience."

Use of software for learning and adaptation of live video, offering a long Knewton students of online courses. There are several instructors, one in the chamber and to answer questions. For $ 890, students participate in 40 hours of classes in vivo and may repeat the course to see the recordings online as much as they like for up to one year. Knewton also offers workshops in specific areas if you want additional help to improve specific skills. The complete course comes with a guarantee to increase your score less than 50 points and the course is free.

Anyone can take the course from anywhere Knewton, and approximately 20% of students are international. One student, Ferreira said, was kind of a beach in the Cayman Islands. A lawsuit in progress that will cost less than the full course is offered now in the pipeline, as is "preparing for business school, which includes basic courses as an introduction to financial modeling, and an Excel Case sample given by a Harvard Business School (Harvard MBA full-time profile) teacher.

Some members of the traditional test of preparedness of the community is saying Knewton the wave of the future. One big difference: the adaptation Knewton learning software, which personalizes the content to reflect the progress of each student, delivering what the company calls a "supercharged" the experience of test preparation. "I hate to say this, but has Knewton each test preparation company totally obsolete," writes Greg Rorke, former CEO of Kaplan in a statement issued by Knewton. "By going online, Knewton can deliver the very best in the business of teachers anytime, anywhere. Knewton adaptation motor learning and personalize your experience so that the old school can not prepare for the test."

Daniel Young student scores improved 100 points after taking the course Knewton. He writes in an e-mail that the excellent staff and study materials were helpful, but students must do their part as well. "As valuable as the classes and materials are the Web site, but at over two hours of study each night, my score is not likely to have improved dramatically," writes Young.

Modern technology is nice and all, but Young admits that sometimes it’s nice to be in a classroom, face to face with an instructor. Knewton is still a baby in the world test preparation, it is difficult to know how your program is successful in helping students improve their GMAT results.

Balance: Knewton, with all its online format, suitable for almost anyone and in particular could be a good solution for those who travel often or spend as many hours online. By eliminating costs such as rent and supplies for classrooms, and travel expenses that you have to spend to get to class, Knewton is also one of the most affordable options available.

Manhattan GMAT
Known for his extensive research background of the instructors, Manhattan GMAT was founded by Zeke Vanderhoek, a former Teach for America participant. The company rejects four out of five instructors, but has very little turnover. There are 82 trainers in total, and go through more than 100 hours of training before teaching a class. They are paid the highest salary in the industry, said Andrew Yang, CEO of Manhattan GMAT.

The organization is proud to be an authority with a singular mission in comparison with its competitors, many of which offer test preparation for a variety of tests. "We are experts in the GMAT, and is the focus of the entire organization," says Yang. Students who choose Manhattan GMAT you can subscribe to a traditional nine-week course that is already available in 15 different locations, an online course in vivo with two teachers, private tutoring, Manhattan GMAT books, a guide or self-study course. Prices range from $ 200 for books and materials to $ 1490 for the traditional course.

GMAC Manhattan GMAT recently responded to the update of the official guide for the GMAT, including hundreds of new problems and materials to reflect changes in their study guides. In addition, many companies – including McKinsey, Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS – news), Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG – news) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC – News) – to turn a Manhattan GMAT testing services to provide Preparation of the employees who are applying to B-schools. As more business schools are beginning to accept the GRE, GMAT Manhattan is working on a curriculum to address this other evidence.

Some students are satisfied with the program, even before completing. "The Manhattan GMAT books are great: very clear, well written and have a series of practice questions at the end of each section to test their knowledge," writes Emma Roberts, a student in Scotland who is taking the line Manhattan GMAT course, in an e-mail. "The teachers (two – both American) are excellent. I felt safer after the first lessons. They give you so many resources, in addition to classes and books."

However, Manhattan GMAT has its weaknesses. At about $ 1490, it is expensive that most of its competitors. Unlike its competitors, Manhattan GMAT offers no guarantees. "Our course is very rigorous, and students come out of it what you put in it," Yang wrote in an e-mail. "If a student works hard with us, we are very confident that it will improve their skills, but it’s really up to the student at the end of the day."

Balance: Manhattan GMAT not dabblers or for those looking to get into any business school. People with the aim of the schools of higher level, they are willing to deposit in U.S. dollars for the big top-notch instructors and a rigorous curriculum, are at the height of Manhattan GMAT.

Review of Manhattan
Tracy Yun, CEO of Manhattan Review, puts a premium on time. "Time is the greatest obstacle in the preparation," he says. "We want to teach students the fastest approaches. We want to give them the essential elements in the shortest time." His company offers a one-week intensive course, a course of the weekend, four and eight weeks of classes, six weekend sessions in line nine, and a choice of self-study. The rate of these courses includes unlimited access to over 100 hours of online course materials. Prices range from $ 675 for self-study package to $ 1650 without the early-bird special for one week. With the test sites in 60 cities and 10 countries in Manhattan Review is available to students from New York, London, Zurich and Hong Kong, to name a few.

Flexibility – providing packages that combine face to face with the tutorials online and in many cities – Manhattan is one of the greatest strengths of the magazine, said Yun. Normally, the results increase from 60 to 120 points after taking the course, according to self-reported data from students, said Yun. Students who fail to achieve its goal of improving your score or scores get free unlimited access to the classroom, Manhattan Review’s online library, and expert advice. Manhattan Review TOEFL and GRE courses and classes, too.

The GMAT program of study requires more self-discipline, because they have less face time with the instructors, but access to many other materials online. It is also smaller and less known, at least with the Americans, that some other test preparation services.

Balance: Review of Manhattan is a great fit for procrastinators, those who do not fit in GMAT your busy schedule and prefer cramming for tests. It is also in the side, so you have to be willing to make an investment.

Princeton Review
The staff would like GMAT Princeton Review test preparation for students to see the big picture. "It is not only the knowledge being tested," said John Fulmer, director of content GMAT Princeton Review. "This is the approach to the problem." In fact, the company’s approach to teaching the GMAT and its dynamic, interactive instruction are its main strengths, Fulmer said. Students can choose from a line of books, an online course, online tutorials, a classroom of seven-week program with 21 hours of instruction, and a person-to-one and small group tutoring . Prices start at $ 132 for the GMAT Course Online Express up to $ 6750 for mentoring. However, the traditional seven-week course costs $ 1249 in most markets.

Students can take courses if you feel you’re ready to take the exam. Students who do not improve their performance are entitled to a full refund, and those who are not satisfied with their improvement up to a year of instruction free.

Although GMAT Princeton Review in the instruction has not changed much in recent years, Fulmer said the organization is in constant evaluation of their courses. Students are given tasks, building in areas most in need of improvement as determined by the results of your test. Princeton Review is also starting to think about the changes coming to the GMAT in 2013. "Princeton Review is always aware of the changes," Fulmer said. "Whatever path is reduced, we are ready with the best possible preparation of evidence out there."

Like Kaplan, Princeton Review receives criticism for being a one size fits all test preparation factory without any clear specializations. Fulmer, however, said that having a hand in all the tests is an advantage because the reviews tend to have similarities. Princeton Review has a team, added, working on teaching only the GMAT. And it offers courses and GRE.

Bottom Line: While Princeton Review seems to have changed the least of all the test preparation services in recent years, yet offers the convenience and experience. It is also among the most affordable, which is not a bad thing when you’re about to fork over thousands in fees and possibly give a full-time job for the school.

Veritas Prep
Veritas is known for the preparation of its flagship length, face to face course, in 43 hours of class time is the longest trials in preparation for the GMAT circles. Its strength lies in the quantity of education offered to students and 101 hours of training provided to teachers. Because there is so long, said Shrum, instructors of the students start with the basics and work up to more advanced-level work at a pace that is comfortable for everyone in the class. With 15 practice tests, students have the opportunity to diagnose their weaknesses and work to improve, says Shrum.

In January 2009 the firm launched a review of the books that students use to study. The new version of study materials offers different approaches to solving certain problems. "We’ve taught over 20,000 students, and the way we have come to a better education for some of the material," says Shrum. In the new book is better tips and tricks.

In addition to the complete course, students can enroll for a course of 36 hours which is held over two weekends, an intensive course that will take you in class six hours per day for seven days, an online course, and on Veritas demand, which is a self-guided, online course. The price ranges from $ 1,600 in some markets for the full course to $ 850 for the line options. If you are not satisfied with the improvement of their score at the end of the course, we invite you to take the course again for free. PREP Veritas has no plans to offer courses for GRE at this time. "Part of the reason we have remained focused on the GMAT is still the best predictor of how well someone will do academically in the school of business," Shrum wrote in an email sent by the spokesperson Lisa Weiner. "The jury is still on the GRE in some circles."

Some of the people at the Forum on Business Schools BusinessWeek does not believe that Veritas PREP materials were suitable for them. "After taking the first course of preparation with Veritas, I was disappointed in the strategies and materials offered to the point where I missed the opportunity to retake the course free of charge, which is part of its security," said Timothy Chen, finished taking a course with a competitor. "I thought I would not have been a good use of my time." Others say that the fact that instructors are willing to work at a snail’s pace, as some students in the class behind the other is actually a disadvantage, because those with more advanced skills to get as much out of instruction.

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