The Best Graduate Management Test Prep Resources
Updated October 10, 2023
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Studying for the GMAT will help you develop familiarity with the test, master strategies and skills, and ultimately earn a higher score.
The graduate management admission test (GMAT) exam assesses analytical and critical thinking skills divided across four different sections. The top MBA programs use GMAT scores to predict success in business school.
Like the GRE, the GMAT emphasizes verbal and quantitative reasoning. However, the GMAT also includes an integrated reasoning section that requires complex problem-solving skills. Test-takers also critically analyze arguments in the analytical writing section.
The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), and scores remain valid for five years. Students can take the test up to five times in a 12 month period, with a lifetime cap of eight tests. After taking the exam, test-takers can submit their scores to MBA programs. The GMAT exam costs $250.
Preparing for the GMAT takes time, but it doesn't have to be stressful. This article introduces the GMAT test and explores resources to help students boost their scores.
Exam Format
The GMAT contains four sections: analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. The test measures critical thinking, analytical skills, communication, and reasoning skills. The analytical writing and integrated reasoning portions allow 30 minutes each, plus 62 minutes for quantitative reasoning and 65 minutes for the verbal reasoning section.
In total, the GMAT takes around 3.5 hours to complete, with the option to take two breaks. This computer-based test adjusts questions to become easier or more difficult based on your answers. Test-takers can choose from three different orders in which to complete the four sections.
Scoring
After taking the GMAT, students receive one score for each section, plus a total score. The quantitative and verbal sections award scores from 6-51. The analytical writing assessment provides a 0-6 score, including half points. The integrated reasoning section awards a score from 1-8.
The total GMAT score ranges from 200-800, with an average score of around 550. Two-thirds of GMAT test-takers earn a score between 400-600. The score report sent to business schools includes both the total score and the section scores.
Preparing for the Test
Your GMAT score can be the difference between gaining a spot at a top business school or receiving a rejection letter, and preparation makes a big difference in your final score.
Most test-takers spend several months studying for the GMAT. A 2016 GMAC survey found that 62% of test-takers spent four or more weeks preparing for the test, and those who studied more earned higher scores.
In addition to learning about each of the four GMAT sections and taking practice exams, candidates should also make a study plan. Creating a schedule and planning out their approach will help test-takers feel more prepared on exam day.
Quantitative Reasoning
The quantitative reasoning section asks test-takers to reason mathematically, interpret data, and solve quantitative problems. The section includes problem-solving and data sufficiency questions. Test-takers need strong logic and analytical skills to answer these questions without a calculator.
The problem-solving section focuses on quantitative prompts. In the data sufficiency questions, learners analyze a quantitative problem and determine whether they have enough data to solve it. These questions rely on formulas, which learners should study before the GMAT.
The GMAT allows 62 minutes for the quantitative reasoning section, which includes 31 multiple-choice answers. Although the quantitative reasoning section does not require advanced mathematical skills, students should brush up on arithmetic, elementary algebra, and geometry to prepare for the test. Strengthening these skills will also help on the integrated reasoning section.
Sample Questions
-
Question
A certain bakery has 6 employees. It pays annual salaries of $14,000 to each of 2 employees, $16,000 to 1 employee, and $17,000 to each of the remaining 3 employees. The average (arithmetic mean) annual salary of these employees is closest to which of the following?
(A) $15,200
(B) $15,500
(C) $15,800
(D) $16,000
(E) $16,400
-
Answer
(C) $15,800
-
Question
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?
(1) k > 4!
(2) 13! + 2 ≤ k ≤ 13! + 13
(A) Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked;
(C) BOTH statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are sufficient to answer the question asked, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient;
(D) EACH statement ALONE is sufficient to answer the question asked;
(E) Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient to answer the question asked, and additional data are needed
-
Answer
(B) Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient to answer the question asked.
Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning section measures each test-taker's ability to read and understand texts, evaluate arguments, and communicate effectively. It does not test students on subject matter; instead, it focuses on comprehension, argument, and communication. This section includes three types of questions: reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction.
The reading comprehension questions present passages and ask readers to interpret the argument, draw inferences, or apply the material. The critical reasoning section assesses students' ability to make assertions, analyze arguments, and evaluate plans. Each question opens with a short reading passage, asking test-takers to assess the strengths and weaknesses of an argument. The sentence correction questions measure language proficiency and effectiveness.
Test-takers receive 65 minutes to complete 36 multiple-choice questions in the verbal reasoning section. Understanding the format and goal of each question type can help test-takers improve their verbal scores.
Sample Questions
-
Question
A museum has been offered an undocumented statue, supposedly Greek and from the sixth century B.C. Possibly, the statue is genuine but undocumented because it was recently unearthed or because it has been privately owned.
However, an ancient surface usually has uneven weathering, whereas the surface of this statue has the uniform quality characteristically produced by a chemical bath used by forgers to imitate a weathered surface. Therefore, the statue is probably a forgery.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?
(A) Museums can accept a recently unearthed statue only with valid export documentation from its country of origin.
(B) The subject's pose and other aspects of the subject's treatment exhibit all the most common features of Greek statues of the sixth century B.C.
(C) The chemical bath that forgers use was at one time used by dealers and collectors to remove the splotchy surface appearance of genuinely ancient sculptures.
(D) Museum officials believe that forgers have no technique that can convincingly simulate the patchy weathering characteristic of the surfaces of ancient sculptures.
(E) An allegedly Roman sculpture with a uniform surface similar to that of the statue being offered to the museum was recently shown to be a forgery.
-
Answer
(C) The chemical bath that forgers use was at one time used by dealers and collectors to remove the splotchy surface appearance of genuinely ancient sculptures.
-
Question
Correct the following sentence:
Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak.
(A) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak
(B) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, which they admit they lack, many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak
(C) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, analytical skills bring out a disinclination in many people to recognize that they are weak to a degree
(D) Many people, willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills, are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak
(E) Many people have a disinclination to recognize the weakness of their analytical skills while willing to admit their lack of computer skills or other technical
-
Answer
(D) Many people, willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills, are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak.
Analytical Writing
The analytical writing section asks GMAT test-takers to think critically and communicate effectively. The section presents learners with a passage that contains an argument related to business or another subject. Test-takers must analyze the reasoning in the passage to critique the argument, noting the weak points and any inconsistencies in the reasoning.
Answering the analytical writing prompt does not require any subject knowledge. Instead, learners must evaluate the reasoning and the evidence in the passage. Test-takers should plan to spend several minutes reading the passage and planning their essays. Make sure to leave time at the end of the section to review your work.
The GMAT allows 30 minutes for the analytical writing assessment. During that time, each test-taker reads one passage and writes one analytical essay. Students can prepare for this section by strengthening their critical thinking and communication skills.
Sample Questions
In this section, you will be asked to write a critique of the argument presented. You are NOT being asked to present your own views on the subject. Specifically,
- Evaluate the argument and plan a response before you begin writing;
- Organize your ideas and develop them fully;
- Provide relevant supporting reasons and examples.
The following appeared in the editorial section of a monthly business news magazine:
"Most companies would agree that as the risk of physical injury occurring on the job increases, the wages paid to employees should also increase. Hence it makes financial sense for employers to make the workplace safer: they could thus reduce their payroll expenses and save money."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion.
You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
The following appeared in a memorandum from the director of research and development at Ready-to-Ware, a software engineering firm:
"The package of benefits and incentives that Ready-to-Ware offers to professional staff is too costly. Our quarterly profits have declined since the package was introduced two years ago, at the time of our incorporation.
"Moreover, the package had little positive effect, as we have had only marginal success in recruiting and training high-quality professional staff. To become more profitable again, Ready-to-Ware should, therefore, offer the reduced benefits package that was in place two years ago and use the savings to fund our current research and development initiatives."
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion, be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion.
You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.
Integrated Reasoning
In the integrated reasoning section, test-takers synthesize information, differentiate relevant from irrelevant information, and solve multi-step problems. The section includes 12 questions and takes 30 minutes. Many questions on the integrated reasoning section use graphs, charts, and other visual data sets.
Students may encounter multi-source reasoning, table analysis, graphics interpretation, and two-part analysis questions. Each prompt asks test-takers to combine their quantitative and verbal reasoning skills. Make sure to practice each type of question to improve your ability to sort and analyze data from text passages and graphics. It's best to take an organized approach to solving the complex problems in this section.
Studying for the quantitative and verbal sections strengthens the skills used for integrative reasoning.
Sample Questions
-
Question
For zoologists studying the behavior of certain species of birds, the critical importance of observing the birds in those species' morefa during the annual breeding season is obvious. Such observation allows researchers to study not only the courtship displays of many different individuals within a species but also the species' social hierarchy.
Moreover, since some species repeatedly return to the same morefa, researchers can study changes in group dynamics from year to year. The value of observing a morefa when the birds are not present, however -- such as prior to their arrival or after they have abandoned the area to establish their nests -- is only now becoming apparent.
Based on the definition of the imaginary word morefa that can be inferred from the previous paragraph, which of the following activities of a bird species must not happen in a location for that location to be the species' morefa?
(A) Sleeping
(B) Occupying the location multiple times
(C) Establishing nests
(D) Gathering together with members of their own species
(E) Territorial competition with members of other species
-
Answer
(C) Establishing nests
-
Question
Refer to a pictograph of a survey of students at Central Community College. Each symbol represents 10 students in a sample of 300.
Use the drop-down menus to complete each statement according to the information presented in the diagram.
If one student is selected at random from the 300 surveyed, the chance that the student will be under 30 or a high school graduate or both is what?
If one student is selected at random from the 300 surveyed, the chance that the student will be both under 30 and a high school graduate is what?
Varies depending on the pictograph
Study Resources
Want to increase your GMAT score? Plan to spend several months studying for the test. Check out the following study resources, which include online classes, in-person classes, web resources, apps, and books. Finding the ideal GMAT resources for your studying style can improve your GMAT score.
Online Classes
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers a self-paced, online GMAT course with adaptive video lessons. Each enrollee completes 27 instruction hours, during which they master key GMAT strategies that can help them increase their scores. The course guarantees at least a 700 score on the GMAT. Students can also add private tutoring to their online course packages.
Duration: Varies
Price: From $399
Kaplan
Kaplan offers a full GMAT course with the option to complete material either live or on demand. Students can access over 140 hours of online instruction, nine full-length practice tests, and video lessons. Kaplan also offers a question bank that adapts to each learner's level.
Duration: Varies
Price: From $599
Magoosh
Magoosh offers an online course with over 300 video lessons, full-length practice tests, and study schedules. Students can acess over 1,300 practice questions and review video or text explanations to understand their answers. Magoosh also draws on data from 200,000 students to offer an accurate score predictor for the GMAT.
Duration: 1 year
Price: $249
Manhattan Prep
Manhattan Prep offers online GMAT classes that include 27 hours of online instruction, six full-length practice tests, and a GMAT strategy guide set. Students use an interactive syllabus platform to engage with courses. Manhattan Prep also offers optional coaching and tutoring packages.
Duration: 9 sessions
Price: $1,599-$1,999
examPAL
examPAL helps students increase their GMAT scores by at least 70 points in 100-120 hours of study. The program's online system studies how each test-taker thinks and uses that information to create a custom improvement plan. This approach helps learners devote their efforts to the areas with the greatest impact on their scores.
Duration: 6 months
Price: $299-$674
Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep offers online courses that keep enrollees engaged in the preparation process. The program uses live, online classes led by top-scoring instructors. Online learners can interact with their instructors live rather than simply watching videos. Veritas Prep also provides a curriculum focused on strengthening GMAT skills.
Duration: 1-6 weeks
Price: $1,399
e-GMAT
e-GMAT integrates data analytics into its courses to help GMAT students improve quickly and learn more efficiently. Learners watch video lessons and take assessment tests to predict their GMAT scores. e-GMAT also offers over 150 hours of verbal and quantitative video lessons.
Duration: 6 months
Price: $349
The Economist
The Economist offers a comprehensive GMAT prep course with customized study plans that do not require additional books or study guides. The online course guarantees a score improvement of at least 70 points and reports an average score improvement of over 100 points. The program relies on adaptive learning to help students focus on their weaknesses.
Duration: Varies
Price: Varies
EMPOWERgmat
EMPOWERgmat offers an on-demand training system that starts with foundational content and offers elite, tactical training. Students can stream on-demand lessons, choose a study plan based on their needs, and track their progress. EMPOWERgmat also provides a 100 point guarantee for its enrollees.
Duration: Varies
Price: $99 per month
Target Test Prep
Target Test Prep emphasizes the concepts, strategies, and techniques students need to earn a top GMAT score. Students can watch 800 instructor-led videos and practice with thousands of GMAT questions. Target Test Prep provides personalized plans to help students build confidence and increase their scores.
Duration: Varies
Price: $99 per month
Math Revolution
Math Revolution offers a 28-lesson, online GMAT course covering 100 hours of videos and over 2,000 questions. Students receive a customized study guide, a comprehensive math review, and advanced test-taking strategies. In addition, Math Revolution offers unlimited math inquiry support.
Duration: 3 months
Price: $139-$199
In-Person Classes
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers in-person GMAT classes that guarantee test-takers a 700+ GMAT score if they start from at least a 620. Students complete 27-47 instructional hours, depending on their package, with a maximum class size of ten students. The Princeton Review also offers a guide book bundle for students.
Duration: Varies
Price: $1,299-$1,599
Kaplan + Manhattan Prep
Kaplan and Manhattan Prep team up to teach in-person GMAT courses. Every instructor scored in the top one percent on the GMAT, ensuring quality instruction. Students receive 27 hours of classroom instruction divided into nine sessions, plus custom, one-on-one assessments and a 13-book study guide.
Duration: Varies
Price: From $599
Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep takes a "learning by doing" approach for its in-person GMAT classes. Students participate in an active and engaging classroom environment with instructors who scored in the top one percentile on the GMAT and have a track record of teaching. Each enrollee receives 36 hours of instructor-led class time.
Duration: 1-6 weeks
Price: $1,399
Local Colleges and Universities
Many local colleges and universities offer GMAT prep classes on campus, where students can receive classroom instruction on the GMAT and improve their scores. Typically, these programs review verbal and mathematical concepts and cover practice questions. The duration and price varies, depending on the location and host institution.
Duration: Varies
Price: Varies
Tutoring Resources
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors offers online GMAT tutoring to help learners strengthen their study skills. Tutors create unique study plans to address each learner's needs and maximize efficiency. In addition to providing tips and resources for exam day, tutors emphasize the areas where learners can improve their GMAT scores.
Duration: Varies
Price: Varies
Thumbtack
Thumbtack lets users connect with local professionals and it boasts millions of customers. Available services include expert tutors, who can help people study for the GMAT. The average price for GMAT tutoring on Thumbtack is $60-$80 per hour.
Duration: Varies
Price: $60-$80 per hour
Tutor the People
Tutor the People connects learners with tutors in multiple subjects, including the GMAT exam. Tutors all scored in the 94th percentile or higher on the exam. This program provides a free diagnostic hour for every tutoring package, allowing students to meet one-on-one with a tutor to design a customized study plan.
Duration: 12-36 hours of tutoring
Price: $799-$2,199
Kaplan
Kaplan offers private tutoring in 10-40 hour increments. As part of the tutoring package, students can access full-length practice tests, prep books, and hours of on-demand instruction. New learners must provide information on their academic background, study style, and goals, allowing Kaplan to create a custom study plan for each enrollee.
Duration: Varies
Price: From $2,499
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers personalized GMAT tutoring from experienced teachers. Test-takers can customize tutoring packages around their needs, including things like test review, optimized prep, or adaptive lessons. Learners also receive a bundle of GMAT books. Select programs offer a tuition guarantee, meaning costs will be refunded if students do not score higher on the exam.
Duration: Varies
Price: From $1,800
Web Resources
Graduate Management Admission Council
GMAC creates and administers the GMAT exam. This council offers many online products and services for test-takers, including a sampler of 90 past exam questions, two free full-length practice exams, and the ability to create custom practice sets. The practice tests draw on past exam questions and use the same scoring algorithm as the actual GMAT exam. Test-takers also receive time management reports.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
GMAT Club
This independent forum uses a question-and-answer format to allow users to share strategies for taking the GMAT. The site boasts over 200,000 discussions on every topic related to the test. Membership is free, and users can redeem reward points for GMAT prep products and admissions consulting services.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Beat the GMAT
This social network for MBA applicants counts over two million visitors each year. The community helps test-takers learn, share, and support each other through taking the GMAT and applying to MBA programs. Members can access GMAT prep and admissions advice, participate in a social network, and join a social gaming community to help take their test prep to the next level.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
GMAT Free by Kaplan
Online resources from Kaplan can help learners experience the GMAT exam through a realistic, timed practice test. Users can see how they score and receive a report on their testing strengths and weaknesses.
These free resources include two-week access to instructional videos and practice questions for each GMAT test section. Kaplan uses a test-like interface on its practice materials to build confidence.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
PrepScholar GMAT Blog
The PrepScholar GMAT Blog provides tips on mastering the GMAT exam, strategies for test day, and an exam day checklist. Posts cover GMAT logistics, preparation tips, mastering the essay section, resources about business school, and the admissions process for MBA programs. The blog also covers what GMAT scores you need to gain entry into different MBA programs and a series of free eBooks to help you prepare for the GMAT exam.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Books
GMAT Official Guide 2020 Series
The official GMAT guide, published by GMAC, includes over 1,000 questions, a verbal review book, and a quantitative review book. Each book contains actual GMAT questions from past exams, granting students an inside look at the test. Readers can also access an online question bank to create customized practice sets from the official guide series.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: $50
Kaplan GMAT Complete 2021
Kaplan's 2021 GMAT test prep book guarantees that users will score higher on the GMAT or get their money back. The package includes the GMAT Prep Plus book, GMAT Math Workbook, and GMAT Verbal Workbook, plus over 2,000 practice questions and access to six full-length online practice tests.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: $100
Manhattan Prep Book Package
The Manhattan Prep GMAT strategy guides offer focused, comprehensive instruction in both quantitative and verbal strategy. Students can strengthen their integrated reasoning and essay skills with the book package, which includes detailed instruction and specialized practice questions. Customers also receive six months of access to online GMAT resources, including computer adaptive practice tests and question banks.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: $80
Apps
The Official Guide for GMAT Review
This official GMAC app draws on actual questions used on past GMAT exams. Users can practice with hundreds of official test questions, switch between "exam" or "practice" modes, and visit the game center to post their practice exam results on the scoreboard and compare with other users.
The app also allows users to track their performance on mini-exams and monitor their improvement. Learners can add additional practice questions through in-app purchases.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: $4.99
Available in Apple and Android Stores
Manhattan Prep GMAT
The Manhattan Prep GMAT app includes over a thousand practice questions, multiple quizzes, and immediate feedback to help test-takers track their progress. Users receive statistical analysis for their strengths and weaknesses, helping them focus on areas for improvement. The Manhattan Prep program draws on proven study strategies to raise your GMAT score, including test day and admissions tips.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Available in Apple and Android Stores
GMAT Prep by Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors offers a GMAT Prep app that covers all four sections of the test. Users complete practice and diagnostic tests to determine their current abilities and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. The app helps students build analytical skills while answering professionally written practice questions. Learners also benefit from comprehensive explanations for challenging concepts. The Varsity Tutors app offers a flexible, mobile format to build GMAT skills.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Available in Apple and Android Stores
Bloomberg GMAT Prep
This app uses adaptive learning technology to optimize preparation. The app analyzes each user's progress to provide personalized, targeted recommendations. Users can track their progress on the dashboard and identify their strengths and weaknesses.
The free version of the app includes multiple practice questions in every GMAT category. Test-takers can also access personalized lessons, live tutoring, and expert help.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Available in Apple and Android Stores
GMAT Prep Course by Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep offers 12 comprehensive video GMAT lessons for free as part of its mobile prep course. Users can stream over 20 hours of video instruction delivered by Brian Galvin, the co-creator of the Veritas Prep GMAT course. Students can instantly stream the lessons after registering for the app.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Available in Apple and Android Stores
Magoosh GMAT Prep and Practice
The free version of the Magoosh GMAT app offers math and verbal questions, text and video explanations, and free video lessons. Students can watch tutorials in math, verbal, and writing while tracking their progress. Magoosh also offers tips and tricks for taking the GMAT.
Test-takers can upgrade to the premium version to access additional content.
Duration: 1 year
Price: Free or $249 for Premium
Available in Apple and Android Stores
Ready4 GMAT
The Ready4 GMAT offers full-length practice tests, flashcards, tutoring videos, and vocabulary words. Test-takers can also access text and video lessons through the app, though they may require additional in-app purchases.
Ready4 GMAT uses personalized learning technology to identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on areas for improvement.
Duration: Lifetime access
Price: Free
Available in Apple and Android Stores
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GMAT Really That Hard?
The GMAT can be difficult for unprepared students. The test's quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning sections intimidate many potential MBA students. However, understanding the test's format, taking practice tests, and mastering patterns that frequently show up on the GMAT make it less intimidating and raise your potential score.
When Can I Take the GMAT?
Students can take the GMAT year-round. However, it's a good idea to take the test at least two months before your MBA application deadlines.
Do I Need to Take the GRE?
Applicants to MBA programs generally take the GMAT, but most business schools also accept GRE scores. Explore your prospective schools' requirements to decide which exam to take.
Can I Take the GRE Instead of the GMAT?
Some business schools accept GRE scores instead of the GMAT. In general, the GMAT requires stronger quantitative abilities, while the GRE focuses more on verbal skills. Make sure to check admission requirements for your chosen programs before deciding on what test to take.
What Is a Good GMAT Score?
Most programs consider a 650 as a good score. However, the top MBA programs report an average GMAT score of over 700.
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