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Should You Take a Prep Class?
| Pros |
Cons |
| Inexpensive when compared to post-grad salary |
No revolutionary test-taking secrets |
| Time-saving |
Good self-preparation materials are available |
| Professional assistance |
Cost |
| Motivation |
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When looking into taking a test prep class, you have a couple of options. In the United States,
Kaplan and The
Princeton Review are well-known companies. In Europe, there are a few more choices. The most prestigious option is
Manhattan Review, which offers courses
in London and continental Europe including Germany and Spain. There is also ClubIvy in Madrid.
Over the recent years, those companies also started to offer online courses. Some of them only provide
canned recorded lessons while others offer both real-time online instructions and recorded lessons.
When you shop around, look for those good and proven online technology platforms since transmission
speed and voice crispness may have a big impact on your learning experience!
Test prep classes can be an effective, efficient method of getting ready for your exam.
As competition for top business school admissions increases, more people are turning to
professionals to ensure that they are prepared for the test. Read the following breakdown
of the pros and cons of attending a prep class. If you do decide to attend a class, be
sure to read our page on how to get the most out of your course!
The Pros of Attending a Prep Class:
- Test prep classes are an incredible bargain - When you compare
the cost of the test prep class with the extra amount of money you'll earn
by graduating from a top business school, you'll realize that the cost of
the classes is really a drop in the bucket. Average starting compensation
at the top 5 business schools is over $100,000 (courtesy of U.S. News & World
Report). However, for graduates of the next tiers, compensation falls dramatically.
In fact, most of the schools in the top 50 sport compensation in the $60,000-$80,000
range.
- You're looking at up to a $40,000 difference
in compensation in just your first year out of school! Furthermore, the
gap in salary actually
increases after that! When you look at it in this light, you'll see the courses
aren't as expensive as they seem.
- Some test prep courses are so efficient that while you do still
have to shell out a bit of cash, you don’t have to spend hours every
week in the classroom. Some of the top test prep companies offer weekend
courses that prepare you just as well, if not better, than the traditional
courses, which are spread over many weeks. Look into a weekend course if
you’re interested in saving time and money, while ensuring your future
success.
- Guidance - One of the most important reasons to take a
class is that you'll have an instructor to show you how to prepare with the right
study habits. This will be extremely important if you've always been one of those
people who struggled in any particular area. For example, if algebra has always
given you nightmares, having someone there to help you can be priceless. Taking a
course can give you the self-confidence you need to not get discouraged during
your preparations. And that will help you to shine on exam day!
- Also, self-studying a particular area of the test might not be feasible for
you especially if you've struggled with either quantitative or qualitative problems
in the past. It is important to make sure that the person who guides you is a
professional academic. Learning from the best ensures that you will prepare the best.
- Motivation - Taking the GMAT is difficult. Having someone to start you
off on the right foot and guide you though your preparation can make all the
difference on the test day. Having someone to turn to, who will answer your
queries will surely keep you from getting discouraged along the way.
- Everyone studying for the GMAT wants to go to a top business school.
And the fact is, very few will achieve this goal. Are you willing to let another
candidate for admissions get a head-start on you? When your decision letter comes
in the mail, having that extra study-boost could mean the difference between admission
and rejection.
The Cons of Attending a Prep Class:
- Will they reveal top-secret techniques? Not all claims made by
test prep companies should be believed. Pay close attention because what
we’re about to tell you will make some people at the test prep companies
very mad. The techniques that you will learn from Kaplan
and the Princeton Review's test prep classes are really not much different
from what you can
get by buying the test companies' $35 book. Virtually all of their "secret
techniques" are revealed in these books and even though the classes
might go more into depth in certain areas, there is very little new earth-shattering
material. So, if your reason for taking a class is to get access to testing
tips that no one else can get, you're probably doing it for the wrong reason.
- Cost – Make sure that any course you decide to take provides
you with all the practice materials you will need. Some don't provide you
with everything. You could be looking at well over $200 in expenses in
addition to the prep class. Just make sure that you select the right course so you
won’t have to shell out additional cash for things they don't provide.
In a perfect world, you would be able to afford all the materials and the prep
class. However, we understand the budget constraints of most people studying
for the GMAT. Heck, that's why we designed this site!
Did you make up your mind yet?
If you've decided to take a prep class, be sure to check out our
advice for how to choose a prep course.
Also, make sure to come back to our site. There's a lot of stuff on this site
which will augment the benefits you get in your classes. Look forward to
GMATTutor.com as the one thing you won't have to pay for!
| All contents ©2008. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form. GMAT and Graduate
Management Admission Test are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).
ETS is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service. GMAC and ETS are unaffiliated with and
do not endorse this website or its conents. All other trademarks are the sole property of their respective
owners. |
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