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March 29, 2016
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March 29, 2021
EMPOWERgmat Reviews
EMPOWERgmat seeks to have their student’s “think like a testmaker” in order to be able to predict the answers to questions.
EMPOWERgmat
About EMPOWERgmat
8,781
EMPOWERgmat seeks to have their student’s “think like a testmaker” in order to be able to predict the answers to questions. They invite users to view a “pro guide” that will guide them through the process, from the content given on the test to methods designed to “beat the tactics” presented to them throughout the examination.
EMPOWERgmat offers a compelling 100 Point Improvement Guarantee! Improve your GMAT score, or get a full month’s refund. Their guarantee ranges as follows: 100 Points – Scored from 200-580, 70 Points – Scored from 590-640, Improve your score – From 650+. They also boasts that if you beat your prior GMAT score by at least 100 points, they will pay for 1 hour of professional admissions consulting! A $250 bonus.
Basics
Their course tour is loaded with video experiences offering:
- Video explanations to over 2,000 questions
- Motivational podcasts and “cheat sheet” PDF’s
- GMAT official guide questions with video explanations
- Lessons, bonus tools, drills and questionnaires
Thousands of realistic training questions are also accompanied by video and an error log is supplied for students to recognize mistakes and possible patterns associated with these errors.
Cost and Contact Info
EMPOWERgmat offers a free 24 hour access pass online or available through Facebook. The self-study master plan started at $89/month. The full GMAT training is a monthly charge is $99 dollars and the 3 month pack is $349 (includes $100 worth of official practice exams & $100 worth of GMAT Club tests).
At the bottom of their signup page, there are free downloads of one, two and three month study plans along with PDF files for total, quantitative and verbal score boosters.
Contact Empower GMAT through a messaging service found on their home page.
EmpowerGMAT Discount Code
If you like EMPOWERgmat and want to purchase their GMAT prep program but need a discount code to save money, use our promo code MBAIGMAT before buying on empowergmat.com.
Brent –
I highly recommend EMPOWERgmat as an overall prep program for the GMAT. A couple of things that I particularly appreciated:
1) Pattern-Matching Approach: The GMAT is not a theoretical exam. It tests your ability to problem-solve and adapt quickly. EMPOWERgmat taught me the best way to approach the various types of problems in the exam instead of emphasizing theory and formula memorization (which is the approach of many other test prep materials).
2) Quant Acceleration: Quant was my initial weakness, but Rich’s guidance helped me improve drastically. While the Verbal materials were also very useful (and necessary), I think EMPOWERgmat shines with its Quant approach if that is where you need to improve.
3) Practice and Consistency: The course provides ample practice and walks you through the approach / solution for each problem. It largely references the official MBA guide, which is most closely tied to the difficulty of the actual test, and focuses your attention on the most impactful problems to crystallize certain techniques.
4) Guided Program: The overall program is set up in a logical manner based on how much time you plan to dedicate to studying (e.g., 3 months). In addition, Rich continually provides advice on how you should focus your mindset to be best prepared for exam day anxiety. Overall, EMPOWERgmat is a very comprehensive course.
In short, I was recommended the EMPOWERgmat program at my consulting firm and can confirm that the program helped me achieve the score I wanted.
Damaris Villalva –
EmpowerGmAt is an absolutely outstanding product! Initially, I tried out the trial version based on a friend’s recommendation, and I was so impressed that I decided to commit to it fully. This platform has been instrumental in helping me significantly improve my scores. One of the things I love about EmpowerGmAt is its user-friendly interface, making it a breeze to navigate and utilize effectively. The training content it provides is top-notch, and the tactics offered are not only efficient but also highly effective. I can’t recommend EmpowerGmAt enough for anyone seeking to enhance their GMAT preparation experience!
Aden –
EmpowerGMAT is an outstanding online GMAT preparation course that provides comprehensive study materials and support to students who are aspiring to score high in their GMAT exams. The program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to “think like a testmaker” and predict the answers to questions.
One of the most impressive aspects of EmpowerGMAT is their 100 Point Improvement Guarantee. The program guarantees students will improve their GMAT score by 100 points or get a full month’s refund. This guarantee ranges from 100 points for scores ranging from 200-580 to 70 points for scores ranging from 590-640, and improving the score for those above 650. Additionally, if a student beats their prior GMAT score by at least 100 points, EmpowerGMAT will pay for one hour of professional admissions consulting, a bonus worth $250.
The program also offers an extensive course tour, which includes video explanations for over 2,000 questions, motivational podcasts, “cheat sheet” PDFs, and official GMAT guide questions with video explanations. The program also includes lessons, bonus tools, drills, and questionnaires, all accompanied by thousands of realistic training questions. Students are provided with an error log to recognize their mistakes and identify patterns associated with their errors.
EmpowerGMAT offers various pricing options to fit different budgets, including a self-study master plan starting at $79/month, full GMAT training at a monthly charge of $99, and a 3-month pack for $349 that includes $100 worth of official practice exams and $100 worth of GMAT Club tests. Additionally, students can download free study plans and score booster PDFs from the website.
Overall, EmpowerGMAT is a fantastic resource for students looking to prepare for the GMAT exam. The program’s comprehensive study materials, 100 Point Improvement Guarantee, and competitive pricing make it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to maximize their chances of success on the GMAT. Their messaging service on their home page also provides an easy way for students to contact the program with any questions or concerns.
Tina –
I think the best part of the EMPOWERgmat course was the curriculum progression and the ability for me to track my progress. I think the platform did an excellent job of building up basic skills / tactics and then focusing on a wide variety of practice problems. I appreciated that the vast majority of the practice problems came from official GMAT materials. It was very motivating to be able to see how far I’ve come and how much more time I had to finish the lessons before my test day.
The quant strategies and review were extremely helpful. I feel that the practice questions and course focus tended to be on the less advanced side (i.e., building up basic skills instead of diving into really complex and rare topics). I think for 90% of test takers, this is probably the best use of time, but for people already scoring 50 or 51 in quant, this will be less helpful.
On verbal, I found the sentence correction and critical reasoning lessons to be particularly useful. I already have a strong grammatical background, but it was still super effective and interesting to go through the entire grammar review (took me like 5+ hours over the course of a week, so it is comprehensive). The critical reasoning question types review was greatly beneficial to me as well.
I improved my score by 50 points to 750 over the course of 7 months of on and off studying. I think the greatest point boost came from filling in some low-hanging-fruit gaps in my quant and a more methodical and thorough review of grammar for sentence correction.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
N/A
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
N/A
Siddhesh Shinkar –
EmpowerGMAT has played a pivotal role in my GMAT journey. I was able to get an increment of 90 points from 620 to 710, just within a period of 45 days and all the credit goes to this course.
The way in which Rich and Max explain the quant and verbal concepts is just phenomenal and the course material is perfect for a beginner to master the GMAT concepts. The material touches upon all the concepts that are essential to get a great score in the exam. The material is divided into 5 modules and each module will focus on a certain aspect of the quant and verbal sections allowing the student to understand his strengths and weaknesses. Not only there is ample practice provided for each concept, but there are questions from official guide with video explanations that help us in understanding the GMAC questions as well.
With one of the rare courses that provides you a score increment guarantee and a very flexible pricing, EmpowerGMAT is the best way to go against this exam!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
-
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I just gave my GMAT so have to figure this out
JM –
I was referred to EmpowerGMAT by a friend, and it was honestly the best decision I have made throughout the MBA process! I was really concerned about my Quant score, so I’m glad the course started with those elements. The math section of this course is REALLY strong. The best part is that there are videos with each practice question, so that you can watch Rich explain the problem and solve it in front of you with notes and tactics. This was a game changer for me, because it felt like I was working with my very own tutor who could explain things in the easiest way possible. I struggled with the Quant section and got a pretty low score the first time I took the real exam, but then I got some super targeted advice from Rich in the weeks following, and refocused my study on some crucial elements. I ended up getting a 710!! And my Quant score went up by over 20 percentile points.It was pretty amazing, and I know I could not have scored that high without this course. It’s also the best priced course out there, and has so much bonus materials, guides, and suggested orders. It’s honestly such a life saver. I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you have been out of school for a while and need a structured program to help you move through the prep!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ESADE 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would check to make sure your "decision" dates line up. Not all schools notify you of the decision around the same time, and sometimes you have a very small window to commit. This can be really tricky if you are trying to compare offers. My other piece of advice is to network with Alumni from your target schools via LinkedIn, or ask the Admissions team to set up calls with you with recent alumni. It's better to talk to someone 1:1 (and get their honest feedback) rather than going to the pre-scheduled Alumni panel events or Admissions events.
Prem –
I started preparing for the GMAT around August 2020. I used a package from an online prep company. While it was thorough in terms of concepts, I lacked the critical tricks and insights into how GMAT actually works and what exactly it tests. I ended up scoring a 620 in my first attempt due to poor pacing on quant.
After this, I looked around and came across EmpowerGMAT course. After reading a lot of positive stories and using the free trial I decided to go for it. Empower course taught me critical insights into the workings of GMAT. Through their constant encouragement and enforcement in the course videos, Rich and Max force you to change your thinking style. It’s one thing hearing that “you have to cut your losses and move on from any question after three minutes and another thing to actually get that into your head as its a “matter of discipline” as Rich says. Overall, I couldn’t recommend EmpowerGMAT course enough for anyone looking to cover that last mile between their current score and target score.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD, 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Yet to apply
Alexander Corbett –
An outstanding course! Do not be like me and waste time with other courses! Start our with EMPOWERgmat and you will get the score you want very quickly!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
You only apply once, shoot for the stars
Chisom Uche –
Truly the best program for someone needing a self-directed prep course. The course-modules are so well laid out and it breaks down the exam in a way that makes it more approachable mentally. Also, the team is very responsive and supportive. I highly recommend.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take the time to get to know the schools. The "why them" question is very important so be ready to pinpoint why you believe a specific program is the best for you.
Igor –
I have found out about EmpowerGMAT through my friend. I have taken trial versions of different prep companies before finally deciding on one. 2 things that I really liked about Empower when choosing prep company: 1. GMAT is also a mental exam, and they prepare you for that as well. 2. They do not spend crazy amount of time to teach you questions that might not even appear/appear only once/do not matter to your score. EmpowerGMAT is a very efficient way to study.
The tactics of Empower GMAT are really great. Especially for Quant, CR and RC questions. Practise lots of test it, test the answers and triage for quant. All of their advices are useful and CORRECT. For quant, do not spend lots of time on hard questions. As soon as I recognised that the questions is difficult, triage it… Everything that they teach you correct and works.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Still applying for masters programs
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do not give up and believe in yourself
Yelyzaveta –
Thanks to EMPOWERgmat I was able to increase my score from 460 to 650 in 1,5 months! This course helped me in so many ways. First of all, the content is explained in such a clear and friendly way. Although math is my weak spot, with EMPOWERgmat I managed to quickly understand many areas in which i was falling behind.Second of all, this course is truly motivating, a lot of times in a fun and light way, which is very refreshing, considering that everybody talks about the GMAT as if it is some kind of horror movie.? Thirdly, the amount of truly valuable information about how the exam works is over the top. Information that you probably won’t find out anywhere else. In general, I strongly recommend EMPOWERgmat. It is worth every dollar and hour spent on it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
In the middle of application process
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
My advice would be to reach for the top options. Even if you think you don't have what it takes at first.
Mandy Xu –
Rich is an incredible resource and gave me personalized feedback when I wanted to re-take the GMAT. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my 700+ score without the EmpowerGMAT team!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Columbia 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I recommend reaching out to your college and professional network ahead of time to prepare for your MBA application process. You'll gain so much insight on how to structure your application based on the school you're interested in and will find specific points you can mention in your essays.
Miguel –
After spending 3 months taking a local GMAT course that treated the GMAT as a math test, I failed miserably on my first attempt (350, Q6, V29). After completing 75% of the Total Score Booster plan in 4 weeks, my score went up 230 points on my second GMAT attempt (580, Q36, V34).
EMPOWERgmat’s approach to the GMAT was like a breath of fresh air after 3 months of trying to learn complicated math concepts with another company and doing random GMAT problems without knowing what I was doing. EMPOWERgmat helped me change my mindset regarding the GMAT; it helped me see that it should not be approached as a math test. It also helped me become confident in dumping questions which I felt were too hard for me. Moreover, the plan was so motivating for me. Every day I was looking forward to what I was going to learn that day instead of dreading studying aimlessly all day. Almost every day I was having “aha” moments; it’s like everything started to make sense.
While my first score was very low, the improvement that I made in 4 weeks with EMPOWERgmat makes me think that if someone was to follow the 3-month plan, they could achieve incredible results! And for anyone who is feeling hopeless, there is hope! You just have to dedicate yourself and trust the process of following a structured study plan!
I honestly can’t recommend EMPOWERgmat enough 🙂
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Marketing Master of Science 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
N/A
Gauthami –
The tactics really helped me on the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Full Time MBA, 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply when you can put your best application forward.
Sydney Isaacs –
This course helped me get from a 610-620 to a 690. I had tried two other courses before that focused on concepts, but EMPOWER had the tactical approach and advice that I was missing. Knowing concepts can only get you so far, and the EMPOWER team helped me understand how to actually take this test. I used the accelerated syllabus (curated for people who have already been studying a lot) for both verbal and quant over ~3 months. The videos are clear and helpful, and you can always email the team for assistance – though the program is set-up for you to study on your own, it still felt very personal and I was able to get help easily when needed. I’m so happy I used this course!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
In interview process
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Honesty and authenticity really do help - interviews are a cinch if you’re being honest and authentic. I agree with what one other reviewer said about not delaying applications because of the GMAT. I already got a couple of interviews even with a 620, and I got into one of my safer options already with the 620. Having this progress also lessened my stress going into my most recent exam.
Yash Shukla –
I originally gave the GMAT last year and scored -680( Q46 V37) and so decided to take an course from some other prep company, but to my utter dismay instead of improving I actually went from 680 to 670 to 630(Cancelled) in this years attempts.
Then I decided to take the Empower course while in parallel submitting my R1 applications based on my past years 680 score.The course not only helped me cover the lost ground but also help me to finally break the 700 barrier to get 710(Q48 V39 IR7)!!
The best part about the course is that unlike some other prep-courses while studying you dont feel like taking a class from a teacher, instead you feel like you are learning from a friend , who gives you brilliant shortcuts and tips. Rick’s Quant Triage tactics are brilliant and helped me sort out my timing and pacing problem, and even I think improved my guessing strategy.
I was naturally good in CR & RC and regularly scored in 80-90% range in both , however SC was my biggest weakness with average of just 28%. After going through multiple different prep courses I must say that Max’s SC method was the only one that worked for me and enabled me to solve question within 90 second mark.
Finally a special shout out the Empower physical & psychological tactics, I have not seen these type of tips and advice anywhere else and I think they helped me tremendously to reduce my anxiety.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Still Applying
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
DO NOT delay your applications because of GMAT. Instead start the applications and then even if you are not done in time for the deadlines ,submit the applications and then update the Ad coms about your improved score!
Matney Wyatt –
EMPOWERgmat is a great way to get one ready to take the GMAT. I am a 41 year old professional intending to return to school to complete my MBA, so test prep is very important to me because I need to remember how to be a student again.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Auburn University, grad year 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Don't give up. It's never too late to go "back to school".
Nicholas Koenig –
Great program with great service. Decided to apply to a program on a whim and only had 20 days to study. This program helped me prepare and excel on the GMAT in no time. The verbal section I found especially helpful. I would only recommend that they make the Quant section a little more extensive with even more examples.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
n/a
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Applying now.
AT –
When I first began my GMAT journey I had taken a frontal and extremely expensive GMAT prep course, that had turned out to be a complete and utter waste of time and money after I scored a 580 on my first attempt.
After scouring for prep materials that would hopefully better serve my purpose and goal, I’d stumbled upon stellar reviews of the EMPOWERgmat course, and after checking out the course and seeing that it only costs $99/month, I decided to give it a shot.
It didn’t take me long to realize how absolutely incredible this course is.
From the comprehensive but short videos, that allowed me to fit everything into my schedule as a full time working lawyer, at my own time and pace, and that made me feel as if I had my own private tutor sitting next to me the entire time, to the entire course relying completely and solely on the GMAT Official Guide (tailored and updated accordingly to each edition released!), to the strategies that Rich and Max drilled into my head, that made me actually understand how this test works and what I needed to do to score that 700+ on test day.
Whenever I reached out to Rich and the EMPOWERteam throughout the course, they always responded within hours, and went above and beyond with the utmost personal attention that any student could ask for.
I had taken this test a number of times, but ever since I discovered EMPOWERgmat, I constantly and consistently improved, and when I saw that 700 pop on my screen, I knew that it had nothing to do with luck, just as Rich says, and everything to do with the training and hard work that I had put in with Rich, Max, and EMPOWERgmat.
If I had to sum up the course experience in one sentence, I’d simply say that Rich and Max are absolute geniuses, and that EMPOWERgmat is nothing short of revolutionary.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD - Applying for 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Plan and think ahead - Don't leave the GMAT until the last minute, start your school research early on so that you can experience for yourself the programs that both seem like a right fit for you and seem like you would be a right fit for, and put in the effort into your applications.
Shweta –
Good self paced course for students having a weak verbal score or inconsistent scores like I had.
I took a month to review all the skills taught by Rich and worked my way through the verbal section including practice and it helped me improve my score by 50 points.
The biggest highlight was the tactics for handling each type of questions in CR and RC. It gave me a method to program my brain to handle these questions.
I was able to score a 700 with 38V.
The ideal time is 2 months for the course and their flexible plans allow you to take up monthly or bi-annual plans.Their pricing is also extremely competitive.
Each section contains the basic theory, the method and a practice set with video explanations followed by a quiz which is useful in identifying the core skill needed in handling each question. Especially useful was the triaging techniques which help you in a high stress environment like GMAT test center.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
HEC Paris 21
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Research your schools and use all the resources available. Attend webinars and connect with alums to understand the culture and curriculum better.and definitely start as early as you can in understanding and shortlisting your colleges so that your time and effort is not wasted, otherwise you would be exhausted when the application season begins.
Allie Sweeney –
EmpowerGMAT is a great test prep program that allows students to learn on their own schedule via videos and problems. Additionally, the program is extremely affordable compared to other options but does not sacrifice quality. I highly recommend this course!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Yale SOM 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early! Review the websites for the schools you are interested in to get an understanding of what is required in your applications and what the schools are looking for. This way you can enhance your profile to fit the schools you are interested in, instead of scrambling at the end.
Colby –
Great GMAT prep service, especially for the price! I completed the prep in about a month and learned how to approach just about every GMAT question as well as tips for pacing and how to approach super hard questions. This course helped me raise my GMAT score by 30 points and achieve a perfect score on the integrated reasoning section. Overall, this is an amazing GMAT prep service, especially when you consider the price.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Kelley School of Business MSA - 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start the application process early. Take the time to connect with professors so you have good references when you need them.
Marcus –
When I started my GMAT journey, I completed an initial diagnostic exam and scored 480. With plans to attend a top 25 school, I knew I would have to score at least 680 to be competitive. After studying for 6 months using the Economist GMAT Tutor, I scored a 600 on my first official GMAT. In search of a miracle pill, I subscribed to Empower GMAT and after 12 weeks of additional practice, I scored 680 on my second GMAT, the “Online GMAT” in April.
Why Empower GMAT?
Strategy Focused: Max and rich alert you to the questions you should be skipping, the tactics to employ when you need to guess (triage), and Verbal / Quant shortcuts to deploy when you’re running close on time. After my Economist GMAT course, I felt that I had a solid understanding of the material, but I was not maximizing my time efficiently. Max and Rich focus a lot of their lessons on test-taking STRATEGY to ensure you’re not wasting time, a huge bonus for people like me who experience pacing issues.
Official GMAT Guide: Max and Rich ONLY present you with official guide questions. I cannot stress how important this is. I’ve completed practice problems from around the internet, but the official guide questions are closest to the actual test-day experience. Because of my daily practice with official guide questions, I felt more confident and better prepared on test day.
Video Explanations: After each timed-quiz and throughout each lesson, Max and Rich provide detailed explanations for each practice question. They tell you which tactics are most efficient, what to include on your notepad, and whether the question is even worth your time. This last fact helped me identify which questions on the actual GMAT I could “dump” without major penalty, a huge bonus that only Max and Rich provided.
Stellar Verbal Tactics: After using Empower GMAT, my verbal score improved from 30 to 38, a fairly huge jump in only 12 weeks. I found the Empower tactics for verbal far superior that what I received from the Economist GMAT.
What can be improved?
Review of Basic Math / Grammar Concepts: Max and Rich provide a review of all the math and grammar concepts you need to know to be proficient at GMAT, but it’s strictly a review. For me, it was just what I was looking for, because I already felt comfortable with content. But users that feel they need additional practice on their mathematics or grammar foundation may be disappointed.
Final Thoughts — I started my GMAT journey 10 months and 200 points ago. I am truly grateful for all the tactics that Max and Rich provided to help me reach my GMAT goals. It’s an excellent course if you’re looking for that strategic edge to push your score just a little further, but if you’re expecting a refresher course on foundational math or grammar concepts, you should consider alternatives.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD! Fall 2020 Enrollment
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be authentic. You'll find that essay responses and interviews flow more naturally when you stop trying to put on a show.
Marcus –
Well, not usually the kind to do reviews, but this time round I felt it important to give the EMPOWERgmat team their due credit.
To be honest, I initially chose EMPOWERgmat due to their competitive price, saw other more ‘established’ courses that cost a good few hundred bucks or even >$1k. And for me, the course has been nothing but great, with their very competitive pricing making it even more valuable. I had all of what, ~7 weeks to prepare; and in this period thanks to covid-19 I was stuck at home having to juggle working in the busiest period my company has ever been, taking care of my newborn, and study. My first official Mock score was 600, and looking back the odds really did seem stacked against me. I absolutely needed a course that helped me gain the points with maximum efficiency. And that’s exactly what EMPOWERgmat provided.
No long-winded focus on complicated formulas or math solutions, no dilly-dallying on crazy grammar rules, but just clear, simple, effective methods to get those points. And I believe that is what most candidates want. The nuggets of tips that they drop throughout were also extremely useful – not gonna divulge anything here but they helped me approach the exam with a different mindset that made the task feel much easier and manageable.
Couldn’t have managed this without EMPOWERgmat, and i’m grateful I enrolled here. if you have any doubts, they have a 1 month ‘trial’ which won’t set you back much, i tried, and didn’t look back. I’m not sure if this course will ‘guarantee’ you getting >750, but I wasn’t targeting that, i wanted a ~730 score which is already the avg score of the top US MBAs and this course certainly helped me a great extent to achieving that.
Kudos to the Max, Rich and the team!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
applying for 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
don't let GMAT be a factor in rejection.
Markyth Smith –
From 680 to 720 with Empower.
This course was valuable as I entered the last phases of GMAT prep. In retrospect – I’d recommend tapping in a bit earlier to better digest the wealth of knowledge. This resource isn’t jaw dropping from a material perspective (math is math, english is english at this point in the game). What I found to be the most intriguing and most valuable about this resource was the insight offered from two guys who perfected the test. The site offers practical tips on navigating the test and a window into the instructors’ minds on perspective and processes (e.g. not looking to work every problem out -rather triage, choosing questions to burn, meditation, visualization, and a priority system on how to score well on the test). This resource helped me prepare mentally. Would to it again – no doubt.
All in all, I recommend this resource. Understand the architecture & psychology of the test (this is 65% of the game). The last 35% is subject mastery, albeit, the material does not exceed the high school level in any category. What you may find is that there are a handful of nuanced topics that may need more time and intimacy (permutations, combinatorics, overall timing, grammar, punctuation). The more repetitions, the better in shape you become.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business - Spring 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
It's important, throughout this process, to remain true to who you are and what it is that you really want. Be sure to carry this with at your core as this will help portray yourself as genuine. This will also help in determining the best business school for YOU! USnews aside - listen to yourself.
Kevin Connor –
Went from 720 to 760 with Empower.
I used the Manhattan Prep books before my first two GMAT attempts (720 then 710). Those books were great but I was all over the place in verbal and wanted to take one more shot at the test. I needed to slightly improve Quant and get much more consistent on Verbal. I was hoping for a verbal 44. I started Empower at the urging of a friend.
Empower was incredible. I was trying to be efficient and I was able to pick and choose the modules I reviewed and the documents I added into my study routine. Stacy and Rich both reached out and gave me tailored advice on where they would focus. My time in the sentence correction modules reaped incredible rewards! I became ridiculously consistent and was able to get a V47 (only 2 verbal problems wrong). I got the 760 and called it a day. I highly recommend Empower for all of their resources but particularly found it to shine for Verbal and Quant tactics. A lot of time saving strategies in their curriculum!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Current Applicant for 2020 enrollment
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early on the GMAT.
l123 –
EMPOWERgmat was truly helpful in my preparation for the GMAT. Its format allows you to study at your own convenience as opposed to having to tune in for a live class, while providing guidelines to ensure you are on track with your study progress. The videos help make confusing concepts clearer, while sharing tips for test day that many other services do not provide. EMPOWERgmat uses official GMAT practice tests and problems to guide the teaching, which I believe gives a big advantage in knowing what to expect on test day. Huge thank you to Max and Rich for helping to make studying for the GMAT an engaging experience and one that has helped me get a score I was hoping for!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
TBD
Kerim Hadzic –
Hey, Empower rocks!
Short intro: I used services of another company for my first two attempts in which I scored 640 and 660 after studying for a few months. Then I decided it’s time to shake the things up, and I signed up for Empower’s 1 month program.
I scored 700 (Q49 V36) in my third attempt (only a month after I signed up for this course) and I feel like I only scratched the surface!
So, let me explain why someone should sing up for this course.
Because all the content out there is basically the same (as GMAT remains the same), structure of the course is very important and the presentation of the content is as well. Empower is the real deal in this matter. Generally, human beings insist on structure (simply, it’s easier to live a structured lifeit’s easier to have a structured approach to the test and to the studying) and Empower ticks all the boxes when it comes to this. GMAT can be studied for and prepared for by solving just a handful of questions, and vast question databases are not really necessary. Almost everything GMAC does, it does with a very good reason, so guys, use OG (and understand questions from the OG) and Empower’s course to become an assassin (GMAT assassin of course ????). When it comes to my experience with Empower I can say that the team was responsive and helpful anytime I texted or mailed. They understood where my weaknesses were and readily helped me improve in my weakest areas.
Another area in which Empower turned out to be the right thing for me is the psychological side of the preparation. GMAT is an ego tester, so words and guidelines from the prep companies (and in this Empower really excels) can be really helpful. I find Empower’s test strategy very valuable and I would recommend it to anyone. Obviously, leap from 660 to 700 is not something negligible.
Long live Empower!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ESADE, 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Business school application is a real challenge. Approach it seriously and put emphasis on every segment of the application. It might cost some time, but the return is HUGE. Enjoy, you are going to love it!
MBA GUY –
+70 Points: 660 to 720 (Q46, V41)
I signed up to Empower GMAT after my 1st trial of taking the GMAT and scoring 660 (Q40, V40). My aim was to get above 700 points as this would unlock the entry into the university of my dreams, as well as the needed funding!
Here are the three top reasons why Empower GMAT helped me:
1) Avoids boredom: This sounds super trivial, but after having studied for 4 months in a row and then not getting the score I wanted, I felt demotivated and frankly a little fed up with reading about the latest innovation in protein synthesis (bless all biologists who read this). Through its mix of podcasts, videos and exercises the course uniquely achieves to keep you motivated. As the GMAT is a marathon, this was key!
2) Provides GMAT Hacks: Empower GMAT has so many proprietary tips and tricks that other courses like Magoosh or more official sources like the Manhattan Guides or the Official Guide just do not have. Something like Triaging (i.e. educated guesses), RC tables or in-depth explanations of why hard questions just do not matter, helped me tremendously during test day.
3) Quality Explanations: What I loved about the course is that each problem you tackle is supplemented by a 3-5min video that gives a step-by-step explanation of how to solve the problem. Now… you might not need to watch all of them, but they are there in case you want to have a more detailed explanation, which is oftentimes very useful and definitely so much more engaging than reading an explanation in the back of your Official Guide.
THANK YOU RICH AND MAX!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
IESE 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply through YTP
mguibas –
This program works! I first took the GMAT a few months ago after using the Manhattan GMAT test prep app. I seemed to be scoring well on the practice questions, so I thought the test would be a breeze. I was wrong! I quickly found I had a pacing problem. Additionally, I had not learned the tips and tricks to triage questions. As an engineer, I wanted to solve every quant problem. This (as many of you probably know) is definitely not the smartest strategy when taking the test.
I scored a 650 on my first attempt and felt I could do much better with a focused study plan. After shopping around for some test prep services, I was shocked to see how much money some other companies wanted for a study plan. Truth be told, I settled on Empower mainly because I found it to be the most fairly priced test prep course available. Additionally, they offer a score boost guarantee, so there was no risk in giving it a try.
I very quickly realized that the Empower study program was far superior to what I experienced with Manhattan. There are multiple study plans available depending on your goals. The material actually breaks down the strategies required to beat the test. They show you how to answer questions in the most efficient way possible, which really helped fix my pacing problem. They incorporate Official Guide questions into the study plan and show you how to solve them. Empower also introduces multiple triage tactics and explain why it’s okay to “dump” the really tough questions on the test (and still get a high score).
By the time I took the GMAT again, I felt incredibly prepared. I ended up boosting my score by 60 points over the course of about 6 weeks of studying. In my opinion, there is no better value than Empower’s course. If you follow the plan and heed their advice on test taking strategies, you WILL do well on the GMAT!.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Wharton Executive MBA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
References and your essays matter a lot. Throughout the application process, highlight what you will bring to the program, not just what you hope to take away from it.
Ted DuBois –
I followed this course for 6 weeks to prepare. The course was easy to follow, and helped me prepare for the test. I would recommended it to anyone who wants to achieve their best
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Notre Dame 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time on the essays, they mean more than you would think, and dont stress your undergrad GPA if its not as high as you think it should be.
kiki –
580 to 690 in 3 weeks with Empower –
Given that I started my journey with a sad 510 (no prep, first mock ever), I knew I had a long way until I would reach the mid 600, at least. I started in July and studied – diligently – until October. I spent 7h per day studying with examPAL, the first study platform I had picked. This is not to drag their program as it teaches you the basics in a good way. But there are reasons why I want to write a review for EmpowerGMAT and not examPAL.
The three months of intense study pass, the day of my GMAT comes and I go into my exam being convinced that I will shine and absolutely smash it. Safe to say I was left speechless when I stared at my screen post-exam which laughed at me with a 580. In order to understand, why this is devastating, I need to point out that I put my whole life on hold for three months. I studied anytime and anywhere, cancelled plans with friends, neglected sports, I lived and breathed GMAT so a score of 580 was nowhere near reflecting my efforts.
I then tried different free trials to find a second platform that could help me bump up my score. Any forum I wrote in and anybody I asked told me that improving my score significantly in 3 weeks would not be possible. I finally decided to go with Empower, because they provided a specific score booster program, which seemed like the perfect choice, given that my basics were there.
Now, my bump up in my score was mainly due to quant: Q36 to Q48. This, and I stand by my word, is simply and only because of EmpowerGMAT and Rich. If you don’t know Rich, he teaches quant on the Empower platform. His videos are never too long, always highlight the must-knows and never make you lose time over things you don’t need.
Empower prep in itself is very specialized in teaching you what you need to know and what you need to know only. There hasn’t been anything they taught me that I didn’t ever need again. You learn which questions are worth a lot and which are worth barely anything. You learn how to guess, if you encounter crazily difficult questions. You learn how to be organized in your notes, so DS is no guess-work or “well, I think so” but rather an “I am dead-sure this is the answer”.
One last thing – I didn’t even finish the entire prep course as it is laid out for 4-6 weeks and I had 3 weeks only. I can only imagine how far up my score would have gotten if I had more time.
Thank you to the entire EmpowerGMAT prep team, to Rich for making me love quant, to Max for teaching me tips and tricks in verbal that I didn’t know of yet and also to Lyndsay for answering ASAP and always helping out wherever I had questions. You guys rock!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
applying this year, starting 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
don't wait until you have a big chunk of time in your daily routine or weekly life. Use small moments, even as small as 20 minutes to work on your essays, CVs and other application requirements. Concerning the GMAT, do not put your life on hold. Make sure to have some kind of outlet, read more, do sports, go outside, meet friends ... do not stop your normal life to make space for the GMAT but rather shuffle around what you're already doing in order to create time for the GMAT - do not neglect your energy, physical and mental health on the path!
José –
Very useful and clear videos that explained really well everything, mostly the Verbal part.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
London Business School, 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Just watch all the videos and do Manhattan Prep's Mock Tests.
Jacob Canady –
My GMAT experience began with my first practice CAT and a score of 500. Not good. I was really concerned about getting a score BYU would deem acceptable, and their average is 680. When I saw my 500, I narrowed down my study options and went with EMPOWERgmat. The price was right and they made claims that other companies weren’t making. Come to find out, the claims are real and accurate. I spent 3-4 hours a day for 3 months in their online software, studying their videos and doing the problems they suggested in the Official Guide. My CAT scores improved and hovered between 600-690. I struggled to commit to the tactics Rich outlines for the quant section, and I attribute this to why my CAT scores didn’t get higher. On Test Day I decided to commit to the tactics and do exactly what he recommended, and I ended with a score of 680. It definitely works.
EMPOWERgmat give you tactics and strategic approaches to all the question types, but they also teach you all the fundamental rules and formulas you need to be able to answer the questions. It is then up to you to decide if you want to solve the problem using EMPOWER tactics or doing math. Rich’s approach is all about efficiency. Do what will answer the question fastest and accurately. I found this to be extremely helpful in correctly pacing the quant section of the exam.
Ultimately, I can’t recommend EMPOWERgmat enough. They saved me from a horrible GMAT experience and I am very grateful for the services they offer. If you are exploring several different study options, look no further. EMPOWERgmat will help get you the score you want.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Hopefully BYU, 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
When you need a break from studying, work on your applications. Little bits and pieces here and there make the application process easier to handle. Then when you take your GMAT, all that's left is to submit your scores.
Lily –
My GMAT journey was quite long and I used a few test prep companies during the process. I wasn’t seeing the score I really wanted and almost thought that maybe going to graduate school wasn’t right for me. EMPOWERgmat was the last test prep I used and it boosted my score by over 100 points in only a few short months. I’m confident that if I used this longer, my score would be even higher. If you are planning on taking the GMAT, I highly recommend going with EMPOWERgmat!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD Entering in Summer 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take time to research programs and schools and don't get discouraged.
Arunabh –
I gave my first GMAT last year and scored a meager 590 in Aug last year. I prepared for another 10-11 months and finally succeded in scoring 700 (Q48 V37).
The EmpowerGMAT MBA course was really helpful for my preparation. I liked the way it is structured, and the practical tips and strategies it offers. For QUANTs, we have test-it & Triage strategies which really were helpful during the exam.
In the VERBAL section, I really liked the CR box that has been prescribed for CR accuracy. It gives a template to your thought process and increases the probability of getting the correct answer. Similarly, RC and SC have helpful strategies and courses.
Other than these empower GMAT has summary PDFs and tips for exam preparation, after doing a course consistently for 5-6 weeks I was confident enough and booked my test date.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD - entering in 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
MBA application takes longer than you would expect it to take. - Start making a blueprint of what you gonna write in the essays - Meet schools, and adcom in MBA fairs, or if you can afford to go to info sessions. - Talk with alumni and inquire about the course - Figure out who will write your letter of recommendations - Last but not least plan out so that you can meet application deadlines
Maria –
I completed EMPOWERgmat 2-month study plan and took the GMAT on July 2019, scoring 690 (Q41 V42). I credit it all to EMPOWERgmat!
Their syllabus is based on a tactical approach and Rich and Max do a great job at preparing your for what GMAT really is – a critical reasoning test. Their videos are easy to follow and show you how to effectivelly solve both Quant and Verbal problems from all difficulty levels. Also, the course teaches you a valuable skill – how to triage the questions that are too hard to too weird and that would make you waste precious time and ultematelly hurt your score. Finally, the syllabus also includes a few podcasts that cover the physical and psychological tactics needed to become a true “GMAT assassin”. I have always struggled with test day anxiety but after following their advice I arrived at the test center feeling calm and confident – I think that is crucial if you are looking for a high score.
Overall, I highly reccomend EMPOWERgmat to everyone who is looking for a strong and proven strategy to beat the GMAT. Studying for the GMAT is not easy, but if you take everything Rich and Max teach you to heart I promise the hard work will pay off!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Applying in 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early and plan ahead. Familiarize yourself with the admission requirements and deadlines and give yourself enough time to prepare for the GMAT
Brad –
I really enjoyed the Empower course and thought it was well worth my time and money. I scored a 650 on my first GMAT with a few weeks of self prep. Afterwards, I signed up for 2 months of Empower and brought my score up to 710. I thought the layout and instruction was very helpful and I have recommended it to anyone who as asked since.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Vanderbilt 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early!
Lucas –
I feel compelled to preface this with I never write reviews for products I purchased but I feel compelled to do so given how instrumental EMPOWERGMAT was in increasing my GMAT score from 710 to a 750 in two months. The countless videos they have on their website, paired with the five-stage framework, shaped me into a confident GMAT assassin. I was particularly struck by how friendly and supportive all the staff were at EMPOWERGMAT. Whether it was the support team welcoming me or eventually congratulating me on my score, or the GMAT experts who would provided timely responses to any specific questions related to a certain video, I always felt like the EMPOWERGMAT community wanted me to succeed. And when you are studying for a test often in isolation, that level of support goes a long way. I would highly recommend EMPOWERGMAT to any one thinking of either taking or re-taking the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply round 1!
Oscar Nieves –
After graduating from college in the Spring of 2018, I knew that I wanted to get a master’s degree from a top 20 business school. For that, taking the GMAT was a must. I purchased the official guide, read some basics about the test, and decided to take a practice test to see where I was and to try to structure a study plan accordingly. I scored 520 on my first practice test. I spent the following month practicing with questions from the official guide and took another practice test. This time I got a 610, which gave me very high hopes, given that I had improved by 90 points in just one month.
At that point, I kept solving problems from the official guide and also supplemented my studies with some YouTube videos and other online content. I took a 3rd practice test and got a 580, which was a little discouraging. Long story short, I kept studying with the OG and with some free online material for 3 months and took 3 practice tests during that time. While I felt that I had learned a lot, that knowledge wasn’t translating into a higher score: I was stuck at 590-610.
One day I decided to look into GMAT prep courses and read reviews on the different forums. Most of the courses I was seeing were very expensive and I knew I just couldn’t afford to spend several thousand dollars on my prep at the moment. I stumbled upon EMPOWERgmat and was impressed with what I read about it. I used the 1-hour trial and emailed Rich, asking for advice on which plan was the most appropriate for me.
I bought the course and went through it in about 3 months. I took my first official GMAT and got a 670. I studied for an extra month and retook the test, getting a 690 (Q46 V38). Even though that score was a little under the 700 mark, I decided to keep it.
What makes this course great? Its practical approach. Instead of focusing on hard-to-explain, complicated ideas and methods, this course focuses on teaching you the easiest and most efficient way to get questions right. On the quantitative side, Rich shows you how to approach and solve problems in practical ways that keep the math simple, maximize your time, and limit your room for error. On the verbal side, Max shows you how to tackle the 3 types of verbal questions in the easiest way possible, again, without having to memorize any complex grammar rules or ideas. Also, you can always contact Rich for advice and trust that he will reply the same day with personalized insights. Overall, this course will teach you everything you need to crush the GMAT.
Once you buy the course, take what Rich and Max teach you to heart. Look to apply all the tactics and strategies, especially Triaging. Some of these ideas you will learn might seem weird and you will be tempted to avoid them. However, you should make it a point to use them every time an opportunity arises. In the end, you will see great results.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Undecided
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early and seek advice for experts.
Kyle –
The course content is well laid out and they provide unique strategies that help you better understand the strategy behind the test. The videos can be kind of boring to watch and make it hard to pay attention. Although I felt like a learned a lot through the course I only saw a small increase in my GMAT score.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Notre Dame - 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start GMAT prep and application as early as possible and try to visit schools before applying to get a better sense of the culture and if it is a place that you can envision yourself
VAISHALI –
While most of the courses offered concept based knowledge, which isn’t much beneficial for “retakers”, EmpowerGMAT offers strategy based approach to Assassin the GMAT. Took the one month course and rescheduled my second GMAT. The best part about EmpowerGMAT was that it not only helped me understand easy and effective ways to tackle three different types of questions, but also gave me the confidence to Triage the type of questions that when solved, would harm my timing on the real test, but when skipped, would not hurt my score at all.
Rich’s podcasts helped me deal well with the test anxiety on the D-Day. I sat for the retake with a better focus and higher confidence. And then those 3 and a half stressful hours ended with a 710(Q45,V41) on the screen. Thanks to EmpowerGMAT.
I would recommend this course to any test taker who has basic understanding of the concepts and is looking for some strong strategies to deal with the GMAT. Plus they always have these amazing offers, which make them value for money. EmpowerGMAT does what it claims.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Undecided- Entering In 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
This is what I am going to follow for my MBA applications: take the tests (GMAT or GRE and language competency), do some research, be sure about your goals and hit the applications the day they announce the deadlines.
Akinori Takeyasu –
Empower was the only paid study material I used.
I started with the Kaplan study guides and OG2017/2018 from the library. Using free older material, I was able to get my basics down and get started.
I went with Empower because of I thought it had the best cost/value proposition of the different courses I found and limited 1month study schedule between Kaplan and official test. The other offerings were at least 6~8weeks minimum study time and I would recommend this again.
The quant videos and tactics were very helpful. I didn’t fair too well on the RC. The SC portions I thought were very well done and saw the most improvement here. The details of why the wrong answers were wrong was the most helpful.
My first practice exams started at 520 and finished my final at 670. I would also recommend spending a bit more time and potentially will have better results.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Cornell Johnson MBA, 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Highly recommend going to multiple class visits to compare the class engagement, cohort closeness, and understanding the whole picture for admissions requirements. My GMAT wasn't the highest but was able to overcome with work experience and background. GMAT is only a portion of the package. Good luck!
Vid –
Empowergmat helped me boost my score by 40 points in a less than a month. I had given the GMAT twice before, each time getting the same score despite using different tactics and extensively practicing with the Official guides and official mocks. I switched to Empower for my third attempt because after my 2nd one i realised that self-study was not working for me and i really needed a game- changing strategy as i was looking a score boost of a minimum 40 points.
I chose the Empower 1 month plan after reading so many positive reviews about them on gmat forums. I honestly was skeptical because i hadn’t heard of any friends or colleagues use the platform before. But as soon as i started with the trial, i was convinced of the simplicity and effective approach followed. The concept videos are structured in a very thoughtful manner and makes every topic seem easy and intuitive. My ESRs from the previous attempts had indicated that my weakest area in verbal was SC so i was primarily focused on improving my SC sccuracy. I would recommend anyone who shares the same weakness to watch their SC concept videos atleast twice to etch them in your mind. My verbal score jumped from 35 in the last two attempts to 41 with just 3 weeks of prep.
I also really liked the mini clinics to teach quant formulae and the podcasts to boost confidence before every mock. Would definitely recommend the software especially for retakers who have tried to get the desired score in conventional ways and failed. Lastly, i haven’t seen a more proactive customer support in any professional service i have ever taken. The response time in under 30 mins for any questions and they go out of their way to provide you with all the help they can.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Applying this year
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early and choose the prep style which you think is best suited for yourself without being over influenced by what has worked for others!
Stefan26 –
EmpowerGMAT was exactly what I was looking for. It is an extremely cost-effective and highly engaging GMAT prep course. One of the highlights of the course was listening to the “big picture” advice from Rick and Max, both of whom know the GMAT inside and out. By following their advice and insights, you are guaranteed to go into the real GMAT with a foolproof strategy to break 700. You’ll know which questions to spend the extra time on, and which ones to dump and move on. I found Max’s Verbal help particularly engaging and helpful, and I ended up scoring in the 98% for verbal. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to DESTROY the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Undecided- Entering in 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
START EARLY! I'm currently in the process of applying and got a late start. It's not impossible but creates a lot of added, unnecessary stress. I've also had to move a little faster than I would have liked and have missed or skipped some conversations that might be useful for me to make an even more informed decision.
helloalexasays –
EMPOWERgmat helped me increase my GMAT score from 580 (Q44 V26) to 670 (Q45 V37). That’s a 90 point improvement in just 2 months.
Quant: Rich’s videos helped me SO much with pacing. I always ran out of time during my practice exams so I always got a bunch of questions wrong at the end. And the questions at the end are almost always GETABLE. The GMAT puts them there to reward the people who are doing well on time. Also, I was finally getting number property and overlapping set questions correct thanks to the strategies that Rich taught. If you struggle in math, Rich will teach you all the basics and then the tricks to make you better.
Verbal: Max taught me strategies I never knew I needed. I thought I could get by on Verbal because its just reading words. Nope. I needed those strategies in order to get an 11 point increase in my verbal score. After watching all the verbal section videos, SC was finally easy, I was able to knock out the 3 wrong answer types on CR, and RC was actually simple if you spend more time reading the passage! I hated the Verbal section of the GMAT, it was never my strong suit. But Max’s videos were so amazing that I started to enjoy some of the questions because for the first time, I KNEW I was choosing the correct answer, I wasn’t just guessing between 2-3 answers. The most important thing I learn from Max is how to choose the right answer when you’ve narrowed it down to two answers. That strategy helped me the most because I always got it down to a 50/50 shot, but I always chose wrong.
Overall, EMPOWERgmat is the best course out there. It’s inexpensive compared to others, it’s self-paced, and they provide so many other benefits with the class (they set you up with an advisor, they have an option for a 30 min phone call with a pro to look at your admissions essays/profile, you can get GMAT official exams at a discounted price). EMPOWERgmat is the best bang for your buck. The team is incredibly helpful and I’ve already recommended the course o multiple friends and colleagues who want to take the beast that is the GMAT. You won’t regret choosing EMPOWERgmat. Start with their free trial, I promise you will like it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business/2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Always leave room for one or two GMAT retakes.
Robert Bracken –
I am enrolled with Lamar University in their MBA program. Continuing education is very important to me because it prepares me for the future, while giving me skills for today. Empower GMAT gives an edge to students who want to raise their GMAT scores. Definitely check them out if you’re on the fence. I’m in education and research says that we all need help when it comes to studying. Locking your door and studying in your room isn’t as effective as a program like this!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Lamar University
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Just try! With so many schools offering MBA programs, there is a program right for you. Just realize how many people are putting off going for their MBA. You will have the advantage if you try. Give it a go!
Nrxbra001 –
Best GMAT test preparation, value for money wise. The program enables you to prepare well enough but I think the real proof of the services provided by empower is their ability to answer your direct questions with such a good strategy that every question that bothers you, turns into a great teachable opportunity. Great support from the team. I also enjoyed the podcasts that Rich and Co. created, really helps get into theory mind of a “heavy hitter”.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross/2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start very early with your applications and test preparation. Leave plenty of time to get the GMAT out of the way. Once you've conquered that, spend as much time as necessary researching. Research the schools, career avenues, alumni and also school character. Thereafter make sure to do some introspection.
kw617 –
I relied exclusively on EmpowerGMAT for my test prep, and it paid off. The platform provides study guides to users who want a structured study plan, but also allows flexibility to users who want to focus their study time on particular weak areas (for example, I focused 100% of my study efforts on Quant b/c I didn’t need the help on Verbal.) The practice problems and accompanying video lessons provide clear and easy-to-follow guidance for answering each question, and the quizzes leverage the GMAT Official Guide, so you can be confident your practicing on problems that closely mimic the real thing.
Throughout the “mini lessons,” Rich acknowledges that there are multiple ways to solve a problem, but shows you the best (i.e. fastest) way to solve them, and gives you clear guidance for employing those strategies wherever possible to pick up valuable seconds/minutes on Test Day. He also shares strategic insight into how the test works and what the test-makers are really looking for, which helped me get more comfortable with triaging questions and drastically improved my time management.
The people at EmpowerGMAT are really helpful and proactive in ensuring you’re satisfied with your test prep materials. When my first attempt at the test didn’t go the way I’d hoped, they were quick to offer me a month of complimentary access, and Rich provided his feedback on my Enhanced Score Report to help me focus my study efforts prior to my next attempt. I was regularly impressed by the value I got from EmpowerGMAT, and at a price point far below what many of the leading test prep courses charge, it is undoubtedly worth the money. I highly recommend.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
applying for Fall 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The application process is going to take longer than you might expect, so start early, and take it in steps. Start with the test and allow time for at least 1 retake before moving on to other elements of the application process. Talk to current students/alum to get a sense for the school's culture/values, and don't be afraid to reach out to admissions reps with your (school-specific) questions.
HalStar –
Studying for the GMAT/GRE is going to take more time and energy than you ever imagined. It’s important to form a realistic timeline and study schedule. EmpowerGRE was the #1 source that helped improve my test timing and strategy.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Columbia Business School/2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get the GMAT/GRE out of the way as early as possible. Speak to as many current students as possible. Research your targeted industry and write with passion in your essays. Again, get that GMAT/GRE out. of. the. way!!!
Offa Bate –
I joined EMPOWERgmat after self-studying with the Manhattan prep books and I saw very little to no improvement in my CAT score. I found that EMPOWERgmat was able to provide me with what I was missing from Manhattan and from a self-studying approach. Not only were the videos extremely useful, but Rich and Max offered several insightful tips.
It took me about 2 to 3 months to complete my studies and take the GMAT, and continued to see score improvements of around 70 – 100 points, scoring 670 on my last two CATs. Somehow, by using all the EMPOWERgmat tactics, I was able to reach my goal and score 700 on my real exam! I could not have scored so well without using the EMPOWER approach to the test. Empower has great fundamentals which allow you to quickly learn how to answer questions rather than cram. The strategies are clear cut and easy to follow. Rich helps you understand the fundamentals in a very concise manner.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Johns Hopkins
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
- It's important to think carefully through your personal and professional goals
- Take the time to do research on the school which match the goals you are pursuing.
- Put in the time to study for the GMAT
- Make sure you obtain letters from recommends who know you personally
- With handwork and determination, anything is attainable.
Mike –
If you are plateauing with your GMAT score than EmpowerGMAT is for you! EmpowerGMAT is great for understanding how the test is built and the tactics that the test taker can use to beat it. I believe that the triage tactics and other tactics worked better with the quantitative section than the verbal section; however, both scores did increase after taking the EmpowerGMAT course. The course is much cheaper compared to other courses. All of the content is put into online modules and the course references official guide questions to practice. I would not suggest using EmpowerGMAT if you are just starting to prepare for the test. I believe that one could find other materials more useful for re-familiarizing yourself with topics such as geometry or algebra; however, EmpowerGMAT does cover these topics, just not really in depth. Prior to using EmpowerGMAT, I was consistently scoring in the 670-700 range. After using the program for about a month, I was scoring in the 720-750 range. Overall, I was very happy with my official score and would recommend that anyone who is seriously looking to hit a top score should strongly consider using EmpowerGMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Columbia Business School/ 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
As far as my application advice goes, I would recommend reaching out to as many students and admissions members as possible to get as many perspectives on the program as you can. Also, try to figure out how each specific program would help you with your career goals. Each school will have its different strengths and weaknesses, and you as an applicant should do your due diligence to figure out what those are and how they will affect you.
Carlene Liriano –
Empower GMAT was clutch. Before empower I had tried a number of other online GMAT prep courses but wasn’t engaged and found that the pacing was terrible. Empower provided the structure I needed and the instructors constantly kept the energy level up. Their podcasts were surprisingly helpful provide useful tips I hadn’t found elsewhere for test day. But I have to say the most useful feature of empower is their curated GMAT review section – condensed review of key material and easy/med/hard official gmat questions with video reviews. I focused on this during the last 2 weeks before my exam and ultimately brought my score from a 640 to a 710.
I highly recommend Empower.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Yale School of Management / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get the GMAT out of the way early! Most people have to retake it so make sure you leave plenty of time for this. Multiple applications with very similar essays but requiring that you highlight different qualities seems daunting - create a quality matrix with all the qualities you need to highlight for each school and all the personal experiences/stories that might fit in to highlight those qualities. Save this as you will need it again during recruiting...
Andres Cruz –
The course was good for two reasons: the first is the organisation of the courses and the second is the depth of the courses. Studying for the GMAT is a tough task and it is hard to see where you need help in. With this course I was able to have a structured plan in studying for the GMAT, which then allowed me to to not only gauge my performance but also instil a sense of confidence when I was going through the course. The detail of the information also put me to the test and ultimately gave me a strong basis to tackle the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
William & Mary Mason School of Business / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Plan ahead before taking the GMAT. Give yourself at least a month or two of studying time to prepare. The more time to study the better. Always pace yourself and keep a strict work ethic when studying. I advice everyone to take as many practice tests as they can. Getting yourself into the mood to the take the test is important because on the actual day of the test it may be a little nerve racking. So plan ahead and give yourself time to study.
Daniel Kraak –
I found EmpowerGMAT to be very informative. The course focuses mostly on tactics and how to approach the test – a topic not given enough attention by most companies. It helps you see the basics of the test and what you HAVE to get right, as well as the challenging questions you shouldn’t sweat too much about. I’d recommend the course to anyone seeking a cost-effective, tactics-based approach to the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Notre Dame / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The more time you give yourself the better. I applied on a very condensed schedule and found myself learning things as I went. The right approach is to space things out, take course visits, knock the GMAT out early, and be methodical with your essays. I tried doing it all at once because of a late decision to go to business school and definitely struggled at times.
Ray –
Very, very good online GMAT course that has numerous videos as well as a study plan for conquering the GMAT. Using Empower GMAT helped give my studying structure and each time I studied I had a purpose and goal. I believe this is what helped me easily exceed a score of 700 when I took the exam. If one is willing to adhere to the schedule and complete the exercises and mock exams, getting over a 700 should not be a problem.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
McCombs 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The program has no mock exams but outlines the student to use mock exams from MGMAT. I believe empower gmat advises taking 6 MGMAT tests, however, I would encourage MGMAT to push the applicant to also take the two free GMAC GMAT tests as well as the 2 (or is it 4?) additional GMAC GMAT tests that are available for purchase. Another thing I would recommend is for Empower GMAT to recommend test takers to time their exercises (or have some tool to do so) so that a test taker can become accustomed to the fast pace of the actual exam.