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For individuals prepping for the GMAT, Magoosh and Manhattan are two of the most popular test prep course providers. In this post, we’ll compare and contrast the two companies, discuss their pros and cons, and help you decide which one is right for you.
Bottom Line Up Front: Magoosh is a great option for students who want excellent value and don’t need extensive in-person support. Manhattan GMAT is a good choice for those who are willing to pay more for a comprehensive program with lots of personal attention and course options.
Affordable GMAT test prep - improve your score or your money back. Try now! 340 video lessons, 1300 practice questions, 24/7 email support. 
Main Differences Between Magoosh vs Manhattan GMAT
The main differences between Magoosh vs Manhattan GMAT are:
- Magoosh is an online course, whereas Manhattan offers both online and in-person courses.
- Magoosh offers affordability, whereas Manhattan tends to be more comprehensive.
- Magoosh focuses on efficiency, whereas Manhattan offers more comprehensive content.
- Magoosh focuses on providing targeted practice questions, whereas Manhattan offers more full-length practice exams.
Magoosh Overview
Magoosh is an online test prep company that offers comprehensive coursework for a variety of standardized tests, including the GMAT. The company was founded in 2009 by Berkeley graduates Pejman Pour-Moezzi and Bhavin Parikh.
Magoosh was one of the first companies to offer a completely online GMAT prep course and is now one of the most popular providers. The company’s GMAT course includes over 1,200 practice questions, video explanations for all questions, and access to six full-length practice exams.
Magoosh Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Flexible studying options (online courses, practice questions, etc.)
- Interactive content
- User-friendly platform
Magoosh Cons
- Limited full-length practice exams
- No in-person courses or tutoring
Getting Started with Magoosh
To get started with Magoosh, create an account on the company’s website and select the GMAT course. Once you’ve registered for the course, you’ll have access to all of the course content, including video lessons, practice questions, and full-length practice exams.
Video Lessons
Magoosh offers over 300 video lessons covering all of the major GMAT topics. The videos are short (usually around 5-10 minutes each) and to the point. They are also interactive, with quizzes and practice questions interspersed throughout the lesson.
Practice Questions
In addition to the video lessons, Magoosh also provides over 1,200 GMAT practice questions. The questions are organized by topic and difficulty level, so you can focus on the areas where you need the most help.
Full-Length Practice Exams
Although Magoosh doesn’t offer as many full-length practice exams as some other providers (they offer six), they do provide detailed video explanations for all questions. This is a great way to see how you did on the exam and to identify any areas where you need to focus your studies.
Course Formats
Magoosh offers both online and mobile courses. The online course can be accessed on any device with an internet connection, and the mobile course can be downloaded onto your phone or tablet.
If you follow the self-study path, you can choose the Math + IR package or the Premium package. You can also choose the guided study path for a more comprehensive preparation experience.
Math + IR
The Math + IR package is a great option for people who are already confident in their verbal abilities. It includes access to the Math and IR content with more than 175 video lessons and 720 practice questions.
You also get a year of access, the ability to pause your plan at any time, and access to experts so you can ask questions. However, it doesn’t include any diagnostic tests or score predictors.
Premium Package
The Premium package includes access to Math, Verbal, IR, and AWA content. There are 1300 practice questions, more than 340 video lessons, 2 diagnostics tests, and recommended study schedules.
It features a year of access, a score predictor, a guaranteed +50 overall score, ask an expert, and the ability to pause at any time.
Guided Study
Magoosh’s guided study program includes everything in the Premium plan but also provides access to live classes taught by a 99th percentile instructor. This is 16 full hours of live instruction with a limited class size and customized homework to help you increase your preparedness.
You can also choose whether you would like to join a scheduled class or watch the classes on demand.
Pricing
Magoosh has a variety of pricing options depending on which package you choose. They can be anywhere from $200-600, but you can also choose to pay over 4 months.
Affordable GMAT test prep - improve your score or your money back. Try now! 340 video lessons, 1300 practice questions, 24/7 email support.
Manhattan Overview
Manhattan is one of the oldest and most well-known test prep companies. Founded in 1977, the company offers both online and in-person courses for a variety of standardized tests, including the GMAT.
The Manhattan GMAT course includes over 5,000 practice questions, 83 hours of video lessons, and access to 16 full-length practice exams.
Manhattan Pros
- Comprehensive coursework
- Extensive practice materials
- In-person courses and tutoring available
Manhattan Cons
- More expensive than some other providers
- Can be overwhelming for some students
Getting Started
With Manhattan, you can choose online courses or live courses. The online courses are available on-demand, so you can start whenever you want. The live courses are offered in-person and online, so you can choose the format that works best for you.
Both options offer 27 hours of instruction with 6 full-length practice exams and all of the books and resources you need. You also get full access to the on-demand GMAT prep course.
Private Tutoring
Manhattan also offers private tutoring with one-on-one or small group options. You can work with a tutor who will help you create a personalized study plan and provide guidance on how to improve your GMAT score.
Your tutor will build a custom study schedule for you and you can set your own timeline for prep. It still includes all the books and resources you need to study.
Bootcamp
If you have a shorter prep window and really need to get down to business, you can sign up for a Manhattan GMAT bootcamp. This is an immersive, accelerated course that will help you get the score you need in a shorter amount of time.
The bootcamp includes all of the resources from the other courses, plus 27 hours of instruction and 6 full-length practice exams. There are two instructors to help guide you through a 2 or 3-week program and it also includes:
- Test simulation booklet
- 6 full-length Manhattan Prep GMAT practice exams
- A postexam assessment after taking an official GMAT test
- All the GMAT Strategy Guide Set
- Access to on-demand, interactive video lessons
- 35 hours of intensive GMAT instruction
- A custom practice GMAT test review with an instructor
- 7-hour Foundations of GMAT Math Workshop
- GMAT Advanced Quant eBook
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review
- Foundations of GMAT Math and Foundations of GMAT Verbal Guides
- Manhattan Prep GMAT mobile app
- GMAT Navigator™ practice tracker with full solutions for the main Official Guide
Advanced course
Manhattan also offers advanced GMAT courses to ensure you get an even better score. This particular course if for people who have at least a 650 (Q42/V35) and still want to improve. It includes:
- Test simulation booklet
- GMAT Official Advanced Questions
- GMAT Navigator™ practice tracker with full solutions for the main Official Guide
- All the GMAT Strategy Guide Set
- GMAT Advanced Quant Guide
- Manhattan Prep GMAT mobile app
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review
- Custom 1-on-1 pre and postexam assessments with an instructor
- Access to on-demand, interactive video lessons
- 6 full-length Manhattan Prep GMAT practice exams
On-Demand Prep
Manhattan’s on-demand prep is slightly less expensive than their other options and still gives you access to all of the resources you need. You can study anytime, anywhere. As you advance through the course, it tailors itself to your needs and helps you focus on the areas you need most.
It also includes:
- Test simulation booklet
- GMAT Navigator™ practice tracker with full solutions for the main Official Guide
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review
- Manhattan Prep GMAT mobile app
- GMAT Advanced Quant eBook
- Foundations of GMAT Math and Foundations of GMAT Verbal Guides
- All the GMAT Strategy Guide Set
- 7-hour Foundations of GMAT Math Workshop
- 6 full-length Manhattan Prep GMAT practice exams
- 35+ interactive video-based lessons
GMAT Math Basics
This is a crash course that takes you back to the basics, and it’s free. This is great for people who haven’t done math in a while or who aren’t confident in their math skills just yet.
It’s a math refresher, but it takes a different approach to math which focuses on a better understanding of the reason behind the math, not just the calculations. You get access to free online math drills, a study guide, and 7 hours of instruction from an expert.
Pricing
The pricing for Manhattan’s GMAT course varies depending on which package you choose. The Standard package is $1,599 and the Elite package (which includes the bootcamp) is $2,199.
The on-demand course is $499 and the math basics course is free.
You can also choose to buy just the books or just the practice exams. The strategy guides cost $49 each and the practice exams are $79 each.
Alternatives
Magoosh and Manhattan aren’t the only ways to prep for the GMAT. Here are a few other popular options you should check out before deciding what’s right for you.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers several different GMAT prep courses, both in-person and online. They have a variety of packages to choose from, starting at $799 for their self-paced online course.
GMAT Club
GMAT Club is a free online forum where people preparing for the GMAT can ask questions, share resources, and support each other. It’s a great way to connect with other people who are going through the same thing as you.
Menlo Coaching
Menlo Coaching offers an advanced prep course for the GMAT that takes 10 weeks. They also offer one on one tutoring. They use official GMAT content to ensure you’re fully prepared. They focus on the quality of their service, rather than the quantity of exercises you do.
FAQs
Prepping for the GMAT can be nerve-racking. These frequently asked questions will help you feel more prepared and confident going into test day.
Answer: Most people take the GMAT between their junior and senior years of college, but you can take it anytime after you’ve decided you want to pursue a graduate degree.
Answer: The GMAT is a 3.5-hour exam, but it’s important to give yourself some extra time in case you need a break or run into any technical difficulties.
Answer: The GMAT score range is 200-800. The average score is 561. Scoring is calculated by taking the average of your Verbal and Quantitative scores.
Answer: A good GMAT score is anything above 700. This puts you in the top 10% of test-takers. A score of 750 or higher is considered excellent.
Answer: You can take the GMAT once every 16 days and up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period.
Answer: The GMAT registration fee is $250. You can register for the test online or by phone.
Answer: There are no specific GMAT requirements, but most business schools have a minimum score requirement of 550.
Final Thoughts
The GMAT is an important test, but it’s only one part of your graduate school application. Admissions committees will also look at your undergraduate GPA, work experience, and essays.
If you’re not happy with your first score, don’t give up. You can always retake the test and try to improve your score.
There are a lot of different GMAT prep courses out there, so do your research and find the one that’s right for you.
Manhattan Review is a great option if you’re looking for a comprehensive and well-rounded course. They offer both online and in-person classes, as well as one-on-one tutoring.
Magoosh is a good option if you’re looking for a more affordable course. They offer a self-paced online course that you can access from anywhere.
Affordable GMAT test prep - improve your score or your money back. Try now! 340 video lessons, 1300 practice questions, 24/7 email support.