A: The biggest difference between Manhattan Prep and our competitors is our commitment to hiring only the most qualified instructors. A lot of companies purport to have strict score requirements – but for us, that’s just the beginning. Check out the next question for more information about why our instructors are the best around!

In addition to instructor caliber, our approach to course content and our focus also differentiate us from other test prep companies. Our curriculum is based on the academics of the tests, not tricks or quick fixes to get around the material. Our books delve deep into the mathematical and verbal concepts that underlie the questions on the exams, and our courses are comprehensive – we want to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of how the test works before you sit down to take it on test day.

A: All of our GMAT, LSAT, and SAT instructors have scored in the 99th percentile on their respective tests (currently a 760+ for the GMAT, 172+ for LSAT, 2220 for SAT), and our GRE instructors have scored at least 167 out of 170 on each of the two sections of the GRE. We make sure that all of our instructors are true experts on the test(s) they teach.

In addition to a top score, instructor candidates are also required to have extensive teaching experience in order to qualify for an interview. We narrow down the pool of eligible candidates through multiple rounds of online interviews, passing only the strongest applicants through to the final round. These finalists are flown to New York to audition in front of members of our Executive and Instructor Development teams. When we hire an instructor (historically only 1 of every 7 invited to New York), he or she undergoes 100+ hours of training and a final assessment before teaching our students. We also pay our instructors $100 per hour, up to four times the industry standard – this allows us to retain the highly qualified instructors who’ve successfully passed through our rigorous hiring process.

You can read more about the background of all of our individual instructors on our Instructor Bio Page here!

A: Yes! If you would like to participate in a sample online or in-person class before registering for a Complete Course, you may sign up for a Trial Class. Registering for a Trial Class allows you sit in on the first session of a course before committing to the full program. You will be able to participate along with the other students in the class, and get a feel for the instructor’s teaching style. Please note that signing up for a Trial Class does not guarantee you a spot in the course, however, which may sell out before the first session takes place — if there is a class that you really want to take, we recommend signing up in full and putting down at least the deposit to secure your spot.

A: We have a number of different options with varying price points and timelines. For GMAT, LSAT, and GRE preparation, we offer Complete Courses, which are a live, traditional classroom-style courses that meet either online or in-person. We also offer one-on-one Private Tutoring, as well as different On-Demand and Self Study options. For SAT/ACT preparation, we offer one-on-one Private Tutoring. If you are interested in a certain test, we recommend looking as those specific choices — click here for GMAT options, here for LSAT options, and here for GRE options. If you’re interested in SAT/ACT prep, please email sat@manhattanprep.com.

A: Registration for any Complete Course will close the day of the second class session, or when the class reaches capacity — whichever comes first. If a class is sold out, it will be listed as a “Waiting List” on the website. If the course is not listed as a Waiting List, that means that there are still spaces available.

A: If a class sells out before the first session, we will open up a Waiting List. It is free to join the list, so we encourage you to do so if you’re very interested in the sold out class. In the event that a registered student drops the class, we will begin contacting students on the Waiting List. If we reach your name, you will receive a phone call and/or email from us, usually including a deadline by which we need to hear from you regarding whether you'd like to claim the spot — please be sure, then, that your contact information in your account is up to date. If we do not hear from you by the stated deadline, we will move down the list and offer the slot to the next student in line. Please note that spots don’t open up very often, so if you're eager to get started we recommend signing up for an alternate course.

A: We recommend that you complete a full practice exam before the first class session, in order to receive a baseline score that can be used to gauge your progress during the course — if you haven't taken one recently, this is a great way to dive into the material before your class starts. We know that taking your first practice exam can be intimidating, but it’s important to familiarize yourself with the exam early on and get an accurate picture of your strengths & weaknesses. So don’t worry if your first practice test score falls below your target range – think of it as a warm-up! If you are fully registered for one of our courses, you'll be able to access your practice exams through your Student Center (click here for GMAT, here for LSAT,and here for GRE).

It also can't hurt to take a moment to explore the other resources in your Student Center, and browse through all of the books that you received as part of the course. Is there a topic that you're particularly anxious about? Crack open that Strategy Guide and read a chapter or do a problem or two — even something as small as this can help you feel more prepared for class.

A: You should plan on spending a minimum of 10-15 hours on homework outside of class each week. Different students work through the assignments at different speeds, however, so once you're a week or two into your program, you'll have a better sense of how much time you personally need to complete your weekly assignments.We recommend studying for a few hours every day, rather than cramming all of your assignments into a day or two – spreading out your studying will help you better retain what you've covered. You will also want to plan on a couple of extra hours during the weeks when you want to take a practice exam.

A: The content covered and the excellent quality of instruction are exactly the same in our in-person and online courses. We even find that many students prefer the flexibility of the online platform – they are able to log into class from any location, as long as they have internet access. This eliminates commute time, and is ideal for students who have hectic travel or work schedules.

A: Our online platform — Blackboard Collaborate — is designed to replicate a true classroom experience. The software features:

2. VoIP connections, which allow students and instructors to communicate verbally.
   
3. A Chat Box window where you can ask questions on the fly during your class session. Messages can be sent to the room or privately to instructors, who will get back to you during class.
   
4. An Interactive Whiteboard that allows our instructors to showcase sample problems and edit them in real time.
   

If you would like to test out the online platform for yourself, we recommend attending one of our upcoming Live Online Trial Classes. These sessions are totally free, and they’re a great way to get a sense of how we run our online classes.

A: When a class has “Accelerated” in the title, that means that it will meet multiple times per week, rather than the standard once a week. It will cover the same information as the regular Complete Courses — it will just do so more quickly. If you are on a tight timeline, you may want to consider a class on an accelerated schedule.

The Boot Camp is the most intensive, accelerated option that we offer. It meets nearly everyday for two weeks, covering all the material from our Complete Course in that short period of time. The Boot Camp programs also includes one-on-one game-planning sessions with the class instructors for additional support. If you currently work full-time, it will be very difficult to keep up with the Boot Camp — this option is best suited for students who have the majority of their time free to devote to their studies.

A: We post classes on our website on a rolling basis, as soon as they're confirmed – this is usually a month or two before a class is set to begin. If you do not see a class in your area that works with your schedule, you may want to consider looking at a Live Online course instead. You can also feel free to contact Student Services, who may be able to provide you with more information: (800) 576-4628 or studentservices@manhattanprep.com.

A: Each student comes into the program at a different level, making improvement averages a bit misleading. For example, a student might come into the course having done no preparation whatsoever, and improve his or her score by a large margin. Another student might start off already scoring quite competitively, and reaching his or her goal might only require a small increase in points. Both students see extremely positive results and reach their goal scores, but looking simply at just the number of points they gained would not accurately reflect this.

As you can see, score improvement averages don’t tell the whole story. If you're looking for specific feedback on how satisfied our students are with our courses, please see our Student Testimonials page.

A: Signing up as a Trial student does not guarantee you a seat in the full course. If you would like to secure your spot, you would need to enroll in the complete program.

If you are in this situation, don’t worry! You still have several options:

• a. Private Tutoring

• This is a great option for students looking to prepare for their exam quickly but effectively. Our expert instructors create personalized study plans and develop effective programs to fit students' busy schedules. The amount of personalized attention you receive as a private tutoring student is unparalleled, and you will be able to cover any and all course content in a condensed time frame. For more information on Private Tutoring rates and packages, you may visit the Private Tutoring page of the exam that you're interested in. Please note that the demand for Private Tutoring is often very high, so we recommend that you contact us 2-3 weeks before you ideally like to get started!

• b. On-Demand

• We offer various On-Demand options for each of the different exams – these programs allow you to work through our entire curriculum on your own time, at your own pace. You can find the specific options for each exam here: GMAT, GRE, LSAT.

• c. Accelerated Courses/Special Programs

• A handful of times each year, we’ll offer a GMAT Boot Camp in New York. This is an intensive two-week study program designed for students who need or want to learn GMAT material quickly, and who are able to dedicate those two weeks completely to their studies. We also offer accelerated, twice a week courses for the GMAT, GRE, and the LSAT. For more information, check out the Accelerated/Boot Camp question above.

A: Manhattan Prep is a private company and not a licensed educational institution – we therefore cannot issue or endorse visas of any sort.

A: Private Tutoring is our premium option for test preparation. We will match you with one of our expert instructors, who will work with you to create a study plan specific to your individual needs. Some students use tutoring as their primary preparation, while others use it to supplement their course or On-Demand program. You may use Private Tutoring to cover the full range of material that's taught in our Complete Courses, or to focus in on specific topics that you find challenging.

Once matched with a tutor, the two of you will schedule your sessions together. We ask that all tutoring sessions are paid for in advance, and you'll be able to purchase and track your hours online through the Private Tutoring Dashboard in your Student Center. You can find more information on Private Tutoring, including pricing, here: GMAT, LSAT, GRE. You'll see that we offer packages of hours at a discounted rate, and that any package of 10+ hours with come with all of our books and online resources. Previous and current Complete Course students are eligible to receive a discount on the hourly tutoring rate (our online system will automatically recognize this discount). If you have any further questions about how Private Tutoring works or whether it's right for you, call our Student Services team at 800-576-4628.

A: First, choose your exam from the Manhattan Prep homepage, select “Prep Options” from the dropdown menu, and then navigate to the Private Tutoring page. You will need to create an account (if you don’t already have one), and then you can fill out the Private Tutoring intake form by clicking the red “Sign Up Today” button. When filling out the form, please keep in mind that the more detailed information you can provide regarding your schedule and timeline, the better we will be able to match you with a tutor.

Once you have completed the form, we will ask you for a $20 deposit, which will go towards your first tutoring session. As soon as we have that, we will begin the process of matching you with an instructor. Please note that we do occasionally have a tutoring waiting list in certain areas – if that is the case, we will let you know before processing the deposit. Due to this high demand, we recommend submitting your intake form 2-3 weeks before your ideal start date. If you have any questions about this process, feel free to give us a call at 800-576-4628.

A: If you enrolled in a Complete Course or one of our On-Demand/Self Study programs, or if you purchased the books directly from our website, your online material is already accessible through your Student Center.

If you purchased hard copies of the Strategy Guides from an outside vendor, you’ll want to register them on our Product Registration page (GMAT, LSAT, GRE). Simply follow the prompts – you will be asked to enter in the 32-digit code that can be found on a sticker on the inside back cover of your book. If your book does not come with a registration code, please email us for additional assistance.

If you purchased ebook versions of our books, please create an account and then forward a copy of your receipt or confirmation email to books@manhattanprep.com. We will then be able to activate the online access for you.

A: If your serial code is illegible, please email books@manhattanprep.com with a picture of the damaged code, as well as a receipt or confirmation email from your purchase. We will then look into granting you access on our end. You will need to have an account on our website in order for us to add the access for you, so please be sure to create one first (GMAT, GRE, LSAT).

A: Yes we do, and you can also purchase our Strategy Guides through our Online Store (GMAT, GRE, LSAT) or another online bookseller like Amazon.

A: As a course student, you have access to eBook versions of the Manhattan Prep books included with your program, in addition to the shipment of hard copies. You will only receive hard copy versions of the Official Guides (published by GMAC, ETS, or LSAC), but you can get started with your homework using the Manhattan Prep eBooks, while you wait for your shipment to arrive.

A: For US shipments, we offer overnight, next-day, 2-day, and ground shipping. Standard ground shipping to most US locations generally takes between 5-7 business days (Monday-Friday), barring any complications. For international shipments, we offer either International Economy shipping, which typically takes 5-7 business days; or International Priority shipping, which takes 3-5 business days. Orders placed before 1:00pm ET Monday-Friday will be processed the same day, and orders placed after 1:00pm ET or on weekends and holidays will be processed on the following business day. For more information, visit our Shipping Page.

A: The prices associated with shipping vary depending on your location and the items in your order. For estimated shipping costs to your location, visit our Shipping Page. If you live outside of the US, your order may be subject to shipping duties and taxes depending on the receiving country’s regulations – you would be responsible for these fees.

A: Packages are shipped via UPS or FedEx, depending on your location and which shipping option you choose. APO/FPO addresses are shipped via USPS. Please note that we are not generally able to ship to P.O. Boxes — if you have specific questions about that, please contact our Student Services team at studentservices@manhattanprep.com.

A: Manhattan Prep ships to any country serviced by UPS, which delivers packages to 220 countries.

A: You will receive tracking information for your order one business day after it is processed. For more information, visit our Shipping Page.

A: At present, we offer overnight, next-day, 2-day, and ground shipping (available options vary by location). The prices for each option vary according to the transit time. If you are enrolled in a Complete Course or On-Demand program, remember that you have access to eBook versions of the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guides in your Student Center immediately upon registration. You can utilize these eBooks while you wait for your physical materials to arrive.

A: Once an order is processed, we are unable to make address changes. If the address you provided is incorrect, you can call Student Services at 800-576-4628 to process a new shipment. Please note, you will be responsible for shipping fees.

A: Signatures are not required to deliver packages to residential domestic addresses. Under certain circumstances, however, the courier will not deliver if he/she deems the area unsafe. The courier will make three attempts to deliver it to you – if you miss the delivery, you may contact us to arrange for the package to be re-delivered, but you will incur additional shipping charges. International shipments and deliveries to business addresses do require a signature.

A: You may reset your password here: GMAT, LSAT, GRE – you will simply need to enter in the email address associated with your account, and a temporary password will be sent to you. After you’ve logged in, you may change the password to whatever you like. Your username should be the full email address that you entered in when you signed up. If you do not remember which email address you used, please contact Student Services at studentservices@manhattanprep.com or 800-576-4628.

A: For all questions related to Blackboard Collaborate, please consult the Blackboard Collaborate Knowledgebase. If you are unable to solve your issue with the troubleshooting guides found here, please contact our Tech Department at techsupport@manhattanprep.com or 800-576-4628. Please note that our Tech team is available between the hours of 10:00am – 9:30pm ET Monday – Thursday, and 10:00am – 6:00pm ET Friday – Sunday.

A: First, you will need to complete the Blackboard Collaborate Setup Process. The program takes about five to ten minutes to set up, and is both Mac and PC compatible. We recommend completing the setup process well before the start of your first session (at least 24 hours in advance) to ensure that you are able to login smoothly. If you have any trouble setting up Blackboard, please contact our Tech Department at techsupport@manhattanprep.com or 800-576-4628. Please note that our Tech team is available between the hours of 10:00am – 9:30pm ET Monday – Thursday, and 10:00am – 6:00pm ET Friday – Sunday.

On the day of your class, log into Blackboard Collaborate with your Manhattan Prep username and password. If you can’t remember this information, check your Live Online course confirmation email. Once logged in, click on the “Display Schedule” button. Click the “Join” button next to the name of your class, and the classroom should open in a separate window.

Please note that your access to the online classroom will be activated approximately one hour before the start of your first class session; you will not be able to access to the course prior to this time.

A: This varies depending on which exam you’re studying for. In all cases, you’ll need to start by logging into your Student Center. Once there, you’ll see a Prep Tests tab for the LSAT, a Practice Exams tab for the GRE, and a CAT Exams & Diagnostics tab for the GMAT.

A: No, each book must be registered individually.

A: Email us at books@manhattanprep.com, and we would be happy to look into this for you. If you have a copy of your receipt or confirmation email from the purchase, please send that along with the email.

NOTE: You must purchase your book directly from Amazon, LLC or Barnes & Noble (i.e. not a third party “new & used” seller) to be eligible for online access.

A: You may resume your exam by clicking on the “Resume” link next to the test in progress. If you don’t see the link, please contact our Tech Department at techsupport@manhattanprep.com — they will be able to assist you.

A: If you are experiencing this issue while using a wireless connection, try switching to a wired connection. We suggest using a wired connection to ensure the least disruptive experience possible. If you have switched to a wired connection and are still experiencing the above issue, try clearing your browser’s cache – you can find directions on how to do that here.

A: GMAT & GRE students: after you have completed a set of six exams, you will have the option to reset the pool and start a new set of six exams as long as your online access is still active. Students are only guaranteed six unique exams, however, so you may see some recycled questions in your following sets. If you feel that you have exhausted our exams, you may want to check out the tests provided for free by the actual testmakers – this would be mba.com for the GMAT, and ets.org/gre for the GRE.

A: Before the quant and verbal sections of the test, you will be presented with a timing option screen where you’ll be able to select your timing preferences for the exam. There is no way to modify the time limit for the essays, but you can pause the essay timer to give yourself more time as needed.

A: If the exams are not displaying properly, you may want to try switching browsers, or clearing your browser’s cache — you can find directions on how to do that here. If the problem persists, please contact our Tech Department at techsupport@manhattanprep.com.

A: You must complete each exam before proceeding to the next one. Please click the “resume” link next to your current exam so you can complete it — after you have done so, you will be able to move on to your next exam.

A: You may download your eBooks through your Student Center. The precise location of the eBooks will vary depending on which exam you’re studying for, but they will generally be under a tab that has “Downloads” in the title. You will need to create an Adobe Digital account before downloading the eBooks, so please be sure to follow the instructions laid out in your Student Center.

A: Yes! eBooks are compatible with all laptops, Android powered tablets and phones, Apple products and The Nook – they are NOT, however, compatible with The Kindle. eBooks are transferable on up to six devices.

A: No, we provide your eBooks in a protected format that cannot be printed. Many of our programs come with both eBook access and hard copies of the books, however, so be sure to select the option that suits you best.

A: We are not able to extend eBook access free of charge. If you gained access to the eBooks through a course or other program with us, please call Student Services at 800-576-4628, and we’ll talk you through your options for regaining eBook access.

A: Each Question Bank consists of 25 non-adaptive questions, and corresponds to one of our Strategy Guides. You can redo each question bank as many times as you’d like by clicking the “retake” link. Each attempt will be permanently saved in your account.

A: No, extending your online access will not alter your previous work in any way – all of your previous Student Center work will be saved, and you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off!

A: If you are signed up for a course that has not yet begun, you may switch into another course — or put your enrollment temporarily on hold — with no penalty by contacting Student Services at least 48 hours prior to the start of your program. If your course has already begun, you may switch into another upcoming course for a $300 fee. Due to the strict class sizes we enforce, we generally cannot make any exceptions to this rule. If you find yourself in an extenuating circumstance, however, please call Student Services at 800-576-4628, and we would be happy to try and work with you to find a solution.

We also provide all course students with on-demand materials, which you may use to make up any missed material on your own — these are the Interact lessons for GMAT & LSAT courses, and the On-Demand Class Recordings for the GRE courses. If you believe you can’t make up the course work in this manner, you may retake the course from the beginning at a discounted rate (see next question for details on pricing and how to sign up with this special rate).

A: Yes! If you have taken a Complete Course, you are eligible to retake another Complete Course in the same location for $399. If you would like to retake a course in a different location, additional fees may apply. To sign up for a retake at the discounted rate, please give us a call at 800-576-4628.

A: All payments made to Manhattan Prep are nonrefundable. Due to the proprietary nature of our materials, our limited class size, the scheduling/booking costs of our instructors, and our own administrative costs, we are not able to provide refunds for any of our programs/materials. This applies both to deposits and any other payments for all courses, private tutoring, workshops, product sales, and all other purchases. Please note that refunds are not issued for missed class sessions, course withdrawals, or unused private tutoring hours. Please visit our Policies Page for more information.

A: If you sign up for a Complete Course in advance of the start date, you will have the option to pay a 50% deposit to secure your spot. The remaining balance will then be due by the first class session. If you sign up for a class that has already begun, we require the full payment at the time of registration. We do not offer payment plans that extend beyond the start date of the class.

A: We are confident in the quality and effectiveness of our instructors and materials, and we believe that you will see results if you put in the necessary time and effort. So much of your success on the exam depends on the work you’re able to do both during and outside of class, however, so we therefore do not provide score guarantees. If you complete one of our courses and you do not hit your target score on the official exam, we do have additional support systems in place — simply contact Student Services for details: 800-576-4628 or studentservices@manhattanprep.com.

A: Complete payment for your course is due by the first class session. You can pay your balance prior to the first session at any time by logging into your Account History (GMAT, LSAT, GRE), or by contacting our office at 800-576-4628. If you have not cleared your balance by the first session, we will automatically charge it to the card on file. Please note that all payments made to Manhattan Prep, including deposits, are nonrefundable — you can find our complete terms here.

A: We ask that you provide at least 24 hours advance notice to your instructor if you have to cancel or reschedule a tutoring appointment. You are responsible for arriving on time to your scheduled meetings, and our instructors will bill for the full amount of scheduled time, as well as any additional waiting time, if you arrive late. Appointments that are not canceled at least 24 hours in advance will be billed as if they had occurred.

A: If you previously purchased the current editions of the Manhattan Prep Strategy Guides directly through our online store, we will deduct the price of any books that are included in our course materials from the cost of the class — just give us a call at 800-576-4628, and we can sign you up with the appropriate discount over the phone. If you purchased your books from an outside vendor such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, you may be eligible for a partial book credit. Please contact studentservices@manhattanprep.com.com for more information.

A: All Manhattan Prep resources are for your personal use only, and are non-transferable. You can see our complete terms here.

A: We accept credit or debit card payments. If you’re making a payment on our website, you’ll also have the option to use PayPal.

A: The official test consists of four separate sections, each with its own score: Analytical Writing Assessment (Essay); Integrated Reasoning; Quantitative (Problem Solving & Data Sufficiency); Verbal (Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, & Reading Comprehension). For a more detailed breakdown of what is tested on the GMAT, we recommend reading our What is the GMAT? article on the Manhattan Prep blog.

A: Each school has its own standard for what constitutes a competitive GMAT score, and the schools with the highest rankings don’t always have the highest GMAT averages. Most programs make the average GMAT score of their admitted students publicly available, so we recommend doing your research so you know what to shoot for.

And remember — the GMAT is only one aspect of your application and, while important, will not be the only thing schools consider. If you would like more information on how your GMAT score might weigh in on your overall candidacy, consider doing a free 30-minute consultation with our admissions consulting partner, mbaMission.

A: We do not offer Admissions Consulting ourselves, but we can refer you to an organization that we know and trust: mbaMission, led by Jeremy Shinewald, is a good friend of Manhattan Prep. Jeremy and his team have hosted many free consultations with Manhattan Prep students, and his guide to applying to business school comes with every set of course books we hand out to students. Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute admissions consultation with mbaMission.

A: You can find a comprehensive post about this topic on our blog. The gist of it is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer, and it’s usually a good idea to take a practice exam for both tests first to see how you do. We also recommend speaking with an admissions consultant to get advice on what might be the best fit for the programs to which you’re applying.

A: To register for the GMAT, visit www.mba.com and navigate to “The GMAT Exam” → “Register.” You will need to create an account first, and then you’ll be able to look at the schedule, check for seating availability, and sign up for an appointment.

A: The answer to this question will depend on what sort of timeline you’re working with. If you’re enrolled in one of our Complete Courses, you’ll notice that there are 3 practice exams assigned for homework throughout the class — one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one towards the end. We offer 6 unique exams for you to work through, so you have a bit of leeway if you are doing some additional studying after the class. Closer to your exam date, we also recommend taking advantage of the two free GMAT exams offered through mba.com — since they are written & scored by GMAC, they will be as close as you can get to the real thing.

It is of course important to apply the skills you’re learning to a realistic test scenario, and practice tests are also a great way to gauge how you’re progressing. We don’t recommend just taking practice test after practice test, however – it is important to take some time to reflect, review, and study some more between each test, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your practice.

A: The date you schedule for the exam should depend on how much time you are able to devote to studying over the course of your program. We recommend allowing at least 1-2 weeks after your course ends for review, a final practice exam, or simply a chance to relax before your test date. If you are able to complete all homework assignments each week, you should be well-prepared to take the exam within this time frame. If you are not able to devote 10-15 hours to homework each week, we recommend allowing yourself an extra 3-6 weeks after your course ends to review and catch up on assignments that you were not able to complete during the course.

When scheduling your test date, it is important to consider the other components involved in your business school applications. In addition to studying for the GMAT, you’ll have essays and personal statements to write, a resume to revise, school visits to make, and recommendations to solicit. Consider how much work you have left in each of these areas when estimating how much time you can devote to studying each week.

A: Yes! We actually recommend that students plan on taking the test twice, in the event that you don’t nail it the first time around. You can take the GMAT up to 5 times per year, no more than once in a 16 day period. This is important when it comes to planning out your exam schedule — you’ll want to make sure you’ve factored this 16-day period into your timeline.

A: GMAC’s website — mba.com — is where you’ll find everything you need to know about the official GMAT exam. For study tips and GMAT-related news, you may also want to check out our blog.

A: The GRE general test is computer-based and consists of three sections: Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, & Reading Comprehension); Quantitative (Problem Solving, Data Analysis, & Quantitative Comparisons); and the Analytical Writing Section, which consists of the analysis of an issue prompt and the analysis of an argument prompt. The Verbal and Quant sections are each scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments, plus a percentile rank. The writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increments. The test does not cover specifics in any field of study, but rather a set of skills thought to be important for prospective grad students.

A: You can find a comprehensive post about this topic on our blog. The gist of it is that there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer, and it’s usually a good idea to take a practice exam for both tests first to see how you do. We also recommend speaking with an admissions consultant to get advice on what might be the best fit for the programs to which you’re applying.

A: Go to ETS’s website, and click “Register for the Test.” You will find all of the information you need on that page.

A: The answer to this question will depend on what sort of timeline you’re working with. If you’re enrolled in one of our Complete Courses, you’ll notice that there are 3 practice exams assigned for homework throughout the class — one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one towards the end. We offer 6 unique exams for you to work with, so you have a bit of leeway if you are doing some additional studying after the class. Closer to your exam, we also recommend taking advantage of the two free GRE exams offered through ets.org/gre – since they are written & scored by ETS, they will be as close as you can get to the real thing.

It is of course important to apply the skills you’re learning to a realistic test scenario, and practice tests are also a great way to gauge how you’re progressing. We don’t recommend just taking practice test after practice test, however – it is important to take some time to reflect, review, and study some more between each test, to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your practice.

A: The date you schedule the exam should depend on how much time you are able to devote to studying over the course of your program. We recommend allowing at least 1-2 weeks after your course ends for review, a final practice exam, or simply a chance to relax before your test date. If you are able to complete all homework assignments each week, you should be well-prepared to take the exam within this time frame. If you are not able to devote 10-15 hours to homework each week, we recommend allowing yourself an extra 3-6 weeks after your course ends to review and catch up on assignments that you were not able to complete during the course.

When scheduling your test date, it is important to consider the other components involved in your graduate school applications. In addition to studying for the GRE, you’ll have essays and personal statements to write, a resume to revise, school visits to make, and recommendations to solicit. Consider how much work you have left in each of these areas when estimating how much time you can devote to studying each week.

A: Yes! We actually recommend that students plan on taking the test twice, in the event that you don’t nail it the first time around. You can take the GRE up to 5 times per year, no more than once in a 21 day period. This is important when it comes to planning out your exam schedule — you’ll want to make sure you’ve factored this 21-day period into your timeline.

A: When you take the exam, you are given the option of sending your scores to up to 4 schools for free, and ETS lets you choose which of your scores the schools will see with their ScoreSelect option. If you wait until after you complete your exam to send your scores, you will be charged a fee for each school.

A: ETS’s website — ets.org/gre — is where you’ll find everything you need to know about the official GRE exam. For study tips and GRE-related news, you may also want to check out our blog.

A: The LSAT consists of three question types (Logical Reasoning, Logic Games, and Reading Comprehension), and one essay section. The test will include two Logical Reasoning sections, one Logic Games section, and one Reading Comprehension section — there will also be one experimental section, which can be any one of the three types.

A: If you’re looking to attend a top-10 school, you should aim for a score of at least 170. If you want to figure out the odds of you being accepted to a school with a specific GPA and LSAT score, try out this handy Law School Admissions Calculator that LSAC provides.

A: We do not offer Admissions Consulting ourselves, but we can refer you to an organization that we know and trust: jdMission, led by Jeremy Shinewald, President and CEO, and a good friend of Manhattan Prep. jdMission offers a free 30-minute admissions admissions consultation, which you can sign up for through their website here.

A: To register for the LSAT, visit www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines.asp and click “Register Now.” On this page you’ll also find information on test locations, upcoming exam dates, and the necessary materials for test day.

A: We assign 6 LSATs during the course, but we provide you with access to every single PrepTest ever released by LSAC, 5 of which we chop up for practice sets for homework. We encourage you to do more than the 6 assigned exams, however, so be sure to factor the practice tests into your study schedule each week.

A: Since the LSAT is given at set times throughout the year, our courses are designed to prepare you for specific exam dates. These schedules generally leave you with approximately one week to study on your own after the class is over before taking the exam.

Some students prefer a longer period of self-prep after the class ends. If you’re in this camp, we recommend enrolling in a class that targets an earlier administration of the LSAT (i.e. if you’re planning to take the October LSAT, enroll in a prep course class that targets the June exam). However, we also caution students that preparing for an extended period of time can lead to issues with focusing and motivation. Our classes are designed to fully prepare you for the test, and most students find that 2-3 months is more than enough to reach their goals.

When planning your test date, it is also important to consider the other components involved in your law school applications. In addition to studying for the LSAT, you’ll have personal statements to write, a resume to revise, and recommendations to solicit. Consider how much work you have left in each of these areas when estimating how much time you can devote to studying each week.

A: Yes, you can take the LSAT up to three times in any two-year period (note: cancelled scores count towards this maximum). The LSAT is only offered four times per year, however, so keep that in mind when planning your timeline.

A: LSAC’s website – //www.lsac.org/ – is where you’ll find everything you need to know about the official LSAT exam. For study tips and LSAT-related news, you may also want to check out our blog.