Manhattan Review was founded by Joern Meissner in 1999, after his students at Columbia Business School suggested he formalize his helpful lectures and score-raising test-taking techniques into a comprehensive prep course. A respected provider of educational services, Manhattan Review prioritizes live instruction by expertly trained tutors to help learners of all backgrounds achieve their desired test performance.
Manhattan Review offers private tutoring options that are customizable and created through tutor/learner collaboration, resulting in a truly personalized learning experience. Tutoring is available online or in-person in cities around the world. Tutors work with learners to set ambitious goals that are reassessed following every session in maximize competence and progress. Manhattan Review has one of the most rigorous hiring processes in the test prep industry, and as a result, their tutors are not skilled instructors but exceptional teachers who are comfortable tailoring information to an individual’s unique learning style.
Given that Manhattan Review’s tutoring programs are so customized to each learner, pricing depends on several factors and is therefore varied, although plans tend to fall between 12-48 hours. Rather than choosing between pre-determined packages, prospective learners may call or submit an online form to receive a free consultation to discuss their score goals, budget, and study timeline in order to design the best tutoring plan for their needs.
In reviews, users described the process of being matched with a tutor to be easy and uncomplicated. Tutors were described as believing that a high GMAT score is a combination of content knowledge, test-taking techniques, and time management, and each of these factors was satisfactorily addressed over the tutoring sessions. Learners shared that tutoring sessions could be as comprehensive or targeted as they needed, which helped them fix major issues as well as improve even small areas of weakness that were negatively affecting their score. Users appreciated that their tutor was invested in their success and were willing to explain concepts in as many different ways as it took until they were fully grasped. Thanks to their tutoring experience, learners felt confident and prepared on the day of their exam, which significantly reduced their anxiety. Practice questions were noted to be very similar to the real GMAT, and tutors truly met learners where they were before helping them raise their score.
In some reviews, users noted that tutoring plans were best for motivated students who preferred to engage in active learning rather than passively absorbing information, as tutors held students to high standards while encouraging them to work hard and do their best. Some learners expressed a desire for more performance analytics or study aids, such as online drills.
Best for: users who want to excel on the GMAT through high-touch test prep designed to raise scores through customized instruction.
Not the best for: users seeking a tutoring program that follows a standard, rather than personalized, curriculum or those who don’t want to be held accountable by a tutor.