Kaplan Test Prep Overview
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep was created by the Kaplan college community, who has a history of over seventy-five years in education and instruction. Their test preparation platform is a separate entity and has over a dozen categories including those geared towards assistance with GMAT and GRE readiness.
Kaplan is accredited by the ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education agency.
Basics
Kaplan Test Prep offers different types of preparatory experiences, from self-paced services to actual classroom environments, online courses and tutoring services. They also offer “The Official Test Day Experience,” for students to know exactly what it feels like on the actual day of testing to make the process seem less intimidating. For anyone signing up for a comprehensive course, the opportunity to take a practice test at an actual GMAT or GRE testing facility is included in the price of tuition.
Kaplan also offers a variety of free resources including their blog entries, individual programs at a glance, twenty minute workouts, a question a day, live or on demand practice tests, a sample test and pop quiz.
Kaplan Test Prep Cost, Contact Info & Discounts
When it comes to costs, here are the breakdowns:
GMAT
- Private Tutoring starts at $2,799.
- Classroom courses start at $1,449.
- Live online classes begin at $1,249.
- Self-paced programs start at $799.
GRE
- Private Tutoring starts at $2,499.
- Classroom courses start at $1,299.
- Live online classes begin at $999.
- Self-paced programs start at $699.
For discounts and special promotions, click here, Kaplan GMAT.
You can reach Kaplan at their toll free number (800) KAP-TEST or by email at customercare@kaplan.com
Eric Balderson – :
The live-online prep class from Kaplan was absolutely essential to my GMAT success. My instructor, Rachel, was great at keeping everyone engaged and encouraging participation from all students. After taking the Kaplan class I was able to improve my GMAT score from 540 to 660! I couldn’t recommend this class enough!
Daniel Nutt – :
I used Kaplan for daily questions and for practice tests and the resource was very valuable. The practice test provided a fairly similar testing environment as far as the material goes, and it helped me to identify which which weaknesses to focus on. In my case, it was clear I needed to work on probabilities.
MARINA – :
I did Kaplan in Cambridge, MA, and my teacher was a Harvard grad student. He was awesome, super patient, great teacher. Kaplan is super pricey but was worth it.
Eric Teler – :
I used the Kaplan test prep and Kaplan GMAT books as I prepared for my application on 2019. The books and the online prep are just great, they helped me get the score I wanted.
I also used the Kaplan TOEFL book as well and got a great score that was above all my expectations.
Al Itu – :
I used the Kaplan test prep to prepare for my GMAT in 2016. I signed up for a two-part course: half of the course required in-person attendance in lectures, the other half allowed me to take practice exams through their online portal. I used all available Kaplan resources and truthfully, it was a great experience. I also took advantage of the Test Day center experience, and took a real-life GMAT at the center where I would take my actual GMAT a few weeks later. All in all, I only took the GMAT once as I secured a score that I knew would take me to the b-school I wanted to attend, and two years later, I can say I got into my top two choice schools!
Ying-Chun Chen – :
I used Kaplan materials when preparing for GMAT. The notes were informative summaries which I used as a quick review right before the exams. The materials were highly organized and highlighted important concepts of the exams. Kaplan materials are highly recommended!
Chelsea – :
The Kaplan GMAT prep book was extensive with lots of test questions and answers that helped me prepare for my test. I wish there was more How-To-Solve in the math section, rather than just giving a lot of examples and test questions, but my algebra was pretty rusty.
Nicole Thomas – :
Great Material for a great price. Online sessions were very helpful.
brandon225 – :
The level of difficulty of problems is not provided.
ehr13 – :
I completed the Kaplan Live Online course. I had originally registered for the In-Person course, but it was cancelled due to low enrollment. To make up for it, Kaplan switched me to the Live Online version and added three private tutoring sessions, both of which were very helpful. The instructors were great and they gave insightful tips on how to solve the problems more efficiently. The book was a useful study aid as well. My main issue is that I don’t believe the practice tests were very accurate at predicting my actual GMAT score. All of my practice tests, including the Official Test Day Experience, indicated a score of roughly 70-90 points higher than how I actually performed on the GMAT. I was probably more nervous on the real test day, but it still seemed like a huge difference and was pretty disappointing. At least they refunded my money. Overall, four stars for the accessible/helpful instructors and good customer service, but have to deduct one because of the score discrepancies.
NnennaU – :
Kaplan actually came to my university and helped us discover the role of graduate entrance exam in our graduate school career as a whole. They helped put things in perspective and broke down the various methods and tactics students can use to be successful. They do a pretty good job of providing a variety of options, but they are also very realistic as well. They provide many options, but if you are unwilling or unable to dedicate time to the process, then they can’t help you.
Melissa Barron – :
Overall, I think the Kaplan In-Person GMAT Prep course was a great resource in helping me increase my score over 100 points in less than four months! The course provided valuable insights into the GMAT that were not accessible for free online or in the textbooks. The teacher was enthusiastic and always available to answer my questions both in and out of the classroom setting. The only suggestions I have for improving the course is to somehow offer different levels for understanding the material because some students had significantly less exposure and needed more one-on-one support for learning the quant and verbal information.
Tiffany Savage – :
I think the GMAT test prep is helpful and can be affordable if you are able to find the deal like I did on groupon.
Amanda – :
For those who need to take the GMAT I highly recommend using the Kaplan test prep. It has tons of practice questions and also teaches you a variety of tools to tackle the question. The questions will allow to brainstorm and further enhance your test taking skills. I for one like to study at my own time and pace, and this book allows you to just that. I like how the book is formatted and filled with essential tools needed to excel in your GMAT exam. I love studying with this book and to all those searching for the right test prep, you won’t regret going with the Kaplan. Good luck to all!
Aurelia – :
The Kaplan GMAT test prep was extremely helpful. I chose the in person course. During the course the instructor would go over tips and strategies to answer the questions on the GMAT. I had access to the online classroom where I could practice questions and then in class ask questions where I needed clarification. The instructor was easily accessible by phone and email just incase I had questions that couldn’t wait till class. Overall the GMAT test prep course by Kaplan was worthwhile.
Jalauna Gholar – :
I used the 2018 Kaplan GMAT books. The online practice tests were very helpful. Helped me determine the areas I needed to focus on more. Also, gives you a feel of what to expect and the format of the actual GMAT. However, I also used Manhattan GMAT Prep Books as well. I liked their books more because it breaks down all the different subjects in detail. There was a separate book for each topic.
Dane Lindholm – :
Good book to use to better understand the structure of the GMAT questions. Also provides a vast amount of practice questions to give you a feel for how long each question will take and to get in the correct mindset going into the exam.
Ian – :
I really just needed to practice more verbal section questions because I had just taken the GRE a year prior. Kaplan’s test prep books provided me with more than enough practice questions to prepare me for the test. Having said that, I wish I had spent more time practicing full sections on a computer more closely mimicking the actual test, as time management became a slight issue, particularly with quant.
Emerald Holmes – :
The ability to go through many practice questions allowed me to feel more comfortable with the testing structure. The questions were clear and concise and made me more prepared.
fyul – :
Clear insight to test structure; questions and answer explanations provide thorough understanding of the problems and answers. Some typos in test prep book text.
Ashley – :
The book and online resources were very helpful. Understanding how the test works and knowing the typical question formats gives the student a big advantage. The live free tutoring option was also very useful.
cmeissner – :
I felt like the course prep book was very helpful for understanding the format of the exam and preparing myself for the experience of test day. I felt that the written aspects of the exam were best explained, and the guiding questions in the book and online were helpful. However, I feel like this exam book could do a better job refreshing the basic mathematic principles that are the foundation of the more difficult GMAT exam questions. I was immediately lost on all math questions provided by this course book and had to delve into other resources before I could return to the GMAT book. The techniques taught in the math section were not nearly as helpful as the English prep sections.
Jordan – :
I choose the self study course. This course offered online questions along with 4 adaptive tests. The test were very helpful in predicting my GMAT score. They also gave me a piece of mind because I was able to prepare myself for the testing conditions. The online questions had great explanations.
mreed – :
The Kaplan GMAT test prep course was a great way to cover the basics of the exam and practice some successful test taking approaches for the Writing, Quant, and Verbal sections. I found the Writing and Verbal strategies to be most helpful in raising my score. While the Quant prep was helpful to understand the types of questions that are found on the test, I did not find a material rise in my score against my baseline diagnostic test.
Mrshedrick – :
The Kaplan test prep book was very helpful, but the quantitative section can be tricky to wrap your head around.
Mix – :
Kaplan provided an excellent source of study for my GMAT. At first I did not realize how intense the inperson classes would be. I studied on my own and listened in class, but did not fully understand all the materials. This was made present in my first scores. I explained my situation to and asked to retake the live courses again. Kaplan allowed me to do this… for free. I understood vastly more the second go around and was recently accepted to Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business.
Lisa – :
I used Kaplan’s Live Online Plus test prep program because it offered live classes along with the online prep resources… best of both worlds. I’m glad I had the live classes because the teachers were very helpful, and it also added accountability since I’d chosen the intensive schedule, which condensed the prep period to 3 weeks from 6. Online resources were very useful for drills and practice, but I also hired a tutor to help me with the quant section since that was my real weakness. Also, I paid about 2/3 the currently advertised price on their website for the package… about $1100 rather than $1700. To me, that was a real value. If I’d paid full price, I might have reconsidered the value of this program.
Danielle Nash – :
I had a very positive experience with the Kaplan in-person GMAT prep course. The format was very conducive to reviewing quant and verbal concepts I had not visited in years, as well as learning and familiarizing myself with the test format. My instructor was also great about answering individual questions as they pertained to content and the test itself. I increased my score significantly from the start to finish of the course and would highly recommend it to others preparing to take the GMAT.
Fernando – :
I personally felt that the support material from Kaplan was actually quite good, considering it was a self-paced course. The most important thing without a doubt is being able to exercise and do several simulations before the real test, and the support material enables you to do that many times over until you feel comfortable with your results and the way the real test actually works. Of course, doing the tests without knowing what you did wrong doesn’t help, and in that sense, I also felt that most of the questions had clear explanations of the most common pitfalls people tend to get into, and how to avoid them.
Kristan – :
Excellent experience with Kaplan in-person test prep. Super valuable to sit in class and have an instructor answer your questions. Kaplan also offers excellent online resources and hours of recorded sessions with handy tricks and shortcuts. Highly recommend Kaplan.
Torre P – :
I used the Kaplan live online test prep program. I found it helpful during the weeks in which I had online class, but that only lasts for a portion of the time you’re actually studying, so I got a bit lost on what I should be doing to study. The teachers and content were excellent, however, and instructors were extremely responsive to questions.
Paige Petrosky – :
Kaplan has great practice problems. The amount of tests they gave in the practice section of the book is what really helped me. Doing practice problems over and over again helped me raise my score the most.
James McNamara – :
The test prep was thorough and helpful. Both quantitative and qualitative sections are covered extensively in the prep. You are able to focus in on what areas need improvement and really apply your time to help improve your scores. The feedback and explanations are very helpful. Being able to see where you went wrong on a particular type of problem was key, especially with those same type of problems coming up on the actual test. Another helpful aspect about the prep was learning to budget my time and not simply take the test. The test prep was definitely beneficial, and likely one of the better options available.
Lazarus – :
Kaplan offers excellent live streaming of GMAT prep material. However, the one-on-one sessions are over-rated and over-priced. I found that the practice tests were helpful, especially when used in conjunction with Kaplan’s tutoring videos. Ultimately, I would recommend this service to a friend, but only the basic package (no personalized tutoring sessions).
zbraz44 – :
Loved the online prep materials. Simple to use, expansive list of questions and plenty of practice tests to get comfortable with the format and timing. As expected, the classroom work was limited by the pace of the students who were slowest to understand the materials
Kevin Bosma – :
Well structured course work that is relevant and an adequate preparation for the test. The individual lessons and chapters help you to focus on what is important and the strategies needed for testing, as well as the base knowledge expected of test takers. There are a variety of materials from practice tests and flashcards to vocabulary review. I personally benefited so much from this service I used in multiple times to continue to improve my score.
Suzan Talo – :
The Kaplan book helped with understanding what would appear on the GRE exam but most important was the online practice I had access to. The online quiz bank and mock exams were the most important because the best way to learn (for me at least) is to continuously practice on problems than take time to review and learn from what I had done wrong. The practice problems were great because they would tell me the difficulty of the problems and how long it should take me to complete each section of the exam. Another very neat feature of the Kaplan online access was that the program would schedule my studying and set checkpoints for me. I inserted my test date in the beginning and the program would tell me what checkpoints I had to hit in order to be ready for the test date.
VTtoODU – :
Kaplan’s self-paced course is very thorough and let me study around working and my social life. It brought my score up from my starting baseline by 90 points. That opened the door to every school I was interested in. I really like all the CAT’s that are available, however, in a self-paced course, I think the material should be available for a longer time period. Some people are on self-paced because they’re balancing a LOT of other things in their lives, and they shouldn’t be kept to the same timeline as in-person classes.
breatim20 – :
Utizilizing the online resources that accompany the book proved to be very beneficial in increasing my scores. The way it walks you through strategies of how to solve problems in more time efficiently was very helpful. Overall, this resource increased my scores significantly and I would recommend it to other hoping to do the same.
Tamsen – :
I would love to see more fluid directions (on the study plan have hyperlinks to what “class” is next. More focus on basic math and simpler math tips for easy memorization. Creating a “dump sheet” to get all formulas out on paper at the beginning of the exam would also be helpful.
Adam Klestadt – :
I participated in Kaplan GMAT prep in the spring of 2013 in St. Louis, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Having a weekly class to keep me focused on the material was great. The greatest asset of the course, though, was definitely the online practice test resources. Not only were the materials for the individual study topics extremely useful in actually learning the necessary tools and strategies to succeed on the GMAT, but having access to full practice GMAT tests proved invaluable. The real GMAT testing environment is unique and stressful, so being able to simulate it on my own was extremely helpful in preparing me not only for the material, but for dealing with the length and physical setup of the exam. I also believe that Kaplan’s material is more difficult than the actual GMAT, which is great because it forces you to almost overprepare to achieve your intended score. I and all of my friends in the Kaplan course scored better on the actual GMAT than we did on Kaplan’s practice tests, and I couldn’t have been happier with the results.
Nick – :
I took several practice tests before taking the actual GMAT, and the kaplan prep tests strongly prepared me for the exam. I would try to simulate what the test would be like as much as possible, so I would go to a quiet area (a public library), and I would time myself for each section. The questions on the Kaplan exam were very similar to those on the actual exam and strongly prepared me for the exam.
mdaian – :
Kaplan was not great. It is catered toward the average applicant, so the prep is not great if you are aiming for the top 3 business schools. It doesn’t really offer you any advanced tips or ways to master the exam format and once you understand the basics of the exam, you are pretty much on your own.
nik_albert – :
I think the Kaplan review material is great for preparing for the GMAT. The best part is the almost unlimited amount of resources you get in addition to the faculty classroom setting. The additional resources are helpful for studying and practicing for the GMAT test. The resources also help you practice the test in the same testing environment as the actual environment on Test Day. The downside to the Kaplan Prep course is that they don’t do the best job in the classroom. Definitely more worth it to purchase the resource material without the faculty classroom portion. Save the money on the online resources.
Snk – :
Study far in advance and attend the online sessions they’re actually very helpful to collaborate with others! I found it helpful to do problems together in class as well as take the practice quizzes and tests. The instructors are very knowledgeable and understanding too!
Mandyb814 – :
I thought the Kaplan self paced GMAT prep course was great overall. Tons of practice problems, teaching content, and practice exams. It raised my score by at least 100+ points. I ended up scoring significantly higher on Kaplan practice tests than I did on the actual GMAT but I’m still generally happy with the experience. You also get 3 1-hour sessions with an advisor which is really helpful!
Yashsid – :
Kaplan tests were very different from actual GMAT. They are much harder and do not really give a good practice for GMAT. For e.g., quant was more about skill rather than speed, which exactly the opposite of what GMAT exam is. So it really doesn’t serve the purpose. For English I felt it was close to GMAT and that’s where I feel where this test is useful
Cole – :
Kaplan was a great online service that made it convenient for me to practice with my schedule. As long as you have discipline, this is a great option. The lessons for the new concepts, especially math, were succinct and helpful. But best of all were all the practice tests.
Sarah – :
The GRE/GMAT test prep offered by Kaplan was extremely helpful to me. Because of financial reasons, I purchased the materials so I could study on my own rather than paying for Online/Live assistance programs. However, even with the materials I bought I was able to access online resources as I needed which included extra tests and problems. So, on top of the six preparation tests included in the book (not counting quizzes), I also had the ability to access additional tests which made it easier for me to see how questions could be asked in various ways.
Carley Mostar – :
Kaplan had really helpful interactive courses online. I started studying for the GRE, because my program accepts both. But I took practice tests on Kaplan’s website for both and discovered the GMAT was a better fit for me.
Juliana Singleton – :
I started the Kaplan GMAT Test Prep Course when I was ready to start applying for schools. My learning style requires a little more structure so I opted for the course even though in the past I have used books. The practice tests were most useful, because they really allow you to build up your speed and confidence with concepts in each of the sections. The practice exams may have actually been more challenging than the real exam. Lastly, the essay review and practice was one of the most invaluable. I would recommend the course, especially if you are currently working full-time or have a busy schedule and want to keep a good prep timeline leading up to test day.
kgal – :
The GMAT test prep gave me enough structure and routine to properly prepare for the exam. Without this course, I would not have known where to start, what to study or where to spend the majority of my time and energy. I liked how the course is designed to give you a feel for actual testing day- this really prepares you not just with the material but mentally as well. I tend to procrastinate when studying so taking a course like this was very beneficial in pacing myself and practicing everything I needed to know. Mostly, you need to just do a lot of practice for the GMAT.
Jeff Harrington – :
I utilized the GMAT Premier Study Program from Kaplan to help my in preparing for the GMAT exam. I graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 2009 and had not taken a standardized test in many years. The structured content within the Kaplan program, such as useful practice problems and a logical sequence for the different chapters, enabled me to effectively manage and organize my study plan and it resulted in me achieving a very favorable score on the exam.
BLouie – :
This course really helped me by providing fantastic test-taking hints that I probably never would have thought of or realized. The course also provided significant help with my statistics background and clearly explained concepts that I struggled with during my undergraduate years. Going back to school after being in the workforce for several years was a huge step for me, but this course helped make the transition just a little bit smoother by increasing my testing confidence.
Jeremy Parker – :
The Kaplan GMAT test prep was perhaps the most important decision I made when finding schools that were the best fit for me. The Kaplan team helped me in preparing for the GMAT and learning my strengths and weaknesses and how to improve upon them. From there, I was able to see which topics I was good at and enjoyed and apply to the school that suited me.
jjc09915 – :
This whole company has been extremely helpful. Taking the PCAT and GMAT in the same year was difficult to prepare for. Kaplan made is easy by having study materials for both tests. I can not stress the ease of use and simplification of the material. Managing my time became easy with being allowed to learn at my own pace. I got accepted to both business school and pharmacy school. I have to thank this company and the support and study aids they supplied.
Shakel – :
The Kaplan Test Prep was the only thing that saved me from giving up on MBA admissions. I chose the live online course as my method of test prep because it was convenient and seemed to be just as effective as being in a physical classroom. I attempted the GMAT at least 2-3 times prior to successfully getting the score I needed for my school of choice. Although I understood the technical aspect of the test, I failed to realize the strategies necessary to effectively determine what information is needed to solve the problems and utilize my time efficiently. I invested too much time into the details of the questions as opposed to the bigger picture. Kaplan helped me reset my focus and come up with strategies to tackle each and every problem I came across. I owe all of my GMAT success to the wonderful teachers and abundance of online resources provided by Kaplan.
Jasmine Roosendaal – :
I completed a kaplan test prep course and had a FantasTic experience. The practice tests were challenging and kept me focused on the goal. The exam gave me a higher score than I had received with all previous Practice exams. The structure of the classroom environment assisted me to Jump right into the study mode. The student peers around me who were applying to business school helped with the focus I needed to ace the test. I was very happy with the quality of the teaching, with the materials and curriculum provided by kaplan and with score.
soslovie – :
I ordered the gmat premier study program from kaplan when i felt i was finally ready to go back to school. i received a bachelor of arts degree, and knew i would need to devote a lot of time to refreshing my knowledge on math for the quantitative section of the exam. i read the entire exam, then took the practice quizzes repeatedly until i felt confident i understood both the questions and the rationale for the answers. i didn’t get anything for in class or tutoring, but think it would have been beneficial. i really valued kaplan’s textbook and online quizzes, as it made it very easy for me to access the material and use my free time completely for studying. i really credit the study guide and quizzes for preparing me for the exam- it was very intimidating, but felt much better about the questions than i would have otherwise.
PareekR – :
Kaplan Prep tests are great for additional practice. I found their verbal section the best and Closest to Official GMAT PRACTICE material.
Arohie Chopra – :
Great in class learning and official test day experience to prepare me for the GMAT.
nick – :
the review material was well organized and provided right directions as to what to expected from gmac. i highly recommend the study material to anyone who is interested.
alice – :
I took a kaplan test prep course and had a great experience. the practice tests were challenging and kept me focused. the actual exam gave me a higher score than i had attained with the practice tests. the structure of the classroom environment was helpful to get back into the mode of studying and test taking. it was also useful to have peers around me who were applying to business school. i was very happy with the quality of the teaching, with the materials and curriculum provided by kaplan and with my test score.
Justin – :
Fantastic Test Prep, But You Really Must Self-motivate To Get The Most Of It. I Worked Through The Entire Book Over The Course Of 2-3 Months And Took All Of The Practice Tests Over At Least 6 Weekends. It Had Lots Of Good Tips And Shortcuts And Strategies For Approaching Every Type Of Test Question. But Again, If You’re The Type OR Person Who Won’t Study Regularly, Then Perhaps You Should Pay More For A Class That Requires You To Show Up.
mdaian – :
ThIs prep course is good to get people familiarized with the test. However, if you’re aiming for a high score i.e., above 700, then the test js not as good as others in yerms of pushing you up.
AMbap – :
I took Kaplan GMAT Prep class twice, because first time I failed to get the desired score. I wouldn’t say it was their fault that I didn’t get a score I wanted; I think I needed more practice. However as promised Kaplan allowed me to take the course for the second time (they offer unlimited retakes if I remember correctly). On my opinion both instructors were very well qualified to teach GMAT. Although they both had different teaching styles I found it rather beneficial because I was able to learn more tricks. Overall the quality of both courses were excellent I don’t think I needed anything else to succeed in getting the desired score.
Holly – :
I used a Kaplan Test Prep Book after a pretty disappointing 1st attempt. Improved my score significantly! book was very easy to use.
Amira – :
It was great! I enjoyed it a lot, and they really helped some things make sense. I took a couple free Kaplan workshops during my undergraduate years, so i knew that i could trustKkaplan to help me do my best going into this next chapter of my education.
Masoud – :
Everything about the experience was as good as I would expect. I’m not a great test taker, I believe this helped. I did not do as well as I hoped, but I didn’t begin preparing as early as I should have, especially for the math.
Gene – :
Deciding to go back to school one of the most daunting challenges was where to begin and how to study for the GMAT. Being out of school for 6 years I decided that it would be advantageous to enroll in a prep course. After researching the different options I decided to go with Kaplan and it was the best decision I could have made. I enrolled in the live classroom setting, but due to the lack of enrollees for the location it got changed to the live online version. I was skeptical at first, but by the end of the first session I was so glad that the format was switched. My instructor was phenomenal at not only teaching the content in a way that built confidence for taking the exam, but was also very engaging with the participants. Plus it was all in the comfort of my own home. The most helpful part was that they taught you how to think when taking the exam rather than just drilling what will be tested. Beyond the weekly class sessions there are so many resources to utilize from the study plan designed for you to the question of the day you can have emailed to you. Also, outside of the weekly sessions both the instructors were very quick to answer any questions that I had while studying. I typically would receive a detailed response within 12 hours of emailing them. I have highly recommended this test prep to coworkers who are studying for their GMAT exam.
Bonnie – :
GMAT test prep – highly recommend mapping out a calendar and adding in extra month after the prep course is complete to review and take sample tests. Kaplan course was very good, included a number of great sample exams and even offers and in person experience! HighlY recommend!
EstI – :
it incredibly helped me prepare for the gmat exam, specially for the quantitative section, with very useful tips and reviewing the basics and fundamentals. score was above 700
Allison – :
I used the book with online tests, which worked great for me. I’m a good test taker who needed to familiarize myself with the material, learn how to take an adaptive test and practice as much as possible, and this covered all this very well. i learned some really helpful strategies and the practice questions were good practice. The online practice tests were essential to my success – I needed to practice timing and they were really helpful to get a sense of flow and pace of the test as a whole. If you are able to work independently and don’t need a huge leap in improvement, the book alone will probably work well for you.
DaVE – :
I signed up for the kaplan in person classroom course. I would not recommend this test prep program – the teacher did not connect well with the students and didn’t seem to really care about the student’s MBA journeys. additionally, the range of talent/knowledge in the course was vast; some students didn’t know very basic math concepts and some others were already in 680-ish range and needed more advanced practice. this resulted in the content being taught very slow, which frustrated me, and i only ended up attending half the sessions. stear clear of kaplan classroom course. the online content was also just bad – nowhere near the types of questions on the actual test and the online platform was just so confusing. go with manhattan gmat prep of any kind.
Robichac – :
Kaplan’s ONline GMAT test prep was a helpful resource for sure, in large part because it forced me to have some structure in my study plan. The online resources are well thought out, detailed, and clear. One thing that is tough to do via an online study tool is to tailor the lessons to your own personal weaknesses. If you are a first time test taker, the online thing works really well because the course does a great job introducing you to the nuances of the GMAT. If you are already familiar with the GMAT format and other basics, then you are likely looking to target areas for improvement and do a deep dive into those specific topics. While there is the ability to choose when to experience certain content to aid in that targeted study process, I found that at times I could not get the deep study experience i needed to brush up on my weak areas in general.
In short, I definitely recommend for people new to the GMAT, but if you are retaking, try finding a course that can go deep into where you need the most help.
MK – :
Good overview in class and was helpful to keep studying on track. Thought the online materials were more helpful because you could pinpoint the developmental areas.
Sam – :
Kindle textbook was great!
Emily – :
The Kaplan test prep was exactly what I needed. Well, that and time. They provide you with a formula for success as long as you put the time and energy into working through each part of the process. By the end of the program, I felt as if I had a formula and felt comfortable with the process and procedures of the test.
Emily – :
Kaplan was a great resource for me to prepare for the GMAT. I was able to learn a lot of great tricks for tackling the test efficiently and effectively.
Cole – :
The online course for Kaplan was very convenient and fairly affordable. The modules were helpful and videos very clear and well-paced. I didn’t need the instructor help really, so I didn’t use that support service. The practice tests were also very valuable and also on the harder which I found helpful.
kelsey mitchell – :
Online resources and practice tests were great. Instructor was not great.
Jessica DiCerbo – :
Rented from the library the Kaplan Self-Pacing Books and web access. If you are self-motivating, this is a sufficient and affordable option to studying for the GMAT. My scores increased over 200 points from my practice exam score. The course comes with 5 practice exams that can be taken on the computer or on paper; the online route delivers you useful analytics to help guide you with your studying to target your weak points.
Pro tip: You can rent from the library the courses from 2013-2016 to access more practice exams. Each book contains five exams, I think?
Mary Fay – :
The Kaplan GMAT prep was well-formatted and effective. I purchased the book, which I read in full, and also used the digital suite that came along with it, which was very helpful. I took every practice test available and was able to take advantage of a couple extra that Kaplan held at specific times since I had bought the book.
connienyc – :
I used the Kaplan book and paid for the self study course which was a bit expensive. But they did offer essay feedback which was nice. I would say overall topic coverage is thorough but the videos were a bit too quick and short to be helpful.
Nick S. – :
Plenty of practice tests and the right size of digestible information for a one month cram session.
BStein – :
Kaplan offered a wide range of options, from simply purchasing a review book, to online courses and one-on-one tutoring. I appreciated the flexibility to decide what I needed and what worked with my schedule. I found the review book with online practice problems and tests to be highly effective and time-efficient for my study plan.
Marlon – :
Kaplan was awesome! I definitely recommend it!
Pragya Murarka – :
Kaplan provides a reasonable number of tests for students to get acclimatised to the GMAT test taking format. The tests are reasonably comparable to the actual GMAT exam and are a good form of practice for students once they have studied and before they head into the exam. The scoring system is a good representation of the conversion applied by GMAT and the results are comprehensive. The final result and feedback gives a thorough breakdown for each section of the exam along with the right answers for all the questions. This helps students in identifying their areas of strengths and weaknesses and channelling their efforts appropriately.
Alex – :
This course would be a good review for someone in the 500-600 range looking to improve their GMAT score. Frankly, I found the classes somewhat remedial and benefited much more from individual study. Something to keep in mind as you consider the price tag.
Alex – :
This course would be a good overview for someone who is in the 500-600 range and looking to improve their GMAT scores. Frankly, I found the classes a little remedial and I benefited more from studying on my own.
Kali – :
I didn’t take the course, just used the book, but I found it very helpful. It’s easy to pace yourself through the material and there are plenty of practice problems, which I found to be a better way to prepare than reading tons of strategies. I also really liked the access to full length practice tests, which helped me get a feel for pacing. I liked taking one full length test before doing any prep so that I had an idea of where my base was and how much work I needed to put in. I’d recommend the book to people who want to be familiarized with the test but don’t need a ton of hand holding. If you need to improve your scores a ton, you’re going to want the full course over just a book.
Kat – :
I used the book only but it was super helpful
Matt – :
the GMAT 800 book by Kaplan is very effective practice for someone who is trying to score in the 700+ Range. The book offers a sampling of all the high-difficulty questions, which is where a student needs to excel if they want a high score.
If a student is focusing on a 600-700 score, their time is better spent using one of the general test-prep books.
Dana Gingrich – :
Highly recommend the Kaplan Premier. By following the book, online material, and free test prep, I increased my GMAT score by 10 percentile.
Yilin – :
I used the official guide and Kaplan test prep. The version I used was a few years ago so might not be quite updated so i find official guide can better reflect the real exam. I also watched the Kaplan tutorial videos which explained the techniques. Those techniques would be more useful to those have English as 1st language. In general, Kaplan is a good prep exercise and there’s no shortcut to high scores without a huge amount of practice tests.
Eli – :
I used the Kaplan book and online materials to prepare for the GMAT and found them all very helpful. My pre-test GMAT grade was a 570 and I got a 710 on the actual GMAT, and all I used was Kaplan and the online tests from the actual GMAT site. I did study for close to 6 months in total though, so I did put in a lot of work. But it is very possible to dramatically improve your score through Kaplan and a good amount of studying. Kaplan breaks down what specific areas you need to work on, which I found to be very beneficial.
mpob – :
I did the private tutor which was a HUGE plus. It is pricier but you get your money’s worth for the personalized serviced tailored to your learning style. It also allows you to focus more on areas needing attention.
justpeachey – :
Used Kaplan’s online course offerings combined with book to help prepare for GMAT. Found the tests to be most close to the actual GMAT themselves in difficulty and in layout/design. I’d say if you are looking to be overprepared some of the other companies are better, but if you just need a way to get comfortable with the format and material this a much more cost effective way than Manhattan…
Kenneth Smith – :
I used Kaplan’s Verbal Workbook, Math Workbook, and GMAT Premier 2016. The practice tests that come with the GMAT Premier 2016 are invaluable and can give you a good idea of how you will score on test day, provided you take the practice test under the same conditions as the real test (timed section, don’t skip the writing section in your practice. The workbooks are good. I used them and got a 680. A friend of mine used them and got a 750. Words of advice:
– Take the GMAT on a Monday morning, not a Saturday morning. Why? On Saturday morning you may still be tired from the workweek. On Monday morning you are coming off of a weekend of rest and this will help you on test day.
– When working through practice problems, do not assume you understand a problem unless you can explain why each answer is right or wrong. This works best for problems where each answer represents a concept. It doesn’t work well for math problems where the answers are all plain numbers.
Paul J – :
GMAT test prep helped a lot and helped me achieve better than my target score. Kaplan has helped in years past and is a must go-to for most types of test preparation.
Tyler – :
The Kaplan materials were very helpful with all the questions that they offered for practice. All the practice tests online were great as I believe practicing taking the test is the most useful prep there is.
Stella – :
Kaplan GMAT book and online resources are really helpful to get a high score. Those materials provide a lot of details and strategies. Most of all, several pratice tests enable me to get more confident for GMAT test.
Arthur Eddy – :
Kaplan’s gmat prep program was very flexible and allowed me to study at my own pace. Because I wasw working full time during this time, the flexibility was very helpful. Furthermore, the Kaplan program provided many valuable strategies for problem solving and time efficiency when completing the exam. If I had to do it again, I would choose Kaplan for my gmat preparations.
Caroline88 – :
It was very helpful. I would not have done as well on the GMAT without Kaplan Test Prep. They were the most straight-forward, easy to understand test prep guide that I found. I have since shared the prep with numerous friends and family looking to take the GMAT.
Amy Sawaya – :
Kaplan had the best test review I could find – they had comprehensive materials that covered all areas of the test, gave tips on how to best approach the questions and not just how to solve the problems.
Alexey – :
Well designed for self study, lots of good tips
Nikhil Sant – :
Fantastic test series. The level of testing made the actual GMAT seem pretty easy.
Will – :
Kaplan test prep served as a lowest common denominator type teaching, with the classroom really targeting mid-600s. As someone seeking to do better, i did not find that the teachers were encouraging to a high level score, and at times seemed surprised. That being said, their tips, tricks, and teaching methods were solid, and i did get a fair amount out of the course.
Emily Gibson – :
Very helpful, but I did feel that the practice tests became too easy once you had mastered the Kaplan method. I would suggest suplimenting the Kaplan course with other practice tests.
Steve Pawlowski – :
Kaplan prep book and online resources were very relevant and provided a good overview of test format and successful test taking strategies.
Jon – :
Kaplan GMAT comprehensive is one of the most cost and time efficient studying solutions. It has a book that shows you all the tricks in detail and then 6 full length practice exams with explanations. I think it was harder than the actual GMAT and really helped me feel confident for the test.
Matthew Kaplan – :
Would recommend Kaplan’s course. The in class resources were pretty solid but the real value was the online resources.
Sonia Jose – :
The review felt very basic, the strategy didn’t have enough benefit to utilize during the test
rhonda duan – :
Kaplan review was certainly very comprehensive, especially with the flashcards of vocabulary, however, I found that the actual test to be harder than all of the practice tests in Kaplan.
Max Jacobson – :
Kaplan was the obvious choice given their many locations and resources. The tools they provided were very helpful in building an understanding of what it entails to do well on the exam. They have a fairly foolproof methodology and detailed schedules to follow to help you prepare. Further, the number of practice questions provided is really critical. Ultimately, practicing is key to doing well. The more question structures I became familiar with, the better I was able to perform under pressure, be it in full length practice exams or the actual test. I did the online version or Kaplan so it definitely required some self motivation but it was nice to know that they had physical locations to go to just in case.
David Gordon – :
Kaplan was fairly key to me improving my quantitative scoring on the GMAT, by really unlocking some important secrets about the data sufficiency questions which had weighed down my score. I went from a 640 before the class to a 700, with almost all of the improvement coming in the quantitative session. Kaplan had a location in Ann Arbor very convenient for me to attend and had an instructor very well informed about the test. The only negative thing I would have to say is I wish I could have only paid for the quantitative portion, as the verbal I was fine on before the test and Kaplan did little to really improve my score there.
Candace Johnson – :
Kaplan was the most popular and obvious choice at the time, and I really liked the fact that I could study at my own pace and if necessary, spend more time on the subjects I struggled with most.
Chris White – :
My biggest regret thus far was probably spending thousands of dollars on Kaplan test prep. I made the mistake of doing so for the LSAT and actually ending up doing worse on the actual test than I did on my cold test before any prep. Save your time and money. I learned my lesson and took the GMAT cold without any prior prep and rocked it. You can and should do the same.
Charli J McNeill – :
This really helped when I was deciding which school I wanted to attend. I needed certain GMAT scores to get into the school I wanted and Kaplan Test Prep helped tremendously with that.
Griffin James Driver – :
The review helped me have a better understand of what to expect on the GMAT. Not only were the questions challenging, they made work on how to properly pace myself so I would be properly prepared for the real exam. I have taken other GMAT prep courses in the past and they often left much to be desired. I felt confident going into the exam and I credit Kaplan. Though the GMAT can be challenging (as it should be!) I felt it comfortable with my overall score. This allowed me to get into the graduate school of my choosing and will help advance my career down the road.
JESUS LUNA – :
The practice problems and tests provided by Kaplan were really helpful. When i studied for the GMAT test, these practice tests helped me to get familiarized with the questions I encountered in the exam itself. Specialy in the numbers área, I suppose I normally take some time in solving mathemarical problmems when I am not provided with a calculator. In this regard, the specific layout of problems provided by the practice test really helped. The GMAT test can be really challenging if you are not well prepared, I can confidentally say that Kaplan had a big part in helping me achieve this goal. In addition, the online tutorials are extensive, rich and variated. I can honestly say Kaplan prepared me well for this test.
Dewey Courtney – :
Kaplan did a great job of prepping me for the GMAT. I used some of their online materials as well as purchased a book from them. It was very helpful and I recommend it to everyone.
Tamir Buford – :
I have used the at home test preparation material with great success. I feel the material was easy to read and helped me to have a great understanding of the material. I was initially intimidated based on the difficulty of the examination and size of the book, but the material is straight forward and helped prepare me for the examination. Not only were there tips for success with the examination that I feel are critical to success. The practice test questions were difficult and I truly believe were excellent in helping prepare me for the examination.The test preparation material helped me to gain a greater understanding of how the examination is set up and helped make it less intimidating. I highly recommend the material as it was a great aid to me, and I am sure it will be to you also.
N Mehta – :
Signed up for Kaplan when I had a few months of downtime between jobs. They were a strong company with clearly a well-oiled operation. My needs were more on the English / Critical Reading side of the exam where I felt classroom education was a bit lacking.
Best part of the experience was practice tests. They gave 8 adaptive tests that I felt were graded harder than the exam itself. Doing these consistently for two weeks in a testing environment (no distractions, 3 hours of uninterrupted time) was easily the best bang for buck in GMAT preparation.
Christoph Reschenhofer – :
When I first started preparing for the GMAT, I had no idea how to structure my learning or even how to learn for the test. As you start preparing for the test, Kaplan is providing you the necessary information to figure out your own way how and when to learn. Kaplan also does a great job providing real practical question which enable you to gain first hand experience. You will have the opportunity to get familiar with the questions and the scheme of the GMAT test. If you follow all instructions, there won’t be any surprises once you’re taking the real test.
Prajakta Vaidya – :
Kaplan Material and Tutorial has been tremendously easy going and helpful in terms of course content, language and price. Their course content makes sure the students are engrossed in solving the exercises by making it interesting unlike the other material which are kind off boring. I had a very great experience with Kaplan online tutorials. It was so flexible I could give them during my break hours with minimum clicks. The tricks and tips in the Quantitative section in GRE was the most interesting point and made me score maximum marks in Quantitative section.
I have also used Kaplan for TOEFL exam. I believe Kaplan has an exhaustive rich material for building up vocabulary in less than 2 months. Having such a hectic schedule the mobile application was the smartest thing every .moreover the practice test were so closely inline with the final exam that I was not at all overwhelmed at the time of exam. This eventually helped me plan and pace my exam and help me score best rank in TOEFL
Thanks to Kaplan !
Marcus Larrea – :
I decided to go with Kaplan’s online prep course. I was a bit skeptical of the high cost at first but found Kaplan to be very helpful in the end. I only took the GMAT once after completing the course and I did not do as well as I had hoped I would. My score was still good enough to get me into my top school so I did not need to retake. While I did not do as good as I did on the Kaplan practice tests, I also could have spent more time preparing. It was just difficult to take all of the live prep classes with my busy schedule. Kaplan does offer the option to schedule different times and days to make up classes you missed. This does allow for greater flexibility. From what I heard in my research this is one of the better options out there. I would recommend Kaplan to others.
Arinze Brian Uzowihe – :
The Kaplan test prep was one of the the most thorough and comprehensive test prep courses I participated in. It was flexible, engaging and motivating. It really challenged me to readjust my problem solving techniques and I noticed significant improvements especially in the areas of critical thinking and quantitative analysis. I was not just the classes or practice exams but the people who were involved in teaching made a huge impact on my ability to feel confident about taking the GMAT. Furthermore, for this reason I would definitely use Kaplan test prep again to prepare for any certified tests I might need to take in the near future. You cannot go wrong with Kaplan, it is not just a well recognized brand but also conduct business in a very professional manner. Keep up the great work Kaplan!
Alonna Truitt – :
In my initial research of the GMAT, I was very reluctant to take the exam. I was definitely doubting my abilities. The exam seemed impossible to conquer. Nevertheless, Kaplan’s GMAT Premier 2016 with 6 Practice Tests textbook definitely alleviated a lot of the worry that I had been having. I am still using the material to study for the exam, which I have scheduled for this fall. This book definitely breaks down the entire exam into small, comprehensible sections in order to help prospective graduate students work on their pacing, question formats, decision making strategies, as well as the importance of various elements. Moreover, the preliminary exam really gave my insight on what concepts I should focus my studying on. It also debunked a lot of myths that I had been reading and hearing about the GMAT. I definitely recommend this product.
Allison Reynolds – :
I have utilized Kaplan test prep for both the GRE (required by ASU’s Master’s degree program) and prep for a prior LSAT test. My experience with Kaplan has always been positive. I am convinced that I have scored higher on these tests simply by using these tools. Since being out of school, I have not had many opportunities to test my abilities in reading comprehension, quantitative analysis, or vocabulary. Kaplan testing preparatory materials allow me to refresh my skills and gain new knowledge in these areas. Using these study materials four weeks before my GRE, helped me achieve a score that qualified me to attend the MBA program at the W.P. Carey School of Business and I am very grateful.
Rich – :
Strong offering of practice test questions for all sections.
Jacob Tice – :
I took a Kaplan Live Online Course. I was originally scheduled to take a Kaplan Live In Person class, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to the low volume of attendees in the class. However,I was very satisfied with online course, it allowed me to be flexible with my busy work and school schedule. I encourage everyone that is considering Kaplan for their GMAT to use the Live Online course option because it allows you to make a study schedule and work around your other obligations, such as school work, family, and friends. The instructors are very helpful when it comes to making schedules to study and just general questions about the GMAT. They only responded to me via email, which may be annoying at times because you may need an answer as soon as possible, but overall they get back to you pretty fast and give you so much helpful information.
All in all, good experience and i recommend it to anyone planning to take the GMAT.
Jenna Hagglund – :
I primarily used Kaplan’sGMAT 2016 Strategies, Practice, and Review with 2 Practice Tests to study for the GMAT. It was a great resource for me, as well as their online support. It gave me a solid overview of the material, although I think ‘review’ is the best way to put it. It covered valuable techniques, caveats, and strategies for all sections of the test, but I did supplement with other resources through Kaplan as well as other websites and practice tests.
I highly recommend to start studying early and to create a structured plan to tackle this test! Plan out when, how, and what to study. Taking at least a couple full practice tests will get you a great feel for what test day will be like.
Marvin Hooker – :
I took the Kaplan self-paced program. It was very beneficial to me. I think what helped me the most were the practice test and the day of experience they offer. My biggest problem when I took the test the first time was not getting through questions fast enough. When I decided to take the test again I went with Kaplan because it is a highly credited brand. This feature allowed me to speed up my times while practicing well-developed questions.
Karina Lopez – :
I purchased Kaplan’s 2016 GMAT prep book. I went through the entire book, front to back, taking all of the practice questions and practice tests along the way. For the questions I answered incorrectly, I found the solutions to be very easy to understand and learn from. I was extremely happy with the content, as there wasn’t a single problem or question with which that I hadn’t become familiar. The book does a great job of covering all content, and giving easy to hard questions. The math section, in particular, was extremely helpful. Questions that I had trouble with at the beginning of my studying, were a piece of cake by the time I got to the end of the book.
Gregory Hodson – :
My experience with the Kaplan GMAT prep course was very positive. The schedule of available classes allowed me to easily attend the sessions at a nearby location while seamlessly maintaining my full time work schedule.
The aspect of this course that impressed me the most was Kaplan’s teaching strategy, which focused primarily on teaching the test itself, and viewed the actual test subjects and material as secondary in importance. This strategy allowed me to remain calm and tackle some fairly daunting questions in a relatively stress free manner, ensuring that, even in instances where I did not know the correct answer, I had the best possible chance of getting the correct answer, and was able to maintain a level of time and effort efficiency throughout the test that was more than sustainable.
To say that Kaplan views the actual material as secondary to the strategy of taking the test itself is not to say that they cut any corners on giving our class a thorough review of the subjects to be encountered on the exam. There were many foreign concepts and forgotten mathematical principles that needed to be taught, and I found the instructor did an excellent job of getting everyone in our class to be quite comfortable with all the material.
Kaplan’s program enabled us to take a “practice GMAT” at the actual GMAT testing center, which gave us every possible advantage on test day. Because of this, on the actual test day, the surroundings were not alien and I found myself to be very well prepared -both from an academic and a psychological point of view.
As a final note, the practice tests provided both online and in the Kaplan text book were comparable in difficulty and scope to the actual GMAT itself. Every question had an “answer” counterpart at the back of the book which thoroughly explained both why the correct answers were correct, and why the other options were incorrect. There were no surprises on test day. I absolutely feel that I owe my good score on the GMAT to Kaplan’s teaching strategy and quality staff.
Natalia Ayala – :
I never have been and never will be considered a “good test taker”. The time constraints and the added pressure that I mentally conceive on myself does not help either. I always knew I wanted to go back to school for my MBA and the GMAT was just going to be a hurdle I would have to overcome. Luckily I chose a prep program, that was held at the college I will now be going to in the Fall, and they based the curriculum on the Kaplan Test Prep materials. The textbook was easy to follow, we had numerous practice tests, and I was even able to take practice tests at home that simulated the actual computer adaptive conditions you will see on test day. The program was extremely helpful in not only re-teaching some of the basic math formulas you haven’t seen since middle school, but also showing you tips and tricks on how to beat the clock. Seriously, time is the only thing you compete against and Kaplan showed me how to think smart in a logical way vs. needing to answer every single question. My success on the GMAT was hard work but also having the right materials, which in my case was Kaplan Test Prep.
Ben Sapp – :
In preparing for the GMAT and LSAT I primarily used free booklets and online study test from Kaplan. The price of the company’s materials are typically very high, but I was able to purchase used books on Amazon and eBay that were reasonably priced. The information provided in the materials was very helpful especially the practice tests.
Wa Thao-Xiong – :
The test prep I utilized was Kaplan however I studied for the GRE and not the GMAT. My path is unique from other MBA students because I am enrolled in a dual degree program which I will be studying for my Doctorate in Nursing Practice and my Master’s of Business Administration. With this program a GRE was preferred and so Kaplan helped prepare me. I utilized the self-paced system which was more appropriate for me since I could continue at my own pace since I worked as a full time registered nurse. This system allowed me to study during my breaks while at work. It also allowed for further mobility with the studying since I could take it with me while working out at the gym, waiting in line, etc. Overall, I am satisfied with the system especially since I passed the GRE and am currently in my program now.
Jamie Ferguson – :
Kaplan helped me prepare for a GMAT. However, Angelo State University in Texas did not require a GMAT.
Eddie Rivera – :
The GMAT test can be a very overwhelming test. I took it once thinking that it would be easy only to receive a score I wasn’t happy with. After receiving this score, I decided to take a breathe and study to take the test again. I bought the Kaplan Flashcards and APP third edition. It was one of the best investments I could have made. It was super affordable, very easy to follow and gave me great tips for the test. It truly got me a higher score, 100 points higher to be exact. I encourage everyone to try this out. The flashcards gives you every thing you need and is quite entertaining as well.
Kimberly Gillespie – :
My undergrad degree is in Education so I knew I would need all the help I could get for the GMAT exam. I went to my local bookstore and bought the GMAT test prep book. It provides many practice exams. I took one first, before even looking at any material, to see what sections I really needed help with. It turned out I needed help on all of them. The good news is the book goes in depth about every section and what to expect, with endless practice questions. It even came with a CD to practice online which is especially helpful in preparing for a test you will take on a computer.
Shelby Fuqua – :
The test prep allowed me to get an in depth explanation of the types of questions I would see on test day. I also had the opportunity to refresh myself on the basics. My test prep also came with free online prep. I used the online prep to take timed versions of the test that were then graded. It gave me an idea of what I could expect to make. The Kaplan test prep’s are extremely helpful and I know I wouldn’t have done as well without it.
Edwin Brown – :
One of the materials I used was an old used 2012-2013 edition of one of Kaplan’s GMAT books that I purchased in a book store to help me prepare. I studied for a few hours every day until the test day and It was more than enough to get the job done. The book explained the test well, and it was very easy for me to comprehend. I would definitely recommend Kaplan to anyone who is preparing to take the GMAT or wanting to increase their score. I often wonder what my score might’ve been if I had bought a more recent edition of the book.
Katie Cockrell – :
I used two different versions of recent Kaplan GMAT books to study for the test. The first one I used was an older edition from a friend and the second was the 2016 edition for a test prep course I took. Both were extremely helpful! The books had a similar format but different questions, allowing me to use both books simultaneously to do similar questions to fully comprehend sections. The books allow you to study at your own pace, whenever and wherever you can. I’d recommend using these books to prepare for the GMAT as well as taking a prep course.
Erik Edmonds – :
The books were very concise. The instructors were polite and knowledgeable and the classes were small so the 1-on-1 time with the teacher was significant. I am also from a small town so there was not much of a demand for GMAT coursework, but the prep class was helpful nonetheless.
Shelley Richardson – :
Kaplan offers several different options which allows the individual to pick what is right for him/her. There is ample time offered which allows for more learning time. They also provide practice tests in two different settings as well.
Ruth – :
I found the Kaplan program to be an amazing value! I ordered the GMAT book on Amazon for less than $40 and was surprised to find all of the resources that were available with the book. Upon first look, the book seemed daunting. After signing up for a free Kaplan GMAT test to gauge my knowledge and map out my trajectory for studying, I was surprised to see how much more clarity I had after taking that first test. I loved that there was an online discussion after the test and that there was an advisor available to answer questions and provide support/guidance. I found the Kaplan program so helpful, I ened up buying the Kaplan GMAT book for my boss when she started considering MBA programs after I was accepted.
Ema Jones – :
Overall it was intended to be a good program, however I felt like the instructor was not able to work at a consistent pace with everyone and was not fully invested in making sure everyone was keeping up. The prep class allowed students to join at different times and it made it difficult to know what pace people were working on or to speed up and/or slow down certain material.
Garrett – :
Very helpful Kaplan GMAT Test Prep Guide. As long as you study it thoroughly, you will be successful.
Fernando – :
The GMAT course at Kaplan adequately covered the GMAT and all its sections. However, it lacked depth into specific areas and in my opinion did not help students who were aiming for high scores, i.e. 700+. Perhaps this was because the London Kaplan school only offered one class for students of all levels, instead of dividing people by their academic levels.
Megan Stilley – :
The company I work for won an award and one of the prizes for this achievement was a scholarship that it awarded to me. This was quite the fortuitous event as I have always wanted to get my MBA but was originally deterred by the financial burden. I was elated to have this opportunity and the only thing that stood in my way was admission. I received the scholarship mid-May and the fall deadline was July 1st. I had taken the GMAT previously but it was too long ago to be used for admission so I would need to retake the exam in two weeks in order to have the official score available before the July1st deadline. I took a practice test and my score was dreadful, I was rusty on many of the quantitative areas and slow in my responses on the verbal section. I needed some help and fast if I was to take advantage of this opportunity. I purchased Kaplan’s GMAT premier 2016 addition to try and bridge the gap as quickly as possible, and I am so glad I did. Kaplan’s GMAT premier was filled with great tips on how to quickly assess questions to improve my response speed while also improving my accuracy. The quantitative section covered key areas and concepts in an easy to follow format and had plenty of practice questions for putting those concepts into practice. My practice test scores went up considerably and I was able to take the test with confidence thanks to Kaplan!
Matthew Lowrey – :
I purchased the Kaplan test prep book, and attended two GMAT prep classes at UW that were led by a Kaplan representative. I came in not expecting to get much from either, and was blown away by how much value they provided. I went in to test day with full confidence that I would achieve the best score possible.
Vanessa Romo – :
The Kaplan GMAT test preparation in-person course not only challenged me academically, but taught me how to think critically and reason quantitatively. Something I found to be extremely helpful in addition to the in-class experience, were the online resources available to us, which included practice tests, vocabulary aids, and so much more. If I decide to continue my education into law school, I will definitely take the Kaplan LSAT test preparation course.
Conor O’Neill – :
I have to say of all the GMAT test prep materials I tried, Kaplan Test Prep was by far the most valuable and useful. Kaplan clearly has the most experience and they are plugged directly into what makes the GMAT tick. The questions I was asked were the closest to what I saw on the test. The live practice tests were absolutely invaluable. Beyond just getting a feel for the questions, I got a sense of how the test would work. At first, I was not prepared for the questions getting progressively harder and I would’ve bombed the test had I taken it without Kaplan’s help. Kaplan helped me stay cool under pressure and get a GMAT score that I was more than happy with.
Itamar Orr – :
Kaplan GMAT is aimed very well towards the average student. The courses are explanatory, and eventually reach quite a high level. There is a very big quiz bank, including 13 practice tests and thousands of questions. All answers are tracked through a used friendly system to drive better learning.
The areas of opportunity are in creating higher level questions, quizzes, and practice tests, and enhancing the review system to supply real data for effective study analysis.
The Kaplan support team is very helpful and answers questions quite quickly. On the other hand, the essay review team is slow, and not very productive.
Nicholas Amaral – :
I had a rather accelerated deadline for taking the GMAT, as I had only decided to pursue my MBA earlier this year. Due to scheduling conflicts, I was just able to use the prep guide and did not utilize classroom instruction for preparation. However, careful planning and intense study sessions resulted in a great score on my test, and I credit Kaplan’s guide for laying out all the materials I needed to review. I found that, once I started using the guide, the information came flooding back and I was able to retain it as well.
DANIEL VILLENA III – :
Used the KAPLAN 2016 GMAT prep book with a class taught by Emory’s continuing education team. The most helpul was the free practice tests.
Brian Klein – :
Kaplan provided a great framework for studying for the GMAT – solid reviews of all topics and very relevant practice problems and tests. I found it more than sufficient to adequately prepare me for the GMAT with just several hours of outside the classroom effort per week on my part. You will need to put in effort to get the most out of the course, but if you do I believe you’ll get your money’s worth.
Chad Johnson – :
Kaplan Prep course really provides you with the basics to begin your GMAT studies. They offer in person courses to help with your studies. They also have plenty of online and away from class resources to boast your scores. Take this course early on in your studies. Then look for an advanced course to take. Good luck!
Paul Gauna – :
Kaplan’s GMAT Premier 2016 study guide was a great jump off point for beginning the Graduate School search. Although you must stay focused on the deadlines for grad school applications, I find it useful to focus a large amount of time studying for the GMAT. Take your time, review your progress, and get the most out of the testing process they teach. Most of the material will come back to you, but if you’re like me and aren’t good a retaining formulas or composition rules, your best bet is to focus on how to take the test in the most efficient manner. The study guide covers this.
Masira Vasanwala – :
Kaplan is a decent resource to use for the verbal portion of GMAT. Although it must be combined with Manhattan for the Quant portion. Make sure to take plenty of prep exams. Your score on the official GMAT prep exam closely mirrors your score on the actual GMAT exam
Ethan Hall – :
The materials and instruction I got from my online Kaplan course were a major asset in helping me figure out how to be strategic and navigate through the GMAT. I truly feel that I had a leg up on my peers who were taking the same exam and shooting for the same goal: attending the most competitive MBA program available. I consider this to be a great investment of time and money and you really do get exactly what you put in.
Vipin Pasham – :
I liked the Kaplan GMAT prep material and believed they prepared me well for the GMAT. The practice questions have a good variety and the explanations for the answers is very descriptive and useful. I was slightly disappointed with the practice exams.They are much harder than the actual exam. While it might give you more practice, it doesn’t help knowing that you are scoring very well low in every practice exam.
Jaclyn – :
The GMAT test prep was very informative. It was able to break down the different facets of the test to me in a way that would have been difficult to do myself. It let me focus on the actual technique and information that I was supposed to master having already set up the steps in place for me to do so already. I would highly recommend this to someone who is deciding whether this is a viable option or not for a study method.
Lisa Rennison – :
I enjoyed the Kaplan classes more than I thought I would, although I was not completely satisfied with the result. During the classes I answered almost every question correctly- I was clearly doing better than others in the class. I continuously took the practice tests online and got the same score on every one from beginning to end. When I went to actually take the test i did significantly worse than on the Kaplan practice tests. They offer a free class with a higher score guarantee, which I think is a FANTASTIC program. I took an online version of the class again, which is not nearly as helpful as the in-person, but it was great to have access to their resources. I did not end up needing to take the test again, but I feel as though I needed to work with one of their one on one tutors in order to improve my score. Overall, they have amazing resources, good teachers, and a great program, but I was not completely satisfied with the result.
Chris Podbregar – :
I wanted to get over a 700, which I was not able to achieve studying on my own. I needed to improve my verbal and after taking the course I improved my overall score by 30 points! I definitely recommend Kaplan I you are looking to improve particular aspects of your GMAT!
Amy Wilson – :
I was already very strong in the verbal area. I used the course to significantly improve on my math score. I did the in classroom GMAT prep because I knew that I would not be as disciplined if I chose the self study option. Due to the course, I received a score that I was proud of.
Mallory – :
I used Kaplan test prep books to increase my score the second time I took the GMAT. While they were useful in practicing for the tests, and refreshing on concepts I had not dealt with in some time, the different books really do need to be used in a certain way or they will not help you. For example, I spent 4 weeks studying math concepts out of the math foundations book and the math workbook, then moved on to the strategies, practice, and review book. Unfortunately, this did not help me AT ALL, because the strategies book completely changes everything you were taught to solve in the foundations and math workbook. I then did not have time to relearn the strategies, and in the end did not do any better the second time around.
I think that the Kaplan workbooks will do great things for anyone who learns the strategies and THEN works on refreshing math skills, but if you use them another way, they won’t help you.
Susan Meredith – :
Test prep is very difficult for standardized testing. Though I think many give great strategies to overcome the anxiety of testing,I do not think any amount of test prep once you have graduated for several years has a large impact on your testing abilities. You know what you use in your field and most of it does not apply to the GRE; therefore, most you will not retain, because you have no use for the formulas.
Aaron Brown – :
I used the Kaplan GMAT prep book exclusively for my preparation. It had been almost 10 years since I had taken a standardized test, but the book was sufficient for me to score very highly. The strategies, explanations and practice problems were extremely helpful with few exceptions. The online CATs especially were an indispensable tool.
Chanel Greene – :
Excellent book with helpful people who want to help you to succeed.
Kimberly Battaile – :
Kaplan was the best decision that I made during the MBA Admissions process. When I was shopping for GMAT Prep Courses, I came across an opportunity to sample an online course. When I sampled this course and saw how involved the online classroom experience was, I knew it would be a great fit. I don’t do well in online courses, but this one was interactive, and offered many screens with the professor’s video, booklet, and a chat box for students to interact as well as one-on-one interaction with a teaching assistant. The course came with so many resources to practice tests and consulting. The professor was also available to help with admissions and questions via email. I improved my score by over 100 points. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an online GMAT Prep.
Collin Galster – :
I used Kaplan’s GMAT test prep course and materials in 2014 and found them exceedingly helpful. They enabled me to study while working at a job with demanding hours, and allowed me to identify and focus on those subjects where I needed the most time investment for studying. The math sections were particularly helpful in pattern identification, shortcuts for solving GMAT math, and sheer practice. I would highly recommend Kaplan to anyone planning to take the GMAT.
scott morgans – :
the test prepped help a lot , the math section benefited me the most.
Karna – :
The test prep is very close to the actual GMAT. The anticipated score is the average between Manhattan and Kaplan
Ben – :
I felt like the material overview material was really helpful in filling in gaps in my knowledge and for general review. However, the most helpful part of the material was the practice exams. They really helped me get in the right frame of mind so that I could do as good as possible on text day.
Aaron Weintraub – :
Thorough prep and great teacher. Would have been nice to get a little more individual attention to help with the specific issues/questions I had, but you get what you pay for and the instructor only has time for so many individual questions.
Stuart Robinson – :
The Kaplan test book was very detailed with its breakdown of answers. The book allowed for me to get intensive knowledge of what would be on the GMAT exam. The book along with the practice exams allowed for me to score in the 600’s. I crammed in studying for about 3 weeks but I believe if I would have allowed myself more time I would have received a higher score.
Chris Christensen – :
Kaplan’s test prep course gave solid strategies for studying as well as actually taking the GMAT. What was most valuable was the online test prep which helps you to practice real questions with time pressure in order to simulate the real thing. It is also very helpful to see what areas you need to work on the most so you can know which specific concepts to study and improve upon. The one improvement I would make to the course is to discuss time management strategies a little more. When I actually took the GMAT I found it hard to know whether or not I should continue spending time on a problem I knew I could solve with more effort and time, or cut bait and move on because I had already exceeded my two minutes.
Aaron Banks – :
I was impressed with the Kaplan GMAT Preparation book. It provides a wealth of practical wisdom for test day, and has hundreds of test questions to supplement the learning material. If you are like me, you were a good math student in High School, but after years in the work force, you’ve forgotten what you don’t use. With Kaplan, it was like riding a bike, the way they presented the math material enabled me to quickly get back to form, and feel confident for test day. Of course, besides math, the Kaplan method did an excellent job explaining other sections of the test also. Highly recommend it.
Daniel – :
Forgot to mention: Take the ADVANCED remote class with Kaplan. The regular one will not prepare you to get into the top programs.
Daniel – :
Got me 120 points above my diagnostic test (test taken without any studying or preparation) after 3 months of work. Took the 3x/week evening remote class over 5 weeks with Joseph Tambornino who is a phenomenal instructor. Took the test 2x and did well the second time.
Gordon – :
I didn’t find Kaplan that helpful and received a mediocre score on the GMAT. I thought they dumbed down the group classes to the lowest-caliber students.
Dan – :
I took a combination classroom / virtual prep course and I liked having both options. The classroom sessions provided a good motivation to keep me on pace with my studying schedule, including setting an exam date. The virtual sessions were good for a busy work schedule when I needed more flexibility. Content-wise, the materials were solid in that they expose you to all the types of questions and problems, and they provide strategies in approaching them. You could probably get all or most of the content through practice books on your own, but the classes were ideal for someone like me who needed a little extra motivation to stick to my timeline.
Octavio Sandoval – :
KAPLAN Online classes were inadequate for my preparation for the GMAT exam. Kaplan creates problems and questions irrelevant to the actual rigor of the official GMAT problem. There is a reason why I did not perform well on the GMAT exam. I recommend a private tutor. If you can’t afford one, Manhattan GMAT is an adequate tool to study for the GMAT exam.
Allison Elder – :
I preferred to take a prep class in person, but none were offered in my area. I tried the live online course through Kaplan and was pleasantly surprised. My teacher, Joseph Tambornino, was great. His lessons were clear, he was engaging, and he was always willing to answer questions via Skype outside of class time. I chose the package with a few one-on-one coaching sessions. I only had one of the three sessions, and the coach I had for the one was not particularly helpful. It was more focused on how to approach the test rather than actual material covered, which is what I needed help with.
Daniel Howard – :
Kaplan was great! If you put the time into studying their techniques, you will verily see the difference when you get to test day. I especially appreciated their writing, data validation, and reading comprehension tactics. Can honestly say that I wouldn’t have scored as high as I did without utilizing what I learned from their book. Additionally, the practice tests were paramount to my success. I highly recommend them!
Mike – :
I took a class with a small group of students in Northern New Jersey. The class was very beneficial in helping to prepare me for the GMAT. I had done some free practice tests and had seen my progress stagnate despite working and studying harder. The instructor helped me put the exam in perspective and my results shot up 80-100 points from my practice to my final GMAT result.
Marcus – :
Used the GMAT prep books and they helped. I wouldn’t bother taking one of their courses though. Best to learn it yourself through the book. There’s not much they can teach you in courses that you can’t learn just by practicing the tests.
Nathan – :
Kaplan Is the gold standard for test prep. I found that as I went through the structure I continually performed better on my practice tests, eventually outperforming my expectations and in at least some small part helping me to get into a better program than I thought I would qualify for initially.
Callie Gullett – :
Overall the GMAT test prep was helpful. I was a good way to keep me organized and gave me a good understanding of what the test entailed. I recommend starting to study as early as possible to ultimately be successful. I thought that the test prep has great recommendations for studying plans and timelines.
Adam – :
The suite of practice quizzes and exams was most helpful. The classes can be less useful if you are in a class with people who are targeting a different (lower) score band than you are.
Ofir Fatal – :
I found that the test prep questions were spot on – on the actual exam I discovered two questions that were almost identical to the test prep, only with some minor numbers changed. The “tricks and tips” sections within the prep book were usually helpful and accelerated the learning process.
Lach Litwer – :
The teachers are good and the study materials are fine, but what makes this program standout is 1) the deep bank of whole and subject specific practice tests and the score guarantee that allows you to retake the entire course or any portions thereof if you feel unprepared or are unsatisfied with your GMAT score. Like any other test, the GMAT is 90% about learning the testing techniques and basic skills, giving you access to the necessary tools to build confidence & competence.
Kevin – :
I used Kaplan review material for my GMAT test. The process was very good, their course review and examination technics were very useful in getting me the score I needed. I would highly recommend it as it was effective study material and was much more representative of actual test questions than books like Princeton Review. Also the book is a great value compared to high priced classes and tutoring sessions.
Gaurav Tewary – :
I used Kaplan review material for my GMAT test. The process was very good, their course review and examination technics were very useful in getting me the score I needed. I would highly recommend it as it was effective study material and was much more representative of actual test questions than books like Princeton Review. Also the book is a great value compared to high priced classes and tutoring sessions.
Sarah Brown – :
The course was exactly what I paid for: structured study sessions outside of my work schedule, unique test tips, and helpful resources.
Azer – :
I used Kaplan review material for my GMAT test. The process was very good, their course review and examination technics were very useful in getting me the score I needed. I would highly recommend it as it was effective study material and was much more representative of actual test questions than books like Princeton Review. Also the book is a great value compared to high priced classes and tutoring sessions.
Nelson Azoulay – :
Used Kaplan and definitely worth the investment – need to put in the work but it pays off really quickly
George Kloppenburg – :
Kaplan’s GMAT test prep was crucial to my success on the GMAT entrance exam for my MBA program. I opted for the Live Online Classes which were taught by a phenomenal professor out of UC Berkeley. The classes were very thorough and provided me some great shortcuts on how to save time throughout each section of the test. In addition to the instructor, there were 4 assistant instructors that helped review my writing submissions and gave me valuable feedback on how to improve my short essay skills. I took the option of the live online classes because they were given at night and worked perfectly with my work schedule. This package also offered one live practice exam at the testing center, which was a great dry-run before the actual exam. To top it all off, I purchased and paid for this exam prep-course 3 days before Cyber-Monday and they even honored the discounted price by refunding me the difference. I could not be more pleased with the service Kaplan provided, enabling me to get accepted at my first choice for Full-time MBA programs. To this day, I continue to recommend Kaplan’s services to friends getting ready to take any graduate level entrance exam.
Della – :
I used the Kaplan 800 GMAT prep book as my exclusive GMAT test prep material and was very satisfied. The book was comprehensive while remaining a manageable amount of material to study. I would highly recommend it as it was effective study material and was much more representative of actual test questions than books like Princeton Review. Also the book is a great value compared to high priced classes and tutoring sessions.
Helen – :
I used the private GMAT tutoring, and it was worth every penny. I got a better score than I was even expecting. My tutor was incredibly knowledgeable about the test and had previously written curriculum for Kaplan’s textbooks and classes. Private tutoring allowed me to focus on specific issues and not waste any time.
Talal Dajani – :
The Kaplan test prep was great. I would strongly suggest focusing on the online course material as I found the in-class prep course to be less helpful as everyone moves at different paces. The online course provides lectures as well as additional practice. The lectures available are extremely useful and are much more helpful than in-class prep. Overall, the score I received towards the end of my test prep was exactly the same score as I got on the actual GMAT
PRABHAT K TRIPATHI – :
comprehensive study materials for the GMAT. The live Kaplan courses had a good structure and did a great job of explaining how the GMAT works, the types of questions to expect and how to pace your next several weeks of studying. I found the online component extremely useful. There were great video explanations for practice questions, multiple practice tests and feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. The two together really helped my GMAT score.Kaplan is great about providing helpful tools and hints to “unlock” solutions — even if you aren’t sure of an answer, Kaplan gives you strategies to figure out what it might be, helping you have the greatest shot at success. I used the free practice tests online as well as the CD/software that came with the book. Learning the material in different ways helped to reinforce the concepts and ultimately, the information stuck with me! I recommend Kaplan.
J – :
I took a course at Kaplan to get an better idea of how GMAT test would be like. It helped me to learn some little tricks to solve problems faster and more efficiently. I was also able to get feedback on the essays from the instructors, which was also helpful.
Lucia Ehimika – :
I work best when I self-study, but I needed clear, comprehensive study materials for the GMAT and ended up going with a mix of Kaplan and Manhattan. These were the best complementary test prep materials for me and I can confidently say that everything you need to ace the GMAT exam is in the Kaplan and Manhattan books – it’s all a matter of discipline and comprehension.
I did not use any admissions consulting services.
P – :
The Kaplan books were a great resource and helped me attain a high score with just a couple of weeks of review.
Insley – :
The online Kaplan course was great! I learned everything I needed to know for the GMAT, and the online forum made it easier to integrate into my schedule.
mike galanif – :
I loved the course and the modules were easy to follow. It helped to build on my personal studying I did beforehand using just a GMAT test prep book I purchased from Amazon. The Kaplan program was really beneficial.
Brett Archibald – :
Kaplan was awesome. I have tons of computer adaptive tests and training quizzes that helped me prepare for the GMAT. It also provided great online videos that taught difficult concepts. I could watch them on my own time – it was super convenient.
Collin Burton – :
I used this system and it didn’t work at all for me. Economist GMAT worked much better.
These guys aren’t innovative. Their online tools are basically just the book, but in a computer format. They haven’t done anything to really help you prioritize your studying.
Jon Chang – :
Having been out of school for quite some time it was good to be back in a classroom with an instructor. The live Kaplan courses had a good structure and did a great job of explaining how the GMAT works, the types of questions to expect and how to pace your next several weeks of studying. I found the online component extremely useful. There were great video explanations for practice questions, multiple practice tests and feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. The two together really helped my GMAT score.
Prateek Oberoi – :
Loved the course. It really helped me to think and see things from a different perspective.
Candance Simmons – :
The modules were easy to follow and the quantitative prep was very helpful. I took the test after being out of school for 7 years so I definitely needed a refresher!
Mitchell Kelly – :
I thoroughly enjoyed the GMAT prep course with Kaplan. It prepared me well for the test and helped me perform to the best of my ability.
Gretchen H – :
I decided I was going to take the GMAT exam and pursue business school in early January 2014 and signed up for a June exam — which didn’t leave me much time. The test itself was very expensive so the last thing I wanted to do was pay for expensive prep sessions, tutoring or other offerings (though, I know many people to whom those have been valuable). I toughed it out by getting Kaplan’s GMAT preparation book but I found it to be enormously helpful. I would read through each section on my own, trace through the practice problems and either attempt the end of chapter questions or follow the solution explanation to understand how to tackle the problem. Kaplan is great about providing helpful tools and hints to “unlock” solutions — even if you aren’t sure of an answer, Kaplan gives you strategies to figure out what it might be, helping you have the greatest shot at success. I used the free practice tests online as well as the CD/software that came with the book. Learning the material in different ways helped to reinforce the concepts and ultimately, the information stuck with me! I recommend Kaplan. They’ve really refined their processes and want students to do well.
Bob Allen – :
The Kaplan test prep course was helpful in letting me understand what the questions were like and how they were structured. Kaplan matches the real test questions more closely than other test preps I have seen, so that you get a better feel for the GMAT than you do with other courses. The explanations help you understand the “why” of the answer so that when you see a similar question, you can more readily reason your way through it.
The downside is that they are somewhat generic and will only let you get so far. There isn’t much in the way of hints to get over the hump of taking the test and how to separate yourself from the crowd.
Kelly Dressler – :
The books were a good overview of material needed for GMAT – well organized and easy to digest in smaller sections for self-learning. Overall this was a valuable way to prep for the GMAT as most concepts were covered in undergrad but helped pinpoint necessary concepts to review and practice. Ultimately you get out of the test prep what you put into it- it takes daily practice and continuous effort to prep for the GMAT. No one can learn or practice for you. Books are an excellent guide for those willing to put in the work.
Andrea Coulis – :
Kaplan gave me everything I needed to score a 760 on the first try without much effort beyond the course. Highly recommend.
Yida – :
I used Kaplan GMAT premiere book when I was preparing for my GMAT back in 2012. I recommend it to anyone who have left school for many years. It’s a good start point for the review process. It helped me to picked up the basic concepts that I have’t used for a long time. It also gives a lot of useful suggestions about the logic of the test. GMAT is not difficult, as long as you can get yourself familiar with the type of questions and the format of the test. I am not good at math but I ended up with a 99% for the Q part and a final score of 720.
Olivia S – :
I really benefitted from the usage of the Kaplan GMAT premiere book set. I also had the Kaplan flash cards and workbooks as well. I found them somewhat boring and generic and wish it had more in-depth descriptions of what I should have expected on the GMAT. I found that the Kaplan GMAT was a little bit more difficult than the actual GMAT alone, I would recommend these books for any student preparing for the test.
Megan – :
The Kaplan prep books fully prepared me for the GMAT. I used the general book along with the 800 GMAT book. If you intend to break 700, I recommend this as the best way to go. The general book gave me the basics and the 800 book prepared me for all of the difficult level questions. I spent about two months studying and got a 740. I found the Kaplan practice tests to be significantly harder than the actual GMAT, which was wonderful. Overall, highly recommend.
Molly Hope – :
I initially purchased the Kaplan GMAT book and studied for about three weeks before I took the exam. I did not do well on the exam initially. In hindsight, I should have purchased a program right away versus just the book. I don’t think the book alone prepared me well enough for the exam. After registering for a program, I better understood why I got answers wrong and the best technique for tackling questions based on my abilities.
Daniel – :
Improved my baseline score (no prep, cold) by 90 points.
I took the remote group course (every other evening) over 5 weeks and had an excellent instructor. I was working every night 2.5-3.5h, either on homework, or on attending the class. I took my first test right after with little actual practice test prep, did ok. Waited a month without studying and let the knowledge sink and settle. Then took a ton of practice tests, took it again and did well.
Kaplan should have an entire lesson dedicated to test workflow, and time management during the test, a huge driver of score increase.
Collin – :
Kaplan’s GMAT test prep was very effective and allowed me to achieve a great score on my first try.
Runtian Bai – :
Very good program with Kaplan, it helped me to get better score on the GRE/GMAT so I got into University of Missouri in Columbia.
Kit Hobbs – :
Kaplan’s GMAT test prep course in London – the one I took was 2 weeks long – was brilliant. The tutor was engaged and engaging and keen to help. The group size helped but was diverse enough to enable great assistance.
Elaine – :
I have used Kaplan for several test preps and I am always pleased with the quality and depth of the information. I really like the ability to watch videos on your own schedule and pause when needed. The instructors have pleasant voices to listen to for the hours you will spend listening. This is a good program if you are short on time but if you are not then you may be able to self teach with books from the library.
Jennifer – :
It was a decent study guide but not representative of the actual test. The test was much more difficult than the examples provided, but it did help with basic skills.
Jacob Chadick – :
Kaplan provided a solid foundation for the makings of the GMAT exam. The format of the Kaplan GMAT review helped me understand how the test is created on the surface level and then the review proceeded to uncover the specifics of the test itself, including strategies and various test advice. I was pleased with the amount of information Kaplan provided and felt the review was sufficiently organized to cover the basic topics and then dig deeper once the foundation was understood. In summary, I would recommend the Kaplan GMAT review to those looking to gain an understanding of the core GMAT principles and strategies that will help the most come test day.
Nika – :
I took the online class and bought the book. It was helpful to keep me organized and plan out my test prep. The online class was slow at times, but a good way to force me to stay focused and on track as I was also working a full time job.
Mansi – :
It was extremely helpful to get some practice with the format and timing of the test. It really does become a game of learning how to take the test over actually knowing the material. Kaplan provided a lot of the tools necessary for me to do so.
Peter Donnan – :
Took in class in addition to online and book review from Kaplan. I found the in class to be a bit slow, as it needed to accompany everyone. However, by having class it kept me on schedule since I had a full time job. Practice tests were the best help.
Frank – :
Kaplan Test Prep is a highly effective approach to prepare for the GMAT test, which contains a full spectrum of tips, mock test and detailed answers for the test. I found it especially useful and important when the time is tight, in which situation I need Kaplan Test Prep to enhance my efficiency and get myself prepared as quick as possible.
Heidy Medin – :
The GMAT On Demand Online test prep was very effective at keeping my studying on track with a clear schedule and focus on key strategies. It was great to be able to access material as needed and even take a practice test at an actual test center. The structure of the course helped me master the strategies well and revisit areas in need of additional practice since the course tracked strengths and weaknesses. Definitely recommend it to those with busy schedules.
Jared Spring – :
Kaplan test prep has good structured approach to learning different test subjects. Online tests help stimulate the tests. Nice test question bank, but you might need other sources to find more questions.
Jared Spring – :
The Kaplan GMAT book and online resources provide a structured method for preparing all test subjects. The online tests are great ways to simulate the actual test. The question bank has a good number of questions, but you may need to find other sources to focus on certain question types.
Estevan Serrano – :
I did not like its program, it was intended for people who were 100% dedicated to GMAT preparation, and did not have any other occupation.
3 months for me it was not enough time for me to prepare for the GMAT; and also I consider Kaplan too pricey for what it offers.
Nidhi – :
I took the online Kaplan course to prepare for my GMAT and it was awesome. The hours were so flexible and it felt like I was there in-person taking the class. The teachers were all very interactive and engaging and I actually feel like I learned better this way.
LIDA – :
I studied for my GMAT exam with Kaplan preparation materials and it helped me a lot for understanding and practicing the most difficult exercises. I totally advise practicing with Kaplan for ones that need to reach the higher scores on the GMAT exam!
Adam Kennedy – :
As a Company Commander stationed at Ft. Hood and father to four kids, my time was very limited. My plan was to start with a tutor before I took the GMAT so that I didn’t pick up any bad habits or waste time studying material that I didn’t need. I searched all I could around the area and came across this program. I read the reviews just like you are now, and wondered if a GMAT prep course could really be this great. I called Dr. Amar that day and was very impressed with how much he knew about the military since he had so many other officers attending his course. I signed up for the weekly class that met on Saturdays.
Dr. Amar’s study flight plan offered me enough time to not only work the problems out, but also get my questions together that I was unable to answer on my own. I will say this is probably the single most important part about studying for the GMAT — understanding how to solve the problems — and this is exactly what Dr. Amar taught me that I would have never learned on my own. He breaks all of the different subjects down into their simplest forms so that you are not learning the wrong ways of tackling problems. What is best is that this course is based on GMAC-produced study materials and exams, not the poor quality materials you will find out there.
I deployed overseas shortly after completing his class, and I continued to stay in contact with Dr. Amar on my progress with the GMAT. I continued to ask questions, and he always made time to get back to me and provide feedback that helped raise my score over 200 points from my first practice test. I, like others here, just wish I would have started earlier with him.
Going through the class, I made several friendships in the class, and one of them was another Army Officer. He talked to me about Elaine Conces for consulting services. At first I was skeptical, because the other consulting agencies I was looking at cost way more than her services, and since the other consulting firms were bigger, I was worried that I might miss something as I attempted to get in a Top 20 business school. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Elaine really took the coach, teach, and mentor approach with me at every stage of the process. I worked with her through my deployment, and I don’t think it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. She gave me guidance on the schools that I was looking at, and some schools that I didn’t really think of much before, and all the different pros and cons for each school. We war gamed my application strategy and timeline to ensure I met every deadline for each school I applied to. She was able to take my strengths and really help me build on that to broadcast my leadership and management experience in each one of my applications.
Once each application was in, Elaine would even Skype with me at all different times for interview prep as I was traveling around the Middle East. When times were tough for me down range and the stress of getting into a great MBA program was growing, she brought me back in to stay on track. She was a tremendous help in reaching my goals, and I am so glad I didn’t go with anyone else but her.
I will say with 100% certainty that if I did not go through this program with both Dr. Amar and Elaine, I would not have ended up in graduate school on my own. I have grown so much working with both of them that I only hope more people will take this golden opportunity they have right here in Austin. For my military friends, the drive is nothing, and you will be surprised that there are several Army personnel who attend this course. You will not regret this decision if you are a hard worker and motivated to reach your goals.
Bo Hamrick – :
Thought the book was great and well organized
C.J. – :
The self-paced texts and practice tests from Kaplan give you a great feel for the layout of the test. After taking several of the online practice tests, I was very prepared for what to expect on the actual test day. My one word of caution is that I found the Kaplan Quantitative questions much easier than the actual test. The verbal section was very similar in difficulty compared to the actual test. If you have any idea that you need more help with quantitative topics, get a head start and use more than one source (Kaplan/Manhattan/etc.)
Kyle – :
Has both online and paper tests. Felt that they were harder (as in scored lower) than the actual test so could be demotivating but the combination and instructional lessons throughout enabled me to prepare successfully.
Marissa Smith – :
I used the Kaplan books for my GMAT prep. I also purchased the quant review book to get a more in-depth review of the math topics. These books are a great, affordable option if you have the discipline to study on your own.
Maria Delgadillo – :
I took private lessons for the GMAT and solved the Kaplan online test to practice 1 month before my exam. 2 weeks before my exam, I solved one of the 2 free sample tests from GMAC, and 1 week before my exam, I solved the 2nd free sample test. All the 3 tests are very close to reality and are perfect for practicing and measuring your time. The only thing is they do not consider the essay.
Katherine – :
Kaplan provides a basic overview of what to expect on the GMAT, especially for someone who has not seen those types of questions for a few years. There are a copious amount of practice problems that are beneficial. Overall I would recommend.
Chris – :
For someone who has the raw horsepower, but not the experience, this book is very helpful
David Spencet – :
I used the book and the online practice tests. Helps you lean basic tactics for each part of the test. GMAT measures how well you take the GMAT, not much else, and this program helps. Took me from a 620 to a 700.
Channce Fuller – :
The books and online tests are definitely worth the money. I have recommended them to everyone who asks.
Ed Kennedy – :
I took much more from the kaplan online platform rather than the in-class preparation. In particular, working through the practice problems and exams was critical to help me better manage my time, focus, and speed of each question.
Anesha Agarwal – :
Kaplan is a great test prep program from the standpoint of being realistic. I found that it nicely mirrored the actual test and was worth the money!
Benjamin Kopp – :
The kaplan prep book was thorough and gave good advice for test day and offered good structured praCtice questions by category to focus on weaknesses. The Online access to Tests were very accurate and also accurately estimated my Score.
Arun Kumar – :
I used practice test from kaplan and found them very useful.
ALex – :
Practice tests are really useful, if you need a class to motivate you to actually take the full practice tests this is a good option.
Kevin Hill – :
i used the kaplan gmat prep book EXTENSIVELY in my gmat prep. the book is a good introduction, but i found the tests provided not be be a great indicator of actual performance. it’s an affordable option, but there are better options out there. specifically, i found the economist gmat prep option much better (UNFORTUNATELY its really expensive and I only used a trial)
MAtt – :
Overall did a good job,
Aaron – :
I WAS ON A TIME CRUNCH AND ONLY HAD 3 WEEKS TO PREP FOR THE GMAT. I BOUGHT THE KAPLAN BOOK AND TRIED GOING THAT ROUTE FIRST. I WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND REALIZED I NEEDED MORE INSTRUCTION, SO I SIGNED UP FOR THE KAPLAN ON-DEMAND COURSE. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER 12 WEEKS..I DID IT IN 12 DAYS. THE INSTRUCTION WAS MODERATELY HELPFUL, BUT THE BEST ASPECT WAS THE DATABASE OF TEST QUESTIONS SO I COULD CONTINUALLY PRACTICING WITH TIME PRESSURE.
Jared – :
The book and practice exams online helped me teach myself and get a feel for how the test works
Mike Bush – :
Good basic book that is targeted at students who are looking to score in the 600 range. those looking for more advanced materials (and a score that starts with a 7) are better off using a different service.