Kaplan GMAT Review 2025: The 'Official Test Day' Advantage
Best for: Best Live Classes Updated 11/21/2025Price: from 800 USD/course
Pros
- Official Test Day Experience (take a mock at a real center)
- Huge number of live class schedules
- QBank adapts to your skill level
- Solid, structured curriculum
Cons
- Questions are sometimes criticized for not being 'GMAT-like' enough
- Pricey compared to self-paced apps
Kaplan is the Coca-Cola of test prep. They are everywhere, they have been around forever, and they have a massive infrastructure.
While boutique firms like Target Test Prep or Manhattan Prep focus on niche strategies or elite scoring, Kaplan focuses on structure and simulation.
Their standout feature for 2025 is something no other company can offer: The Official Test Day Experience.
Kaplan is the only provider that lets you take a full-length practice exam at an actual Pearson VUE testing center. This is the exact same building, computer, and chair you will use on the real test day.
The Official Test Day Experience
Test anxiety is real. Many students score 700+ at home in their pajamas but freeze up when they walk into the sterile, high-security environment of a testing center.
Kaplan solves this.
- You book a slot at a local Pearson VUE center (just like the real GMAT).
- You go through the security check (palm vein scan, locker storage).
- You sit at the workstation and take a Kaplan practice test.
By the time the real test day comes, you have “been there, done that.” This psychological advantage is worth its weight in gold for anxious test-takers.
Course Options & Curriculum
Kaplan offers a variety of ways to learn:
1. Live Online
This is their bread and butter. Kaplan runs classes almost every day of the week, across multiple time zones. If you need a class at 9 PM on a Tuesday or 10 AM on a Sunday, Kaplan has it. The classes are interactive, with one teacher on camera and a team of TAs in the chat answering questions privately.
2. On-Demand
A self-paced video course. It’s solid, but if you are going self-paced, we generally prefer Target Test Prep or Magoosh for the price/value ratio.
3. The QBank
Kaplan’s Question Bank is massive. It features thousands of questions that adapt to your performance. While some purists argue that Kaplan’s questions are slightly different in “flavor” from official GMAT questions, they are excellent for drilling concepts and building stamina.
The Focus Edition Update
Kaplan has fully transitioned to the GMAT Focus Edition.
- Data Insights: They have built a robust section for the new DI question types.
- Shorter Format: All practice tests now match the new 2-hour, 15-minute timing.
- No Essay/SC: The curriculum has been streamlined to remove the old sections.
Who Should Choose Kaplan?
Kaplan is the best choice for:
- Anxious Test-Takers: The Official Test Day Experience is the best cure for nerves.
- Busy Professionals: The sheer number of live class options makes it easy to fit into a crazy work schedule.
- Structure Seekers: If you need a syllabus that tells you exactly what to do every single day, Kaplan delivers.
Pros
- Official Test Day Experience is a game-changer
- Live Online classes fit any schedule
- Includes the 'GMAT Channel' for extra workshops
- Money-back score guarantee (check terms)
Cons
- Practice questions can feel slightly 'artificial' compared to official ones
- Expensive if you don't use the live classes
Final Verdict
Kaplan is a safe, reliable, and effective choice. It might not have the “cult following” of TTP or the “elite” branding of Manhattan Prep, but it has the infrastructure to get you to your goal. If you value simulation and structure above all else, Kaplan is for you.