Amazing experience

When I first started my GMAT journey, I assumed it wouldn’t be that difficult. I had always been a strong student…this will be easy. Much to my surprise, my initial score on a practice exam was abysmal (which, I was told, is not uncommon). I wanted to apply to a top ten school, and my mind was set on a 700+, so, it was time for tutoring. I decided to take the Manhattan GMAT Boot camp as well as use Reed Arnold as a private tutor. The resources and instruction at Manhattan are truly incredible. Be aware, that your score will not jump without commitment, but each teacher I worked with was patient and supportive along the way. The boot camp is a bit of a firehose, but both Laurel and Dhivya made a somewhat daunting two weeks more enjoyable. Both instructors were personable and kind, and most importantly, spent a tremendous amount of time assisting each student with developing the correct INDIVIDUALIZED strategy for studying, focusing on specific topics to help boost our scores. This test is not a “one size fits all approach”, and they really help you to recognize this. Their instruction was thorough and clear, and if you are working with a limited amount of time to study – WITH FOCUS – it is the best way to learn all of the material on the test.

Reed deserves a medal for putting up with my ebbs and flows of commitment over the past few months. He was attentive and supportive, and extremely responsive to all questions and needs along the way. His feedback was direct (and appreciated!) – he certainly didn’t sugar coat it, but it really pushed me to get to where I needed to be. His one-on-one instruction was very clear – he was articulate in explaining difficult topics to me, and even I claimed I understood something, he’d keep pushing with more difficult problems until I had mastered a concept. With his support, I developed a clear and manageable strategy for conquering the test – and wound up scoring over 700 on my first try. AND, even when I decided to push it even further to try to boost my score a bit more, he was extremely accommodating and continued to support me along the way. This is not to say that everyone who enrolls will miraculously jump over 150 points – as he explained – it takes a very methodical approach. Constant review, repetition and practice is key.

A+ overall. I highly, highly recommend to anyone looking to take the GMAT. It was worth the investment, and I am far more confident in applying to school.