MBA preparation classes - GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, etc.

Do you know school where I could prepare for GMAT / GRE / TOEFL?

I am considering MBA; application requires gre/gmat and toefl exams. Do you know any school that could walk me thru?

Advertisement: MBA courses at the European Business College Munich

re GMAT: don't bother with courses. get one or two good books with simulation CDs of the actual test. I prepared with Kaplan and ARCO and did quite well with just those. prep classes are a waste of time and a rip-off

good luck
J

Try Barrons - either the book or the CD, I used the CD and prepared for my GMAT which was more than adequate.

Good Luck

You may try a look at the Open University website...I've been studying in the UK for the past 5 years (finish MBA Apr 2004) and recently I saw them advertising on the S-Bahn. ..they are http://www.open.ac.uk/ - can anyone add to the German link - either way we have european locals on the course, so who knows. Check out the Business School - u may not need a GMAT - if you didn't know it's probably the most popular UK distance learning programme - more MBA students than anywhere else I think (don't quote me pls)...however it never seems to feature in MBA league tables - but then it is so flexible, and accredited, so weigh up the balance. rgds

I could also do with recommendations for GMAT preparation classes. I know that I should be able to study for this stupid test on my own but the last time I had willpower for that kind of thing was in 93.

S.

I don't mean to chime in with a negative comment, but I think that intense preparation for this is a bit of a waste of time. The main benefit is mostly psychological in that you feel more prepared, but as for the courses (I've never taken one), people told me they were a waste. Especially the people who ended up writing a bunch of times trying to hit a "good day." I met an american guy who once had a job writing and prooifng the questions for the GMAT who also thought the courses were a bit of a cash grab.

Kind of off topic... is the GMAT score important for European B-schools? Where's the cut off for top schools over here - 600? 650?

Well part of it is how to think about the questions but the reason that I am doing a course is that it takes me out of the house and structures my time. Without that I will still be planning to take my GMAT middle of next year.

Yes not keen on the whole "waiting to hit a good day thing".

Incidentally, I will be starting a course with another woman next week. It is for 30 hours of tuition for 1200 Euro and increases to 45 hours should we find a third person to join.

S.

I don't think you'll get into any self-respecting school with a GMAT score of less than 600.

That being said, with very little study I got a score higher than 600 (not saying more! )

If I can do it you're guaranteed to be better. I'm horrible at standardized tests.

I need at least 650, better 680. Imagi, thanks for the the PM; but I am reluctant to shell out 1200e for a course. There are these weekend things by Manhattan Review, which go at around 700e for the whole weekend. I might consider one of those, but still want to prepare first by myself. I know I need to brush up on math, as I have taken the test about a year ago and scored 590 with especially the math taking my score down. (back then I only needed 550 though).
However, if you want to study in a private study group, that I might consider.

I can only back up what others have said. If you pay money for a course, you are just throwing that money away.

The test is basic math and language skills. The main challenge is about how quickly and accurately you can answer the questions. Meaning, the questions in themselves are not hard, but having to come up with the correct answer under time pressure can be a challenge.

When I registered for the GMAT, there was a software package that I got included in the registration fee - pretty sure everyone gets this. It contains several practice tests which are timed, and consist of actual GMAT questions. I ran through those tests on my own computer until I scored what I wanted in the allowed time limit. Then I sat the test.

Given that the GMAT itself is computer based, I don't see how you can get a better preparation than what I did, which was basically to go through a simulated test situation several times. And it costs nothing (extra). Get yourself a year 9 math book and a basic english grammar reference book if you need it. If you need to study with others to force yourself to spend the time, then forming a study group would be the best way to go.

I think I studied this way for about 5 evenings after work in the comfort of my lounge room, after which time I honestly couldn't figure out what else to do to prepare any better, so I sat the test. I got an excellent score. People running courses for €1200 or whatever are just playing on your fears - you don't need them!

i guess it depends on what score youre going for...

spend the money if you want. But within my MBA class there was no correlation between high scores and doing a preparation course. In fact the two students with the best score (770) both did it by studying on their own. Up to you.

GMAT for me is really testing your patience. The question/statement seems to be going in circle so you need concentration and the quicker you comprehend/reach analysis, the better. (Common sense, ain't it?!)

As for going for GMAT preparation course, I've a friend who took his MBA in Yale i.e. 99% percentile scorer with NO GMAT preparation course. He was so busy working, he only had time to prepare for it one week before the test! And in my MBA class, NO ONE paid/attended any GMAT preparation course. Considering the high fees for a MBA course, no one really have that much money to spare.

Another thing, if you are going for a MBA i.e. likely to aim for a management position. So if you can't have the discipline to do a self-study (for a GMAT for example), I don't know if you have the discipline to manage and lead a company. If I were a recruiter and found out that you paid/attended a GMAT preparation course, I would only think that you lack the discipline or not very smart - how are you ever going to lead? - or plain rich, then you don't need the job.

At the end of the day, it's YOUR money, spend it anyway you like!

Ditto. If you went to college in the US, you probably took the SAT and the SAT IIs - or whatever they used to be called. It's the same concept. You need to learn the types of questions, but any good book and/or software program can teach you this as well, and costs a lot less than €1,200. The actual subject matter isn't hard, but you need to practice at least a couple times just sitting down and doing the whole test on your computer, and timing yourself obviously.

In my program most of those I talked to that scored over 700 put in under 20hrs total prep time - one guy ran into a busy stretch prior to sitting for it, and went in simply as a dry run, with no intention of it counting, but felt good after writing it so he submitted his score and was pleasantly surprised.

I like the idea of doing the CD-ROM practices - nothing like simulating the environment to help calm the nerves... On the same note, depending on cost, if you can sit for a "dry run" that may be useful.

On the "course as a means to impose disciplined study" side, I'd be less worried about the Gmat and more worried about managing the program after you get in I know I was surprised at the workload.

I am seriously considering B-school, and need to get my GMATs done with and out of the way. I am particularly average on standardized tests, and would be interested in a GMAT preparation class and/or serious & regular study groups.

1) Can anyone out there recommend a GMAT preparation class offered here in Munich?

2) Is anyone interested in starting a study group sometime this summer?

I imagine I would like to take the test early Fall 2007 but I'm flexible.

Please post to this thread if there is interest or if you have recommendations.

Best,

Herr Brain

I realize several people have already asked about GMAT prep classes in Munich, but no one was really able to provide information about a good program. Has anyone taken a prep class that you would recommend?

I have just begun to prepare for the GMAT but I would also be interested in forming a study group to prepare if anyone's interested.

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