There are several types of Graduate Management Admissions Test® (GMAT®) prep courses available. These courses are geared toward the time constraints, learning style, goals and budget of the test taker. There are GMAT® prep courses available in the classroom, online, through self-study workbooks and as combinations of those types. Some courses place a heavy emphasis on the specific knowledge required to pass the test, while others focus more on teaching the skills needed to solve the problems presented on the actual GMAT® test.
The most traditional type of GMAT® prep course involves self-study using a workbook that offers sample problems and solutions similar to those found on the GMAT® itself. This type of course works well for those who have time constraints and cannot commit to meeting at specific times or to completing the course within a certain time frame. The downside to this type of course is that there is no feedback from an instructor and, because the material is considered difficult, it might not work well for someone who has been away from school for several years and might need a refresher on some of the concepts.
For many applicants, a classroom setting is likely the best choice for a GMAT® prep course. A student in a classroom setting can interact with peers and discuss the problems. In addition, an instructor can provide immediate feedback for difficulties and is more available to discuss problems and explain in more detail the strategies required to pass the test.
Online GMAT® prep courses offer a lot of the flexibility of the self-study options combined with the more interactive benefits of classroom courses. Many online courses allow the user to log in at times that are most convenient and resume studying. Some online courses offer the ability to view and interact with a live instructor via web camera. Most online GMAT® prep courses include discussion forums, practice tests, chat capability with other students and the option to discuss questions or issues with the instructor via email.
There are differing philosophies about the best way not only to deliver GMAT® prep courses but also about how the course should be taught. Some organizations that specialize in test prep courses believe the best way to help a student pass the test is to teach all the material that is included in the test. Sometimes they will even offer previous, retired tests as practice tests so the students can see what type of information they will need to learn. Others believe teaching problem-solving skills and critical thinking is more valuable than merely teaching the content of the exam. In either case there are several options for both delivery and method available to someone taking a GMAT® prep course.