Last updated: 22 October 2026. Prices, guarantees, exam fees and retake rules were re-read on each provider’s and test maker’s own site on 22 October 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: There’s no single “best” GMAT or GRE course — the right pick depends on your budget and target score. Magoosh is the best value for self-studiers; Manhattan Prep is the choice for top-percentile scores; and Kaplan is best if you want structured live instruction. Both exams are coachable — what matters most is consistent, timed practice.
- Best value: Magoosh — GRE from $149, GMAT from $249, score guarantee on both
- Best for top scores: Manhattan Prep — the hardest, most rigorous practice
- Best for structure: Kaplan — live classes and the largest brand footprint
Both the GMAT and the GRE are coachable, standardized tests — which means the course you choose genuinely affects your score. But the market is crowded and the marketing is loud, so this guide cuts through it: three providers we’d actually recommend, who each one is for, and how to decide. We’ve focused on the prep options that earn their place on merit, and noted honestly where a cheaper choice does the same job.
GMAT vs GRE: does it change your prep?
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Quick context, because it affects your choice. The GMAT is the traditional business-school exam; the GRE is the broader graduate-school exam that most MBA programs now also accept. If you’re business-school-only and aiming high, the GMAT’s quant is more specialized and rewards dedicated GMAT prep. If you’re keeping options open across grad programs — or your quant is shaky — the GRE is often the friendlier route. The good news: the three providers below cover both exams, so you can pick a provider on quality and then choose the right test-specific course. (Already admitted, or brushing up on business fundamentals before day one? See our guide to the best MBA courses online.)
What to look for in a prep course
- A large, realistic question bank. These are practice-driven exams; question volume and quality matter more than lecture hours.
- Full-length, timed practice tests. Stamina and pacing are half the battle, especially on the GMAT.
- Explanations you actually learn from. The best providers explain why an answer is wrong, not just which one is right.
- A guarantee or clear refund policy. A score-improvement guarantee lowers your risk on a meaningful purchase.
- Format that fits you. Self-paced video (Magoosh) is cheaper and flexible; live classes (Kaplan, Manhattan Prep) add accountability and cost more.
The 3 best GMAT & GRE prep providers
BEST VALUE — MAGOOSH
Magoosh GMAT & GRE
GRE: 290+ video lessons and 1,600+ practice questions with video explanations, from $149. GMAT: 200+ lessons and 800+ questions, from $249. Score-improvement guarantees on both. Hard to beat for self-paced value.
Affiliate partnership — we may earn a commission if you enroll via this link, at no extra cost to you.
1. Magoosh — best value
For most self-studiers, Magoosh is the one to beat. You get a large bank of practice questions with video explanations for every one, lesson videos covering both exams, and a score-improvement guarantee — all for a fraction of what the premium brands charge. It won’t hold your hand with live classes, but for a motivated candidate it covers everything you need to lift your score. Checked on Magoosh’s own plans pages on 22 October 2026: GRE Premium is $149 for one month or $179 for six months (290+ lessons, 1,600+ questions, up to six practice tests and eight sections of licensed official ETS questions), and GMAT Premium is $249 for six months or $349 for twelve (200+ lessons, 800+ questions), with a score-improvement guarantee on both: up to 70 points on the GMAT, +5 total on the GRE. Both have a free trial, and Magoosh frequently runs site-wide codes, so check the plans page before you buy. One caveat from GMAT forums: Magoosh is widely seen as the gold standard for GRE self-study but lighter for the GMAT, where its questions can run easier than the real test.
| What we like | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Excellent value; video explanation for every question; score guarantee; flexible self-paced format. | No live classes or 1:1 coaching; self-discipline required; less hand-holding than premium brands. |
2. Manhattan Prep — best for top scores
Manhattan Prep built its reputation on rigor. Its practice questions are famously harder than the real test, which is exactly what you want if you’re chasing a 700+ GMAT or a high-percentile GRE — train on tougher material and test day feels manageable. The strategy guides are a genre standard, and the live and on-demand classes are taught by high-scoring instructors. It’s a premium choice, priced accordingly, and best suited to ambitious scorers rather than budget-first studiers.
Manhattan Prep GMAT · Manhattan Prep GRE
| What we like | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Hardest, most realistic practice; superb strategy guides; high-scoring instructors; strong for 700+ GMAT. | Premium pricing; can be overkill if you only need a moderate score; heavier time commitment. |
3. Kaplan — best for structured, live instruction
Kaplan is the biggest name in test prep, and its strength is structure: live online and in-person classes, a clear curriculum, official-style practice, and the reassurance of an established brand with a higher-score guarantee. If you study better with a schedule, a teacher, and accountability than alone with videos, Kaplan is the natural fit. Like Manhattan Prep, it’s a premium-priced option — you’re paying for the live instruction and the breadth of resources. Worth knowing: Manhattan Prep is a Kaplan-owned brand (its site now reads “Manhattan Prep powered by Kaplan”, and its GMAT guarantee terms live on kaptest.com), so these two are corporate siblings rather than independent rivals, even though they still sell separate courses at separate prices. Kaplan’s site blocks automated price checks, so confirm its current prices at checkout.
| What we like | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Structured live classes; large brand with broad resources; higher-score guarantee; in-person option. | Premium pricing; class pace may not suit everyone; less specialized than Manhattan for top quant. |
GMAT & GRE prep compared
| Provider | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magoosh | Value / self-study | Self-paced video + Q-bank | $ (from $149) |
| Manhattan Prep | Top-percentile scores | Live + on-demand + books | $$$ (premium) |
| Kaplan | Structure / live classes | Live online + in-person | $$$ (premium) |
Best GMAT prep, specifically
If you’re GMAT-focused and aiming for a top score, the strongest combination is Manhattan Prep for rigor (its quant practice is harder than the real thing) backed by official GMAC practice tests. If you’re cost-conscious or scoring well already, Magoosh delivers most of the value for a fraction of the price. Note that the GMAT’s structure has changed: it now runs three sections — Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions), Verbal Reasoning (23) and Data Insights (20) — over 2 hours 15 minutes, and data sufficiency now sits in Data Insights rather than the quant section. Older prep material that drills data sufficiency as a quant topic is out of date, so check any course you buy targets the current format.
Best GRE prep, specifically
The GRE is the more forgiving test for most people, and the value math tilts even harder toward Magoosh — its GRE course is a long-standing favorite for self-studiers and starts at $149 with a score guarantee. If you want live instruction or you’re targeting a very high quant score for a competitive program, Kaplan or Manhattan Prep add structure and tougher practice. Pair any of them with the free official ETS PowerPrep tests.
GMAT vs GRE: how the two exams actually differ
Most comparisons stop at “the GRE is easier on quant.” The structural differences matter more than that, because they change how you should prepare. Both exams were overhauled in recent years and a lot of prep advice still describes the old formats.
| GMAT | GRE | |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | 2 hours 15 minutes | About 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Sections | Three: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights | Five: one Analytical Writing task, two Verbal, two Quantitative |
| Questions | 64 total (21 / 23 / 20) | 27 Verbal + 27 Quantitative, plus one essay |
| Essay | None | One "Analyze an Issue" task, 30 minutes, always first |
| Where data sufficiency lives | Data Insights — not the quant section | Not used |
| Adaptivity | Question-level within each section | Section-level — your second Verbal and Quant sections get harder or easier based on the first |
| Retake gap | 16 calendar days | 21 days |
| Attempt cap | 5 per rolling 12 months | 5 per rolling 12 months (365 days) |
Two of these have real prep consequences. First, the GMAT no longer treats data sufficiency as a quant topic — it sits in Data Insights alongside table analysis and multi-source reasoning, so a course that drills DS as pure algebra practice is teaching to a retired format. Second, the GRE is section-level adaptive: your performance on the first Verbal section determines the difficulty of the second. You cannot safely coast through section one and make it up later, which is exactly the mistake self-studiers make when they treat a practice test as a warm-up.
The practical read: if you are business-school-only and confident on quant, the GMAT’s shorter, essay-free format is efficient. If you want to keep other graduate programs open, or writing is a strength you would rather be scored on, the GRE’s structure suits you better. Both are accepted by most MBA programs now, so this is a genuine choice rather than a formality.
What the tests themselves cost
Course prices get all the attention, but the exam fee is a real part of the budget — and on the GRE it is now larger than a Magoosh subscription.
GRE fees
ETS publishes a flat fee schedule, effective 1 August 2026: $249 for the General Test everywhere except China ($237.86). Rescheduling or changing your test center costs $55 ($55.43 in China), and additional score reports are $40 per recipient — a cost people forget when they apply to six programs.
⭐ The fee reduction almost nobody mentions: ETS runs a Fee Reduction Program that lets eligible test takers register for $100 instead of $249. It also includes free access to prep materials ETS values at $100 — POWERPREP PLUS Practice Tests 1 and 2 ($45 each) and ScoreItNow! Online Writing Practice ($20). If you are a student or on a low income, check your eligibility before you pay full price or buy a paid course; the free PowerPrep PLUS tests alone cover a chunk of what a budget provider sells you.
GMAT fees
GMAC prices the GMAT by country and delivery format, and its fees page shows the schedule once you pick a country. For the United States on 22 October 2026: $275 at a test center or $300 online, with additional score reports at $35 each. Rescheduling costs $55 / $60 (test center / online) more than 60 days out, $110 / $120 at 15 to 60 days, and $165 / $180 within 14 days. Canceling refunds $110 / $120, $80 / $90 or $55 / $60 on the same timeline, and inside 24 hours you can neither reschedule nor cancel, so the whole fee is forfeited. Outside the US, check GMAC’s own pricing page for your country.
GMAC does run vouchers and fee waivers, but they are distributed by third parties — business schools, scholarship organizations and test-prep organizations — rather than applied for centrally, and each issuer sets its own eligibility and expiry. If you are applying to a school, ask its admissions office directly whether it issues them; that is where they come from.
Retakes: how many attempts you actually get
Both tests are retakeable, and planning for a second attempt is sensible rather than pessimistic. The limits are tighter than most people assume:
- GMAT: at least 16 calendar days between appointments, and a maximum of five attempts in a rolling 12-month period. Online and test-center sittings count against the same limit, and so do exams where you canceled your score. Appointments you cancel in advance or miss entirely do not count. GMAC also requires a five-year wait before retesting if you have scored a perfect 805, and its GMAT Superscore lets your strongest eligible section scores across attempts be combined, per its registration page; scores stay valid for five years.
- GRE: ETS’s long-standing rule is once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 365-day period — and this applies even if you canceled your scores on a previous sitting. (ETS moved its retest-policy page in October 2026; confirm the current rule in your ETS account when you book.) ETS enforces it retroactively: if a violation surfaces after scores are reported, those scores are canceled, recipients are notified, and the fees are forfeited.
The planning implication is straightforward. If your application deadline is three months out, you realistically have room for two sittings, not four — so book the first one early enough that a retake still fits, rather than leaving it as late as possible and having only one shot.
Understanding GMAT and GRE scores
Knowing what you’re aiming for shapes how much prep you need. The GRE scores its Verbal and Quantitative sections on a 130–170 scale each (260–340 combined), plus a separate Analytical Writing score. The GMAT Total Score runs from 205 to 805, and it is built from the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights section scores — which GMAC states are equally weighted. That equal weighting is the single most under-appreciated fact about the current exam: Data Insights is a third of your Total Score, not a bolt-on, yet it is the section candidates most often leave until last because it did not exist in the old format. If you are choosing a course on quant reputation alone, check what it actually offers on Data Insights before you buy. For both tests, the number that matters isn’t an absolute ‘good score’ — it’s the percentile your target programs expect. Pull up the published class profile or median scores for the schools you’re applying to and work backwards from there; a score that’s competitive for one program may be below median at another.
This matters for your course choice. If your target percentile is modest, a value provider plus consistent practice is plenty. If you need a top-decile score, the extra rigor of Manhattan Prep or the structure of Kaplan can be worth the premium — the last few percentile points are the hardest to earn alone.
Free official resources worth using
Whatever paid course you choose, pair it with the free official materials — they’re the most accurate practice you can get because they come from the test makers themselves:
- GRE: ETS PowerPrep — two free official full-length practice tests that mirror the real interface and scoring.
- GMAT: the free Official Starter Kit on mba.com — 70+ official questions and two official practice exams, the best gauge of where you actually stand.
- GMAT Club and GMAT Ninja — the free forum question bank and the free YouTube lessons that self-studiers on r/GMAT recommend most often, especially GMAT Ninja for Verbal.
- Official guide question sets — retired real questions; the gold standard for realistic practice.
A smart approach: take a free official test cold at the start to set a baseline, do your paid-course study, then take the second official test near the end to confirm you’re ready. The paid courses give you teaching and volume; the official tests tell you the truth about your score.
Building a GMAT or GRE study plan
Most successful candidates study consistently over two to three months rather than cramming. A plan that works for either test: spend the first third learning content and strategy, the middle third drilling the question bank by topic and fixing weak areas, and the final third taking full-length, timed practice tests under realistic conditions. Review every missed question and write down why you missed it — careless error, content gap, or timing — because the fix is different for each.
Protect your timing especially on the GMAT, where pacing pressure sinks more scores than content gaps do. When your practice-test scores land in your target range across two or three consecutive attempts, book the real exam while you’re sharp. Don’t keep delaying for a perfect practice score that never comes — readiness is a consistent range, not a single peak.
How to choose
Start with two questions: what’s your budget, and how do you study best? If you’re disciplined and cost matters, Magoosh will get you there cheaply. If you need a schedule and a teacher, pay up for Kaplan’s live classes. If you’re chasing a top-percentile score and money is secondary, Manhattan Prep’s rigor is worth it. Whichever you choose, the providers matter less than the habit: consistent, timed, explained practice over several weeks beats any single course feature.
Other providers worth knowing
Our three picks are the ones we’d actively recommend, but they aren’t the only serious options — and being honest about the alternatives is part of helping you choose well:
- Target Test Prep — widely regarded as one of the best for GMAT and GRE quant specifically. If a low quant score is your bottleneck, it’s worth a look alongside our picks.
- e-GMAT — particularly popular with non-native English speakers and known for a structured, data-driven approach to verbal and quant. On 22 October 2026 its plans ran from $299 for two months (shown discounted from $599) to $549 for six, with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
- The Princeton Review — another large, established brand with live classes and score guarantees, comparable to Kaplan in format and positioning.
- AnalystPrep — we recommended AnalystPrep here until 2026, but the company has discontinued its GMAT and GRE products; its own site now states it “no longer offers dedicated GMAT preparation products.” Its finance-exam prep is still excellent, so if you landed here researching AnalystPrep, see our best CFA courses guide instead.
- Official GMAC and ETS materials — not a course, but the official practice from the test makers should be part of every study plan regardless of which paid option you choose.
We don’t have affiliate relationships with these providers, so we’re not steering you toward them — but a good comparison names the strong alternatives honestly, and these are genuinely strong. If quant is your weak point in particular, Target Test Prep is the name that comes up most often among high scorers.
Score guarantees and refund policies compared
Every major provider now advertises a guarantee, and the terms differ more than the marketing suggests. As stated on each provider’s site on 22 October 2026:
| Provider | What is guaranteed | Read the fine print for |
|---|---|---|
| Magoosh GMAT | Up to a 70-point increase | Plan length and completion requirements |
| Magoosh GRE | +5 total score points | Minimum study activity before the test |
| Manhattan Prep | Higher Score Guarantee; with private tutoring, 655+ (from a 585+ baseline) or +70 points on the GMAT, and 325+ on the GRE | Full completion of the program; baseline exam rules |
| Kaplan | Higher Score Guarantee | Eligibility terms on kaptest.com |
| Target Test Prep | 130-point GMAT improvement; 320+ on the GRE | Course completion and timing rules |
| e-GMAT | 7-day money-back guarantee (a refund window, not a score promise) | The seven days start at purchase |
The pattern: a score guarantee is usually a refund or extension if you complete every lesson and practice test and still fall short, not a promise of a result. Treat it as a measure of the provider’s confidence, and read the eligibility rules before you rely on one.
GMAT and GRE prep prices compared (October 2026)
| Option | Price read 22 Oct 2026 | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Magoosh GRE Premium | $149 (1 month), $179 (6 months) | Self-paced video and question bank |
| Magoosh GMAT Premium | $249 (6 months), $349 (12 months) | Self-paced video and question bank |
| e-GMAT | From $299 for 2 months to $549 for 6 | Self-paced, adaptive |
| Target Test Prep | Price shown after a 5-day free trial | Self-paced, 4,000+ questions plus AI-generated practice |
| Manhattan Prep / Kaplan | Premium; shown at checkout | Live classes, on-demand, tutoring |
| Official GMAC / ETS materials | Free starter kit and PowerPrep tests; paid Official Guides | Official practice |
Prices change often and sales are frequent; treat these as a snapshot and confirm at checkout.
How to prep for the GMAT or GRE free
A free path is realistic, and GMAT forums are full of people who scored well on it. For the GMAT: start with the official Starter Kit on mba.com (70+ official questions and two official practice exams), learn Verbal and Data Insights from GMAT Ninja’s free YouTube lessons, use GMAT Club’s free forum questions for volume, and take Target Test Prep’s five-day free trial if Quant is your weak point. For the GRE: ETS’s two free POWERPREP tests, plus Magoosh’s free trial lessons. If you qualify for ETS’s Fee Reduction Program, you also get POWERPREP PLUS tests and ScoreItNow! writing practice free.
A simple way to spend the first week: take one free official GMAT practice exam and one free POWERPREP GRE test under timed conditions, a few days apart. The gap between your two scores, compared with ETS’s GRE Comparison Tool for Business Schools, tells you which exam suits you before you spend anything, and gives you the baseline that any score guarantee will be measured against. Keep the score reports; several guarantees above require a documented starting score.
What free prep lacks is a structured syllabus and someone to explain why you keep missing the same question type. If you have studied free for a month and your practice scores have stalled, that is the point where a paid course earns its price.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best GMAT prep course?
There’s no single best — Manhattan Prep for top-percentile scorers who want the hardest practice, Magoosh for the best value, and Kaplan if you want structured live instruction. Match the course to your target score and budget.
What’s the best value GRE prep?
Magoosh — its GRE course starts around $149 with 1,600+ practice questions, video explanations, and a score-improvement guarantee. It’s the long-standing value pick for self-studiers.
Should I take the GMAT or the GRE?
Most MBA programs now accept both. The GRE is broader and often friendlier on quant; the GMAT is business-school-specific and can signal commitment to MBA admissions. Check your target programs, then prep for the test you’ll score highest on.
How long should I study?
Most candidates spend two to three months of consistent, timed practice. The exact number of hours matters less than steady weekly practice with full-length mock tests near the end.
How much do the GMAT and GRE cost?
The GRE General Test is $249 in most of the world ($237.86 in China) on the fee schedule effective 1 August 2026, with rescheduling at $55 and additional score reports at $40 each. The GMAT is priced by country: in the US it is $275 at a test center or $300 online, with additional score reports at $35. ETS also runs a Fee Reduction Program that cuts the GRE to $100 and bundles about $100 of official prep for eligible test takers.
How many times can I retake the GMAT or GRE?
The GMAT allows a retake after 16 days, up to five attempts (online and test center combined) in a rolling 12-month period; canceled scores count toward that limit but canceled or missed appointments do not. The GRE allows one attempt every 21 days, up to five in any rolling 365 days, and that applies even if you canceled your scores. Plan for two sittings inside a three-month timeline, not four.
Do I need an expensive course to score well?
No. A disciplined self-studier can hit a strong score with a value provider like Magoosh plus the free official practice tests. Premium live courses help most if you need accountability or you’re chasing a top-percentile score.
Is the GRE easier than the GMAT?
For most people the GRE is friendlier on Quant and broader in scope, while the GMAT is shorter, has no essay and tests data sufficiency inside its Data Insights section. Neither is simply easier: take a free official practice test for each and prep for the one you score higher on, after confirming your target programs accept both.
Can I prep for the GMAT for free?
Yes. The official Starter Kit on mba.com gives you 70+ official questions and two practice exams, GMAT Ninja teaches Verbal and Data Insights free on YouTube, GMAT Club has a free question bank, and Target Test Prep offers a five-day free trial. A paid course mainly adds structure and explanations once free prep stalls.
How much does the GMAT cost in the US?
On GMAC’s fee page on 22 October 2026, the GMAT cost $275 at a US test center or $300 online, with additional score reports at $35 each. Rescheduling and cancellation fees rise as the appointment gets closer, and inside 24 hours the whole fee is forfeited.
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