6 Best GMAT Prep Courses and Classes (2026)

If you're applying to a Master of Business Administration program, you may be preparing to take the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test.

Finding the best GMAT prep course can make it easier to build a study plan, practice consistently, and prepare for each section of the GMAT exam.

The current GMAT measures quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical thinking, and data analysis skills. The exam takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and includes three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights.

There are plenty of GMAT prep courses available, ranging from free official resources to online GMAT prep programs, live classes, and private GMAT tutoring.

The right option depends on your schedule, budget, current GMAT score, and learning style.

Here are six of the best GMAT prep courses for 2026 to consider.

1. GMAT Official Starter Kit

The Graduate Management Admission Council, or GMAC, offers official GMAT preparation materials through MBA.com.

If you want to begin your GMAT preparation without spending money, the Official GMAT Starter Kit is a good place to start.

It includes:

• 70 real GMAT practice questions
• Two full length GMAT practice tests
• Quantitative Reasoning questions
• Verbal Reasoning questions
• Data Insights questions
• Access to the official GMAT prep platform
• Practice exams that use the official GMAT scoring algorithm

Because these questions come directly from the organization that creates the exam, the Starter Kit can also help you establish your starting GMAT score before paying for a prep course.

Price: Free

Course options: Online and self paced

Why consider it: You get official GMAT practice questions and two full length practice exams at no cost.

Even if you eventually choose a paid GMAT prep course, the Starter Kit is worth using as part of your overall GMAT study plan.

2. Princeton Review

The Princeton Review offers several GMAT prep options for students who want more structure.

Its programs range from independent online GMAT prep to live GMAT classes and private tutoring.

Current options include:

Self Paced

• Online GMAT video lessons
• Adaptive practice drills
• Study on your own schedule
• Price: $799

Core Concepts

• 18 hours of live online instruction
• Guided lessons and independent GMAT study
• Price: $999

GMAT 645+

• 30 hours of live GMAT instruction
• Designed for students targeting a GMAT score of 645 or higher
• Score guarantee for students who meet the eligibility requirements
• Price: $1,999

Private Tutoring

• Individual GMAT tutoring
• Price: $180 per hour

The Princeton Review may be a good GMAT prep course for students who prefer scheduled lessons, direct instruction, and a clear study schedule.

3. Manhattan Prep by Kaplan

Manhattan Prep, which is part of Kaplan, offers several GMAT preparation options based on how much instruction you want and how quickly you plan to prepare.

Many of its GMAT instructors have scored in the 99th percentile on the exam.

Current options include:

On Demand

• Online GMAT lessons
• Study on your own schedule
• Personalized study tools
• Higher Score Guarantee for eligible students
• Starting at $299

GMAT Live

• Live online GMAT classes with select in person options
• Six official GMAT practice exams
• More than 1,200 GMAT practice questions
• Personalized GMAT study calendar
• Performance tracking
• Regular pricing starts around $1,799

655+ Course

• Designed for students targeting a GMAT score of 655 or higher
• Six official GMAT practice exams
• Advanced GMAT lessons
• Accountability coaching
• More than 1,200 practice questions
• Regular price: $2,499

GMAT Bootcamp

• Intensive three week GMAT preparation program
• Designed for students preparing within a shorter period
• Regular price: $2,899

Private Tutoring

• Individual GMAT tutoring with Manhattan Prep instructors
• Packages vary based on the number of tutoring hours

Manhattan Prep is one of the more expensive GMAT prep courses on this list, but it may be worth considering if you want live instruction, a set schedule, or private tutoring.

4. Magoosh

Magoosh offers affordable online GMAT prep for students who are comfortable studying independently.

Its online platform includes GMAT video lessons, practice questions, diagnostic tests, score tracking, and study tools.

Current plans include:

Premium 6 Month Plan

• Math, Verbal, and Data Insights lessons
• More than 200 video lessons
• More than 800 GMAT practice questions
• At least two diagnostic tests
• GMAT score predictor
• Expert support
• Up to a 70 point score improvement guarantee for eligible students
• Price: $249

Premium 12 Month Plan

• The same GMAT preparation material
• 12 months of access
• More than 200 video lessons
• More than 800 GMAT practice questions
• At least two diagnostic tests
• Price: $349

Premium + Admissions

• 12 months of GMAT prep
• MBA application resources
• Application tracker
• Essay and resume guidance
• Access to MBA application support
• Price: $449

Magoosh also offers a seven day free trial.

If you're searching for an affordable GMAT prep course online, Magoosh is one of the options worth considering.

5. PrepScholar

PrepScholar builds its GMAT study plans around each student's strengths and weaknesses.

You begin with a diagnostic assessment, and the platform uses your results to create a more focused GMAT study plan.

Current options include:

GMAT Online Prep

• Three months of access
• 750 GMAT practice questions
• Diagnostic assessment
• More than 30 GMAT skill lessons
• Five GMAT strategy lessons
• Price: $139

Complete GMAT Online Prep

• Four months of access
• More than 1,000 GMAT practice questions
• Diagnostic assessment
• Customized study plan
• 60 point GMAT score improvement guarantee for eligible students
• Price: $259

Tutoring + Complete GMAT Prep

• Four hours of GMAT tutoring starting at $779
• Complete access to PrepScholar's GMAT prep course
• Individual support from a GMAT tutor

PrepScholar may work well if you want an online GMAT preparation program that focuses more heavily on the areas where you need improvement.

6. Target Test Prep

Target Test Prep, commonly known as TTP, offers a large library of GMAT lessons, practice questions, video explanations, and performance tools.

Its Self Study GMAT prep program includes:

• More than 4,000 Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights practice questions
• More than 1,500 GMAT lessons
• More than 2,200 instructor video solutions
• Personalized GMAT study plan
• Daily study calendar
• Custom GMAT practice test builder
• Performance analytics
• AI assisted study tools
• Live expert support

Self Study pricing starts around $299 per month before discounts and promotions.

TTP also offers longer plans for students who expect their GMAT preparation to take several months.

Students looking for more instruction can choose TTP OnDemand, which adds instructor led video lessons, or LiveTeach, which includes 40 hours of live online GMAT classes, personalized homework, and access to the OnDemand platform.

TTP also offers a five day free trial.

Target Test Prep may be a good fit if you want a large number of GMAT practice questions and detailed feedback on your performance.

How do you choose the best GMAT prep course?

The best GMAT prep course for one student may not be the best option for another.

Before choosing a GMAT preparation program, think about your starting score, target score, budget, available study time, and preferred way of learning.

If you like studying independently, an online GMAT prep course may give you everything you need.

If you have trouble following a study schedule on your own, live GMAT classes or private tutoring may be more useful.

It can also help to compare:

• Number of GMAT practice questions
• Number of GMAT practice tests
• Access to video lessons
• Live instruction
• Private GMAT tutoring
• Course access period
• Score guarantees
• Price
• Study planning tools

Start by taking an official GMAT practice test so you know your current score before paying for additional preparation.

How long should you study for the GMAT?

There is no single GMAT study plan that works for everyone.

Your GMAT preparation timeline will depend on your starting score, target score, available study time, and how comfortable you are with the material.

A good first step is to take an official GMAT practice test before building your study schedule.

The results give you a baseline GMAT score and can show you which sections need the most work.

GMAC also provides GMAT preparation resources through MBA.com.

You may need more time to prepare if:

• Your starting GMAT score is well below your target
• You can only study a few hours each week
• You need to review math or verbal concepts
• You are preparing while working or attending school
• You plan to take the GMAT more than once

Your goal should be to give yourself enough time to consistently reach your target GMAT score range on practice exams.

Is a GMAT prep course worth it?

A paid GMAT prep course can be useful, but not every student needs one.

Before spending money, consider starting with the free GMAT Official Starter Kit and taking an official GMAT practice test.

If you are already close to your target score and are comfortable building your own GMAT study plan, official resources may be enough.

A paid GMAT preparation course may be more useful if you want:

• A structured GMAT study plan
• More GMAT practice questions
• Video explanations
• Performance tracking
• Live GMAT classes
• Private GMAT tutoring
• Help staying accountable

The best GMAT prep option depends on how you prefer to study and how far your current score is from your target score.

What changed with the GMAT?

Older GMAT preparation resources may still refer to the GMAT Focus Edition.

That name is no longer used. The redesigned exam is now simply called the GMAT Exam.

The previous version of the GMAT was retired in February 2024.

The current GMAT exam includes:

• Quantitative Reasoning with 21 questions in 45 minutes
• Verbal Reasoning with 23 questions in 45 minutes
• Data Insights with 20 questions in 45 minutes
• 64 questions total
• 2 hours and 15 minutes of testing time
• A total GMAT score ranging from 205 to 805

The current GMAT does not include the Analytical Writing Assessment that appeared on the older exam.

Test takers can also review their answers within a section and change up to three responses before moving on.

Another change to know about in 2026 is GMAT Superscore.

For eligible GMAT attempts, GMAC can combine your highest Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights section scores from different test dates to calculate a Superscore.

Students who take the GMAT more than once may therefore have another way to show their strongest performance.

Easily find the best school for you with College Rover

Once you've found the best GMAT prep course for your needs, the next step is deciding where you want to apply.

With College Rover, you can research schools, compare programs, and learn more about your college options in one place.

Use College Rover to find the best school for you and build your list before application season begins.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.