While GMAT (or GRE) preparation is not EssaySnark’s primary expertise — we are EssaySnark not GMATSnark, after all — we obviously want to help you be successful in this important part of your application as well.
There are a wide range of test prep providers that you can research. However, just like with the market for admissions consultants, we don’t offer opinions on GMAT companies — there’s some good, some bad, and some ugly. You’ll need to do your own research. One tip though: When you ask your friends which test prep company is good, try to figure out if your friend’s personality and study style are similar to yours. If your girlfriend who landed a 3.8 in chemistry at Princeton says Company X is good, well, that might not be so relevant if you are an art history major!
The other advice we can offer is that if you’re trying for a top MBA program, you should probably take the GMAT rather than the GRE. We go into the reasons why in a variety of posts on the blahg; here’s a slightly more recent one from 2017.
Here’s some additional GMAT-related articles:
- ($) GMAT/GRE waivers: Should you request one?
- ($) Do the schools look at all your scores?
- ($) So this is interesting… Since we’re talking about competition for MBA seats and what it takes to get in.
- ($) What if a high GMAT score is a liability?
- ($) How do you evaluate GRE scores? Is “GRE combined” a thing?
- ($) “My test score expires this year. Do I need to retest?”
- Really sorry but we’re not done with the effing GMAT people yet.
- Oh how interesting! The GMAT people think the GMAT is a good thing!
- ($) Why you can’t really rely on class profile data in understanding your own chances
- ($) What if you took the GMAT when you were still in college…
- ($) Should you take the Executive Assessment if you’re trying for a top MBA program?
- ($) Demystifying the differences between the GRE and the GMAT in MBA admissions
- ($) Is it possible to take the GMAT or GRE too many times?
- Trying for H/S/W? Why “Is my GMAT good enough?” is not the right question.
- ($) “What can I do to improve my chances?” GMAT edition
We’ve also published a few articles on other sites:
- 3 Truths about the GMAT on BusinessBecause (May 2013)
- How GMAT Prep Sets You Up for Success in Your MBA Essays on the Magoosh GMAT blog (April 2013) (which is not to say you can’t nail the test just fine with self-study!)
And some recommendations from BSers who’ve gone before:
- qshdz recommended the McKinsey Problem-Solving Test to study for Integrated Reasoning
- bschool2013 recommended GMATHacks , a free site with study tips
If you have free resources that have worked for you, please pass them along!