Key Points
- Magoosh is our top GMAT pick for most test takers at $249 for six months of self-paced prep, with a 7-day free trial.
- The Princeton Review GMAT 645+ course is the best live option at $1,999 for 30 hours of instruction, with a money-back guarantee tied to your starting score.
- The GMAT costs $275 at a test center or $300 online in the U.S. It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes and is scored from 205 to 805.
A strong GMAT score can lower the price of an MBA, and that matters more than it used to. Starting July 2026, Grad PLUS loans count toward a new federal graduate borrowing cap, as we covered in our report on Grad PLUS loans and the borrowing cap. Some schools have already cut prices in response, including UC Irvine’s MBA tuition cut, and scholarship money now goes further for many MBA students.
The current GMAT, formerly called the GMAT Focus Edition, has three equally weighted sections and no essay. Prep courses built before February 2024 cover a different test, so every pick below is updated for the current exam. Our what is the GMAT explainer covers the basics, and our GMAT vs. GRE comparison helps if you haven’t picked a test.
$275
U.S. Test Center Fee
$300 to test online
2 Hr 15 Min
Exam Length
64 questions in three sections
205-805
Score Range
A 655 is about the 90th percentile
685
HBS Class Of 2027 Median
Middle 80%: 645 to 735
On This Page
Best GMAT Prep Courses At A Glance
GMAT prep ranges from free official practice exams to tutoring packages above $5,000. Here’s how our picks compare at regular list prices, since several companies run rotating promotions. Our MBA admissions overview explains where the GMAT fits in your application.
Best GMAT Prep Courses (2026)
ProviderBest ForFormatPriceScore GuaranteeMagooshSelf-study on a budgetSelf-paced$249 to $449Up to +70 points or money backView Plans »The Princeton ReviewLive classes with a guaranteeLive online, self-paced, tutoring$799 to $1,999, tutoring $180/hrTied to starting score (645+ course)View Courses »Kaplan And Manhattan PrepOfficial GMAC practice tests built inSelf-paced, live, tutoring$299 to $3,499655+ or +70 points (655+ course)View Courses »Target Test PrepHigh scorers chasing 715+Self-paced, on demand, live online$299/month to $2,199+130 points, or 715+ on top plansVisit Site »e-GMATLots of adaptive practiceSelf-paced with live sessions$599 to $1,099 list7-day money-back onlyVisit Site »GMAT Official PrepReal exam practiceSelf-pacedFree to $299.99NoneStart Free »
Regular list prices checked October 11, 2026. Several providers were running short-term sales. Guarantees carry conditions. The College Investor.
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Best GMAT Prep Courses Of 2026
Start by taking GMAC’s free official practice exam to get a baseline, then pick a course that fits your gap and schedule. GMAC says most test takers prep for 60 hours or more, so the right course is one you’ll actually finish, especially if you’re working full time while planning to pay for business school.
Best Overall Value: Magoosh
#1MagooshBest Overall Value
Magoosh offers the best mix of price and content for self-motivated test takers. Premium costs $249 for six months or $349 for 12 months and includes 200+ video lessons, 800+ practice questions and at least two diagnostic tests, all updated for the current exam, according to Magoosh’s GMAT plans page. Our Magoosh review walks through the platform.
Magoosh’s guarantee promises a score improvement of up to 70 points over your previous score once you finish the program, or your money back. It also offers a 7-day free trial and a 7-day refund window, and plans don’t auto-renew. The $449 Premium + Admissions plan adds application help, which can be cheaper than hiring one of the admissions consultants we’ve reviewed.
Why We Picked It
A full GMAT course for $249, current-exam content and a free trial. It’s the course we’d start with before spending thousands on a live class, money that could otherwise reduce your MBA student loans.
Drawbacks
No live instruction, and fewer practice questions than e-GMAT. Students who need a teacher or a fixed schedule should look at a live course like the ones in our Kaplan Test Prep review.
Prepping for the GMAT on a budget? Magoosh gives you six months of current-exam prep for $249, with a 7-day free trial.
Best Live Course: The Princeton Review
#2The Princeton ReviewBest Live Course
The Princeton Review GMAT 645+ course costs $1,999 for 30 hours of expert-led live instruction, split evenly across Quant, Verbal and Data Insights, according to The Princeton Review. Core Concepts offers 18 live hours for $999, and the Self-Paced course costs $799 with adaptive drills and a 14-day free trial. Our Princeton Review SAT and ACT review covers the company’s teaching approach.
The 645+ guarantee depends on your starting score. Students who start below 575 get a full refund if they gain less than 45 points, and students who start between 575 and 635 get a full refund below 615 or half back between 615 and 635, according to the course terms. Private tutoring runs $180 an hour for a 30-hour package, a big line item next to the cost of an MBA.
Why We Picked It
Structured live classes, a self-paced option and a clear refund schedule based on your starting score. It fits working professionals who need a teacher and deadlines, and it pairs well with our MBA admissions timeline.
Drawbacks
At $1,999, the 645+ course costs eight times as much as Magoosh. Students already at 645 or higher aren’t eligible for the guarantee and should consider tutoring or the official practice exams covered in our GMAT explainer.
Want live GMAT classes with a refund guarantee? Compare the Princeton Review’s 645+, Core Concepts and Self-Paced options.
Best For Official Practice Tests: Kaplan And Manhattan Prep
#3Kaplan And Manhattan PrepBest Official Practice
6
Official GMAC tests (3+ month plans)
655+
Or +70 points (655+ course)
Kaplan and Manhattan Prep now sell GMAT prep as one brand, “Manhattan Prep powered by Kaplan.” Its On Demand course starts at $299 for one month, and the three-, six- and 12-month plans include six official GMAC practice tests, a 1,200+ question set builder and the official GMAT review book, according to Kaplan. Our Kaplan Test Prep review has more.
Live options include the Live GMAT Prep Course, listed at $1,799, and the 655+ GMAT Prep Course at $2,499. The 655+ guarantee requires students starting at 585 or higher to reach 655, and students below 585 to gain 70 points, or they can choose a refund or free re-enrollment. Kaplan runs frequent promo codes, so compare the list price with your expected MBA loan costs.
Why We Picked It
Official GMAC practice tests included, a 7-day free trial on On Demand and a specific 655+ guarantee on the top course. It’s the best pick for test takers who want the official tests bundled in, and our GMAT vs. GRE comparison explains how the two tests differ.
Drawbacks
Live courses cost $1,799 to $2,499 at list price, and the Higher Score Guarantee doesn’t cover the one-month On Demand plan. Compare it with the cheaper self-paced picks in our Magoosh review.
Biggest Score Guarantee: Target Test Prep
#4Target Test PrepBiggest Guarantee
$299/mo
Self-study, monthly
715+
Guarantee on top plans
40 Hours
Live classes (LiveTeach)
Target Test Prep makes the most aggressive score promise in GMAT prep. Its Self-Study plans guarantee a 130-point improvement, and its OnDemand and LiveTeach plans guarantee a 715 or higher, above the 97th percentile, according to its plans page. Self-Study lists at $299 a month, $949 for four months or $1,099 for six months, which you can weigh against your MBA student loan budget.
The LiveTeach plan lists at $2,199 for 40 hours of live online classes plus the full OnDemand course, about $55 per live hour. Target Test Prep was running a sale of up to $400 off when we checked, and it offers a 5-day trial. A 715+ guarantee is useful mainly for applicants aiming at the most selective programs, like those in our MBA admissions overview.
Why We Picked It
The highest score guarantee we found and 40 hours of live classes on its top plan. It suits applicants targeting top-10 programs, where the HBS median sits at 685, as our GMAT explainer shows.
Drawbacks
Monthly self-study pricing adds up fast past three months, and LiveTeach costs more than most live courses on this list. Budget-minded test takers should start with a cheaper option from our Magoosh review.
Most Adaptive Mock Tests: e-GMAT
#5e-GMATMost Mock Tests
215+
Adaptive mocks (company claim)
3/Week
Live sessions included
e-GMAT lists its plans at $599 for two months, $859 for four months and $1,099 for six months, though it was advertising 50% off when we checked. Every plan includes the same content plus three live sessions a week. The company says the platform has 100+ hours of lessons, 14,500+ practice questions and 215+ adaptive mock tests, which beats any other count we found and suits test takers comparing graduate school admissions timelines.
e-GMAT doesn’t offer a score guarantee, only a 7-day, 100% money-back window. That puts the burden on you to judge progress, so take an official GMAC practice exam early and again midway. The live sessions add structure that pure self-study lacks, a useful middle ground for working professionals building a DIY MBA style study habit.
Why We Picked It
Huge practice volume, live sessions in every plan and a sale running when we checked. It’s a strong fit for test takers who learn by doing many timed problems, then reviewing results the way our GMAT explainer suggests.
Drawbacks
No score guarantee, and “50% off” sale pricing makes the true price hard to judge. Test takers who want a guarantee should compare the options in our Kaplan review.
Best Free Starting Point: GMAT Official Prep
#6GMAT Official PrepBest Free Option
Free
Starter Kit and 2 exams
$299.99
2026-27 premium bundle
Real
GMAT scoring algorithm
GMAC, the company that makes the GMAT, gives away a Starter Kit with 70+ sample questions and two full-length official practice exams, according to mba.com. GMAC says its practice exams use the same algorithm, scoring and timing as the real test, which makes them the most accurate baseline you can get. Our what is the GMAT explainer covers each section.
The Premium GMAT Study Collection 2026-2027 bundle costs $299.99 on GMAC’s store and bundles GMAC’s official prep products. Many courses on this list, including Kaplan’s On Demand plans, already include official tests, so check before buying both, the same way you’d avoid paying twice for graduate school costs.
Why We Picked It
Free official practice exams that score like the real GMAT. Every test taker should start here, whether or not they buy a course, and our GMAT vs. GRE comparison covers which test to choose.
Drawbacks
Official materials give you questions and scores, not teaching. Students who need help with strategy or content should add a course from this list, starting with our Magoosh review.
Which GMAT Prep Course Is Best For You?
The best GMAT prep course depends on your gap, schedule and how much structure you need. A test taker 30 points from their target can usually get there with official practice exams and a $249 course, while someone 100+ points away with a demanding job may need a live class. Check your target programs’ score ranges first, using our MBA admissions overview.
- Best overall value: Magoosh at $249 for six months.
- Best live course: The Princeton Review 645+, with 30 live hours and a refund schedule.
- Official tests bundled in: Kaplan and Manhattan Prep On Demand.
- Chasing 715+: Target Test Prep, which guarantees it on its top plans.
- Maximum practice volume: e-GMAT, with 215+ adaptive mocks by its count.
- $0 to start: GMAC’s free Starter Kit and two official practice exams.
What Is On The GMAT In 2026?
The GMAT has three sections, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, with 64 questions over 2 hours and 15 minutes, according to GMAC. You pick the section order, can take one optional 10-minute break and can review and change up to three answers per section. Our what is the GMAT explainer covers sample questions.
GMAT Exam Format (2026)
SectionQuestionsTimeScore RangeQuantitative Reasoning2145 minutes60 to 90Verbal Reasoning2345 minutes60 to 90Data Insights2045 minutes60 to 90Total642 hours 15 minutes205 to 805
Plus one optional 10-minute break. Source: GMAC. The College Investor.
The three sections count equally toward your total score, which runs from 205 to 805 in 10-point steps, according to GMAC. The old essay is gone, GMAC says the exam doesn’t test grammar or vocabulary, and Data Insights now carries a third of your score. Any course or book that still teaches sentence correction or the essay is outdated, as our GMAT vs. GRE comparison notes.
How Much Does The GMAT Cost?
The GMAT costs $275 at a U.S. test center or $300 online, according to GMAC’s exam payment page. Rescheduling fees range from $55 to $180 depending on how close you are to test day, and you can send scores to five programs free within 48 hours of getting your official score. Factor those costs into your MBA budget early.
GMAT Fees In The U.S. (2026)
FeeTest CenterOnlineGMAT Exam$275$300Reschedule More Than 60 Days Out$55$60Reschedule 15 To 60 Days Out$110$120Reschedule 14 Days Or Less$165$180Cancel More Than 60 Days Out$110 refund$120 refundCancel 15 To 60 Days Out$80 refund$90 refundCancel 14 Days Or Less$55 refund$60 refundAdditional Score Report$35 each$35 each
No changes allowed within 24 hours of your appointment. Source: GMAC. The College Investor.
Here’s our math on the real cost. A test taker who buys a $249 course, takes the GMAT online twice and sends two extra score reports pays $919. Choosing a $1,999 live course instead pushes that to $2,669. Either way, a 50-point gain that earns even a small scholarship pays for itself, which is why we treat prep as part of financing graduate school.
What Is A Good GMAT Score?
A good GMAT score is one at or above the median for the programs you’re targeting, which is GMAC’s own advice. A 655 beats about 90% of test takers and a 705 beats about 97%, according to GMAC’s August 2026 percentile tables. Harvard Business School’s Class of 2027 had a median of 685, according to HBS. Our GMAT explainer covers how schools read scores.
GMAT Total Score Percentiles (August 2026)
Total ScorePercentile75599.8%70597.5%68595.1%65589.6%62578.2%60569.4%58559.9%55547.4%
Based on test takers from July 2021 to June 2026. Source: GMAC. The College Investor.
The current GMAT scores lower than the old version. A 655 on today’s exam equals a 700 on the old 10th Edition, according to GMAC’s concordance table, so don’t compare your score with older class profiles. HBS reported a 10th Edition median of 730 alongside the 685 current-exam median, and 44% of its class submitted the GRE instead, a point we cover in our GMAT vs. GRE comparison.
How Much Does GMAT Prep Cost Per Hour?
Live GMAT classes cost about $55 to $67 per hour of instruction at list prices, and private tutoring runs $180 to $220 an hour at the Princeton Review. We divided each course’s list price by its published live hours. Self-paced courses from $249 to about $1,600 don’t fit this math, but they cost far less in total, which matters when you’re weighing MBA loan refinancing later.
GMAT Prep Cost Per Live Hour (2026)
CourseList PriceLive HoursCost Per HourTarget Test Prep LiveTeach$2,19940About $55Princeton Review Core Concepts$99918About $56Princeton Review GMAT 645+$1,99930About $67Princeton Review Tutoring (30 Hours)$180 per hour30$180
Target Test Prep LiveTeach also includes its full OnDemand course. Source: Provider websites, checked October 11, 2026. The College Investor.
Target Test Prep and the Princeton Review land within about $12 an hour of each other, so the real difference is the guarantee: 715+ at Target Test Prep versus a refund schedule tied to your starting score at the Princeton Review. Pick the promise that matches your goal, the same way you’d compare terms on graduate school loans.
How Do GMAT Score Guarantees Compare?
GMAT score guarantees range from “any higher score” to a 715 or better. Nearly every guarantee requires finishing the course, taking several official practice exams and sitting for the GMAT within a set window. Read the terms before you pay, as you would any loan agreement.
GMAT Score Guarantees Compared (2026)
ProviderWhat Is GuaranteedKey ConditionTarget Test Prep (Top Plans)715+OnDemand or LiveTeach planTarget Test Prep (Self-Study)+130 pointsSelf-Study planKaplan 655+ Course655+ or +70 pointsAttend every class, test within 60 daysPrinceton Review 645+Refund schedule by starting scoreStarting score below 645MagooshUp to +70 points or money backFinish the Premium programe-GMATNo score guarantee7-day refund
Source: Provider guarantee terms, checked October 11, 2026. The College Investor.
Retaking also raises scores. GMAC says retesting adds 20 to 30 points on average, according to its GMAT FAQ, and you can take the exam up to five times in a rolling 12 months. With GMAT Superscore, programs can see your best section scores across attempts, which makes a planned second attempt part of a smart graduate school strategy.
How Long Should You Study For The GMAT?
Plan on at least six weeks of GMAT study, GMAC’s own guidance, and expect to put in 60 or more hours, like most test takers. Two to four months is common if you’re aiming high. In GMAC’s 2020 survey, the median test taker studied about 80 hours, and those scoring 700+ on the old scale studied about 100. Here’s a timeline that fits around a full-time job and an MBA application.
- Take GMAC’s free official practice exam to get a baseline in all three sections.
- Set a target using the median score at your top programs.
- Study 30 to 60 minutes a day, the pace GMAC recommends, plus a longer weekend session.
- Take an official practice exam every two to three weeks and adjust your focus.
- Book your first test six to eight weeks before your application deadline, since GMAC requires 16 days between attempts.
Leave time for a retake. GMAC requires 16 days between attempts, and many applicants plan two test dates from the start. Pair your study plan with a scholarship search using our graduate school scholarships roundup.
How We Picked The Best GMAT Prep Courses
We reviewed the major GMAT prep providers and kept those with courses updated for the current GMAT. We compared regular list prices, live hours, official practice tests, score guarantees and free trials, and verified each on the provider’s site on October 11, 2026. Our editorial standards explain how we handle partner relationships.
Veritas Prep, which we covered in our Veritas Prep review, was folded into Varsity Tutors, and Varsity Tutors says Veritas services ended in May 2022. Varsity Tutors’ GMAT page doesn’t list prices and still describes the old exam sections, so it didn’t make our list.
More Test Prep Rankings From The College Investor
GMAT Prep FAQs
How Many Times Can You Take The GMAT?
You can take the GMAT up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, with no lifetime limit, according to GMAC. You must wait 16 days between attempts. Programs can use GMAT Superscore to see your best section scores, as our GMAT explainer explains.
Is The GMAT Or GRE Better For An MBA?
Most business schools accept either test, according to GMAC. At HBS, 44% of the Class of 2027 submitted the GRE. Take a practice test of each and see our GMAT vs. GRE comparison.
How Long Are GMAT Scores Valid?
GMAT scores are valid for five years, according to GMAC. That gives you room to test before you’re ready to apply. Our MBA admissions overview covers timing.
Is A GMAT Prep Course Worth It?
A course is worth it when a higher score could change your admission odds or scholarship offer. With federal graduate borrowing capped starting July 2026, scholarship money matters more. Start with free official exams, then buy only the structure you need, and compare the cost with your MBA loan options.
What Happened To The GMAT Focus Edition?
GMAC now calls it simply the GMAT exam. The Focus Edition replaced the 10th Edition on February 1, 2024, and that format is today’s GMAT, scored from 205 to 805. Our what is the GMAT explainer has the details.
