Princeton Review vs Kaplan GMAT

Kaplan vs Princeton Review GMAT: Overall Comparison

Key Features of The Best GMAT Prep Courses

While both platforms provide robust prep courses, Princeton seems to take the lead with its adaptive learning platform, extensive GMAT practice tests, and student-friendly features.

However, Kaplan catches up with its self-paced learning resources, modern user interface, and unique “test day experience”. Let’s take a look at a more detailed comparison of Kaplan vs Princeton Review GMAT courses.

Both Kaplan and Princeton bring unique strengths to the table. So when you’re deciding between them, think about how each platform best aligns with your learning needs.

Consider your budget too, and the resources each platform offers. Remember, the best GMAT prep course is the one that helps you achieve your target GMAT score. With these factors in mind, let’s see how each compares.

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Kaplan: How Is it Better Than Princeton Review?

As someone who has dabbled in Kaplan and Princeton GMAT test Prep Courses, I can confidently say that Kaplan does have its unique strengths. While Princeton is more affordable, Kaplan has a slight edge as it brings to the table a comprehensive package that goes beyond affordability.

One of the key areas where Kaplan excels is the number of practice problem questions it offers.

• With over 5000 questions in its Qbank, it eclipses Princeton’s 3000.

This vast quantity means you’ll get immersed in a sea of questions, providing you with an unparalleled opportunity to practice and perfect your skills.

Moreover, Kaplan outshines with its unique additional feature, the Official GMAT Test Day Experience.

• This feature simulates the actual course day environment, so students get a better idea of what to expect.

In terms of cost, it’s true that Kaplan may be a little bit pricier than Princeton Review, but as the old adage goes, “You get what you pay for”. The quality and depth of their GMAT course content and features offer exceptional value for the price.

Kaplan Courses and Features

Kaplan, the parent company of Manhattan Prep, has more than enough test prep to go around. They have more than 27 hours of instructional videos, either in-person or online. These include different formats to suit individual learning styles and budgets.

• Live Course: Priced at $1599, this gives you live, interactive teaching where you’re able to interact with instructors and peers. The course includes practice tests and in-depth GMAT study materials.
• On Demand: Available for $999, the On-Demand prep course grants access to recorded lectures and practice materials that you can use at your own pace. This is best for you if you prefer self-study or have an unpredictable schedule.
• Bootcamp: Priced at $2599, this one’s a super intensive and accelerated prep GMAT course designed for short-term study. It includes extensive tutoring and a multitude of tests.
• Tutoring: They have personalized tutoring for $2450 if you need to focus on specific areas. This includes one-on-one sessions with a test prep insight team and can be tailored to what you need to work on.
• In addition to these, Kaplan and Manhattan Prep have paired up, offering further prep test options such as the new Focus Edition for 2024 applicants and the Executive Assessment and GRE exams prep for MBA programs (a high score means more chance of getting into an MBA program).

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Princeton Review: How Is it Better Than Kaplan?

One reason to choose Princeton Review would be for its 27 hours of in-person or live online instruction. This means more opportunities for learning and interaction. Secondly, there are 10 full-length practice tests, which are excellent for familiarizing yourself with the GMAT format and timing.

The feedback on GMAT prep essays offered by Princeton Review is another plus. This feedback is instrumental in understanding your strengths and areas of improvement, so you can write high-scoring essays.

Princeton also provides superior online materials and math training, which are critical components of the GMAT.

Princeton’s student portal provides additional support. This portal offers a personalized learning experience and continuous support throughout the prep course.

Additionally, while Kaplan and Princeton Review offer private tutoring options, it’s worth noting that Princeton’s tutoring is more affordable. But only because you have the option to pay hourly ($167).

Princeton Review GMAT Courses and Features

The Princeton Review offers a variety of GMAT prep courses tailored to students with different learning styles and goals.

• Fundamentals: To cover the basics, this course costs $1,299. It has 27 hours of live instruction, full-length practice tests, and a custom lesson plan.
• GMAT 700+: A 47-hour course that guarantees a GMAT score of 700 or higher. It includes a GMAT official guidebook, a complete archive of Princeton Review’s practice questions and test prep, online drills, 5,000+ practice questions, and a score improvement guarantee. This course comes in at $1,699.
• Self-Paced: So you can learn at your own pace, Princeton has this prep course for $699. With it comes 80 adaptive drills, 10 tests, and 3,000+ practice questions.
• Tutoring: A personalized one-on-one tutoring service. The cost varies based on the number of hours and the level of GMAT tutor expertise.
• GMAT Test Prep Books: The Princeton Review publishes a range of GMAT prep books. These include the GMAT Premium Prep, 2023 Edition, which is priced at $35.

Kaplan vs Princeton Review Pricing Comparison

Kaplan GMAT vs Princeton Review both offer a wide range of resources for students, but their pricing differs significantly.

• Kaplan’s courses tend to be more expensive, but they offer more in terms of resources, like full-length practice tests and access to a vast question bank.
• Princeton, while cheaper, offers fewer resources but makes up for it with its personalized tutoring.

Kaplan Prep vs Princeton Review GMAT in Terms of Quality

Kaplan Prep and Princeton Review offer detailed study guides, tests, and interactive learning resources.

• Kaplan stands out for its adaptive learning technology. They tailor lessons to your strengths and weaknesses.
• On the other hand, Princeton offers personalized tutoring, which is really helpful if you prefer one-on-one instruction.

But the decision isn’t all about resources and pricing. Your learning style and positive value should be the ultimate deciding factor.

• Kaplan’s selection resources and adaptive learning technology might be more suitable if you’re an independent learner who prefers self-paced studying.
• Princeton’s personalized tutoring would be a better fit if you thrive under guided instruction and individualized feedback.

Speaking of tutors, still need a little extra help? If so, consider looking at EduReviewer’s best GMAT tutors list, where only teachers that have mastered the art of tutoring are featured. It might just hold the keys to unlocking your potential.

Kaplan

I found Kaplan to offer a high-quality learning experience that seems to justify its price tag. Their courses are indeed interactive, with their standout feature being high-quality video lessons provided by Manhattan Prep.

These lessons use technology that adapts to the learner and are both engaging and challenging. I found the material presented in the GMAT channel video lessons easy to remember, which helped with recall during practice problem assessment.

Lessons are taught using a highly structured approach. You’re given a course book that outlines all the topics you’ll cover in the GMAT.

The course is divided into lessons, each focusing on a specific topic.

• There’s a mixture of live classes and on-demand video lessons, and the instructors are always on hand for any doubts or clarifications.

The lessons are interactive, with several quizzes and GMAT test prep questions scattered throughout to strengthen your understanding. Kaplan emphasizes understanding the logic behind each concept, which I found really helpful too.

Kaplan also keeps its content up-to-date and relevant.

• They have an Adaptive Quiz Bank with over 5,000 practice questions, which were perfect for continuous practice and improvement.

These questions were challenging and kept me on my toes. Ultimately helping me to identify and work on my weak areas.

One of the most impressive aspects of Kaplan is how it simulates the real GMAT experience. The Official Test Day Experience lets you take a practice test at an actual testing facility, which seems like an invaluable resource for reducing test-day anxiety.

In terms of its effectiveness as a learning platform, Kaplan certainly delivers. The combination of computer adaptive learning, expert instruction, and rich materials make for a thorough preparation for the GMAT.

Princeton Review

The Princeton Review, like Kaplan, offers a robust and comprehensive learning environment. The curriculum is in-depth, covering all module topics such as verbal, essay writing, test taking skills, math, and integrated reasoning.

These courses are interactive and make you feel like you’re part of an exclusive GMAT club. They use live instruction in the Fundamentals package that effectively engages with users

However, the video lesson production quality could be better, and the integration of GMAT prep books into the course needs improvement. Despite these minor issues, the material is challenging and engaging, pushing you to fully grasp the nuances of the actual GMAT exam.

Princeton adopts a slightly different approach to teaching style than Kaplan GMAT. Here, the lessons are more test-oriented. The curriculum is designed with the goal of familiarizing you with the actual GMAT test format.

Some of the lessons are taught via live classes, where instructors go through each question type that appears on the exam.

These live classes are quite engaging – the instructors often use real-time student responses to illustrate key points, which keeps the classes lively and interactive.

Princeton Review is current and a valuable resource to score high. The GMAT 700+ course, specifically designed for high scorers, is a testament to this.

• The package provides ample practice opportunities with 10 full-length test prep papers and detailed problem explanations.

This setup is great if you prefer to go over your mistakes and tackle your weak points.

Considering the extensive content, practice opportunities, and expert instruction, Princeton Review is an effective learning platform.

Despite the cost, the quality of learning seems to justify its price tag, meaning value for your investment.

Cons of Princeton Review and Kaplan GMAT Platforms

While Kaplan and Princeton Review offer fully-featured prep courses with high-quality materials and instruction, they both have their disadvantages. It’s always a good idea to weigh these factors against the benefits before getting your card out.

Kaplan

Starting with Kaplan GMAT which, despite its various features and resources, has a few notable disadvantages.

• Some packages are over $1000, which means they’re not affordable for everyone.
• Although there are a variety of package options, the in-person course is notably expensive at $1449.
• It’s structured and intensive nature means it might not be the best fit for everyone.

Princeton Review

Turning to the Princeton Review, which also has a lot to offer, but there are still some cons to consider.

• The packages are considered premium and therefore come at a high cost, which may not be affordable for everyone.
• The layout and structure may be a bit overwhelming for some. Sometimes it’s very text heavy, and there are a lot of resources and study materials.
• While the range of options caters to different learning styles and goals, the cost-effectiveness of these options might be a concern. For instance, the Private Tutoring option charges $167 per hour, which can quickly add up.

Consider Edureviewer’s best GMAT prep courses for a thorough look at more packages on the market, If you’re still unsure where to get exam prep. Using the same analysis as this review, you’ll find plenty of tips.

FAQ: Princeton Review Vs Kaplan GMAT

Is Kaplan or Princeton Review books better for GMAT?

Both Kaplan GMAT prep and Princeton Review offer excellent preparation materials. However, Kaplan’s books are known for their detailed explanations and full-length practice GMAT practice tests, while Princeton’s books are appreciated for their real-world examples and comprehensive content.

Is Princeton Review better than Kaplan GMAT?

When it comes to deciding between Kaplan vs Princeton Review GMAT prep, it’s not a matter of better or worse but more about the fit for your learning style. Princeton provides an immersive learning experience with interactive live GMAT classes and challenging material. Kaplan, on the other hand, is known for its detailed and structured approach. Kaplan GMAT and Princeton Review each have their merits.

Is Kaplan easier than actual GMAT?

Kaplan GMAT prep courses aren’t necessarily easier than the real thing. The goal of Kaplan is to prepare you for the complexity of the actual test. The difficulty level is designed to match or even exceed that of the actual exam to ensure thorough preparation.

Is Princeton Review good for GMAT?

When deciding between Princeton Review vs Kaplan GMAT, it’s safe to know that, yes, Princeton is a good option for test prep. With its robust learning environment, interactive live instruction, and challenging material, it helps you prepare for the exam.