800score.com Reviews
September 22, 2021
Manhattan Prep GMAT Reviews
September 23, 2021
The Princeton Review Reviews
The Princeton Review
About The Princeton Review GMAT
About The Princeton Review GMAT10,162
Attaching a name like “Princeton” onto your company, one would naturally associate this with the Ivy League crowd. After looking beyond the masthead, these fellows count 30 years of experience with assisting over 3.5 million students get into the college of their choice and thousands of students get into MBA programs worldwide through their Princeton Review GMAT courses.
They instruct students to use a Process of Elimination (POE) system when it comes to utilizing speed and accuracy to score higher on their test scores. In preparing for these tests, with GMAT and GRE tutoring options, the prices and availability for these sessions is dependent upon one’s location, schedule and whether the sessions will be one-on-one or with small groups.
Basics
Their programs come in three different tiers for both GMAT and GRE courses, which include a “private” level with personal, one-on-one attention, an “ultimate” package with live and/or online instruction, practice tests and online office time to answer specific questions. The GMAT course also offers a “self-paced” program with practice resources, questions, videos, exams and personal feedback on the essay portion of the testing process.
The Princeton Review gmat prep COST
The prices on the packages described are as follows:
GMAT Self-Paced:
- $699
- Score reports that do more than track your performance—they also identify topics to study
- Video based lessons covering the best ways to approach questions
- Over 4,000 questions so you can master every concept tested
- 10 computer-adaptive practice exams
GMAT Fundamentals:
- $1,299 Live Online or In-Person
- 27 hours live instruction
- 10 computer adaptive exams
GMAT 700:
- $1,599 Live Online or In-Person
- 47+ total hours of instruction by GMAT experts
- 4,480+ GMAT style questions, including the GMAT official guide book bundle
- A max class size of 12 to ensure each student has ample opportunity to interact with the instructor
GMAT Private Tutoring:
- Starting at $167/hr.
GRE Self-Paced:
- $399
- 180+ hours of online resources including 470+ drills and 3,500+ practice questions
- 8 computer adaptive-by-section practice exams
- Detailed online videos covering every topic on the GRE
GRE 162+:
- $1,999 for online classes
- Achieve a GRE Quant & Verbal 162+. Guaranteed.*
- 45 hours of live instruction by a GRE Expert (Quant: 25 hours; Verbal: 20 hours)
- 20 additional hours of Quant & Verbal Supplemental sessions designed to focus on key topics and practice questions
- 4,400+ drills and practice questions
- 8 full-length practice tests
GRE Fundamentals:
- $1,99 for Live or In-Person classes
- 24 hours of live instruction from our experienced, engaging instructors
- 180+ hours of online resources including 470+ drills and 3,500+ practice questions
- 8 computer adaptive-by-section practice exams
- Detailed online videos covering every topic on the GRE
GRE Private Tutoring:
- $156/hr.
The Princeton Review Promo Code
If you’re interested in buying a Princeton Review GMAT prep course but need a coupon before purchasing the program, check out our promo code to get a discount and save money!
John Reynolds –
The Princeton Review was very helpful with my studying process.
Alexis Johnson –
The books worked well for me and so did practice tests. This test helped me to get a high score on the writing segment of the test, and to have some preparation for the other portions of the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2025
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
My advice is for the student to take testing seriously and use multiple resources to study if what is provided is not sufficient enough for you.
Hannah Kasem –
I’m not the best standardized test taker, but this is the only reason I got as high of a score as I did. The book prepped on what to expect so I wasn’t as taken aback on test day. The lessons were very in-depth which helped me a lot throughout the test process. The multiple practice tests were incredibly helpful as well.
Atman Satpathy –
Absolutely amazing resource that helped me get into my dream school!
MG –
I really enjoyed using Princeton Review testing services. I appreciated the difficulty levels of the questions as well as the granularity of the instruction. The instructor was very open in devoting more time with topics we struggled with as students in the course, like combinatorics, and giving us the extra drills and strategies to master the concepts. I improved a lot on the GRE (from the mid 150s to low 160s).
Franci –
<nice program, very well structured and good teachers
Victoria Permillion –
Princeton Review’s course is such a great option for preparing for the GMAT!
Grace –
Princeton Review’s GMAT Self-Paced Course is an outstanding choice for GMAT preparation, offering a flexible study schedule and comprehensive materials. The course’s well-designed structure allows for customization, accommodating individual preferences and busy schedules. The top-notch study guides, practice questions, and mock tests simulate the actual GMAT experience, providing confidence and understanding of the test format. The extensive online resources, including video lessons, interactive quizzes, and progress-tracking tools, further enhance the learning experience. The exceptional support from dedicated instructors and staff members ensures personalized attention and guidance. Ultimately, Princeton Review’s Self-Paced Course prepares students thoroughly, leading to impressive results on the GMAT exam.
Zachary Bloomberg –
Princeton gave me the tools I needed to achieve a 740 on my first official GMAT test. The quality of the materials provided, especially in the Verbal category, is what enabled me to succeed.
Jonathan –
Great option for helping you get ready for the exam
Sarah –
The Princeton Review’s GMAT 700+ course did exactly what it said. My score increased from a 620 to a 700. I graduated from undergrad 12+ years ago, so this was no easy feat! Matthew Smithdeal (course 497003) was a patient and understanding instructor and great at teaching to the test (I know that’s a polarizing phrase but exactly what you need for the GMAT)! I was able to score $30k in scholarships at my top choice school and I can’t help but think that my GMAT score played a large role in that. I’m grateful for Matthew’s help and definitely saw the ROI!
AP –
This book took me way back and it was honestly what I needed. It freshened up my memory on a bunch of formulas and the practice tests were extremely helpful.
Bryan Duong –
Course was amazing and flexible. Material was presented in a simple way that was easy to understand. Additionally, the value was incomparable. I studied for about 8 months and felt well prepared for the GMAT when I took it. Highly recommend!
Monika Fanous –
Good source to study from. Wish I had more access to practice tests but helps inform test taking strategy
Tracy –
This book took me way back and it was honestly what I needed. It freshened up my memory on a bunch of formulas and the practice tests were extremely helpful.
Nathaniel –
The teachers are great. The materials themselves are riddled with typos, wrong answers, missing pieces of questions, faulty explanations, and a general lack of the most basic quality. Really frustrating to have to decipher the junk every time I sit down to study. Definitely not worth the price.
Parvina Esreepersaud –
I used 3 different test Prep books. Each book had valuable information and helpfulness tips. The practice test and questions helped me prepare for h to e GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UF MBA 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would recommend reaching out to the admissions team of the school(s) you are apply to as well as attending information sessions.
Heather Parham –
They were good.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Tecnológico de Monterrey 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Follow instructions!
Jialun Wang –
A great resource for studying and preparing for GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
NYU Stern, 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Study hard on the exam and be well prepared for MBA interview.
Rebecca Barger –
I purchased the GMAT Self-paced Princeton Review package. The video based lessons and tracking portal were extremely helpful. As someone who hasn’t taken math courses in years or seen topics like high school Geometry in quite some time, the extensive information base let me dig deep into areas where I was weakest. It was great feeling like there was plenty of material there for me the master these topics. The only weak point is that the video content quality could be a bit better (clearer audio, more controls to slow down or speed up videos etc). I also found the reading sections to be a little underwhelming, as the tone or writing style wasn’t a perfect match for GMAT so I filled in my reading prep with other materials. All around would recommend though.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
NYU Stern 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Spend a lot of time on your essays and work closely with your recommenders - these are the areas of your application where your personality can shine through.
Shelby Howe –
Practice test will help significantly when it comes to taking this test. It helps you with your timing and how to stay calm under the pressure of the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Pepperdine University 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Keep a list of all the due dates and make sure you have everything you need to submit your application on time. When it comes to school keep an ongoing to do list to make sure you are not missing any due dates for upcoming assignments.
Chris F –
The practice tests really made the difference during my studies. They were a great gauge to see how prepared I was and helped me determine the weak points that need more improvement.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Washington - Class of 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make a schedule and stick to it. Both the application process and classes take discipline, but you will find it all very rewarding. Be sure to connect with your cohort.
Sarah Hui –
The practice questions were very helpful. I found it more helpful to do the practice questions first and then go back and review the material I was unfamiliar with. Computer adaptive tests were also great since they stimulated the real online exam. I got the score I was hoping for on my first try, so definitely recommend Princeton Review!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
NYU 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start studying early and have a schedule! Avoid cramming since that can lead to burn out and unproductiveness in general.
Mackenzie Dillon –
I used the GMAT self-paced guide. I wish I had used the GMAT Ultimate because the online videos would’ve helped me so much more since I need to be listening and reading to retain information.
The book itself was great! The Princeton review did a great job at being able to explain everything that could be on the exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MS Accounting Analytics
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do your best and go to a school that will give you the best opportunity in your field.
Abby Inman –
When I first took the GMAT with no test prep, I was way below where I wanted to be and was frustrated with myself. But after taking on this commitment, I was able to score higher than I ever expected that I could! Well worth the investment!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Kansas - Class of 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be authentic and truly put in the effort to get to know your cohort!
Greg –
I used the GMAT Self-Paced package. I found the video-based lessons helpful to see a walkthrough of problems I found challenging, though I didn’t find myself using the videos that much—they were nice to have if I needed them. The true value of this package, in my opinion, is the practice tests. After studying, taking the practice tests was the best way for me to prepare for the “live” exam. I found I was able to easily identify areas where I was strong as well as areas where I needed to focus more of my studying. I would recommend to others preparing for the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Nebraska 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time with and plan out your approach to the application to make sure you put together a solid package. Do the same once you start your MBA program. Planning ahead can save you a lot of time and energy by helping you be more efficient and effective with your time.
Chandler Bell –
I enjoyed the live and recorded sessions, the instructors made the material and methods easy to understand and apply. It is hard to navigate and figure out where to start, but once you get that figured out it’s a great program.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Duke University - Fuqua School of Business
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you're your authentic self and show how you can make your cohort more well rounded.
Timothy Chase Meacham –
I studied for the GMAT with the Princeton Review, and it definitely paid off. My starting score was way below where I wanted to end up; at the end of the course, hit my target score of 700+. It was a lot of work but well worth the investment.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
NYU Stern School of Business, EMBA 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Explore all your options. Talk to current and former students; they are a wealth of knowledge and are the best way to evaluate what a program is really like. Get to know yourself in the process through your application materials. Figure out why you want to get an MBA, and how the school will help you achieve on your goals.
Fred T –
This program was very helpful in studying for the GMAT. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it and it pays off. I don’t think I would have been able to break 700 without it. Diving into details on the math was critical.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
IESE 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be sure to share your career aspirations with whoever is writing your letters of recommendation. And don't be afraid to share your ambitions with your supervisor.
Alexis Farrell –
So the Princeton review is not really a good tool for those who need guided support, this much more for students who are good at self-study learning. I did the online portal and in=person GMAT ultimate and still didn’t feel confident in the material because we went so fast.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
PSU 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Know what your strengths are. If you have a high GPA as an example but are crap at standardized testing, that GPA will save you in your applications at a lot of schools. I will also say, my tests in my MBA program are nowhere near reflective of the GMAT questions. In fact, going to an MBA school just furthers my opinion that a GPA is much more reflective of a student's ability and work ethic and therefore should have more weight in the application process than tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT-teachers don't test like that in school AT ALL. I have been in teams with people in my financial management class who have scored 700+ but barely passed that class with a C- while I, not a good test taker, passed with a A+. I will say that I graduated from a a dual ungrad degree program of Bio and Environmental Sci with a 3.94 GPA. Furthermore, if you plan to continue working full-time as in your employer is paying for you, there are a lot of online versions of the in-person, full-time student cohort style program. Ex: PSU World Campus has a great online MBA program and other business graduate degrees that are from the same business college at the og State College location. Don't knock them-saves you gas and you can do school in your pjs.
SM –
I chose the GMAT Self-Paced package which was only $149
Since this was the cheapest and most cost-effective for me I had to choose this method.
To be honest, it wasn’t too bad, but I am sure having an in-person tutor would be a lot more helpful.
Notes:
Score reports that do more than track your performance—they also identify topics to study- found this to be helpful and made me look over where I am needing improvements.
Video-based lessons covering the best ways to approach questions- kinda helped, for the price it works.
Over 4,000 questions so you can master every concept tested 10 computer-adaptive practice exams – This is the most effective taking the actual test and seeing how your meeting your goals.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Find the GMAT waivers that will work for you. Lots of schools are offering them now and unless you are dead set on getting into T10.
Kristine Crawford –
The tools and insights provided by the Princeton Review practice exams were essential in improving my GMAT and GRE scores. It was extremely helpful to be able to review my responses and see detailed explanations about why a question had been missed. The program is well thought-out, easy to navigate, and an excellent way to track your progress as you work through the prep courses.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Online MBA Applicant, 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
It's a great idea to take and do well on your GMAT, even if your program does not require it. High scores will affect your eligibility for scholarship and increase the appeal of your overall admissions profile.
Natasha Veras –
Bought my Princeton review with online access to practice tests and online tutors. Learned so much and felt better prepared after completing the mock exams of the GMAT. Great!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
New Jersey City university, MBA specialization in Marketing
Kevin –
The Princeton Review prep was great to refresh myself on the topics cover. What was most valuable to me was the insights for test taking strategies that were specific to the format of the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Arizona State University 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you know why you want to get an MBA. Spend time time finding the right MBA program for you. For me, I'm an engineer manager that works full time. It was important to me that the program could be completed on my schedule. Additionally, I wanted a program that would continue to develop my technical skill and could be paired with a masters in engineering.
Kelly Libka –
This course prepared me to take the GMAT by helping me to understand how the questions were written and how to approach them. I do not think I would have been able to get into the schools I desired had I not taken this course.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA Anderson 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Really figure out your "why". Having a well defined story will show through in your essays and interviews and convince schools why you fit with their program and would be a valuable asset to their incoming class.
Brenly Elston –
I ordered the GMAT self paced and really enjoyed having the videos available on the topics, it was additional guidance on topics and was very beneficial.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Pepperdine University 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would advise looking into many programs and applying early as most programs offer more scholarships and waivers for fees the earlier you apply
Erin Tyner –
Used to pass GMAT and get a higher score. Especially useful for math I hadn’t used in awhile and for general review.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply early and line up recommendations
Keshan De Silva –
When i had extracurricular activities and there weren’t teachers to help me in school.Princeton gave to the rescue and helped me understand a lot about things that i didn’t get in class.I’ve used princeton for more than 3 years now and it’s by far the best decision i’ve ever made and it helped me so much with school and significantly improved my grades.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of berkeley mba class of 2025
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be completely transparent with schools.Don't use your exceptionally high gpa's and test scores to cover your weaknesses instead talk about your weaknesses to and truthfully tell schoolshow you dealt or are dealing with them.
Sindy Pineda –
The GMAT Princeton Review was great I was able to review topics that I had forgotten and I could go back to topics more easily than other GMAT Test preps. I felt prepared and I believe it was essential in my education and applying for my MBA.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MBA in Healthcare administration- 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be open to show schools who you truly are as an individual. Colleges want to know you as a student and goals inside the MBA programs.
Raisa Rochelle Morrison –
Princeton does a good job at prepping for the GMAT. I used a Princeton book to study for my GMAT exam and felt a lot more confident on exam day about what would be on the test. I really enjoyed the helpful tips for both before and after exam day.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MBA 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
n/a 2020
Grant Bullis –
Great way to prep.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Boston College Carroll School of Management class of 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do not stress about the application, just show them your passion for business.
Christine Jannuzzi –
I did self paced GMAT studying using the Princeton review. I thought it was really helpful to be exposed to the content prior to the exam. I choose the self paced as I didn’t feel that I needed an instructor to review the content with me but I see the value in it for those students who would benefit.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UMD 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time with the essays!
E Weber –
Great program! Helped me get ready for the test and I am certain that it has improved my scores.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MBA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Helped me be a competitive applicant and get admitted into one of the top business schools in the country.
Christine Thinn –
Helpful resources, easy to understand, and very comprehensive list of study materials.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Maryland, College Park (May 2022)
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time to thoroughly study the material and only take the exam when you feel ready. MBA schools are similar to finding a good work out schedule. Some schools are very popular but it might not be a good fit for you. Find something that works with your schedule and that will allow you to go professionally and personally.
C Roze –
This GMAT program is highly rated for preparing to take your GMAT exam. I definitely recommend taking a GMAT prep course.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Duke/2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Begin the process early if possible. Take your time to learn as much about each school so you can make the right decision for you. Save up as much as you can to avoid student loans!!
Sydney –
I’ve been using the online version of this course for a few months now and it is sub-standard at best. I have identified a number of technical glitches in the course that either don’t allow you to mark things completed or, worse, incorrectly score your practice questions. Sometimes the answer bubbles are mis-aligned, resulting in scoring errors. Sometimes the answer drop downs in the IR section are flip-flopped. Sometimes the answer explanation says one answer is right, but the system identifies a different answer as the correct answer. There are a lot of duplicate questions, as well. Overall, I am very disappointed in the quality of this course. At least I am getting exposure to GMAT questions, but that’s about all this course provides.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Find a review course that is not the Princeton Review.
C Chou –
I’ve used Princeton Review for many of my test prep processes. This particular one have many practice questions with thorough explanations that provided lots of mock test-taking experience as well as ways to review and revise mistakes. Its online practices are also helpful.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Yale School of Management, 2024
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Really think through what you want in life, in terms of career and studies! Be clear in what you hope to learn and garner from the program, and apply with passion and determination. There are no 'standard ways' to apply or 'perfect/model applicants', just let your interests, character, and goals shine through.
Emma –
I’ve always been a big fan of The Princeton Review when it came to study resources for school and the GMAT was no different. I felt very prepared with the numerous study questions, thorough explanations of correct answers, and video lessons provided via the self-paced option. I’ve always struggled with online testing so I appreciate the online practice questions they provide as well!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Vanderbilt Owen School of Management, 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take a risk and apply to the schools you deem a 'reach'. You never know what kind of student that school is looking for and they could see something in you that you don't see in yourself. Yes, a test score is important but an interview is your time to shine in person vs paper, so make sure you practice your interview skills!
Bilal Moon –
Helped me learn tricks for quickly assessing questions on the quant section, especially the data sufficiency questions. Helped me finish the section with plenty of time to spare whereas before I was always leaving a few questions blank.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UT Dallas - 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply to multiple schools so you can use scholarship offers as leverage. Ask any and every question to the admissions team. They're there to help.
st –
Excellent service. Helped me get into my dream school
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Cox 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
MBA will help me get to my life goals. I could not have even dreamed going here before using this service
Sean Sauve –
I did the Princeton Review GMAT in person and the Manhattan Prep GMAT Live Online. I’m now in a Top 25 program and am very thankful to my previous instructor and the structure of the Live Online program. My score went up by 120 points. Both programs were excellent; I got a lot of value out of each of them. I did the Manhattan Prep Live Online at my own pace and as I came to certain questions I was having difficulty with, I was allowed to ask during the Princeton Review In Person sessions. The Live Online program even had one-on-one sessions that I could participate in. The value of being among a group of your peers in the In Person class was also helpful, because some competition can also cause an increase in your ability to motivate you and improve your score. With a 120 point increase, I recommend utilizing the approach I made, but also utilizing the services of Princeton Review, which I found invaluable to getting into a top program.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Indiana University, Bloomington - Class of 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Study well and thoroughly for the GMAT and make it a point to create poignant essays. Make your interview a matter of expressing your motivation to succeed in joining the program. Convince your interviewer why you think you would be a great addition. Sometimes it's also better to get a scholarship than attend the highest ranking school you can get.
matthew wichtner –
The Princeton Review’s GMAT premium addition was an incredibly useful tool in preparing me for my MBA applications. It prepared me for the GMAT thoroughly and taught me what to expect. It was well written and not dry like most text books or prep books. I felt connected as I went lesson by lesson. Thank you!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Michigan State University - Eli Broad College of Business - 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start your application early. It will allow you to write more compelling essays and get them reviewed by your peers. Also, begin practicing for interviews early if your application process requires an interview.
Eric Reese –
I purchased a GMAT study book, which I found to be extremely helpful in preparing for the exam. It provided in depth reviews of necessary topics as well as tips and tricks for things like time management. I certainly scored better on the GMAT after taking the practice exams than I would have without using this resource.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Part Time Program, 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Visit the school and talk to people! This is the only way you can make a logical decision about such a large financial investment.
Jazmine Price –
It was a good book. I did a lot of self-guided studying and reading and took timed exams. I got better each exam I took which felt really promising. I had just about 4 weeks to study and I feel like unfortunately it just wasn’t enough time. Using the book, and having more time would have given me a much better score, but I did what I could. I loved taking the tests because even though they were still a bit draining, seeing myself get better and better was such a confidence boost. Of course, and unfortunately I didn’t learn all that was needed to learn for the actual exam though. I think it was due to me still staying at my own level rather than consistently advancing but again, that was due to me having less than a month to study. So, I suggest advancing the level of tests you take as you feel more comfortable because the actual test has the potential to be vastly different!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Executive MBA, Class of 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get strong letters of recommendation! Mine set me apart and actually gave me a confidence boost when reading how my managers and former professors felt about me. Do the best you can on the GMAT or GRE because so many schools require it!
Andrew Jones –
I found the Princeton Review reference material to be comprehensive and put together in a well structured manner making review simple and logical.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Delaware 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I recommend choosing your school based on available major, courses required for graduation, cost, and networking options following graduation.
Sanveer Uppal –
I found the course well structured. It showed good insight into the Exam and preparation for the same.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Johnson School of Business, Class of 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Keep hope up if you are wait listed and keep the the school updated of any development.
Evi Anggraeni Iswanti –
I was confused to take either GMAT or GRE for my MBA. I was more familiar with the GRE Questions rather that GMAT as the reason I consider GRE. However, after trying both GMAT & GRE free trial I was more focused on taking GMAT considering my sole option for my graduate study is MBA.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Michigan Ross MBA & 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I hope that there will be more free platforms for prospective students who want to study GMAT & GRE.
Dan Kranz –
The Princeton Review has created a very manageable studying program for the GMAT. Their test prep books are clear and concise and are easily found in both stores and online.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
LSU Shreveport
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start preparing early and don't get disheartened when you can't immediately grasp a particular question/answer.
Michelle Anderson –
I used the 2013 edition of “Cracking The New GMAT” from The Princeton Review because I was able to borrow it from the library. In spite of the book’s age, I found the format very helpful. You take a practice quiz in both the Math and Verbal sections, then tally up your score. Based on that score, you proceed to one of three following sections of varying difficulty. It’s a great way to gauge your progress. I increased my overall score by 110 points by the time I took the final GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Louisville, 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The Princeton Review
Jose Guerrero –
No BS. Princeton review go to the point. Saved me time and headache. Thanks. JG
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Atkinson School of Management, 2nd year MBA candidate
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early and do it in chunks! The only way to eat an elephant is a bite at a time.
Elizabeth Barringer –
Good program
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Kelly School of Business 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Kelly School of Business accepted
Tom Sawyer –
I used Princeton review exclusively for my GMAT preparation. I really benefited from the practice Verbal questions, especially in the grammar sections. I found my preparation for the quantitative portions of the test to be slightly lacking. I would recommend supplementing Princeton review with a more quant focused publication as well.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UVA Darden 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply to many schools. None of them are a guarantee but if you are a strong candidate, a couple of them will bite.
michael hunter –
The Princeton Review products are wonderful! Having insight into what is being asked ahead of time on a standardized test is a must. For those who may not realize you should consider the test prep part of the test-taking experience.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MBA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself. Know or learn why you want a degree. Talk to people in the industry you want to be in so you know what is important to your specific path. Talk to the Admissions dept.
Darling Bolanos –
I didn’t have any direction or any clue as to how to study for the GMAT. Princeton Review’s course was able to guide me and be efficient with my time. They had plans set out for 12 weeks-4 weeks. I highly recommend Princeton Review for anyone who wants to maximize their efforts and time studying for the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
MBA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Speak to admission reps and get a better feel of the school. They should be able to highlight the program and what the school has to offer. Also, what to expect of the program.
Lindsay Harper –
I’ll admit, I chose this based on my coworker’s previous experience and the name Princeton attached- however, in terms of value, this was the best! I felt so prepared, more so than if i was working on prep with my friend or by myself. As long as you’re prepared to do the work, this is highly recommended.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2021 MBA
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
An affordable graduate degree is highly sought- make sure you weigh all your options and check accreditation! You don't want to do all this work just for your potential employer to not recognize your degree!
Kevin Mulvaney –
The Princeton Review was very solid, it had all the information necessary and I like the practice tests. I felt pretty comfortable with the material prior to starting, but it was a great refresher of all the information. The questions were very similar to the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ASU W.P Carey MBA, Fall 2021 Grad
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would advise those considering an MBA to do research on all schools and choose one that feels right. I chose the program that was not only ranked the highest, but that seemed organized and prepared and helped me through the application/GMAT process. So far, the program has been just as organized and prepared as their admissions process, which mirrors the content of their courses.
Manolo Alvarez –
I did the self-paced and also bought books from my local Barnes & Noble. Both, in conjunction, really helped me get a handle on the GMAT and come out with a score that I needed to apply to my desired MBA programs. I will say, creating your own schedule, especially with a self-paced program, is key. Keep that in mind when choosing what to do! But I’ve used The Princeton Review for years now, GMAT, GRE, ACT, and SAT and it always made sense to me how they frame the questions and advice. It’s meant to help you prepare for the test and really beat it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Texas MBA Full-Time 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would really advise anyone thinking about an MBA program to research as much as possible about the program. Attend as many webinars as you can! Email as many students as you can. Connect with the admissions officers and reach out to the career services advisors as well. The goal of an MBA is to go in, of course have a great time, but come out with a hopefully substantially better job or pay so interacting with the career counselors at your desired program is key to understand how they help set you up for success in the recruiting and the workforce.
cecelie m calvano –
The self-paced course was the most cost effective option for me, and it really helped me be more prepared for the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
International Business 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Try applying to a school's online version of the program you're interested in, its most of the time cheaper than the in-person classes and it looks the same on your resume!
NR –
I took a class with Princeton Review to prepare me for an MBA GRE exam.
Pros: Tutors are personal and willing to help outside of class hours if needed. They also spend the first 2 weeks of classes talking about tips and tricks of the exam, which is more on time management techniques.
Cons: The class is all at a different pace so sometimes you will be left behind. Also, during breaks, everyone leaves and comes back late for the next session. Lastly, the structure of the course I took was spending 1 hour of class seeing the tutor do problems. Spending 30 minutes on taking time and doing questions or quizzes in the classroom and then another 30 minutes just going over what people missed. Most of the classes end with you committing to doing 100 flashcards a night or something far fetched, and then when you connect with your tutor 2 days later or over the weekend no one holds you accountable. The in-class course is pretty much just the book and homework assignments. If I had the fortitude to study on my own I would have just bought the book and found the answers online. The reason I still give it 4 stars is because when I enrolled they allowed for people to take the test and if their scores weren’t higher you could take the class again for free.
About Me: International Relations/Class of 2016 from State College. Strong extracurriculars, working in Investment Banking and recently admitted to Ross business.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross & 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Meet school advisors before you apply or try to find a local tutor in your area through craigslist. Visit this site often & PQ. Lastly, check out podcasts if you're too busy.
Hannah Ferrari –
thorough training- felt very well prepared going in to the GMAT!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
CSU-East Bay 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
get started early and stay on top of deadlines!
RZ –
The Princeton Review books not only helped me prepare for the GMAT but helped me gain confidence in going back to school! I wound up not taking the test and was admitted to my program via a waiver. However, I still highly recommend the resources as a way to prepare for course work.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
GSU 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
If you get a good score on a graduate exam, you may be considered for grants/scholarships. Keep that in mind before defaulting to a graduate exam waiver!
Danika Borcik –
I enjoyed the practice problems, and I feel like those helped me the most on the test. For someone like me who hadn’t taken quantitative-heavy courses in the past, I felt that the lessons were easy to follow. If you were more advanced in these topics, it may have been a good refresher, but I enjoyed it as someone who hadn’t taken a math class since high school.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Utah MBA class of 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Keep trying! I had to take the GRE three times to get accepted into my program. Take your studying seriously. It's expensive to take the GMAT/GRE, so don't waste that money. Grad school is definitely worth it, so keep trying and don't get discouraged!
Samantha Propper –
I purchased several of the Princeton Review’s books for the GMAT and within six months, I increased my score substantially. You do not have to jump around within the sections either, it is constructed in a way that slowly builds up your skills and knowledge to utilize your time best.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCF 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Write an honest essay, something different. Do not write what you expect they want to hear, they can see between cookie-cutter and authenticity. Authenticity wins every time.
Jace Gummersall –
Feels overpriced compared to competing companies. That being said, they will do a good job of getting you ready for the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you study the schools your are going to so you understand how they will work best for you.
Nicole James –
I used the Princeton Review GMAT test prep book and online tests exclusively for my GMAT prep. I found the number and variety of example questions helpful to establish a baseline sense of difficulty for the test. Then, the tips and tricks to solving each category of questions allowed me to focus in on overcoming problem areas for me and feeling confident about my approach across all sections of the exam. I would recommend the Princeton Review test prep materials to anyone preparing for this exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota - Part Time, starting Spring 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Think about your main reason for pursuing an MBA (upward mobility within current organization, career change, executive training) to decide which type of program and which cost point is appropriate for you. In your personal statement, be authentic. Keep your message clear and direct.
Emily Standish –
This was a great resource to have while studying for the GMAT. This was also the only resource I used. I dedicated about 3 months to studying and I would recommend taking more time if you are aiming for a specific high score. I enjoyed the online component the book provided and found the practice tests to be particularly helpful. I would recommend creating a study plan before you being (which the book also recommends). This will ensure you touch on all the necessary material and prevent you from getting too caught on on one particular topic. Some days seemed to go by slower than others while studying but the 3 months went by fast so make sure to stay focused and driven.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of New Hampshire MBA Program 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Focus on a school that fits your needs. Make an effort to not take out any student loans to fund your MBA. There are a lot of great programs that are offered by in-state schools. Consider taking some classes that differ from your undergrad and take classes that may be out of your comfort zone. Also, lots of companies offer tuition reimbursement so make sure to find out what your employer's policy is if you are going part-time.
Matthew Andrashko –
Princeton Review did a great job preparing me for the functionality, as well as test questions featured on the GMAT. I can say without hesitation the review guide boosted my score and helped me achieve my business school goals.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA Anderson School of Management - FTMBA 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be honest about why you're applying and be sure your application tells a good story as to why the school is right for you.
Adria Griffin –
I read my Princeton Review GMAT prep book in its entirety, and I feel that it greatly improved my ability to perform well. What I liked the most was that it took a realistic approach to the test, showing more tips and tricks to reading the questions, forming good guesses or estimates, and eliminating bad choices, over simply trying to re-teach you every math problem that the test would cover. It also gave a solid comprehensive review of several grammar rules, basic math concepts, and strategies to understand the inner workings of the GMAT. I’ve recommended this book to prospective students!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Read through the school's MBA website and talk to current students in advance of submitting your application. Note what they value, what programs they promote, and the community they are trying to build. If you feel you'd be a good fit, make sure to emphasize those traits in your application. Once you get in and start attending, get involved, see the speakers, do more than academics. Grad school is a great experience! Go Irish!
Jeremy Clay –
I utilized the self-paced GMAT PREP through the Princeton Review, in combination with a hard copy of the GMAT prep book they offer. The online adaptive video-based lessons were very helpful to me in times of difficulty figuring a concept out in the hard copy of the prep book. Overall a strong product if you put the necessary time and effort in to your preparation.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of San Diego MBA 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Ensure that you do not limit yourself geographically if you are able, in terms of where you apply, and most importantly spend every available second preparing yourself mentally for the awesome journey you are about to embark on.
Eric Haverkamp –
The Princeton Review provided me excellent tools to successfully complete the GMAT and get into Rice University’s MBA program.
The courses were easy to follow and provided detailed instructions on how to complete challenging questions.
I would definitely recommend the Princeton Review to anyone hesitant on applying to business school due their fear of the GMAT exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Rice University 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early, start planning your schedules and finances well in advance of the program start date. Make sure to dedicate enough time to studying and always complete suggested readings.
Megan Moloney –
I have used Princeton for preparing for boards and it was a lifesaver! It provides you with step by step guides, plenty of explanations, and lots of practice for the area in which you are studying. I would call myself an intermediate user of computers and technology and had no problem with their review system at all. I would recommend!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UMass Amherst MBA Isenberg School of Management, 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Job shadow and gain as much experience as you can in your desired field, before taking just any class. Make sure what you study and what you learn will go hand in hand with your occupational goals.
Danica R. –
The Princeton Review gave me the necessary preparation to brush up on concepts in a comprehensive manner. I didn’t have much time to study before my test, but was able to get a good score, mainly because of the practice exams. The exams at the end of the book was really helpful in getting an idea of what is going to be on the exam, such as how the questions were structured.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
California State University, Long Beach 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Research the schools as much as possible, including specializations that they offer. Also, compare and contrast the different programs available (i.e. evening, full-time, part-time, weekend programs). Choose what is best for you, and what will give you the best ROI. As you start school, make sure that you focus on your goals, and be present and prepared to share your vision when having conversations and networking.
Ricardo De Armas –
Are use the Princeton review, which I thought was a comprehensive review of the GMAT study material. My recommendation is to just go over the practice questions, I found this part to be the most useful. The GMAT is a test based on critical thinking, and more practice with you, the bad results you will see. I found the Princeton review questions to be very thorough and to cover a wide range of material, which I thought were very consistent with the actual questions on test day. I would highly recommend the Princeton review, though I would recommend focusing mostly on the questions, rather than the narrative preparation.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
HBS 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
In my opinion, the GMAT is simply a filter used as an additional screening to to land an interview. After that, it is up to you to determine whether you are a personality fit for the school to which you are applying. Schools regarded as the Elite look at your application holistically, taking together your GMAT score, your personal statement, your activities, and most importantly, your letters of recommendation to make a final decision. My most important recommendation is to think what message you want to make in your application and make sure that comes across your entire application, a consistent theme is key to getting in. It is OK if you do not know what you want to do after your MBA, that is totally normal, however Admissions Officers want to see that you have a plan in mind, a specific one for how you plan to use your MBA.
Luke Ruszkowski –
I used the Princeton Review online classes. I was required to meet at a specific time online with the rest of the students. This helped me stay engaged and accountable. I found the professor to be very helpful and accessible. I would have like a little bit more review of the assigned material along the way to make sure that I did it correctly but understand there was a lot to cover so we needed to move quicker.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Missouri - St. Louis
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would say make sure that the timing is right. Most programs require a few years of work experience before applying and they are right. This experience makes the world of difference to the way that you view problems and overall classes.
Drew Markel –
The book was an excellent baseline review for incoming GMAT students. It’s not going to instantly launch you into a top 10 school, but it thoroughly covers the basics ever student should have before testing.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Auburn 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Compare, contrast, and control costs: Have a list of 5 well thought out schools you can see yourself attending. Know what you want out of a program and why. Start with your top 2 schools and if you get in great! You don’t have to waste time or money applying to additional programs you didn’t love. Be wary of promises and numbers. A 50% increase in salary means very different things for a newly graduated business major vs. a software engineer going back to school for management. Additionally, if tuition is cheap, but you need 6 additional prerequisites, you may be out more money than you realize. Always double check and run your own numbers, it’s good practice for an MBA anyway. Don’t neglect state schools, local programs, or online options! Not everyone goes to Harvard or Wharton, and thousands still have long, fulfilling careers with MBA’s from a variety of institutions.
Travon Johnson –
Sooooo!!! the Princeton Review, when I had first purchased the book it was a lot to take in. But with the online that was all I needed. They literally had a weeks course you could us to get you started and familiar with the material that was going to be on the exam. What I was surprised at was how informal they were just so much information. In the end it was all worth it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Entrepreneurship 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
MBA application advice: Fill out everything and make copies of every piece of paper you are sending of. School Advice: Do not PROCRASTINATE!
Robert Riche –
I really enjoyed this product and I believe it will prepare you excellently for the writing portions. My only complaint would be that the math differed on the actual GMAT enough that it caused issues with my final score. I knew I would be taking the GMAT twice so it wasn’t too big of a deal.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
North Carolina State University & 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Find a school that meets your work-life needs. There is still a negative stigma regarding online schools, but I travel quite a bit for work and a normal class structure wouldn't fit what I needed to succeed. Additionally, try your hardest not to put yourself into debt with an MBA program. There are quite a view schools that have low tuition rates and even offer in-state tuition for out of state students.
Jessica –
I loved the course. The best part was learning strategies for eliminating wrong answers. There are going to be some questions that you don’t know the answer to, plain and simple. If you can eliminate one or two answers, you have much better odds of selecting the right one. This was a huge relief, because I no longer felt like I had to learn EVERYTHING before I took the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UNM Executive MBA, Class of 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
You are more than your test score. Build on yourself as a whole person.
Kelly Libka –
I felt that the Princeton Review prepared me adequately for the GMAT (I took an in person class). I did not enjoy my specific instructor, but being in class and learning strategies and shortcuts for the test was extremely helpful. Practice tests felt a little harder than the actual test, which I appreciated. One thing I would have benefited from is a practice test experience- I ended up paying to take the test twice and it would have been nice to understand the routine of the test before taking it the first time.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA Anderson 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early! Once the GMAT is over, everything else is easier. Also, talk to as many students from your schools of interest as you can. They have been through the application and decision making process already and can offer good advice!
Jeffrey Cary –
The insight to how the GMAT is written and where to effectively move the needle is well considered. The Princeton Review does a great job of helping you find gaps in your study and ways to effectively close them. The sample tests reflect the actual GMAT very well and when I took the actual exam I scored even higher than I had been testing at. Great tool for improving your score.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ASU Professional Flex Class of 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The application was very straight forward and easy to give full complete answers. My advice to other applicants would be don't hold back! Tell the school your hopes and dreams for your future, this is where the gold is.
Jessica –
I really liked Princeton because it explained different strategies in approaching the test. They also provided flashcards.I just wish there were more practice exams.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Pepperdine
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
When writing your admissions essay give real life scenarios where you have learned from them.
Grace Stone –
Helpful overview of the test. I found it broke down the subject very logically and made the process less overwhelming.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Wharton 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Really focus on your essay and interview! They want to see the real human being behind the GMAT score as well (I know that sounds overused, but it's true).
Lauren –
I used the self-paced online course and increased by GMAT score by 90. I had all of the information that I felt I needed to be prepared and access to plenty of practice tests. I followed the study plan that was provided, and while I was consistently busy, it never felt overwhelming.
If you’re looking to improve your score but don’t want to spend too much money, this is a great option.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Darden, University of Virginia - Class of 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do your research ahead of time. Your application will reflect if you've done your homework on the school, plus it will help you figure out if you will fit in with the school's culture. Don't be too narrow in your search and base everything on rank.
Eury –
Great educational materiel. I appreciated how thoroughness of the material. It covered all topics.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Bentley University, 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Preparedness is key to success.
Maria Camila Alba Abad –
When I was prepping for the GMAT I got recommended to use The Princeton Review. They said it was a great way to get practice and prepare for what the test was going to look like. I took advantage of all the different tools they have on their website. I felt like it broke down the sections, and it explained what the test was looking for in regards to the different concepts. It had really good reviews, that help refresh contents I hadn’t seen in a few years. It gave you strategies on how to read the questions and get through the test with ease. It is a lot of material, so you need to give yourself a proper amount of time and schedule accordingly so you can succeed on your exam. I would recommend it to anyone interested on taking the GMAT. I scored higher than any of my practice test!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Texas State University - MBA -Human Resources Management 20
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I recommend making time to find the school that suits your needs. You need to visualize your future, think about your current situation, and find a way to align both. Once you've found the right school for you and it comes time to apply, allow yourself to have plenty of time to sit down and complete it. Go over all the requirements, one thing that really help me was making a checklist and marking it off as I went through the process. I also suggest reaching out to the community, most schools will have a team of people that can guide you with the steps required to get into their program.
Cara Marrero –
My instructor Lily was fantastic. I used Princeton review for both my GMAT and GRE exams to get into my first choice MBA program. The courses were definitely worth the money spent.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Delaware Masters of Business Administration - Predicted Graduation 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Spend a significant amount of time researching the right program versus applying aimlessly to try to get in. Also know what specialization you want to choose prior to applying. Many programs differ between specializations available. Know that everyone is feeling the competitive pressure, but the hard work will eventually pay off.
Jonathan Forte –
I found the Princeton Review to be vary helpful in my prep work for the GMAT. They provided some vary practical advice for test taking and also included several online tests that I found especially helpful. There is also access to an online community that I found to be vary helpful in getting my questions answered. Overall I would strongly recommend them.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Masters of Business Administration 2020 Graduation year
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply to many different schools and look for online programs.
Rachael Schmitt –
I thought this was very helpful! I went at my own pace and it flew by!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Trinity College Dublin, 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself!
Duane Williams –
Very structured approach, especially when doing the online class. Although my classes were 9-12am this gave me and additional prep for MBA evening classes. Nonetheless very simple strategies to test taking as well as solving problems.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
If given the option to write a personal statement, please do so! This a great way to show yourself and speak your heart on why you want to advance yourself entering graduate program.
rachclj –
The Princeton Review live online course for the GMAT delivered on what it advertised. I was very satisfied with the structure, teacher, and the results I received by going through the program. I took the GMAT once and did not have to re-take it! My score enhanced my application and I was accepted to both Columbia and UCLA’s full-time MBA programs.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA Andersonn 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would definitely recommend the Princeton Review's live online course to anyone planning to apply to business school. The live online course helps keep you accountable and stick to a timeline to prepare for the exam. Beyond that, I found the classes valuable as the teacher walks you through various question types and provides you with tips and strategies to approach them.
Wai Lam Kwong –
The Princeton Review has been helpful in providing tips on preparing for the GMAT test and business school applications process. I followed several strategies to improve my chances of being accepted to my choice of business school. I am grateful for this resource and I believe that other prospective students will find Princeton Review to be beneficial in getting into their dream business schools. Also, it is reassuring that they guarantee your scores will improve or a full refund of tuition, and that there are qualified instructors to guide you.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
American University
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Prepare well ahead of time and ensure to conduct careful, in-depth research of all the possible resources available to you. Take advantage of customer support to ask all necessary questions. Be open minded.
Shrirang Ajvalia –
The course was taught in a hotel conference room with a great instructor. The instruction and curriculum was very clear. The major benefit of this class was it was a smaller size and we reviewed strategies to complete math questions faster. I noticed the classmates were in different score ranges. I think the class could have benefited more by being around those who are in your score range. The instructor was very diligent and made time for additional office hours to meet with students. The practice tests were also very indicative of the real GMAT exam. I also found the practice test scoring and answer explanations were helpful.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Rutgers University / 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take the time to find the right program for you which has resources and professors in your intended field of study. For example, if you are interested in social entrepreneurship there are many colleges with professors who are advisers for major social good businesses and non profits.
mbastudentasu –
The Princeton Review test prep was helpful. They covered all of the necessary areas of the GMAT. I felt prepared when I took the exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
W.P. Carey School of Business / 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I spent a considerable amount of time writing my essays. Be concise and be yourself.
Emily Schenck –
The Princeton Review provided me with strategies to help me receive the score I needed on the GMAT!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
SUNY Oswego/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
My advice for an MBA application would be to get an early start. Start sooner than recommended, you’ll feel great once everything is done!
Anni –
Princeton Review really helped me prepare for the GMAT. Prep included detailed problem breakdowns and ample practice to do well. Highly recommend to individuals considering business school.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Georgetown University / 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Practice practice practice for the GMAT and do enough research on the schools you're interested in by program. You may find interesting curriculum and student activities that appeal to your future goals.
dg –
Princeton Review explains things really well and gives a great intro to different test prep strategies. However, I noticed on their GRE practice test books there were multiple mistakes in the practice test questions.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Harvard Business School 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be honest and talk about what motivates you.
Cody –
I used the self-paced review and really enjoyed it. The program did a good job of preparing me for the test. I highly recommend beginning early and not taking the test during the period that you’re putting together the rest of the application materials. It is too much! Spread out the pain.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Stanford '20
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Again, don't apply and take the test at the same time. It is too stressful! Take the test early, don't be afraid to take the test again, and study off of a variety of materials to get a well-rounded look at the test itself, which is a little funky.
Ahmed-Hani El-Sharkawy –
I used the princeton review to study for my GMA. I was on a time crunch and had to get ready for the test in only 2 weeks. The material helped me understand what kind of questions would be asked and how I should attack them. I was able to efficiently go through the questions, eliminate wrong answers, and figure out the correct choice. The material really helped with the tips. I do not think I would have been as successful without this material. I would definitely recommend it for anyone studying for their GMAT. It will make sure you are fully prepared and ready to go!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Michigan
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you do a good job with your personal statement.
Julie M –
I had less than a month to prepare for the GMAT, a full-time job, a family to care for, while I was also on the job market. The Princeton Review offered me the flexibility and cost I needed to practice and prepare. I especially appreciated the analysis given after I’d taken the practice tests. This thorough look allowed me to focus my limited time toward strengthening exactly the skills to improve my score. I was then able to use the modules to practice those areas that would make the most impact on my score.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Wisconsin Evening MBA/2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
When applying for your MBA, be sure to let your particular story be the focus of your essay. The business world is primed and ready for leaders with diverse backgrounds. Show how your specific perspective, fortified with a business administration education, will strategically serve goals beyond personal gain but for greater community value as well.
marketing2019IU –
I did my prep with The Princeton Review. As someone who is not the best at standardized tests, I was impressed with The Princeton Review’s thorough materials and found their practice exams to be at the same level as the actual GMAT. The prep came with 7 full length practice tests, I believe, which came in addition to the course packet and 1000s of practice questions. I worked with a tutor for about 25 hours. The tutor was at the Premier level, so while she was expensive, she helped raise my score over 60 points. The individualized tutoring was definitely worth the money, as she was able to catch the mistakes in my thinking when we would work together on problems, which likely would not have happened in a 15 person class.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Kelley School of Business/Indiana University/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
While test scores matter, also consider putting ample time into your application as well. Everyone applying to business schools, or at least the majority, have great test scores and grades, so take the time to spell check, and have multiple readers critique your essays. Tell a story in your essays, and don't be afraid to tell your story! Find out what the culture of each school is and tailor your essays accordingly rather than sending the same essay to each school.
Blake –
I thought the Princeton Review did a decent job of reviewing the simple topics of the test but did not provide good strategies for answering the more difficult questions, especially in the math section.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Michigan Ross /2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
see above
Ally –
I took a 4 week online prep course through Princeton Review. If you have the option, I would not recommend this length of course because the homework load becomes very high, on top of working a full-time job. I had class 2 nights each week, but I believe there are 8 week options where you only have class 1 night per week, which seems much more manageable. An 8 week course unfortunately didn’t work with my personal schedule at the time. But the course itself was very helpful, and the prep materials included were very useful. I enjoyed the organization of the coursework – jumping between quant and verbal to review each area in each class. We also did some review on the Integrative Reasoning, which was helpful as most of us hadn’t seen that before. We didn’t cover much writing, but based on the importance placed on that score most people were fine with that. The one criticism I have for this course is that there were multiple times when instructors didn’t show up for office hours, which was very frustrating. Office hours were offered a few times each week, and when I logged on to some no instructor was present, only other students. This is an incredibly helpful service to include in the course, so TPR needs to track the instructors better so that they always have one present.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross/2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I took a 4 week online prep course through Princeton Review. If you have the option, I would not recommend this length of course because the homework load becomes very high, on top of working a full-time job. I had class 2 nights each week, but I believe there are 8 week options where you only have class 1 night per week, which seems much more manageable. An 8 week course unfortunately didn't work with my personal schedule at the time. But the course itself was very helpful, and the prep materials included were very useful. I enjoyed the organization of the coursework - jumping between quant and verbal to review each area in each class. We also did some review on the Integrative Reasoning, which was helpful as most of us hadn't seen that before. We didn't cover much writing, but based on the importance placed on that score most people were fine with that. The one criticism I have for this course is that there were multiple times when instructors didn't show up for office hours, which was very frustrating. Office hours were offered a few times each week, and when I logged on to some no instructor was present, only other students. This is an incredibly helpful service to include in the course, so TPR needs to track the instructors better so that they always have one present.
John C –
I highly recommend taking the Princeton Review in person class. It helped me in ways, especially with the mathematical portion, that I would never had been able to do on my own. Would do it again.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
IESE / 2020
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be honest, highlight any leadership roles and experiences that portray you as a well rounded candidate. Do your research and make sure your values match the University's!
Tess Bradley –
I think that the GMAT test prep was extremely useful for me because I took the time out of every day to at least study for 5 minutes. One of the hardest parts about the GMAT is keeping all of the information fresh in your mind while still trying to cover everything. By making sure that the information was fresh in my mind and reviewing everyday, I was able to retain the information that I needed to keep. Take as many practice tests as you can in a realistic environment. And make sure you stay on time and don’t get cocky when you’ve completed a section but still need to go on to the next.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I think that the best advice I can give is to be confident in why you're getting an MBA and why you want to be there. Preparing for the GMAT is of course important, but confidence will take you places you've never thought you could go.
Hannah B. –
I chose the Princeton Review because it’s what I already knew. The book I used was thorough, and I put my trust in using the strategy. The vocab section was seemingly exhaustive, though I used a few other apps for on the go practice as well. I went through my book twice fully, and read a few sections multiple times. You have to put in the work to get what you need out of it, and was hoping for practice problems a little more difficult, but all in all, it was a good choice.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
EAE Business School / 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time. The best thing you can do is realize that your first draft is your first draft, not your last. Learn the vocab, brush up on the logic. Take a deep breath, and dive in.
Deepa George –
The Princeton Review was extremely helpful. I had used another review guide along with this review and the question difficulties were no were near similar. I felt between the two Princeton did a much better job giving real scenarios that we would see on the actual exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Georgia State University- still attending
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Differentiate yourself during your interview, whether it be related to your academics or personal.
Beth23 –
The Princeton Review was extremely helpful in my preparation for the GMAT. The book is organized very effectively, from teaching you what to expect on exam day logistically to giving you plenty of practice questions. Most importantly, you get to do two practice exams that are very similar to the actual test center experience. That was probably the most helpful component of my exam preparation.
Furthermore, this book made it easy for me to organize my study plans and focus on what I needed help with the most. Given that I had not done some of the math on the exam for ten years, that was my biggest hurdle. The Princeton Review laid out formulas, including which ones you need to know and which ones you don’t, and plenty of drills to get you comfortable with the questions.
I was able to score a 690 on my exam, exceeding my personal goal, so I really had a good experience with this test prep.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Georgia / 2019 (Expected)
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be honest with yourself about your goals in getting your MBA. This action will help inform what kind of school you want to attend and the tuition you're willing to pay for it. On a micro level, it will also make it easier for you to write your application essay and ask for recommendations.
Malik Martin –
Princeton Review did a phenomenal job preparing me for the GMAT exam. I was super confident going in to take the exam. I highly recommend Princeton Review if you want to get a good score on your GMAT exam. The practice tests gives you a good idea of what to expect when you go take the test. Princeton Review has a name that speaks for itself and is not as mystery as to why. There the best, hands down.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
St. Johns University, class of 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Going to business school and pursuing and MBA is one of the most rewarding choices you can make in your life. The key is choosing the right MBA program that fits your needs and goals. Take your time choosing the right MBA program for you. Ask lots of questions and go visit the schools you are considering.
AT –
I recommend taking the GMAT more than once. The first time provides a good baseline and focus points.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Texas A&M / 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I recommend starting the essays at least three months in advance. Write the first draft and then come back to it in a month with fresh eyes and a new perspective. There are always areas for improvement.
Emilio G. –
So I used the book and the 2 free online tests that were included in the book. I also used the GMAT’s site tests as well. The Princeton Review was awesome! It really helped me tackle the Data Sufficiency problems in the Quantitative Section. I should have taken all the free tests available, I probably read more than I should have. And should have just been taking the test over and over again. But the book is a great resource, super smart people who wrote it. Basically the P.R. puts you in the mindset of the test writer and allows you to have hacks of completing the test. My best advice and where I messed up was the test day, I took the Essay and Integrative reasoning first(don’t do that). I really should have taken the Quantitative and Verbal first. By the time I got to them, I was drained mentally, even with the quick 8-minute break I got in between. Not gonna take the GMAT again, cause my school has already accepted my scores, but I could have done a lot better if I took more of the practice tests and did Quantitative and Verbal first. Best of luck to you!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Texas A&M- Commerce / 2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Fortunately the school I have been accepted into is not super competitive, cause I got in. Obviously if I applied to a harder school, my work experience would be a big consideration, the organizations I belonged to, my undergrad GPA, and ofcourse the GMAT score, would have all been taken into consideration. My advice, do really well on the GMAT.
Manny –
princeton was a great tool for me. I didn’t have much time to prepare and princeton review does a great job of getting to the point
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Rice/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early, be diligent and thorough
Alexa –
It was the most unhelpful class.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Michigan/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
N/a
Emily –
princeton review was great – i found that the practice tests were more challenging than the actual gmat, so was over-prepared, which was good
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Stanford GSB 2018
Renia –
princeton review was a great way to prepare myself for the gmat. the weekly practice exams were very helpful along with test preps from the book which you can practice yourself at home. the class didn’t have very much people in it which made communication and interaction with the instructor very useful and beneficial. the instructor was very encouraging and was able to answer all my questions in a way which i was able to easily understand. i definitely recommend those who are planning to take the gmat to PREPARE themselves by taking a course through the princeton preparation. I felt much more confident after taking this course.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
california state University northridge / 2010
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Practice practice and practice. after taking the quizzes and learning the material, time yourself once you feel you are comfortable to do so. practice the material and practice timing yourself to make sure you are able to beat the clock.
online evening learner –
I completed 27 hours of live online coursework with the princeton review. my instructor was incredible. he was very knowledgeable an had all the standardized test scores to prove it. in addition to knowing the test well, he was also a very patient teacher, taking the time to schedule extra sessions and talk with students one on one over the phone if they wanted. i think the coursework was well structured and i can’t recommend my instructor enough!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Georgetown/ 2020
yan ZENG –
Princeton Review IS a great preparation tool FOR ME. I USED IT ALMOST EVERYDAY. They offer weekly practice exams along with helping to keep you on track. BEFORE I USE PRINCETONG REVIEW, I WAS REALLY LOST BEFORE I ACTUALLY HIT IT. PRINCETON REVIEW ALSO INDENTIFY WHAT IS GOOD AND WHT IS BAD FOR YOU. TO ME, IT WAS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. IN ADDITION, I LIKE THE 1 ON 1 SESSION, WHICH KEEP ME FRESH. The amount of work is DEAL with SOMETIMES IF YOU HAVE A TOUGH FULL TIME JOB. but IN THE END, IT IS STILL WORTH IT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
ADD OIL
JMerz –
While the review was expensive, the individualized attention certainly helped me develop my skills. Most of the work was done by me outside of meeting with the tutor, but the sessions were always helpful.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Duke University Fuqua School of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Connect with as many people to find out if the school is a good fit. Don't forget, it's just as important that you like the school as it is that they like you!
Kwachau –
I chose Princeton review in 2013 because it was close to where I lived, it offered a weekend course and I found the instructor very engaging. I’ve sat in others where I instructor put me to sleep so I highly recommend people to sit in the first class. I felt that the instructor was great but Princeton did not offer enough material to prep. There was the standard official GMAC GMAT book that you can get on Amazon and 2 workbooks from Princeton – one in class workbook and one for prepping before a class. Those two workbooks seemed very minimal to me compared to the entire set of books from Manhattan or veritas where you have an entire book to drill down on specific areas. The online practice tests were pretty standard as well compared to other test prep companies out there.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ucla Anderson 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Look up essay questions from last year as they do not deviate much. Start drafting stories before the real essay questions are released. Call current students to get a better understanding of the value of the school. Breathe and good luck!
Erin –
My preparation that was given to me was first class. I was able to get a very firm grasp on what the test would be like before I walked in to take it. I also was taught how to handle a situation where a question comes up that I don’t know the answer to and how to work through it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Notre Dame / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself. Do not just give answers you think admissions want to hear, be truthful to who you are.
StanfordStudentDS –
I ended up getting a private tutor through Princeton review and it was extremely efficient. I highly, highly recommend this- you can get the same amount of help for ~the same price (if you only do 1 hour/week) and you spend far less time in class.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Stanford GSB 2017
Craig –
I used the Princeton Review GMAT preparation materials and found them to be the best place for starting my studies and gaining a very informative introduction to the GMAT exam. Other resources that I tried to use at the start seemed overly complicated and did not give me as clear an explanation of the basic concepts and structure of the GMAT. The Princeton Review preparation materials were very easy to use, organized, and provided some very useful tips and tricks to increase speed and accuracy in solving problems. I highly recommend their resources in preparing for the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
W. P. Carey School of Business
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself. Not all MBA programs are alike and being authentic with who you are and the unique skills that you can bring to a program will help you to stand out. Also, make sure to have some people review your application materials before you send them off in order to get valuable feedback on how you are presenting your story and to make sure that you have highlighted key aspects of your experience and education. Your resume, cover letter, and answers to essay questions (where applicable) all give you the opportunity to show your strengths - and will hopefully open the door to an interview with a program. So make sure you put in your time not just on studying for the GMAT, but also on preparing your other resources as best you can.
Thommy X Santiago –
Good review and focused instruction.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Tepper School of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start the process early. Prioritize admissions requirements. Don't just focus on a single requirement; e.g. GMAT scores, while paying no attention to others like essay or interview prep. Lastly, have others review your paperwork or allow at least 3 self-reviews in different days before formally submitting. Don't allow mistakes speak on your behalf.
Charles –
Princeton Review was a great preparation tool. They offer weekly practice exams along with helping to keep you on track with math and verbal concept reviews. They also helped you focus on what areas will improve your score the most. I signed up for a small group class which was even more helpful as we got a lot of 1 on 1 instruction with the course proctor. The amount of work is tough to keep up with (along with the 2 classes per week, each 3 hours long), but it is undeniably worth it come exam time!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Tepper / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take as many practice exams as you can. Book problems don't increase in difficulty as you get them right; the practice exams are much more useful.
Ankur Maiti –
I used the study material from Princeton and the classroom course. The classes lay a good foundation and preparation material has all different levels of difficulty to assess your score. The practice tests are harder but they prepare you for the main day well. The people are professional and they provide good advice to the students. Please prepare from the Official guide after the classes and then go for higher difficulty questions if you have the time and patience. It also depends on how much score you are aspiring for. Overall, Princeton has been in business for a number of years and have a good database to help students well.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Paul Merage/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start Early. Have a short list of safe schools, ok schools and hard to get schools. Talk to students already studying there and alumni from the school. Ask them about opportunities in areas where you want to work and assess whether that is the kind of opportunity you are looking for.
Will Stockert –
The Princeton Review GMAT course that I took while in Chicago was extremely helpful. It helps get used to a classroom setting and also helps you coordinate how to properly take the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself, even if you are a uncommon candidate. This is often a way to stand out amongst a sea of qualified people. And have fun!
Yusuf Hai –
Overall, very good and structured program!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan (Class of 2018)
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get it done, lay it all out, be sincere and it should all work out!
Gurpaul Thiara –
I used the Princeton Online Review session to prepare for the GMAT. Like usual the Princeton review in general was good. I use it across all my subjects, like all AP tests. And once again for the GMAT it did not fail!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ASU
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Leave the door open for anythings. Get your work experience in and keep your grades up and the possibilities will be endless.
Michael –
This helped me a ton in preparing for the GMAT test. Very straightforward with key tips and insights.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Mississippi State University 2014
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply to as many schools as you can.
Jackie –
I took both GMAT and GRE practice tests on the Princeton Review site. It was nice to take the tests for little to no money! The GMAT practice test was free of charge and I paid only $4.99 for the GRE test.
Some useful features of the site were the ability to retake the tests and view results to previous practice exams. The practice test results allowed you to view which questions you got correct or incorrect, click on individual test questions to view your answers, and see the correct answers and reasoning.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, 2012
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
My advice for MBA applicants is to determine first if your prospective graduate program/s accept test scores from either the GMAT, GRE, or both; if they accept both, I'd encourage you to explore both tests to decide which one is the best fit for you.
In my case, I researched the similarities and differences between the exams, such as the structure, timing, and costs associated, and followed this research by taking practice exams for each test format. Based on my practice test results, I learned I may be more successful in taking the GRE opposed to the GMAT.
Erick Campos –
The Princeton Review Practice tests were extremely helpful. I needed the most help with pacing, so taking practice tests helped me pace myself.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCR, 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Study hard for your GMAT! And make sure your letters of recommendation are valuable and relevant to the program you are applying for
Julia Oppenheimer –
I really enjoyed The Princeton Review test prep, because the book was worded in layman’s terms. I have found with other books, the writers tend to use technical jargon much too often. This is not only not helpful, but counter-intuitive. Why would they use the terms that we haven’t learned yet to teach us those words? The Princeton Review does a wonderful job of making the test more accessible and less frightening.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Houston / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
As far as advice goes, I am not sure that mine will be extremely useful, as I only applied to one school (to which I was admitted). Nevertheless, I believe that in today's world, the essay section is taken very seriously. In the past, the applicant's GMAT were the "make or break" factor, but many programs have realized that by admitting primarily BBAs, they are ending up with a class full of people who can understand accounting, but can't write a paper to save their lives. I would encourage applicants to use their university's writing center to ensure that their essays are grammatically and stylistically sound.
Carson Preece –
This was the only study material I had for the GMAT and I was able to get a score over 580, which was enough to get into my college of choice. After not being in school for 3 years, this was a great help in learning the style of questions as well as providing a refresher for some subjects and material I may have forgotten.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Mississippi State University / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you are comfortable with your GMAT scores and have your peers review your essays for any errors.
Michael Kaminski –
I used the Princeton Online Review session to prepare for the GMAT. The most useful part of the course were the practice questions and the simulated exams. Princeton does a nice job with this set up on their website. I can guarantee I wouldn’t have scored very well during the real exam if I hadn’t prepared online in a simulated testing environment, it was critical! The material that they cover is exactly what you would expect, standard GMAT topics. However, the course wasn’t focused on teaching you new material, you should already have a strong foundation to build on in the current topics. (There is an adequate amount of reviewing material in the book) Taking the GMAT is more about being a strategic test taker. Princeton Review hits on this as their central theme in the course and certainly does deliver.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Opus College of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Visit your potential schools! Meet the admissions counsel and current students. Try and attend a class if you can. There were two options in my location that I was considering and made the choice, not based on my application status, but I made the choice based on meeting the people who were currently involved with the program. Picture if you can see yourself in that position in that place, because an MBA takes work! You'll want to be comfortable. Good luck to all, cheers.
David –
I am very satisfied with the Princeton Review prep book. I normally use multiple books to study for a test but this time I only used one. The prep book had a plenty of practice problems and provided very helpful tips on taking the test. I scored well above my goal.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Spears School of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Don't wait until after you finish taking the GMAT to start your application process. Don't limit yourself to one school.
Laura –
I like that you are able to choose between different tiers that adapt to your learning methods. it is a reliable and efficient tutoring option that helps get you into the next step of your education.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Rutgers University/ 2012
Andrew Singer –
I actually used their free test prep along with some hand me down books. Their practice tests were spot on. Of course I scored higher on the practice than my actual test, but the free prep was incredible. I could not afford the private tutoring, but my score got me in my school of choice. Thanks Princeton!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Delta State 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Study long and hard for the GMAT, but remember your experiences and resume go a long way. Make sure not to forget the resume, as it is almost as important in admission as your test score.
Nailea Large –
The GMAT test prep with Princeton Review was excellent. It was not difficult to create a schedule and follow along, I can say that I struggled most with the reading section but the reviews had enough variation in questions that I was able to really hone in on what I was doing wrong. The website was very helpful, I enjoyed all of the video learning and the live chats also came in handy.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Central Florida/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The most common thing I heard from my friends and that I experienced was getting too cocky with what I thought I knew the most. Treat every section equally and work hard on every aspect of the exam. This will ensure that you get enough practice in on each section and get a well rounded score.
Patrick –
TPR was an effective course. I used the online resources, mostly in the evenings after returning home from work from a demanding consulting job. I found the flexibility to be among the most valuable components of the course. In particular, the math sections were the most helpful for subject-specific components, and the teacher I had was an excellent guide to common and recurring tips and tricks. Wish the course had been more personalized and specific, but perhaps I could’ve gotten that from the in-person course.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Stanford Graduate School of Business / 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Give yourself enough time to take the GMAT multiple times. Apply first round.
Ethan Hall –
The Princeton Review staff/teachers/materials were all very professional and helpful and directed at one simple goal: helping me get the highest possible score on the GMAT with the most targeted approach possible. I will caution any potential users/customers that this is not an education in how to be a smarter person in math or in your language skills. For that, get a tutor or a library card. Princeton review is practice for the big game. I went into my GMAT with more confidence, less jitters, and a clear understanding of what I should expect to see on my test. Ultimately these strategies and tools gave me a fighting chance and I was able to ‘beat’ the testing algorithm and come out with above a 700 on the exam.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Owen Graduate School of Management / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take the GMAT as many times as you need to in order to get at least a 700. It pays off when you start seeing the scholarship offers rolling in. The extra $500 netted me over $50k in merit based scholarships at my program.
In the application process, size up the school and think about it from the admissions perspective. They are building a class of MBA students and you need to think about what you bring to your cohort. Don't flatter yourself - really ask 'what makes me worth that seat in the class'?
BRIAN NEALE –
I utilized the Princeton Review in-person format.
TPR does an efficient job of helping students manage GMAT preparation by way of a fixed schedule in advance of test date. The in-person course’s value is maximized when students are self starters and able to be prepared for each weekly class by completing the previous week’s assignments and by pre-reading the upcoming week’s learnings. TPR not only familiarizes students with the GMAT, but it provides a variety of different strategies to approach answering common GMAT problem structures.
I liked TPR because its instructors recently took the GMAT and helped tailor the TPR experience to what worked best for each student in the class. Learning about alternative strategies to employ to approach common problem types helped me feel prepared to tackle any type of problem on the exam.
Access to copious amounts of retired GMAT questions and practice exams.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
FUQUA / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Have completed your final attempt at the GMAT at least 2 months prior to your initial application deadline.
Jennifer –
I really enjoyed the Princeton Review course. I thought it did a good job of preparing me for the actual exam. The test prep offered a sufficient number of practice tests, which I felt were actually harder than the exam itself. I was sufficiently surprised when my actual GMAT score was 80 points higher than my last practice exam. I scored above a 700 using the Princeton Review prep course.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Temple University Fox School of Business/2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Don't focus too much time or get caught up on just one part of the application. While GMAT scores are important, be sure to think about making your application well-rounded.
Andrew DiBello –
The Princeton Review was helpful at getting me back in a standardized test taking mode. It had been over a decade since the last time I took a standardized test and they definitely helped me to get in to the mindset I needed to be in to do will. I scored over a 700 and was very happy with my results
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Jones School of Business - 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself is my biggest piece of advice. Business schools are not looking for automatons they are looking for unique individuals that can bring something to the table that no one else can.
JoAnna –
Unless you are going to have private tutoring, the prep book from the Princeton Review is sufficient. I did not feel like the classroom setting aided my learning. It only served as a mandatory time slot dedicated to practicing for the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
USC- Marshall/ 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Find the program that is most closely aligned with your career aspirations. Don't worry too much about the rankings or reputation of the school. Find your fit.
Ivelisse Defreitas –
The practice questions were very close to what the exam questions asked. If you can master the practice questions they provide in time, then you won’t have a problem with the GMAT. I used the questions they give you for free along with another source’s book and did fine. Make sure you can figure out the math questions and not just memorize the answers and the test will be a breeze.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Arizona - 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure your application is not just about your score. Ensure it shows who you are as a person, what you have learned from your past experience as a student, and what you look forward to as a student. Colleges don't just look at your score and make a decision from that, they look at your application as a whole. So if you have a low GMAT score, make sure you have a strong application with strong letters of recommendation and you shouldn't have a problem getting in to your dream school.
Daniel –
Useless. Too simple. Doesn’t teach anything that will get you 720+. Pass if you’d like to get into the top programs.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Wharton 2015
Juhin Rajani –
I had great experience with Princeton review because I was the only one in my class and I got one on one attention from a great tutor.
He really taught me great tricks and made gmat classes more fun. He was tough on me when he needed to be and really cared about how I did.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
TBD
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I would apply to a range of schools but also figure out schools where you can stand out. Sometimes the brand isn't as important as where you fit in.
Nidhi Goyal –
The Preparation Material is very comprehensive and if you give your 100% you can definitely achieve your desired score. The classes are very flexible hence, its required to keep a discipline and work everyday. Also, a tip will be to see the changing trend of the actual test and be prepared for a totally different structure.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Keep an eye on the discussion forums online predicting the next exam pattern.
Do work on your weak areas and polish your strengths, No one Test Prep Team can guarantee a success, at the end it's your focus and dedication! Good luck!
Peter –
Overall the Princeton Review’s GMAT course was very beneficial and I significantly improved my score from the first time I took the GMAT. Although I found the PR’s GMAT practice tests to differ from the actual GMAT somewhat, I was fully prepared and achieved a score satisfactory to get in to the school of my choice. The quantitative strategies are excellent, but the verbal strategies will make your score shine as the verbal section is the most challenging for most test takers.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Oklahoma / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Have fun with the application process and always be honest with everything you submit. Relax during the interview.
Catherine Spruill –
While The Princeton Review Prep course was thorough, it didn’t help me to actually see where I was truly lacking expertise. The program worked as advertised however I felt like it was less intuitive than expected. I did have to go over the process more than once to ensure I had set it up correctly for off line use. I liked the method for questions and for the essay preparation. If I were to start the process for studying for the GMAT all over I would still use Princeton, but I would also ensure that I looked at other products and determined if there were other/better ways to prepare.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Utah Eccles School of Business
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I found that while I scored well on the test, being a Humanities undergrad left small gaps in my preparedness for Business School. I would suggest while applying to school acknowledge those weaknesses and address the steps you are doing to fill them.
Kelly –
The GMAT test prep course had access to many questions and to various prep materials, both manuals and online material. There are plenty of practice questions, exercises and tests to work off of. The instructors will be available to answer questions even outside of class time. Techniques used to answer questions are the same regardless of instructor, but some instructors will have extra guidance and advice. Overall the class is very well organized and structured. There are some other classes that will teach you the fundamental math and verbal material. I felt Princeton review focuses more on the right techniques to answer the test questions and how to answer them as quickly as possible.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Cornell/2010
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
There was very little MBA application advice as the course was focused on the GMAT.
Mariah Alexander –
I ordered the Princeton Review GMAT Book with online resources. It was helpful and allowed me to attain the score I desired. However, I believe their online website could use some work. It doesn’t work well with all operating systems and it doesn’t always make sense. There should be more digital practice sessions, rather than just whole tests. It would be much more helpful to receive feedback on each type of question in a desired section rather than having to take a whole new practice test to see if you’ve improved on some of the question types.
The Website should be better, considering the test is entirely computerized. We should be moving away from the 900 page practice books and more towards stronger online resources.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Fill out the application first and take the GMAT after you've got your name in line for scholarships.
Chris S –
I enjoyed using the self-directed/self-study course. if you have the discipline to work on your own, want to be at your pace, or have specific things you want to only focus on, it was the perfect course. Questions were spot on and I felt very well prepared for the actual exam. My real score was very close to where I was testing based on the practice exams.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Fuqua 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get to know the schools well. Don't chase a brand name. The most important thing is that you want to be there, and the only to know that for sure is to visit, get to know the rising SYs, and get to know your future classmates.
John –
I found some of the test-taking tips helpful, but the content covered in the courses and study manual was geared more toward applicants who were going for GMAT scores in the 500-700 range. I found that a lot of the content related to the “tougher” 700+ level questions were not covered anywhere in the manual. The instructor was very helpful in providing additional help as needed, but I ended up buying the Manhattan study guides, which were much more comprehensive and useful (particularly on the math section) for people shooting for scores in the 700+ range.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Berkeley Haas 2015
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I recommend not taking the GMAT at the same time that you're applying to schools. I took the test a year before going through the application process and was happy that I didn't try to tackle both at the same time. I'd also recommend taking the GMAT relatively soon after finishing undergrad if you know when you want to go back to school. As the years pass, it only becomes tougher to get back into the studying/test taking mindset :)
Ali –
I felt for the price I paid, this was a decent preparation course. I got a score about what I had hoped for. The material was easy to follow and self paced. The practice tests were about par with what the test was.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
DePaul University, 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Best advice is to just sit down and start. The hardest part of the GMAT for me was the math section, the sooner you begin to practice, the easier your High School math skills come back to you.
Heather A Hellmuth –
This course helped increase my score by 150 points. It was helpful to go over strategies with a small group. Lots of resources/practice available. One negative: The practice test scores weren’t well aligned with the actual test scores.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago Booth School of Business / 2017
Joseph Dumas –
Good test prep, REALLY accurate practice tests.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Booth / 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Put in the time to study for the GMAT. You can learn the test in a couple of concerted weeks.
Jenna –
Comprehensive materials and the practice test were helpful to prepare for the actual exam. My scores on the practice tests were very close to what I got on the actual exam. I would take an many practice tests as possible. I did wish that there were more difficult questions on practice exams, to better prepare for the actual exam, but that might just be my personal preference.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UW Foster School of Business 2015
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Find a way to make your passion and interests shine through in your application so you stand apart from the rest.
Emily Larkin –
Princeton review is (arguably) the most reliable prep for the GMAT. They have effective and up to date practice tests, as well as excellent explanations for each section of the exam, and what to expect. You learn about the details of phrasing within questions, and where tricks may be hidden. I would not have received as high of a score without this test prep.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Willamette University - Atkinson School of Management/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Don't settle and don't put in half of the effort. Send in your best application.
Scott –
If possible, take the GMAT classes at an accelerated pace to get your feet wet and be fully exposed to exam structure. Then, identify your weak areas and work on those with the additional problems found in the workbook. If that doesn’t address the score, seek one-on-one tutoring to really identify how to improve your strategy and overall performance. Take advantage of the Princeton Review staff for additional resource outside of the classroom. Specifically, they might know someone who has insight on how to apply to the school you are seeking. Definitely their advice of visiting the exam location before the big day.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Wisconsin / 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
If you are having a hard deciding between schools, visit the campus and seek out current students who can give you the most up-to-date outlook.
Tom Kozlowski –
I felt my class prepared me well for the GMAT. I took an accelerated class, so didn’t do as much of the take-home work as I should’ve due to time constraints. I found my instructor very helpful, and very willing to help out one-on-one.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago Booth 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself, make sure the real you shines through the application. Visit the campus and meet as many current students as possible to get a feel for the place. Most importantly, once admitted, attend the admit weekends to see whether you click/get along with the other admits - you'll be with them for the next two years! It'll also help you get a feel for the types of people the school admitted for that year.
Priya –
Good prep, comprehensive material. Terrific for verbal, math could be more rigorous
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago Booth 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Focus on all aspects of the application. Learn about the ethos of each school beyond just what is on the website
Vaibhav Grover –
I found the Princeton Review GMAT Test Prep really good. I really recommend Princeton’s book for easy interpretation of concepts and online module for practice.The practice questions were graded on variations of difficulty and it prepared me to score competitively. The Study material were an integral part of my study sessions and the methodical approach helped me understand the questioning technique of the GMAT. The Princeton Review GMAT Test Prep helped me improve my study techniques as well.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCI / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
For any dream should apply, you should apply as early as possible. That dramatically increases your chances of getting in and Higher scholarship. Do not apply to just one or two schools and research about the alumni community of the school.
Zach –
I would highly recommend taking their larger size in person class. Helps to work through the problems with other people. Make sure to do all the practice test you can get your hands on. I believe when I took this class I had 8 practice tests available and I timed myself while I took 1 a week. Great teachers and really enjoyed the class. Would not have scored as high on the GMAT without it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Visit all the schools you are interested in before you apply. It is expensive, but it gives you something to talk about in the essay and shows dedication.
Don Martin –
The test prep material was easy to follow and very relevant. I would recommend for students in the process of studying for the GMAT.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Chicago/2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Take your time on the essays. This is the first place where you are able to express your individuality and strengths.
Jennifer –
This is a good way to ease back into the material tested but the material is very sparse and on the easier side. I would recommend this only as an intro to refresh yourself on what material will show up on the GMAT. Once you get the material, I suggest looking for more difficult problems online and in other test prep books since you will likely see those on your test if you want a higher test score.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chapman University 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply early and look at the different application round deadlines. Any school that is on the top of your list, apply to these in Round 1 or Round 2 at the latest. You want to increase your chances of getting into the school. Do not apply to just one or two schools and do your research on the academic aspect and alumni/networking capabilities of the school.
Tejas Choksi –
TPR, Score Plus Kuwait gave extra ordinary help and guidance to students.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Weatherhead School of Management, May 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Keep your documents ready as per website requirements and feel free to reach out to students or admissions for questions. They are all incredibly helpful!
Poulomi Sarkar –
I followed the program and its material to the tee. It was an easy course to follow because it was divided into sections and helped organize my practice. What was important was to pace the course and give yourself enough time to incorporate the feedback and practice more as you get to higher and more difficult levels.
On my GMAT I scored very close to what I was scoring during the practice tests and therefore I can say that its pretty accurate. The questions on the practice test were also quite similar to what I practiced, so not many surprises there.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Tepper School of Business 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Try to apply in earlier rounds.
Do a thorough research on the school you want to attend and see if you'd be a good fit.
Try to bring your personality across in your application.
Greg Camacho –
Princeton was a pretty good reviewer to use. What I liked about it was that it prepares you to take the exam by offering practical tips. It breaks down the structure and format of the GMAT exam and offers advice that will help you pass. The coverage is complete though not as extensive as other reviewers out there. In any case, it offers enough value to be worth your purchase.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Said Business School - University of Oxford / 2015-2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Talk to current and past MBA students. It really depends per school. Also, try to apply in the earlier rounds. It's better to not rush and take your time.
Bernard K. O’Brien –
I found the Princeton Review GMAT Test Prep to very thorough and concise. The practice questions were graded on variations of difficulty and it prepared me to score competitively. The book and DVD were an integral part of my study sessions and the methodical approach helped me understand the questioning technique of the GMAT. The Princeton Review GMAT Test Prep helped me improve my study techniques as well.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Florida A&M University/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start off early in the application process, be patient and thorough. This application process is "your resume" for B-school and take the approach of highlighting what you the applicant can add to the MBA program as well as what you want out of it. Have all your references, personal, professional and academic, established and ask with as much advanced notice as possible for their submission to the B-school(s) of choice. Do not allow the time it takes to apply to frustrate you as well.
Jon Muncher –
The Princeton Review Test Prep materials helped me get a higher score on the GMAT. The practice tests and questions were graded on levels of difficulty, which allowed me to get an idea of how difficult the test would be, while also preparing me for the progressively harder test questions. The only issue I had with the prep materials were the numerous mathematical errors on questions I knew to be incorrectly calculated. Perhaps newer versions have less errors, but my only copy had several mistakes that made it difficult to know how accurate my scores were.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Carlson School of Management / 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Visit your top choice school first to get an idea of what you're looking for, then ask around in the admissions department and graduate community to get a feel for the class style. Realize you are building a network of future advisors and positive referrals, so make a good impression by dressing to impress during your visits and admissions interview. If you're not good at talking yourself up, practice! Don't beat around the bush: be proud of your achievements and explain your ambitions so others can see your passion for success.
T –
I found the Princeton review material to be incredibly helpful. This was the only material I used to study and I got the score I was hoping for. Buying the book and studying on my own let me go at my own pace and cover everything I needed to.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Mizzou/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early and do your research!
Jon –
I bought the book and studied on my own. I found the book (+ DVD) to be pivotal in my prep. It taught me tips and tricks, while suiting my study style.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Attend open houses and class demos to fully get a feel for each school, and ask the necessary questions. Cater your application accordingly. Budget 6 months if you want to score very well; I feel 3 months is cutting it close if you're an average studier and test taker.
Evan Adler –
I had a small group class even though I paid for a large group which was nice. My teacher was very knowledgable and walked us through the various tricks for each type of question. He helped go over questions from practice tests and made time for us. I ended up raising my score by about 200 points.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross School of Business / 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Highlight things that you are passionate about and be yourself. Write how you really feel about your career aspirations, not what you think they want to hear.
Kyle Goulding –
The testing software worked as advertised. The questions were on point and properly prepared me for the GMAT. I found it odd that I actually scored much higher on the actual test than I ever did during preparation. Though I suppose that this is a good thing, it does make it difficult to forecast the expected outcome from the team test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Michigan 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
The real differentiator is your resume and experience. Keep this in mind as you apply to business school.
Kaleb –
Overall, a solid course. You get out what you put in.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross/2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Enjoy the process as much as possible.
Rob –
Took the class in the Pittsburgh office. Review was comprehensive and extremely helpful. Internet dashboard was very helpful and provided sufficient study materials to support classroom learning.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Smeal/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Apply to multiple locations
Jodi –
The Princeton GMAT prep course helped me achieve the score I wanted and get into my MBA program. You have to be disciplined enough to do the work, but the effort is worth it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Utah/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Meet with the MBA advisers at your school of choice. They can give you suggestions specific for you and your background and help you be the best prepared for your MBA application and experience.
Mark Sherman –
I purchased the online Gmat prep ~$500. All prep courses are expensive and this definitely held true, but if you are serious about achieving a high score it is worth it. The online course gives you the flexibility of focusing solely on one subject/skill, or practicing an entire test. I would definitely recommend it. The only caveat is that you have to know yourself, are you obedient enough to study on your own? If so, the online class is worth it.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern - 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself. Schools really do look at the whole profile and not just an individual test score.
Brian Karp –
Online classes were ok, but sometimes teacher wouldn’t show up or would end class early. Concepts were more how to do well on multiple choice exam as opposed to the concepts behind the questions. Practice exams weren’t good and need to be supplemented with other exams. Overall, I would not recommend the Princeton Review to anyone.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
NC State University
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be yourself and have fun with the process.
URIEL GUADARRAMA –
I didn’t think it was very good. The scheduling was a nightmare and the online help was useless. I would suggest that you spend more money and try someone else.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I didn't think it was very good. The scheduling was a nightmare and the online help was useless. I would suggest that you spend more money and try someone else.
Sarah shenk –
Good sessions, but definItely need to also take practice exams on mba.com
MBA Program & Grad Year:
WhaRton 2016
Amanda C. –
I enjoyed how thorough the Princeton review test prep for the gmat was. I felt like it really broke down the subjects very well, and really prepared me for test day. I also enjoyed the access to free videos I was able to access after purchasing the book, and the practice tests were true to what I experienced on the test.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
North carolina state university, 2017
Prithvi Somasundaram –
Great coaching, but their practice test are not well ALIGNED with the actual gmat.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Michigan State University
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
it is all about presenting your case in the best possible way