How we rank GMAT prep courses
Last checked October 23, 2026 · Sources: GMAC (mba.com) for exam facts; providers’ own pages for prices and features, labeled as reported where we couldn’t confirm them.
This page explains how we rank GMAT prep. Our picks are based on what each provider publishes: prices, plans, practice exams, live teaching and guarantees. We rate each course out of 5 with the same six-category rubric we use across the site, and explain which course suits which student. Ratings are our editorial assessment, not hands-on tests.
What we look at
| Factor | Why it matters for the GMAT |
|---|---|
| Built for the current exam | The GMAT changed to the three-section Focus Edition in 2023-24; prep should cover Data Insights properly. |
| Practice exams | Adaptive full-length mocks that mimic GMAC’s scoring help you judge readiness, alongside GMAC’s own exams. |
| Total cost | The price for the access you need, over a realistic study period. |
| Live teaching | Hours and format of live help, for students who need structure. |
| Guarantees | We read the conditions, not just the headline. |
| Price transparency | We label prices we could not confirm on the provider’s own pages as reported. |
Our criteria.
The rating rubric
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Question bank | 25% |
| Practice exams | 20% |
| Lectures and materials | 15% |
| Platform and mobile | 15% |
| Support | 10% |
| Value for money | 15% |
The same weights across every exam on this site.
Current ratings
| Course | Rating | Strongest at |
|---|---|---|
| e-GMAT | 4.7 / 5 | Live coaching, mocks and value |
| Target Test Prep | 4.3 / 5 | Depth, especially Quant |
| Manhattan Prep (Kaplan) | 4.1 / 5 | Live classes and guarantees |
| GMAT Official Prep | 4.0 / 5 | Real questions and official practice exams |
| Princeton Review | 4.0 / 5 | 645+ guarantee course |
| Magoosh | 3.8 / 5 | Lowest-cost self-study |
October 2026. See each review for the breakdown.
Why we rate official prep alongside courses
GMAC’s Official Prep isn’t a course, so it scores low on teaching and support, but it’s the only source of real questions and of practice exams using the real scoring algorithm. We rate it so you can see that trade-off, and recommend pairing it with a course.
What we don’t do
- We don’t claim hands-on testing we haven’t done; our ratings are editorial and say so.
- We don’t accept payment for picks. We currently earn no commission from any GMAT provider; if that changes, our affiliate disclosure will say so.
- We don’t rely on one provider’s claims about its rivals.
Common questions about how we rank GMAT prep
Do you test the courses yourselves?
No. Our ratings are editorial: we score what providers publish, and the consensus of third-party reviews, against the rubric above.
Do providers pay for their ranking?
No. We don’t currently earn commissions from GMAT providers, and no one pays for placement.
Which GMAT course is rated highest?
e-GMAT, at 4.7 / 5, for its live coaching, practice volume and low price.