All Courses
There are several important factors to consider when preparing for an exam as important as the GMAT. One of the first and foremost are the coaching classes which you will sign up for to help with your preparation. Most of the individuals attempting the GMAT are working professionals and hence will have limited time to spare for the preparation of a competitive exam. They will be unable to adhere to stringent timelines which the coaching institutes often have for their GMAT preparatory classes. While there are several benefits that these group coaching institutes offer, it is still a cumbersome process for a working professional to balance both their job and preparing for the GMAT simultaneously. We have compiled a list of certain disadvantages of attending group classes for GMAT coaching below.
Disadvantages of Group Coaching Classes
- Rigid Study plans and schedules
As already mentioned above, the group classes tend to have study plans which are already pre-defined by the professors and the coaching centres. They will have a rigorous plan which all the students will have to follow. There won’t be any opportunity to change the schedules as per any individual’s requirements since this may impact other students’ schedules as well. If you miss a class you will not be able to retake the same session since the professor will not be willing to teach the topic just for one individual. Additionally, you will have to follow the study plan and the subjects in the same order as it is taught in the classes. You will not be able to study at your own pace and will be expected to follow the same pattern which is set for the entire class.
- Distractions in the classroom
Other factors which would cause inconveniences to students who are studying in a group are the commotions and distractions which one would generally face in a classroom setup. Each of the students may have their doubts to clarify and there may be constant interruptions to the flow of study in the class. You will not be able to concentrate and focus on the topics you are studying with so many distractions.
- Time spent on travelling
You will have to take into consideration travelling substantial distances to attend these classes. Therefore one has to make suitable arrangements to travel and they must also factor in the time taken to commute to and from these coaching classes. This becomes more difficult for working professionals since they already commute a lot for work and additionally will have to spend time commuting to GMAT classes as well in the evenings or weekends.
- No personalised attention
In most of the group classes, there are a minimum of 20-30 candidates competing for attention from the professor. Therefore you cannot expect individual attention and care from the professor who is helping you learn. While they may be available to clarify your doubts post the end of the session it will however not be the same as clearing your queries immediately. It is also difficult for the professor to understand your strengths and weaknesses or guide you with a study plan personalised to your requirements.
As mentioned above there are quite a few significant disadvantages to attending group classes. In comparison, the private classes provide the candidates with many benefits. Some of the major advantages are as follows.
Advantages of Private Coaching Classes
- One on one undivided attention
In comparison to the group classes, the private classes provide you with the major advantage of complete attention from the professor. You will be able to request the professor to retake any concepts which you may not have completely understood. You will not have to compete for attention since you will be able to study dedicatedly with the assistance of the professor. You will be studying alone and therefore will not have to deal with any distractions or disturbances during your course of study. This also allows you to interact with the professor and explain which topics you would like to spend more time learning. The trainer will be able to understand your strengths and weaknesses clearly.
- Personalised/Customised study plan
When you opt for private classes you will have the option to study as per your requirements and will not have to follow a predefined study plan. You can do a self-evaluation by attempting mock tests which will aid you to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Your study plan can be formed based on this so that you can target your weaknesses and reach your target score. A personalised study plan also helps you track your progress with your preparation and helps to ensure you don’t miss out on any important topics while preparing for the exam.
- No more time constraints
The private coaching classes also provide you with the luxury of selecting the timing of the classes as per your convenience and availability. You will no longer have to worry about missing classes due to a conflict between your work timings and your coaching classes. You can decide beforehand with your tutor on the class timings which will suit both your schedule and your professor’s availability. This ensures that you don’t miss out on any important lessons.
- Experienced professional assistance
Most of the trainers at the coaching centres have several years of experience. Therefore they will be able to guide students with helpful tips and shortcut techniques to solve questions. Since they would have assisted several students with preparing for the GMAT they would be aware of the various nuances of the exam.
As mentioned above there are quite a few benefits when studying in private classes when compared to studying in group classes. Although every coin has two sides there is a flip side when you opt for private classes as well. Quality education, especially from a private tutor never comes at a cheap price therefore you must be prepared to shell out a considerable amount to pay for your private tutor coaching classes. Studying by yourself indeed helps you to concentrate in a better manner, however, you will tend to lose out on brainstorming sessions with your peers when you study alone. You may not have any challenges or competition with other students. You may miss out on comparing your performance with that of others and would therefore not be aware of some areas of improvement or new techniques to solve problems. Therefore it is necessary to make an informed decision before you finalise which classes you will choose for your GMAT preparation.
Talk to an expert?