Choosing GMAT prep means picking from three tools: courses, books, and tutors. This guide compares real options in each category. Every price and feature below is pulled from the provider’s own pricing page where possible.
Quick Comparison: GMAT Prep Courses
A fast side-by-side view. Full details are below in each section.
| Provider | Starting Price | Format | Score Guarantee | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Test Prep | $249/mo | Self-paced, live-online option | 130-point improvement | 5 days |
| e-GMAT | $299 (2 months) | Self-paced + live sessions | Not stated as a guarantee | 7-day money-back |
| Magoosh | $349 (6 months) | Self-paced online | Up to 70-point improvement | 7 days |
| Manhattan Prep | Self-paced, live, or tutoring | Higher Score Guarantee (conditions apply) | Free class available |
Best GMAT Prep Courses
A GMAT course gives you structured lessons, practice questions, and a study plan. Self-paced courses cost less. Live-online courses cost more but add a real instructor. Below are the four courses with the most complete pricing data.
Target Test Prep
From $249/month. Self-paced plans run $249/mo, $799 (4 months), or $899 (6 months). A live-instruction plan is $1,799 for 6 months.
- 130-point score improvement guarantee on self-paced plans
- 715+ or 99th-percentile guarantee on the OnDemand and Live plans
- 5-day free trial with full access
- 2,200+ instructor-led video solutions, AI-driven study plan
e-GMAT
From $299. Plans run $299 (2 months), $429 (4 months), or $549 (6 months). All plans include the same content; only the access window changes.
- 7-day money-back guarantee (not a free trial)
- 250+ hours of video lessons, 14,500+ practice questions
- 15 full-length and 200 sectional mock tests
- 3 weekly live sessions plus a dedicated mentor
Magoosh
$349 for 6 months. A 12-month plan and a premium + admissions plan are also available.
- Up to 70-point score improvement guarantee, or a full refund
- 7-day free trial (20+ questions and lessons)
- 200+ video lessons, 800+ practice questions
- Score predictor tool, ask-an-expert tutor support
Manhattan Prep
Manhattan Prep offers an on-demand course, a live course (online or in-person), a bootcamp, and private tutoring.
- GMAT Higher Score Guarantee (conditions apply)
- Free class available before you buy
- Official Guide practice questions, in-depth performance reports
- Taught by 99th-percentile instructors
Best GMAT Prep Books
Books work well as a low-cost starting point or alongside a course. The Official Guide is the only source of real, past exam questions.
GMAT Official Guide 2025-2026 Bundle
About $110. Four books: the main guide, Quantitative Review, Verbal Review, and Data Insights Review. Over 1,700 real practice questions.
GMAT Official Guide 2025-2026 (single book)
About $50. The core guide alone, with roughly 975 practice questions. Good starting point if you’re not ready for the full bundle.
Manhattan Prep — All the GMAT
$80 to $120 for the set. Two books: All the Quant + DI and All the Verbal. Strong for learning concepts, not real exam questions.
Manhattan Prep — Individual Strategy Guides
About $26 each. Buy one guide if you only need help in one area, such as sentence correction.
The Princeton Review — GMAT Focus Premium Prep
Commonly listed as a top-5 GMAT book pick.
PowerScore — GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
Covers verbal reasoning only: critical reasoning and reading comprehension. Use this if Verbal is your weak section.
Best GMAT Tutors
A tutor gives you one-on-one help. This costs more than a course but can be the fastest way to fix a specific weak spot or raise a plateaued score.
Target Test Prep
$1,799 for 40 hours of private online tutoring with a 99th-percentile instructor, plus 6 months of the TTP OnDemand course and their AI Coach.
Manhattan Prep
Over $250/hour is typical. Rated as one of the strongest tutoring teams, though the highest-priced option here.
The Princeton Review
Offers 10, 20, or 30-hour tutoring packages. Priced lower per hour than Manhattan Prep.
Menlo Coaching
Uses a 3-step process: diagnostics, priorities, and sequencing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars across 28 reviews.
GMAT Ninja
Founded and run by lifelong educators. Tutors hold elite personal GMAT scores.
Independent Tutors
Found through Wyzant. Top independent tutors typically charge $300 to $500 per hour. Prices vary by tutor, so there’s no single price to list here.
GMAT Prep FAQs
What’s the best GMAT prep course for most people?
Target Test Prep and e-GMAT both offer confirmed pricing, free trials, and a stated score guarantee. Both work well as a starting point.
Do GMAT prep courses guarantee a higher score?
Several do, with conditions. Target Test Prep guarantees a 130-point improvement on self-paced plans. Magoosh guarantees up to 70 points or a refund. Manhattan Prep has a Higher Score Guarantee with its own conditions.
Is the GMAT Official Guide enough on its own?
It’s the only source of real past exam questions, so it’s a strong starting point. Most test-takers pair it with a course or a Manhattan Prep strategy guide for concept teaching, since the Official Guide is light on strategy.
How much does a GMAT tutor cost?
Company-based tutoring (Manhattan Prep, Princeton Review) generally runs over $150 to $250+ per hour. Independent tutors found through GMAT Club or Wyzant often charge $300 to $500 per hour for top-rated tutors.
Should I choose a course, a book, or a tutor?
A book is the lowest-cost option and works best for self-motivated studiers. A course adds structure and a study plan. A tutor costs the most but gives one-on-one help, which is useful if you’re stuck at a plateau or on a tight deadline.
Related Guides
- SAT Prep Study Guide: Free Practice Tests & Affordable Courses (2026)
- GRE Prep Study Guide: Smart Practice & Budget-Friendly Courses (2026)
- CFA Prep Study Guide: Approved Providers & Free Resources (2026)
- MCAT Prep Study Guide: Free Practice & Affordable Courses (2026)
