GMAT Official Prep review: the real questions every candidate should use
This GMAT Official Prep review covers GMAC’s own material. As the exam’s owner, GMAC is the only source of real retired GMAT questions and the only practice exams that use the real exam’s scoring algorithm. Start free with the Official Starter Kit (70+ questions and two full-length exams); the Official Guide 2026-2027 is $49.99, the four-book bundle $114.99, and the Premium Study Collection $299.99. It’s practice material, not a course, so most candidates pair it with one.
First checked October 12, 2026; rechecked October 23, 2026 · Prices from GMAC’s prep store (mba.com) and its publisher Wiley; the price of Official Practice Exams 3-6 is as reported by a review site. The rating is our editorial assessment from published details using the rubric on our how we rank page, not a hands-on test.
| Category (weight) | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Question bank (25%) | 5.0 | The only source of real retired GMAT questions |
| Practice exams (20%) | 5.0 | The only exams using the real scoring algorithm and timing |
| Lectures and materials (15%) | 1.5 | No lessons or videos; short explanations |
| Platform and mobile (15%) | 4.0 | Online question bank through mba.com |
| Support (10%) | 2.0 | No tutoring or live help |
| Value (15%) | 5.0 | A free starter kit, and the Official Guide costs less than a month of most courses |
| Weighted rating | 4.0 / 5 |
Our editorial rating, using the same rubric across the site. The low teaching scores reflect that this is practice material, not a course.
What’s available from GMAT Official Prep
| Product | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1-2 | Free | 70+ real questions, guided study, 2 full-length adaptive exams |
| Official Guide 2026-2027 | $49.99 | 975+ questions, book + online question bank |
| Official Guide bundle 2026-2027 | $114.99 | Main guide plus Quant, Verbal and Data Insights reviews; 1,800+ questions |
| Official Practice Exams 3-6 | About $107.99 for four (reported) | Same algorithm, scoring and timing as the real exam |
| Premium GMAT Study Collection 2026-2027 | $299.99 (from $350.90) | GMAC’s all-in-one bundle of official products |
From mba.com and Wiley, October 2026; Practice Exams 3-6 price as reported.
What stands out
- Real questions. The only source of retired GMAT questions, written by the exam’s owner.
- The most accurate practice exams. Official Practice Exams use the same algorithm, scoring and timing as the real GMAT, so they’re the best guide to your likely score.
- A strong free start. The Starter Kit and two full exams cost nothing.
- Cheap for what you get. The Official Guide costs less than one month of most courses.
What to watch for
- No teaching. Explanations are short and there are no lessons or videos; pair it with a course from our best GMAT prep list.
- Limited supply of exams. There are only six official practice exams, so save some for the final weeks.
- Online access expires. The Official Guide question bank runs for 12 months from activation.
- Buy the current edition. Get the 2026-2027 books for the GMAT Focus Edition.
What to pair it with
- For live coaching on a budget: e-GMAT (4.7 / 5). See our e-GMAT review.
- For rigorous Quant: Target Test Prep (4.3). See our Target Test Prep review.
- For the lowest-cost lessons: Magoosh (3.8). See our Magoosh review.
Common questions about GMAT Official Prep
Is there free official GMAT practice?
Yes. The Official Starter Kit includes 70+ real questions and two full-length adaptive practice exams for free.
How many official GMAT practice exams are there?
Six: two free with the Starter Kit and four more sold together, reported at about $107.99.
Is GMAT Official Prep enough on its own?
No. It’s practice material with short explanations and no lessons, so most candidates pair it with a course.
Is this review sponsored?
No. We currently earn no commission from GMAC or any GMAT provider.