What Manhattan Review does

Manhattan Review is a privately held test preparation and admissions consulting company founded in New York City in 1999 by Prof Dr Joern Meissner, a tenured business school professor. The company delivers preparation for 11 standardized exams — GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, Executive Assessment (EA), and HiSET — through three core delivery formats: a 28-hour Classic Course (group classroom or live online, priced at $890-$1,490 depending on format and location), a 12-hour Private Course (1-on-1, priced at approximately $1,590), and Private Tutoring available in 12-48 hour packages. The offering is anchored by a proprietary curriculum created and supervised by the founder, a 12-book GRE Turbocharge Your Prep series now in its fourth edition, and free digital tools including a 3,000-word SAT vocabulary trainer and GMAT Data Insights practice questions with peer benchmarking.

The underlying platform combines traditional pedagogy with educational technology: live online classrooms for synchronous instructor-led delivery worldwide, computer adaptive tests that simulate GMAT exam conditions, and digital study materials distributed as PDFs and online practice tests. Free diagnostic tests for GMAT, GRE, and SAT function as top-of-funnel acquisition tools. Distribution spans in-person locations across the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific, India, Australia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, supplemented by a wholly owned subsidiary (Manhattan Review India) and partnerships with QS for MBA Fairs and Dubai International Academic City for institutional reach.

The business model is direct-to-consumer and primarily transactional: one-time course purchases and tutoring packages paid via Stripe, with no subscription or enterprise contract tier visible in the data. Customer segments include MBA candidates (primary), graduate school applicants, undergraduate applicants, law school applicants, international students needing English proficiency certification, and private school applicants, with a horizontal segmentation strategy across the full standardized-test stack. Headcount of 251-500 employees supports global in-person and online operations.

Name

Manhattan Review

Legal name

Manhattan Review, Inc.

Website

https://manhattanreview.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Manhattan Review is a privately held, founder-led test preparation and admissions consulting firm offering courses, private tutoring, and consulting for 11 standardized exams (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, EA, HiSET), serving MBA candidates, graduate and undergraduate applicants, law school candidates, international students, and private school applicants globally through in-person locations and live online delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test Preparation Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12 Standardized Assessments & Benchmark Exams Prep (State tests, MAP, ISEE/SSAT) (EDANABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Exam Prep & Standards-Aligned Review Courseware (Within Curriculum) (EDAFACAO), Application Review, Proofreading & Submission Support (EDANAEAJ), Assessment, Testing & Exam Prep Publishing (MPAJABAF)

Keywords

• Test preparation services
• Admissions consulting
• Standardized exam prep
• Private tutoring
• Online test prep

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices26 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Test Preparation Courses: Revenue from in-person and online classroom courses for GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, EA, and HiSET. Classic courses are typically 28 hours over 8 sessions, priced at $890-$1,490 depending on location and format.
2. Private Tutoring: Personalized 1-on-1 tutoring services with hour packages ranging from 12 to 48 hours. Provides customized test preparation for busy professionals and students seeking top scores.
3. Private Courses: Personalized 1-on-1 courses with 12 teaching hours, offering more customized approach than classic classroom courses. Priced at approximately $1,590.
4. Admissions Consulting: MBA and graduate school admissions consulting services to help candidates gain admission to top business schools and universities.
5. Test Prep Books and Materials: Sale of GRE prep book series and other study materials. The 12-book GRE Turbocharge Your Prep series is available for purchase, with one volume offered as a free download.
6. Free Resources and Tools: Free vocabulary training tools, practice questions, and diagnostic tests that drive customer acquisition and upsell opportunities for paid services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Manhattan Review is a test preparation company offering preparation courses and tutoring for 11 standardized exams (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, TOEFL, IELTS, EA, and HiSET), delivered via in-person classroom courses, live online classes, and 1-on-1 private tutoring. The company also provides MBA, graduate school, and college admissions consulting services. Free diagnostic tests, vocabulary tools, and practice question banks support customer acquisition alongside paid offerings.

Product overview

Manhattan Review is a test preparation company offering a comprehensive portfolio of standardized exam preparation services and admissions consulting. The core offering consists of 11 test preparation products: GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, SSAT, ISEE, EA (Executive Assessment), IELTS, and HiSET. Each test prep product includes three delivery formats: Private Tutoring (12-48 hour personalized 1-on-1 packages), Private Course (12-hour intensive 1-on-1 format), and Classic Course (28-hour group class format available in-person or online). The company also offers free digital tools including a SAT Vocabulary Training Tool with 3,000 words and GMAT Data Insights practice questions with performance benchmarking. Print products include the GRE Turbocharge Your Prep 4th Edition book series (12 books) with a free Quantitative Question Bank download. Admissions consulting for MBA programs, graduate schools, and colleges is provided as an additional service. Services are delivered through in-person locations across multiple global regions (USA, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific, India, Australia, Latin America, Middle East, Africa) and a worldwide online platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GMAT Preparation Comprehensive GMAT test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes covering all exam sections (Quantitative, Verbal, Data Insights) for prospective MBA candidates.
• GRE Preparation Comprehensive GRE test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes covering Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing for graduate school applicants.
• LSAT Preparation Comprehensive LSAT test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes covering logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension for law school applicants.
• SAT Preparation Comprehensive SAT test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes covering Reading, Writing and Language, and Math for college-bound high school students.
• ACT Preparation Comprehensive ACT test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes covering English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing.
• TOEFL Preparation Comprehensive TOEFL test preparation including private tutoring, classroom courses, and online classes for the English-language proficiency exam aimed at international students.
• SSAT Preparation SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) preparation for students applying to independent schools, including private tutoring and classroom courses.
• ISEE Preparation ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) preparation for students applying to private schools, including private tutoring and classroom courses.
• EA (Executive Assessment) Preparation Executive Assessment test preparation for business school applicants, including private tutoring and classroom courses.
• IELTS Preparation IELTS (International English Language Testing System) preparation for English language proficiency certification aimed at non-native speakers.
• HiSET Preparation HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) preparation for students seeking high school equivalency certification.
• Admissions Consulting MBA, graduate school, and college admissions consulting services to help students navigate the application process for top educational institutions.
• Free SAT Vocabulary Training Tool Free online vocabulary training tool featuring 3,000 words organized across five difficulty categories (Essential, Intermediate, Advanced, and two optional categories) for SAT Reading and Writing section preparation.
• Free GMAT Data Insights Practice Questions Free GMAT practice questions focusing on the Data Insights section, featuring an innovative performance comparison tool that enables students to benchmark their progress against peers worldwide.
• GRE Turbocharge Your Prep Book Series (4th Edition) 12-book comprehensive GRE preparation series updated for the revised GRE exam introduced in 2023, offering study guides, test-taking strategies, and practice questions; includes GRE Quantitative Question Bank available as free download.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students achieve top-percentile scores on standardized tests (700+ GMAT, 325+ GRE, etc.)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• QS (Quacquarelli Symonds)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerManhattan Review partners with QS to participate in QS MBA Fairs, connecting with prospective MBA candidates and promoting test preparation and admissions consulting services. QS is described as 'one of the leading sources' for MBA program discovery.
• Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDubai International Academic City is the world's only Free Zone dedicated to higher learning, housing about 400 Higher Education programmes. Manhattan Review works with students seeking admission to programs at DIAC-affiliated institutions including American University in the Emirates, Amity University Dubai Campus, BITS Pilani Dubai, French Fashion University ESMOD Dubai, and others.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Magoosh: Digital-first, self-paced test prep provider offering affordable online courses for GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and IELTS. Competes with Manhattan Review on price and accessibility, particularly for online-only customers.
• E2Language: Online English-language test prep provider specializing in IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. Directly comparable to Manhattan Review's TOEFL/IELTS offerings in delivery model and international student target.
• PrepScholar: AI-driven online test prep platform focused on SAT, ACT, and graduate exams with adaptive learning technology. Represents the digital-native, AI-personalized alternative to Manhattan Review's instructor-led model.
• Target Test Prep: Specialized online GMAT Quantitative prep platform with adaptive practice and analytics. Directly competes with Manhattan Review's GMAT prep in the self-serve, digital subscription segment.

Direct peers

• Veritas Prep: Test prep company offering GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, and LSAT courses with both instructor-led and online formats, plus MBA admissions consulting. Closely comparable in scope, premium positioning, and admissions consulting integration.
• The Princeton Review: One of the largest US-headquartered test prep companies, offering prep across the same core exams (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT) plus admissions counseling. Directly comparable in product breadth, delivery model (in-person and online), and target customer (college and graduate applicants seeking high scores).
• PowerScore: Specialized LSAT prep company offering courses, books, and tutoring. Comparable to Manhattan Review's LSAT prep line in product format and target customer (law school applicants).
• Manhattan Prep: Founded as a direct competitor focused on GMAT prep with strong brand recognition in graduate admissions. Now part of Kaplan's portfolio but historically one of the most directly comparable premium test prep brands to Manhattan Review.

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan Test Prep: Part of Kaplan, Inc., a diversified education provider offering test prep, tutoring, and admissions services globally. Overlaps with Manhattan Review across GMAT, GRE, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, and USMLE prep, but operates as a much broader incumbent with significantly larger scale.

Others

• QS (Quacquarelli Symonds): MBA and higher education events, rankings, and lead-generation platform. A Manhattan Review GTM/marketing partner via QS MBA Fairs; included as a peer because it overlaps in MBA candidate acquisition and is a strategic ecosystem player in the same admissions funnel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ManhattanReview
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ManhattanReview
• Facebookfacebook.com/ManhattanReview
• Instagraminstagram.com/manrev99

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Manhattan Review