Best GMAT Courses

Best GMAT Prep Courses of 2026

If you dream of attending an elite business school and obtaining an MBA, you will need to start by achieving a high score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), as the most prestigious programs (and the scholarships they offer) have become more competitive than ever. The best way to master the GMAT and achieve such an impressive score is to prepare for the exam with a professional and experienced test prep provider. But given that every company advertises themselves as “the best” or offers courses “guaranteed” to help you achieve a certain score, how do you know who to work with for your specific test-taking needs? In order to help you prepare with experts who can easily accommodate different learning styles, deadlines, and budgets, we’ve taken the guesswork out of studying for your exam by reviewing the best GMAT prep courses of 2026.

Bloomberg GMAT Prep

Bloomberg GMAT Prep was founded in 2009 as a platform providing AI-driven, adaptive learning technology that tailors study plans based on individual student performance. Over the years, the company has become a go-to source for learners seeking adaptive GMAT preparation. Bloomberg GMAT prep offers three GMAT prep course options:

  • Complete Prep ($499): this option includes access for 3 months, micro-lessons, 3 practice exams, 20 Ask-a-Tutor questions, and thousands of practice questions.
  • Premium Prep ($599): this option includes access for 4 months, micro-lessons, 5 practice exams, 80 Ask-a-Tuor questions, and thousands of practice questions.
  • Ultimate Prep ($799): this option includes access for 6 months, micro-lessons, 7 practice exams, 400 Ask-a-Tutor questions, and thousands of practice questions.

In reviews, users praised the intuitive and interactive nature of the prep course, particularly the micro-lessons, which were short enough to be engaging while still delivering useful information. Users appreciated the AI-driven customization and the robust performance analytics, as well as the opportunity to ask a tutor questions when they arose. The prep course was described as having a strong emphasis on time management and test-taking strategies, which learners found helpful. For the most part, users appreciated the pricing options and found the length of access to course materials to be long enough for their prep needs.

In some reviews, users noted that the prep course is very rigid compared to others and doesn’t allow for skipping through sections or working on whatever is of interest at a given time. Some learners felt that the prices were more expensive than other on-demand learning options in the prep course marketplace, and that the content was not comprehensive enough to warrant this. While many users appreciated the focus on strategies, some wished that test content had received greater attention.

Best for: users seeking an adaptive prep course with strong analytics who want to strengthen their test-taking strategies.

Not the best for: users seeking a comprehensive prep course that can be customized to their needs/study timeline or those seeking less structured prep course options.

Empower GMAT

Empower GMAT was founded in 2013 by GMAT experts Rich Cohen and Max Peterson to provide an immersive, on-demand, and affordable GMAT prep course featuring high-quality instruction. Over the years, the company has developed a reputation for helping students quickly raise their test scores through mastering effective test-taking strategies. Empower GMAT offers three GMAT prep course options:

  • Self-Study ($99/month): this option includes your choice of text or video lessons, 1000+ interwoven questions, a personalized training calendar, the option to purchase official practice tests at a discounted price, and administrative support.
  • Full Training ($149/month): this option includes everything in the Self-Study course, plus expert email and chat support.
  • 3 Months + Tests ($600 flat fee): this option includes everything in the Full Training course, plus 6 official GMAT practice tests.

In reviews, users described the prep course as emphasizing tactics, techniques, and pacing over content review. The video lessons were described as clear and highly engaging. Users praised the course for teaching them to apply effective and efficient strategies to answering even the most challenging GMAT questions. Learners particularly appreciated mastering their pacing on the exam and reported that being able to focus on the test questions rather than their stress boosted their confidence and helped them achieve their target score.

In some reviews, users did not find the video lessons especially helpful and described them as dry or boring. Some problem explanations were noted to be weaker than others. Some users also felt that the course focused too much on test-taking strategies and not enough on teaching or reviewing test content. Some users had difficulty with email or chat-based support and reported long wait times for a response.

Best for: self-motivated learners seeking a strategy-driven approach to mastering the GMAT or those who already have a strong foundation and are seeking to improve their test-taking skills and time management.

Not the best for: learners who do best with the accountability and structure of live instruction or those who are brand new to the GMAT and seeking comprehensive preparation.

e-GMAT

e-GMAT was founded in 2011 by a researcher and an educator who sought to help diligent students ace the GMAT through personalized learning at an affordable price. Since its founding, the company has grown into a well-known e-learning platform that leans heavily into AI technology. e-GMAT offers three GMAT prep course options:

  • 2 Months: $249
  • 4 Months: $379
  • 6 Months: $499

Each option includes foundational modules for beginners, 250+ hours of video lessons, more than 7500 practice questions, 5 full and 90 sectional adaptive mock exams, a dedicated mentor to respond to questions, and access to three live coach connect sessions each week where learners can receive information on getting the most out of the course, discuss their progress, identify and troubleshoot weaknesses or areas of difficulty, and learn more about specific question types.

In reviews, users described the video lessons as engaging and informative. They appreciated the extensive practice questions, as well as being able to take full or sectional mock exams. The weekly coach connect sessions were reportedly good for learning more about different question types and finding support related to challenging concepts. The Verbal content was noted to be especially strong and helpful. For the most part, mentors were described as knowledgeable and helpful when responding to questions.

In some reviews, users did not find the coach connect sessions particularly helpful and noted that they would have preferred live instruction sessions or a more structured question and answer session. The curriculum was described as very detailed, and learners shared that completing study plans frequently took longer than the initial estimate, which often negatively affected their confidence. Several users advised budgeting 1.5 the amount of recommended time in order to work through the entire course. Mentors were also reported to vary between individuals, with some being supportive and helpful while others were described as overly harsh in the feedback they provided.

Best for: users struggling with Verbal concepts or those who learn best following a personalized study guide at their own pace who have a significant amount of time to devote to GMAT prep.

Not the best for: users seeking live instruction rather than on-demand learning or those who do not have extensive time to prepare for the GMAT.

Princeton Review

Princeton Review was founded in 1981 and has since become a familiar and respected name in the global test prep industry. The company has grown to offer prep courses, private tutoring, and a variety of student support services, such as college admissions resources. Princeton Review offers three GMAT prep course options:

  • GMAT Focus 645+ (from $1,999): this option includes 30 hours of expert-led live instruction, flexible attendance requirements, and a money-back guarantee. Students have access to Office Hours where they can ask questions, 6 full-length practice exams, adaptive drills that match the real GMAT difficulty, concept slides for quick and easy review, 365 days of access to online resources, 4 GMAC e-books, and 3 Princeton Review e-books.
  • Self-Paced (from $799): this option provides on the go access to video-based lessons and adaptive drills. Students have access to 6 practice exams, an online question bank, an official GMAT e-book, video-based lessons, and quick review exercises.
  • Core Concepts (from $999): this option includes 18 hours of expert-led live instruction. Students have access to adaptive video lessons, live Office Hours where they can ask questions, 4 practice exams, quick review exercises, a question bank, and an official GMAT e-book.

In reviews, students described the prep course as being comprehensive and highly structured. Instructors were generally reported to be knowledgeable, supportive, and capable of breaking down challenging concepts. The interface was reportedly easy to use and intuitive to navigate. Learners found the adaptive drills and extensive Qbank to be helpful in reviewing test content, and they appreciated the adaptive practice exams.

In some reviews, users felt the prep course was not comprehensive enough and described a greater focus on high-yield questions rather than foundational basics. Instructors were reported to vary depending on the individual, with some being described as better at tailoring instruction to a particular learning style than others. Some of the test-taking strategies that were taught were described as being too simplistic, and several reviews expressed a desire for a lower price point.

Best for: users who need extensive study materials to reinforce live instruction or those seeking GMAT preparation that is not especially rigorous.

Not the best for: users whose main focus is live instruction, those whose ability to learn is affected by the quality of the instructor, or those seeking personalized live instruction.

Manhattan Review

Manhattan Review was founded in 1999 by Joern Meisser, who was then an instructor at Columbia Business School, after his students suggested he take his accessible explanations of complex ideas and organize them into a formal prep course. The company began as a boutique test prep services provider, but over the years, they have developed an enthusiastic following and grown into a global education services provider. Specializing in human-led instruction, they offer prep courses, private tutoring, and admission consulting and are also known for the proprietary, “TurboCharge Your Prep” book series. Manhattan Review company offers several GMAT prep course options:

  • GMAT Online Classic Course ($990 for 28 hours): this option includes 28 hours of live online instruction, 5 practice tests, course books in e-format, and the opportunity to view lectures afterwards on demand.
  • GMAT Online Private Course ($1,590 for 12 hours): this option includes 12 hours of live, personalized, 1:1 instruction based around the student’s desired study schedule, as well as 5 practice tests, and course books in e-format.
  • GMAT In-Person Classic Course ($1,590 for 28 hours): this option includes 28 hours of live, in-person instruction in cities around the world, as well as 5 practice tests, and course books in e-format.
  • GMAT In-Person Private Course ($1,590 for 28 hours): this option includes 12 hours of in-person, customized, 1:1 instruction based around the student’s desired study schedule, as well as 5 practice tests and course books in e-format.

Manhattan Review has developed a strong reputation for helping motivated students achieve real and impressive test results. Not only are they committed to hiring high-scoring tutors, they are also committed to only hiring instructors who are capable of teaching complex material to students with vastly different styles of learning. In reviews, students praised their instructors for being knowledgeable and dedicated teachers who were passionate about helping those in their courses succeed. Users appreciated being taught by an expert, rather than an algorithm, and they also highly recommended the included course books, which were reported to be thorough and easy-to-understand. Users described the curriculum as comprehensive and highly structured and noted that the provided techniques helped them learn to think like a test maker.

In some reviews, learners expressed a desire for additional practice questions, while others wished they had access to more advanced performance analytics.

Best for: users seeking structured, comprehensive GMAT prep taught online or in-person by experienced instructors.

Not the best for: users seeking on-demand learning options or those seeking to improve specific weaknesses.

Conclusion

Achieving a high GMAT score is one of the most effective ways to make your business school application stand out, and we’ve identified several leading test prep providers who can help you achieve your highest score. Whether you prefer self-paced and on-demand learning, live online instruction, or in-person instruction, we’ve analyzed the best GMAT prep courses of 2026 to ensure you are as informed as possible. While all prices were accurate at the time of writing, many companies included in this guide offer seasonal discounts or sales, so we encourage those who are interested to visit the provided websites. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect prep course for your GMAT needs, and we wish you all the best in your professional future.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

I want to focus my studying, so what is the hardest section of the GMAT?

The GMAT consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights. What one person considers a hard section might be easy for another person, so it’s not really possible to conclusively say that one section is <em>the </em>hardest. It really depends on the person taking the test. If you focused on math, science, economics, or engineering in college, you might breeze through Quantitative Reasoning and find Verbal Reasoning more challenging. If you majored in the humanities, Verbal Reasoning might come easily to you while Quantitative Reasoning or Data Insights questions could pose more of a challenge. What section will be most difficult depends on your academic background, as well as your personal interests. Rather than focusing on only one section, the best GMAT prep addresses all three sections to help you earn your highest score possible.

I’m so busy, I don’t think I can fit live instruction into my current schedule. How else can I prep for the GMAT?

On-demand prep courses (also called self-paced learning) are perfect for people with crazy schedules who can’t commit to live instruction at specific times. With on-demand learning, you learn on <em>your </em>schedule, when it’s convenient for you. You can start and stop as needed because video lessons are pre-recorded, so you don’t have to worry about missing a session because of a previous commitment. On-demand prep courses are also usually cheaper than live instruction options, which can also make them good for learners on a budget.

My friend said it takes at least a year to study for the GMAT, but I don’t have that much time. What do I do?

How long it takes to prepare for the GMAT depends on several individual factors, like how well you typically perform on standardized tests, how quickly you master complex information, and how much time you can reasonably devote to your preparation around your other commitments. Test prep professionals generally recommend giving yourself 2-4 months to prepare for the GMAT, but exact timelines will be different for everyone. The worst thing you can do is rush your prep, which means it’s always better to allow a little more time than you think you’ll need. But you definitely don’t need a year to prep for the exam! Most prep courses will help you create a personalized study schedule based on when you plan to take your exam, which helps you stay on track with your preparation.

I’ve done a lot of GMAT prep on my own, but I really want to master effective test-taking strategies. Which prep courses will help me do that?

If you already have a foundation of GMAT-related knowledge and are seeking to improve test-taking strategies and techniques, we’d recommend Empower GMAT or Bloomberg GMAT Prep. Both prep courses focus heavily on strategies that help you break down particularly challenging questions or reduce the number of possible answers through the process of elimination. Both courses also help learners master problem-solving tricks and time management skills, which can be a great way to take your prep to the next level and raise your score if your content knowledge is solid.

What prep course should I take if my number one priority is a good instructor?

While many prep companies have good instructors, based on our research, Manhattan Review consistently has the most experienced and dedicated teachers. Their instructors aren’t just high-scoring individuals—they know how to explain difficult information to learners with a variety of different backgrounds. They’re also passionate about what they do and really want their students to succeed, which means they go out of their way to make lessons engaging so you can more easily master the material. If having a knowledgeable and supportive instructor is important to you, they’re the company to go with.

Lots of prep companies advertise advanced or granular performance analytics. Does knowing so much about how I’m doing really help me?

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can be a great way to improve your test prep because it tells you where you’re already doing well and where you could be doing better. Knowing where to focus your time and energy can help you make good decisions about what content or types of questions to focus on. At the same time, some people get so focused on the details of how they’re doing that they focus more on their performance than the actual test content. Information is great, but there’s definitely such a thing as too much information, especially if it’s taking your attention away from learning the content or strategies that will actually improve your performance. While they can be a nice addition to your prep, you don’t need detailed performance analytics to earn a great GMAT score.