Best GMAT Prep Courses

Choosing the right GMAT prep course can make a significant difference in your business school journey.

With a variety of options available – each offering unique features, teaching styles, and resources – this guide compares the best GMAT prep courses to help you find the perfect fit for your learning style, schedule, and goals.

In a nutshell, here's a roundup of our review:

• Target Test Prep GMAT: Best for students aiming to master Quantitative concepts.
• Manhattan Prep GMAT: Best for learners who thrive on a challenge.
• Magoosh GMAT: Best for budget-conscious students looking for flexibility.
• EMPOWER GMAT: Best for students stuck in mid-score ranges, who would benefit greatly from tactical strategies.
• PrepScholar GMAT: Best for students who want a personalized guided approach, but don’t need live instruction.

GMAT Prep Courses Comparison Table

Best GMAT Prep Course In 2026

1. Target Test Prep GMAT Review

Target Test Prep offers a rigorous and thorough GMAT course that comprehensively covers everything you need to know for the GMAT Focus Edition.

From the well-explained lessons to the numerous tips, tricks, and test-taking strategies, this course is designed to progressively build your knowledge and skills, emphasizing consistent gains by learning topics from first principles.

TTP is very informative, concise, and to the point, but without bogging you down with unnecessary details and information.

Just as well, you have an almost inexhaustible supply of practice questions – especially in Quant, and these do a great job of preparing you for the GMAT exam.

While the platform doesn't give you any full-length tests, TTP’s practice questions are pleasantly challenging.

They do a great job of resembling the actual GMAT in terms of question format, wording, and the content tested, hence providing realistic practice for the real exam.

The best part though, has got to be the answer explanations provided by Target Test Prep.

Each practice problem within TTP’s GMAT course comes with a crystal clear answer solution and I must admit that these are really well done as well.

By offering both written answer explanations and video solutions, each answer solution gives you plenty of effective strategies.

There is excellent guidance on how to approach questions and eliminate wrong answers, but additionally, TTP’s answer explanations teach you how to think like the test maker so you can best understand how the GMAT works.

Target Test Prep prides itself on being an innovative test prep company, and this is evident in the numerous valuable automated features included within its GMAT course.

From the detailed error tracker to the regular reviews, and robust analytics, this course is not only designed to make your learning as effective as possible but also helps reinforce good study habits.

At any point while using TTP, you will always know exactly what you need to be working on, and also how far you are from your target GMAT score.

Your performance is analyzed at a very granular level so you can receive detailed feedback on exactly where your strengths and weaknesses lie, and which areas hold the greatest room for improvement.

But the icing on the cake has got to be how incredibly responsive the TTP team is.

They promptly respond to any queries within an hour or two and are always eager to help you out with whatever challenge you may be experiencing.

I simply cannot emphasize enough how efficient Target Test prep is in giving you the most thorough GMAT prep experience.

It takes quite a considerable amount of time to get through this course though, so when you opt for TTP, be prepared to put in about 3-5 months of focused GMAT study time.

2. Manhattan Prep GMAT Review

Manhattan Prep, powered by Kaplan, has a very comprehensive GMAT prep course neatly organized in an easy-to-follow task-based syllabus.

One unique aspect here that you do not find in any of the other GMAT test prep companies is that the Manhattan Prep course includes access to GMAT prep books.

In total Manhattan Prep's GMAT gives you 5 books: All the Quant + DI, All the Verbal, Foundations of GMAT Math eBook, GMAT Advanced Quant eBook, and The GMAT Official Guide.

All the Quant + DI, and All the Verbal constitute Manhattan Prep GMAT's Strategy Guide Set, which is quite possibly one of the best options out there, and a renowned go-to for many test takers.

The 2-book bundle comprehensively covers each of the GMAT sections and makes for a very powerful study resource whereby the books strike a good balance between content review and test-taking strategies.

These detailed guides are well-written and even contain a great selection of practice problems.

Better yet, Manhattan Prep has done a great job of integrating these books within their GMAT course curriculum.

Aside from the excellent GMAT books, Manhattan Prep’s video lectures are a gem as well.

Forming the bulk of your GMAT study resource within this course, the video lessons are very interactive and engaging, complete with cartoons that keep lessons light and enjoyable, yet easy to understand and memorable.

The way these video lessons are structured really helps you grasp the material being taught.

Manhattan Prep’s tutors are really knowledgeable in their subject matter and this is clearly evident not only in the on-demand video lessons but also within the live online classes and even the private tutoring.

Aside from their GMAT expertise though, all the instructors are very personable and did an excellent job of keeping the teaching sessions fun, interesting, and vibrant.

As far as practice materials go, Manhattan Prep provides a ton of practice questions, and the course includes multiple full-length, computer-adaptive practice exams that closely simulate the real GMAT.

Better yet, this program's answer explanations are very good, in that they are very detailed and well-explained, truly helping you grasp the essence of that particular question.

Lastly, you are bound to love Manhattan Prep’s student forum where you can ask questions and interact with other like-minded individuals who are similarly preparing for the GMAT exam.

3. Magoosh GMAT Review

Magoosh GMAT is famed for its affordable pricing.

Current public pricing has shifted by plan and promotions, but Magoosh remains one of the lower-cost full GMAT prep options in this roundup.

In spite of the affordable price tag, this GMAT self-study course comes packed with a ton of valuable course materials, with their incredibly well-done answer explanations topping the list.

Every practice question in the Magoosh GMAT course is followed by a detailed text and video explanation.

Considering that most GMAT test prep courses do not provide video breakdowns for their answer explanations, this is one area where Magoosh truly stands out.

The video solutions really help you to see the different strategies and approaches being applied in real-time, therefore deepening your comprehension and understanding of not just the subject matter, but the various GMAT test-taking strategies as well.

Magoosh’s video lessons are a handy study resource too.

Covering both content review and test-taking strategies, these bite-sized lectures contain solid teaching points and actionable takeaways ensuring you fully grasp the material at hand.

A little improvement could be made to these video lessons to make them a bit more visually engaging with graphics and illustrations, but nonetheless, as far as content coverage goes these lectures are very helpful and informative.

Not to mention that their short length is highly advantageous as well.

While other GMAT courses tend to breeze past the Verbal section, focusing more instantly on Quant and Data Insights instead, Magoosh actually places a good amount of emphasis on Verbal.

This makes it a particularly great fit for international students for whom English is a second language.

As far as practice goes, Magoosh’s question bank has some really nice filtering features that allow you to get very targeted practice.

All in all, despite the low price tag, Magoosh actually offers a very solid, very well-organized GMAT course.

4. EMPOWER GMAT Review

The Graduate Management Admission Test is largely a mental exam, and seeing as this is the case, hence why EMPOWER gmat takes a more strategic approach to your GMAT prep.

This online GMAT course leverages the predictability of the exam, to provide efficient tactics and time-saving strategies so test-takers can answer GMAT questions in the most efficient ways possible.

Right off the bat, I will mention that this GMAT advanced course is perhaps better suited for high achievers who have a solid grasp of the GMAT basics, and now simply wish to learn tactics that will help them cross over the 655 GMAT score mark.

The tactics, strategies, and techniques taught within EMPOWERgmat do a great job of providing valuable insights into the workings of the real GMAT exam, helping you efficiently maneuver certain aspects of this test.

The entire point of this course is to help you develop a keen understanding of the GMAT’s nuances so that you can tackle the exam better, knowing exactly what the test maker requires of you.

You get to learn handy GMAT skills such as how to make correct guesses, how to quickly eliminate the wrong answer choice and verify the correct one, and even how to discern which questions are worth solving, skipping, or guessing.

EMPOWERgmat is full of effective time management tactics, fully teaching you the best way to approach the various GMAT problems.

While their Verbal tactics are pretty solid, EMPOWERgmat’s Quant approach is highly effective, and you are bound to see massive score improvements even if this section is your weak area.

The inclusion of both text- and video-based lessons is a nice touch that allows this program to flexibly cater to all kinds of learners whether you prefer to watch a video lesson or read on the subject matter instead.

Additionally, this course has a good assortment of practice questions sourced from the GMAT Official Guide for the most realistic practice, which is great.

However, we particularly like the video answer explanations of the various GMAT Quant question types.

Providing clear explanations of both the correct and incorrect answer choices, EMPOWERgmat’s well-done step-by-step breakdowns are sufficiently comprehensive and very easy to follow.

All in all, this is a sufficiently detailed GMAT prep course with a ton of handy strategies and tactics to get you through the GMAT exam.

If you are a little weak in the GMAT fundamentals though, and perhaps need more in-depth content review then this might not be the best course for you.

5. PrepScholar GMAT Review

PrepScholar prides itself in its adaptive GMAT prep program that automatically shifts to suit your exact abilities with regard to your strengths and weaknesses.

Their algorithm constantly analyzes your progress and changes your study plan on a daily basis so that your assigned work and lessons reflect the GMAT areas that hold the most room for improvement for you, specifically.

This adaptive format is really great for accelerated learning, ensuring that you make the most progress in the shortest amount of time possible.

Providing an assortment of skill lessons and strategy lessons, PrepScholar’s video lessons are infused with diagrams and interactive examples that really help to drive the point home.

Better yet, their instructors are highly knowledgeable, and throughout the lesson, you can truly tell that they are proficient in the GMAT in terms of both subject matter and test-taking strategies.

The step-by-step explainer videos are really helpful, comprehensively breaking down even the most complex GMAT concepts and strategies into easily understandable, easy-to-follow steps.

The quality of practice offered by PrepScholar is quite commendable too.

Each lesson is followed by a targeted quiz containing 10-20 practice questions, and these quizzes are adaptive too!

When you do well on a quiz, PrepScholar assigns you consequent quizzes that have a higher difficulty level for that particular skill or altogether prioritizes giving you quizzes that test other skills that you are not doing as well on.

On the other hand, when you fail to do well on a quiz, the same quiz will appear again on your dashboard in the next few weeks, so you can give it another go.

In this case, the questions in the quiz may be different, but they will still be at the same level of difficulty, and cover the same skill as the initial quiz.

PrepScholar has included a few accountability features within their GMAT course, which is really great for self guided prep.

The friendly email check-ins from the PrepScholar team, and the detailed progress reports all help you to remain accountable in your studies ensuring you stay on track with your GMAT prep and get additional help if and when you may need it.

Overall, this GMAT course does a great job of ensuring you are being challenged at just the right level and making good progress in the areas that hold the greatest room for improvement.

What Are The Top Features To Look For In A GMAT Prep Course?

There are plenty of GMAT courses in the market and that’s a good thing because what suits you might not be a good fit for another learner.

So rather than blindly going for the ‘popular’ course that everyone seems to rave about, it would be prudent to keenly analyze your options and settle for the course that best meets your study needs and aligns with your learning style.

What are some of the key elements you should look for in a GMAT course?

Course Coverage

When you take a look at the course syllabus or study schedules, does the course actually cover what you need?

If you are weak in Quant then you will need a course that covers that section particularly well. If you are lacking in foundational knowledge then you will need a course that focuses on content review.

If your content knowledge of the GMAT subject matter is impeccable then perhaps you are better off with a course that heavily leans towards teaching strategies and test-taking techniques.

Whichever the case, make sure the course you choose sufficiently meets your study needs and addresses your areas of weakness.

Study Materials

Most online prep courses come with a variety of prep materials suitable for all kinds of learners. But still, you need to ensure the material within the course aligns with your study preferences.

For instance, if you are a visual learner, you may struggle using Target Test Prep for content review because they have test-based lessons and not video lectures.

If you tend to lose focus easily while studying, you may be better off with a course that offers short bite-sized video lessons of about 10 minutes long, rather than having to sit through an hour-long lecture.

Instructors’ Proficiency

Is the course taught by instructors who are high GMAT scorers? How well do they seem to understand the GMAT in terms of the subject matter and test-taking strategies?

Are they engaging? Do they provide explanations that are clear and easy to understand? Does their teaching style and approach suit your learning style?

These factors are particularly important if you are signing up for live online instruction or in-person classes, but they are also still crucial considerations even when taking the self-study course option.

A lot of GMAT instructors tend to be active on many GMAT forums, you could start from their posts and see if their responses and articles are to your liking.

Practice Material

Does the course give you a good amount of mock tests and practice problems or will you end up running out of practice work barely a month into your test prep?

Of course, the larger the question bank, the better off you will be. But the quality of practice matters too.

How representative are the practice problems of the real GMAT exam? Does the course make use of the official GMAC practice tests and real questions from previous official GMAT exams?

Test prep programs that provide computer adaptive tests are highly advantageous in giving you realistic practice for the actual test.

Progress Tracking

Does the GMAT course give you detailed feedback on your performance as well as track the progress of your test readiness as you progress through the course?

After taking practice tests, are you receiving actionable feedback on where you are falling behind and remedial measures you can take based on areas that hold the greatest room for improvement?

Whether taking a self-paced online course or receiving live classroom instruction, it is crucial for GMAT students to receive detailed feedback because otherwise, you wouldn't have a clue on where you stand, and how ready you are to face the actual exam.

Tutor Support / Customer Support

If you get stuck on a certain concept you simply cannot seem to understand, or encounter a challenge in the course of your exam prep, does the GMAT program provide the option of reaching out to the team for assistance?

How soon do you get a response back?

Best GMAT Prep Course FAQs

How Much Does A GMAT Prep Course Cost?

How much you pay for a GMAT prep course will depend on a variety of factors such as how long you wish to access the course materials, your desired mode of study, and even what it takes to achieve your target GMAT score.

These courses vary widely in pricing. You could pay under $100/month for strategy-focused plans like EMPOWERgmat self-study, while premium tutoring packages across providers can run into the thousands.

Are Online GMAT Prep Courses Worth It?

Yes, online GMAT prep courses are absolutely worth it for the following reasons:

• Provide great structure and guidance therefore taking the guesswork out of your studies.
• Compile all the necessary study materials into one handy program.
• Provide proven test-taking strategies and helpful advice from GMAT experts.
• Give ample representative practice for test day.
• Help you polish up on your GMAT content knowledge.

All in all, the best online course will prove to be an invaluable investment, significantly improving your chances of getting the kind of high score that will get you into reputable business schools.

Can I Combine Multiple GMAT Prep Courses?

Yes, it is possible to combine multiple GMAT prep courses, if you have the time, and money to spare.

However, this is not an advisable approach as you may be left feeling more confused than you were starting off. Not to mention that it may simply end up being an unnecessary waste of time as you shift your attention between various prep tools.

From experience, it is advisable you just pick one program and stick to that for the entirety of your GMAT prep, perhaps supplementing any gaps with extra study materials, and not an entire other course altogether.

How Long Should I Study With A GMAT Prep Course?

How long you spend studying for the GMAT will depend on the specific individual.

On average, it is advisable you spend between 2-4 months studying with a GMAT course while prepping for the exam.