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I am a non-profit professional, and the last time I studied mathematics was in 2010. Fast forward 14 years to 2024, when I decided to pursue an MBA, I knew I had to prepare for the GMAT/GRE—a daunting realisation given my long disconnect from maths.
One thing was clear: I needed to go back to my basics. While GMAT and GRE don’t test high-level maths, they do require quick thinking, knowing formulas, and solving questions efficiently. Like most people, I started with free resources—GMAT Ninja’s YouTube series and GMAT Club—but quickly realised that wasn’t enough. This became even more obvious when I spent time on places like GMAT Club or GRE Club, where everyone seemed to solve problems in a snap, while I was still stuck trying to understand the question. I needed a structured, step-by-step approach.
That’s when I started comparing e-GMAT and Target Test Prep (TTP). While TTP was a little on the expensive side (especially for someone from South Asia), I took their 5-day trial—and honestly, I was blown away by how well-structured it was. One of the biggest advantages of TTP is that it removes all confusion about what to study next. The moment you sign up, they tell you upfront: “Follow the plan.” That’s exactly what I did.
I thought, why not try my luck, and messaged TTP to ask if they could offer a discount (since no flash sale was running at that time). And in less than 24 hours, they sent me a 20% discount code—no questions asked. With that, I purchased the 6-month plan in July 2024, knowing I could only manage 1.5 hours on weekdays and longer study sessions on weekends. Over the next four months, I only used TTP and my notes.
My GMAT Experience:
The step-by-step structure,
Mini quizzes after each section,
Comprehensive explanations with some humour sprinkled in,
A well-organised formula booklet,
…all of this made sure I wasn’t just memorising formulas—I was actually understanding the concepts.
I was finally getting comfortable with maths, and by the fifth month, I was scoring in the 650s on official GMAT mocks (DI still being my weakest). But when I took the actual exam, I choked. I panicked, wasted time on the tougher questions (exactly what TTP warned me against in their prep tips included in the subscription), and completely lost track of time. My score crashed below 620. It was a terrible feeling.
Pivoting to the GRE:
After discussing with my mentors, I decided to pivot to GRE, where I could leverage my verbal strengths. I reached out to TTP, and once again, their support team was fantastic—within 24 hours, they transferred my GMAT subscription to the GRE course, no extra charge. Now with just about one and a half month left on my TTP subscription, I focused on:
GRE-specific topics (especially geometry, which isn’t tested in GMAT)
Time management strategies
Revising quant concepts and using TTP’s error log to find patterns in my mistakes
On 4th January, I gave my first GRE attempt and landed with Q-155, V-161, AWA-5. It wasn’t as bad as GMAT, but I still repeated some of the same mistakes—mismanaging time and maybe getting a bit overconfident with verbal.
For the next 30 days, I buckled down:
Went back to TTP’s chapter-wise revision and targeted quizzes
Revised weak areas through the error log
Used GregMat for timed practice and test-taking strategies
Used Magoosh’s vocabulary flashcards because I wanted something quick and easy to review words on the go
On 7th February, I took my second GRE attempt and this time, I improved to:
Q-162 (60th percentile)
V-163 (91st percentile)
AWA-4.5
Almost every test prep platform, including TTP, claims that their students score 90th+ percentile. I didn’t. Does that mean TTP didn’t work? Absolutely not. Why do I still rate it 5 stars?
TTP is as exhaustive as a test prep platform can get—but your score still depends on your own effort, your natural strengths, and your relationship with maths/verbal. For me, 91st percentile in verbal, despite being a non-native English user wasn’t difficult because I use verbal skills at work every day. But quant was always my weak spot, and TTP helped me push past my limitations.
If you complete 85-100% of the course, you WILL see improvement.
One Feature That Would Make TTP Even Better
The only thing I wish TTP had is a strictly timed practice mode. Right now, even if your timer runs out, you can still finish the quiz. But for someone like me, who struggled most with time management, a forced stop would have been a very useful feature. I have shared this with the TTP team and they have acknowledged it as well. :)
TL;DR
If you need rock-solid fundamentals, TTP is a no-brainer.
If you follow their plan, you don’t need to waste time on other resources.
It’s not the cheapest test prep, but in terms of quality, structure, and effectiveness, it’s worth your investment.
I didn’t magically become a maths wizard, but TTP gave me the best shot at improvement. If you’re looking for structured, high-quality test prep, Target Test Prep is 100% worth it.
I received notice that I was granted a scholarship to pay for law school on 12/1, however the applications were due by 2/15 and the last GRE I could take was 2/1. Meaning I only had 2 months to prepare. I thought that getting in the 320's would have been impossible in just two months. But Target Test Prep got me ready in that time. I scored a 321 and 4.5 in the essay. I was studying at a very accelerated rate, putting in close to 5 or 6 hours a day for that entire two months. But I was able to do so while working full time. I got the score I was shooting for all thanks to TTP
I began my test prep journey intending to take the GMAT. Target Test Prep (TTP) was overwhelmingly recommended as the best GMAT prep course, so I signed up. Fast forward a few months, I realized that the GMAT wasn’t the right fit for me, so I switched to the GRE. Before purchasing TTP’s GRE course, I took an official mock test and scored 320 (Q164, V156). While that wasn’t a bad starting point, I knew I could do better.
- Super organized format: I decided to try TTP’s GRE course and was pleasantly surprised by how familiar it felt. The structure closely mirrored the GMAT study plan, emphasizing topical conceptual clarity, extensive practice questions, and specific GRE test strategies in the final mission.
- Quantitative Excellence: I initially expected to lean on TTP’s renowned quantitative reasoning curriculum, aiming for a high Quant score. Their well-organized lessons and countless practice problems helped solidify my math foundations, even for the new topics such as geometry and parts of data interpretation that were new for me when I pivoted to the GRE
- Verbal Mastery: What surprised me was how much the Verbal section boosted my skills. Their approach to Reading Comprehension, using structural markers like contrast and support indicators, was a game changer. The lessons on logical reasoning helped me avoid common pitfalls in “Weaken the Argument” and “Strengthen the Argument” questions
- Analytical Writing Guidance: TTP’s detailed AWA guidance exceeded my expectations, earning me a 92% on the Analytical Writing Assignment
- Test Score Journey:
-- PowerPrep Plus 3: 328 (Q163, V165) – I was super surprised by my Verbal score but realized that my foundations were strong. I decided to make Verbal my superpower instead of Quant.
-- PowerPrep Plus 2: 327 (Q161, V166) – Happy with my total score but worried that my Quant score declined. I decided to take the GRE anyway and see how things would go.
-- First GRE Attempt: 325 (Q160, V165) – I was a bit gutted I didn’t get a score in the high 320s. I realized I needed to revisit weaker chapters in Geometry and Coordinate Geometry that I had assumed I’d figure out eventually and went in detail through my error log.
-- Third-Party Mock Test: 325 (Q160, V165) – I took a third-party test (I know that’s not ideal but I did it anyway!) that I was told is supposed to be harder, so I was quite happy with my score.
-- Second GRE Attempt: 332 (Q163, V169) – Yay! Everything finally came together.
Aiming for a high score on the GRE can be especially difficult because 1. it can all come down to one question 2. you have to pace yourself and strategize. Target Test Prep helped me hone down a consistently high score in the least amount of time possible (while also holding down a demanding full-time job). The program does this by building conceptual understanding for relevant concepts, making it easy to schedule/hold yourself accountable when studying with an interactive calendar and modules, and providing just enough repetition that gets steadily more difficult (with different wrinkles in each question) so you feel confident about a certain topic once you're done studying it. I was hitting a plateau and definitely broke out of it thanks to TTP.
Without Target Test Prep I would not have been able to score a 326 on the GRE. I had a limited amount of time to prepare and think I could have scored even higher if I continued the prep course. Target Test Prep has an easy-to-use website and great video explanations for problems. There was an option to go through the lessons on a quicker timeline, and it would help identify problem areas. I do not have a quant background and the prep work helped create a solid foundation before jumping into harder problems. I am really pleased with the product and value and would recommend. I only took the test once because I got the result I needed for my personal goals.
If you're looking for a quick fix to a low score TargetTestPrep isn't for you. The quant part of the program is structured to build a strong foundation of math skills and proceeds from there. No short cuts or gimmicks. To complete both the quant and verbal sections of TTP is an investment of some 200+ hours.
The thoroughness of TTP is its biggest strength and weakness. If you're on a tight schedule there are better ways to improve your score, but if you're willing to put in the time and effort there is no comparison. TTP is the most comprehensive and well-designed of the options.
It took me a full year of using the course, albeit at a leisurely pace of a few hours of study a week, to see any noticeable score improvement. I started with an abysmal quant score of 155 and knew from the get-go math is where I would need to focus my study time. I'm a professional editor by trade so I skimmed TTP's verbal material and mostly focused on vocabulary drills from GregMat (which is also exceptional value for the price).
My first two retakes I saw no improvement in my score. Finally, after completing most of the quant work I was able to break through and score 160 on the quantitative section. Although it was a modest 5 point improvement, I'm satisfied with my progress. Between verbal review from TTP and vocab drills from GregMat my verbal score improved from a 160 to a 167.
Yes, TTP is (relatively) expensive. Yes, TTP is time-intensive. But if time or money are not a barrier there is no better test prep program.
Partially thanks to TTP I was able to land a spot at my target school, Wharton, and because of that it was well worth the money.
Target Test Prep's GRE course stands out as a phenomenal resource for mastering the quantitative section of the GRE. Their comprehensive curriculum meticulously breaks down every math concept tested, offering a depth of understanding unparalleled by other prep materials. The platform's adaptive technology customizes learning paths, ensuring students focus on areas needing improvement, while an array of practice questions closely mirrors the real test, providing invaluable hands-on experience. The detailed explanations for each question not only clarify the correct answers but also teach the underlying mathematical principles, fostering a deep and lasting comprehension. Furthermore, the responsive customer support and engaging instructional videos make learning both effective and enjoyable. Target Test Prep has truly set a new standard for GRE quant preparation, making it an indispensable tool for anyone aiming to ace the quantitative section.
They are very comprehensive and in-depth. If anyone follows these materials, no other prep materials will be needed. Their quant section is rock solid. It contains almost every single chapter which will be needed for a successful GRE score. Their verbal is also good. Very much an in-depth analysis and contains video and text explanations. TTP provides a cheat sheet that is very much helpful for taking notes. Its quant formula is excellent. Also, it provides a quant formula book, which is suitable for reading and memorising the necessary procedure. The formula book contains short-cut techniques to arrive at a solution very fast.
Target test prep is an excellent product. The curriculum was thoroughly curated to prepare me for the actual GRE test. Although I have a strong background, I had forgotten a lot of the principles and formulas I learnt in highschool, using TTP helped me remember everything I needed to remember.
The question bank is also very valuable- with over 2500 quant questions and over 900 verbal questions. Solving just half made me feel very prepared within 2 months of studying. The detailed analytics feature on the website also helped me tag my weaknesses and strengths, allowing me to refocus on the most important things.
I had less than 4 weeks to take the GRE after never having taken it before. After looking at several options, I knew Target Test Prep was the best option for me to hit my target score of a 324. While my math was pretty strong, I needed help getting my verbal up to speed. Target Test Preps Verbal lessons were immensely helpful in quickly getting me up to speed. Additionally, the chapter quizzes were extremely helpful in solidifying the knowledge that I had previously learned in the lessons.
I found that there lessons translated extremely well to the actual GRE, and was able to hit my target score. Thanks TTP!