Princeton Review GMAT Review 2025: Is the 645+ Guarantee Real?
Best for: Best for High Scorers Updated 11/21/2025Price: from 1299 USD/course
Pros
- 645+ Score Guarantee (Focus Edition equivalent of 700+)
- Drill-heavy approach builds speed
- Hard questions prepare you for the worst
- Live instruction is rigorous
Cons
- The guarantee has strict requirements (you must do ALL homework)
- Can be dry compared to Manhattan Prep
- Expensive
If you are aiming for a top 25 business school, you know the magic number. On the old GMAT, it was 700. On the new GMAT Focus Edition, it is 645.
Princeton Review knows this too. That is why their flagship course is the GMAT 645+ Course.
They are the only major provider that puts a specific number on their guarantee. Not just “you will improve,” but “you will score in the 90th percentile or we will give you your money back.”
The guarantee is real, but it is not a free pass. To qualify for the refund, you must attend every class, complete every homework assignment, and take every practice test. It is a boot camp, not a vacation.
The “DrillBuilder” Approach
Princeton Review’s philosophy is that the GMAT is a pattern-recognition test. They don’t just teach you math; they teach you to recognize the “fingerprints” of a question type.
Their proprietary DrillBuilder technology generates adaptive drills based on your weaknesses.
- Struggling with Data Sufficiency? The system will feed you those questions until you stop missing them.
- Need to speed up? They have specific drills designed to force you to work faster.
Harder Than the Real Thing?
Many students report that Princeton Review’s practice questions are actually harder than the real GMAT. This is by design. The idea is that if you can handle their “torture” questions, the real exam will feel like a breeze.
The Focus Edition Update
Princeton Review has fully updated their curriculum for the 2025 GMAT Focus Edition.
- Data Insights: They have added extensive lessons on the new DI section, focusing on how to quickly interpret complex graphics and tables.
- No More Geometry: They have removed the geometry modules, freeing up time to focus on Arithmetic and Algebra (which are now more important).
- Scoring: All guarantees and practice tests are now aligned with the 205-805 scoring scale.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is for the ambitious but stuck student.
- If you are scoring a 555 (old 600) and need to get to a 645+ (old 700+), this course is designed to bridge that gap.
- It is not for casual studiers. The workload is heavy. Expect to spend 10-15 hours a week on homework outside of class.
Pricing
- Self-Paced: ~$799
- Fundamentals: ~$1,099
- GMAT 645+ (The Guarantee Course): ~$1,599+
The 645+ course is the most popular, despite the price, because of the insurance policy it offers.
Pros
- The best score guarantee in the business
- Forces you to be disciplined
- Excellent for breaking through score plateaus
- Includes 10 full-length practice tests
Cons
- The workload can be overwhelming for working professionals
- Video lessons are less engaging than Manhattan Prep's Interact
Final Verdict
Princeton Review is a brute-force solution. It isn’t always pretty, and it isn’t always fun, but it gets results. If you are willing to do exactly what they tell you to do, they guarantee you will get a top score. For many students, that promise is worth every penny.