Find out if the Economist GMAT online prep course can actually help you ace the GMAT.

One of the most common tips on improving your GMAT Verbal performance is to read the Economist regularly. It’s funny because The Economist actually offers its own online prep course for the GMAT. One of the bonuses for subscribing to their plans is a free 3-month subscription for the digital copies of The Economist.

The GMAT Prep Courses

The Economist offers 3 versions of their Economist GMAT prep course:

Quant

This focuses on just the math side of the GMAT, with full access to the Quant and IR learning materials. These include:

• Access for 2 months
• 4 GMAC practice tests
• 1 live 1-on-1 session
• 50 questions for “Ask a Tutor”
• 675 credits

This plan will cost you $539.

Premium

This is the comprehensive package, covering all the GMAT sections: Quant, IR, Verbal, and AWA. You get:

• Access for 4 months
• A guaranteed score improvement of at least 70 points
• 4 GMAC practice tests
• 4 essay reviews
• 2 live 1-on-1 sessions
• 100 questions for “Ask a Tutor”
• 1,410 credits

For all these, you have to pay $789.

Genius

This is the most comprehensive plan available.

• Access for 6 months
• A guaranteed score improvement of at least 70 points
• 6 GMAC practice tests
• 6 essay reviews
• 4 live 1-on-1 sessions
• 2 expert assessments
• Unlimited questions for “Ask a Tutor”
• 3,315 credits

This is a bit expensive at $989.

What Are These Credits?

You use these credits for almost everything you want to do during the prep course. The sole exception here is when you watch a video, which you can do at any time without spending any credits.

Basically, you’re given enough number of credits to get you everything listed on the package plan. But then you’re allowed to change and customize those plans, using the credit system.

Here’s how you use up those credits:

• Each practice question answered – 1 credit
• IR practice question – 2 credits
• Each verbal quiz – 5 credits
• Each intro PDF downloaded – 10 credits
• Official GMAC CAT Package – 100 credits
• Essay review – can range from 40 to 95 credits each
• Expert Assessments – 199 credits
• Private tutor session – 250 credits

With the credit system, you’re not limited to the details listed on your package. For example, you may opt to take fewer practice tests and instead go with an extra Expert Assessment. You have the freedom to do what you want with your credits.

In fact, you can purchase extra credits so that you can add more features to your package plan. If you wish to receive everything but you want more practice tests or essay reviews, then all you need to do is to buy enough credits for these extra features.

It’s true that you can’t get a refund for credits that you don’t use up. But you can transfer them to anyone, including your friends who are still subscribed to the Economist GMAT prep course. You can even sell them online if you want.

Pros

Here are some reasons why you may want to try this.

• There’s a free 7-day trial period, so you know exactly what you’re in for. That way, you can check if the methodology works for you.
• The comprehensive plans offer a 70-point guaranteed score improvement. If you’re unable to get this score improvement while complying with the rules, then you get your money back.
• It offers lots of resources. You receive practice questions, practice tests, videos, essay reviews, live one-on-one sessions, expert assessments, and even a 3-month subscription to The Economist.
• You’re able to follow a definitive plan. That’s because you can comply with the guarantee requirements, meaning you have to take specific actions and study steps. Just follow these rules.
• You can also customize your plan. You’re not bound by the limitations of the package. You can get more practice tests or more essay reviews, depending on what you need.
• It’s backed by The Economist brand name. That still stands for something.

Cons

It’s not perfect, though.

• Perhaps the main problem here is the price. This is quite expensive, with a cost of $789 for just 4 months of access.
• The credit system can also get quite complicated. In fact, you may get bogged down on computing your credit usage instead of concentrating on studying for the GMAT.
• Some people find the interface a bit confusing. Navigation can be a problem sometimes when you keep wondering where to click to get to another section.
• This doesn’t have a lot of videos, with practice questions as your main option.

Conclusion

It’s true that this offers a customizable option for GMAT preparation, with the use of the credit system. But if you need a lot of handholding, then the credit system may lead you astray. You better have a clear idea of how to use those credits properly, so you can maximize the benefits of the Economist GMAT prep course. If you want to find our top pick for GMAT prep, check this post.