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Magoosh vs Princeton Review GMAT
Our in-depth evaluation of the GMAT courses from Magoosh and Princeton Review, with emphasis on how they compare
A typical scenario that people find themselves in is trying to decide between the GMAT prep courses from Princeton Review and Magoosh. The usual situation goes something like this: “I know Princeton Review is good, but Magoosh is half the cost. Is it worth it?” Well, we analyze that question in this detailed comparison of the two courses, breaking down key differences, and providing our thoughts on which one to go with.
As this is a long and detailed post, we’ve included jump-to links above for easy navigation.
Video Review: Magoosh Worth It Over Princeton Review?
In this video, John from the TPI team (a 700+ GMAT scorer) covers everything you need to know about the GMAT prep courses from Magoosh and Princeton Review. Keep reading for more detail.
Let’s start this article with a quick discussion on one of the most important factors between these two GMAT courses: pricing. As you likely know, this category is pretty straightforward, as Magoosh is the obvious winner.
The Magoosh self-paced plan costs around $350. Conversely, Princeton’s self-paced course is priced closer to $800, with their live class options starting at around $1,000.
In other words, by going with Magoosh for your GMAT prep, you’ll likely save around $450, if not more. With that said, this is sort of like comparing apples to oranges as Magoosh does not offer any live GMAT classes and their course (as you’ll see below) is not quite as comprehensive.
However, it is noteworthy that both Magoosh and Princeton Review regularly offer sales and special promotions, so be sure to look out for coupon codes and deals before buying. I regularly see both of these courses discounted by 10% to 15%. I should also add that Princeton Review offers GMAT tutoring packages for students who need 1-on-1 assistance.
How Each GMAT Prep Course Works
The interesting thing about Princeton Review and Magoosh is that despite the major disparity in price, from a high level, the courses don’t actually look that different. Let me explain.
When considering how each GMAT Focus program generally works, the courses from Magoosh and Princeton are pretty similar in terms of both features and study materials.
Both companies provide video lessons, a guided study plan, practice problems, practice tests, and support, among other mutual features.
The Princeton Review GMAT drill builder tool
In other words, from a checklist-type of perspective, you’re sort of getting the same course. However, when it comes to delivery, the two GMAT courses are pretty different.
Princeton Review uses a very streamlined and linear approach to teaching based around gated learning modules, while Magoosh offers more a DIY, self-study type of format (similar to Target Test Prep).
Basically, Princeton Review tells you exactly what to study and when, sequencing your learning into linear modules, while Magoosh allows you to select what you want to study and when (if at all). In short, it’s highly structured vs laissez-faire.
The Magoosh GMAT dashboard
That said, however, my analogy is bit of an oversimplification and there are more subtle differences. To explore those, let’s look at where each company wins over one another.
Reasons To Choose Princeton Review GMAT
Now that you have a basic understanding of what both companies offer in terms of study materials, let’s cover the major reasons to choose Princeton Review GMAT prep over Magoosh.
Volume of GMAT Study Material
Above all else, there’s one big highlight that encompasses four different areas: Princeton Review’s volume of study material.
Simply put, they beat Magoosh in almost every category when it comes to quantity (it’s same story with Kaplan and Manhattan Prep versus Magoosh).
Practice Problems
Let’s start with the number of practice questions as an example. Princeton Review offers over 4,400 GMAT practice problems, whereas the Magoosh course only comes with around 800.
Princeton Review GMAT practice tests replicate the real thing
This is a clear and obvious win, which benefits those types of students that learn best by doing.
GMAT Practice Tests
Then you’ve got practice tests. Princeton Review offers eight (8) full-length, computer adaptive practice tests that closely mimic the actual exam. By comparison, Magoosh only offers two (2).
Not to mention, Magoosh’s practice tests are generated using the same pool of 800 practice questions.
As such, there’s a chance you might see a question on one of your practice tests that you’ve already come across during your normal coursework.
GMAT Classes
Live class time is another easily quantifiable area where Princeton Review beats Magoosh. Depending on which Princeton Review course you end up choosing, you’ll get anywhere from 18 to 47 hours of live instruction.
A Princeton Review GMAT video lesson in one of the modules
On the other side, Magoosh no longer offers any live classes. Thus, if you’re the type of student who prefers learning in a live class setting (where you can interact with teachers and peers, and ask a bunch of questions), or if you simply need a fixed class schedule to help hold yourself accountable and stay organized, then Princeton Review is the obvious choice.
GMAT Prep Books
Lastly, let’s discuss GMAT prep books and hardcopy study materials. In short, Princeton Review goes straight to the source and gives each student a copy of the GMAT Official Guide from GMAC, which contains over 1,000 real GMAT questions and strategies from the makers of the exam.
Magoosh, on the other hand, doesn’t provide any hardcopy prep books, only digital booklets.
Therefore, if you’re more of an old-school type of student that prefers learning via hardcopy prep books, then Princeton Review is probably a better fit for your learning style.
For those of you that prefer highlighting key points, dog earing pages, and taking notes in the margins of a physical book, keep this in mind.
Knowing the advantages Princeton Review has over Magoosh, let’s now flip the script and talk about where Magoosh wins.
Crazy Good Value
Clearly, the biggest win for Magoosh over Princeton Review is pricing. Magoosh is far more affordable than Princeton Review and, honestly, Magoosh is one of, if not the, best values in the entire GMAT prep industry.
It’s just hard not to like their price point. But you don’t need me to tell you that, so let’s move on.
Fantastic Problem Explanations: Text & Video
While Princeton Review might beat Magoosh in terms of the total number of practice questions you get, I actually think Magoosh beats Princeton when it comes to the explanations of those practice problems.
In short, Magoosh provides problem solutions for every single practice questionin both text and video format, while Princeton’s only include text.
Magoosh provides problem explanations in text and video
In my opinion, these Magoosh video explanations are a game changer, especially for visual learners. Often, text explanations alone just won’t get the job done (especially for math problems), and these Magoosh videos break down problems in a very clear and efficient manner.
They provide a quick, engaging means of reviewing your GMAT Focus practice work with a visual component that makes the material more digestible.
Better For Multiple Exam Sittings
Another small, but important advantage for Magoosh is their content access period. When you purchase a Magoosh GMAT course, you receive access for 12 months.
By comparison, Princeton’s courses come with just 120 days of access. Thus, if you plan on taking the GMAT Focus multiple times, perhaps because you’re a nervous test taker and plan on treating your first attempt as a trial run, or you’re just banking on taking the highest of multiple scores, this will be a benefit.
Typical Magoosh GMAT practice problem
Similarly, if you have a crazy schedule and plan on slowly studying when you can over an extended period of time, Magoosh is going to be the better option.
Better Score Promise
In a similar vein to the access period, Magoosh offers a better score guarantee policy. If you’re looking for some serious score increase insurance, Magoosh offers up to a 70-point total score guarantee.
So long as you meet their requirements (always read the fine print), Magoosh will give you a full refund if your score doesn’t improve at least 70 points.
Princeton Review, on the other hand, only offers a “You’ll Score Higher” guarantee. In other words, they promise a 10-point increase, the lowest increment possible.
The one exception to this, however, is the Princeton Review GMAT 645+ course, which promises a score of 645 or better (though like Magoosh, make sure to read the fine print).
Verdict: Magoosh or Princeton Review For GMAT Prep?
Should you choose Princeton Review or Magoosh for your GMAT prep? Well, I think the answer to that question depends largely on two factors: (1) your budget and (2) what score you’re targeting.
If your budget is $350 or less, clearly go with Magoosh. As mentioned above, I believe Magoosh is one of the best values in all of GMAT prep.
However, if money is not an issue, I think the decision boils down to your target score. If you’re just looking to score in the low 600’s so you can get accepted into a regional MBA program, or there’s a specialty grad program you’re eying that doesn’t require a top-tier score, I’d suggest saving the money and once again choosing Magoosh. Their course is plenty good to get you there.
If, however, you’re looking to score 645+ and get accepted into a top-rated MBA program, I think Princeton Review is the way to go.
Their courses, while more expensive, are also much more robust in terms of features, content and instruction. I personally think Princeton’s GMAT course, especially one of their live class packages, is going to give you the best shot of scoring high on the GMAT.
FAQ
Which GMAT prep course is better, Magoosh or Princeton Review?
While we generally like the GMAT courses from both Princeton Review and Magoosh, giving each a high grade, Princeton Review likely has the better overall course (in terms of depth of coursework, features, and content). However, given that Magoosh is roughly half the cost, their value makes the decision very difficult.
Is Princeton Review that much better than Magoosh for GMAT prep?
Whether Princeton Review is so much better than Magoosh as to warrant paying the hefty price tag is a very tough call. Magoosh offers a solid course and is not far behind Princeton Review in terms of effectiveness despite being a fraction of the cost, but it is clear that Princeton’s course is more robust and comprehensive.
Do Magoosh and Princeton Review offer GMAT score guarantees?
Yes, both Magoosh and Princeton Review offer score increase guarantees for their GMAT courses. Magoosh offers a +70 point total score guarantee, while Princeton Review offers a more general “better score” guarantee. The one exception is Princeton Review’s 645+ course, which promises a score of 645 or better.
