The GMAT is the go-to exam for business school admissions. Anyone who has ever entertained the thought of studying business knows that GMAT is the very first step. However, acing the GMAT is no easy feat as the test is known to be quite tricky and includes a host of different topics.

For the longest time, test-takers chose to prepare for GMAT by self-studying from prep books. However, thanks to the internet, GMAT prep books are no longer the only resources available for test prep. Instead, GMAT online courses have quickly risen in popularity over the past few years as they provide an effective and regimented approach to test prep.

Studying from a book is not for everyone as some people like additional help and resources that a text based medium cannot offer. When you are self-studying using a prep book, you cannot reach out to anyone for clarity on a topic that you find difficult. Instead, you are left to your own devices, and the best you can do is search the internet.

On the other hand, online courses offer greater guidance and tools that can save you time and effort, which is best spent on studying. However, with all its advantages, online courses do cost significantly more than prep books which beg the question are they even worth it?

Let’s look at some of the reasons why online GMAT courses are helpful and provide a more effective learning experience than plain old books.

Being Taught by An Instructor is More Engaging

This point might be a bit subjective, but having been in the test prep industry for a long time, I know the difference an instructor-led program can make. Self-study is not for everyone. Same as everything else in life, learning is not the same for every person. Some people are quite good at teaching themselves. Whereas others find it difficult to read, understand and make sense of everything on their own.

For people who have trouble studying on their own, online courses can be very effective. Of course, this will depend on the quality of the course, but any reputable GMAT course will do the trick.

As opposed to reading and learning from a book, online courses offer instructor-led videos that explain the concepts directly. They break down the various concepts and practice questions bit by bit while explaning each step of the way. This makes for a more effective and engaging learning experience as you feel present, much like a class.

Moreover, online courses have the advantage of both audio and visual mediums. As human beings, we tend to learn best when more than one of our senses are stimulated. This is something a prep book cannot do. Online courses typically use a whiteboard-like interface where you can see the concept being written down and explained.

Online Courses Offer Computer-Adaptive GMAT Practice Tests 

This might be one of the greatest advantages an online GMAT course has over a prep book. We know that GMAT and many other standardized tests are no longer paper-based. Gone are the days when students had to circle off answer choices on a sheet.

Since the real GMAT is computer-delivered, it makes much more sense to practice it on a similar interface. You can study and practice all you want, but if you are not familiar with the actual test and how it works, you might be in a for a surprise on test day.

Any online GMAT course that is worth its salt offers multiple full-length computer-adaptive practice tests. The number of these tests can vary but you can expect anywhere from 2-8 practice tests depending on which course you opt for.

Companies like Manhattan and Kaplan try their best to mimic the actual GMAT to prepare test-takers for the real deal. This can be an incredibly helpful exercise for those who are new to the exam. It raises confidence, and you feel better prepared for test day.

Moreover, unlike a book, a proper web interface that is designed to replicate GMAT offers an authentic test-taking experience. It enforces time restrictions which are essential for doing well on the test.

Online GMAT Practice Question Banks

What is better? Solving a practice question on a book and then flipping through pages to find the answer key or doing it on a web interface that gives you a lengthy explanation if you get the answer wrong. Ofcourse the latter!

Online GMAT courses are equipped to offer customizable question banks. They allow you to predefine the difficulty and the question types to quiz you more effectively. If you get an answer wrong, you will receive a detailed explanation of why a certain answer choice isn’t the perfect match.

It is more time-efficient, it doesn’t break the flow, and above all, it is far more helpful. Not to mention the number of practice questions which is usually far greater on an online course. For example, Kaplan, Manhattan and Economist, all offer 5000 practice questions on their GMAT courses. You’d be lucky to get a quarter of that on a prep book.

AI Capability 

Artificial intelligence is a pretty neat technology, and as it has evolved over the years, humans have found more and more applications for it. One such application is in the field of test prep. Premium online courses like Economist, Kaplan and Manhattan Prep have implemented smart AI to tailor their courses to the test-takers needs and abilities.

A prep book cannot do much more than offering concepts and practice material. How you go about studying it is up to you. On the other hand, AI-driven online courses actively measure and calculate your performance and customize the pace and difficulty of the course to meet your abilities.

This is extremely helpful since it accommodates people of different skill levels. Someone who has a much difficult time with quant topics shouldn’t have to learn at the same pace as someone who is well-versed in it.

You Can Ask For Help 

Premium GMAT courses like Manhattan Prep, Kaplan and Economist allow you to reach out to a human tutor in case you are having difficulty with a particular topic. Again, this is something a prep book cannot do. Moreover, depending on what plan you choose, some courses even help with the test’s essay portion by allowing you to send in a sample. They analyze the essay, grade it and give you detailed feedback on how to improve.