Working with Erfun for my GMAT preparation was an extraordinary experience that significantly impacted my journey to business school. When I first started, my practice test scores were hovering around 555, and I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material to cover. Erfun immediately put me at ease with his deep knowledge of the GMAT structure and content, as well as his patient and supportive teaching style. He meticulously crafted a personalized study plan that focused on my weak areas while reinforcing my strengths. Throughout our sessions, Erfun demonstrated an exceptional ability to break down complex quantitative and verbal concepts into understandable segments, and he uses his incredibly vast trove of practice questions to customize the homework to exactly the level you're at. He also provided a wealth of strategies for tackling the different types of questions, which proved invaluable. Regular practice tests and thorough review sessions ensured that I was continuously improving. But the most transformative aspect was his emphasis on test-taking strategies and time management, which helped me tackle the GMAT with confidence and efficiency. As a result of Erfun's expert guidance and support, I saw my practice test scores improve steadily. By the time I took the actual exam, I had achieved a score of 685, a significant increase from where I began. This score has opened doors to several top MBA programs, and I couldn't be more grateful for Erfun's dedication and expertise. For anyone serious about excelling in the GMAT, I wholeheartedly recommend Erfun. His personalized approach, in-depth knowledge, and unwavering support make him an invaluable resource in the test preparation process. read more

After several months of self study, and almost exhausting all the problems in the newest edition of the OG guide, I found myself scoring a disappointing 37V 45Q (660, 78%ile) on the practice exam. Erfun was referred to me by my friend. I am a terrible standardized test taker (just look at my SAT scores), but over the course of two months of rigorous and strategic training under Erfun, I was able to bring my score up to a 40V 48Q (720 94%ile). Looking back, I would have saved myself months of studying if I studied under Erfun's guidance from the very beginning. Erfun is a very experienced, understanding, and patient teacher. He knew exactly what my weak points were, and he knew exactly how to address them. Erfun has been teaching the GMAT for over a decade. His experience is clear from how he explains concepts, strategies, and lines of reasoning. Outside of GMAT concepts, I also struggled greatly with exam anxiety. I significantly underperformed on my first GMAT exam. But Erfun knew what to do. He advised me on making certain lifestyle decisions to combat the anxiety. I am extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from Erfun. If cost is a major factor in preventing you from hiring a GMAT tutor, this line of thinking may help: the amount that you spend on a GMAT tutor is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost you will spend on your MBA degree. It is a worthwhile investment, particularly if you are not seeing the results you need to get into the schools you want. If you want to work with a GMAT tutor, Erfun is the one to choose. Thank you, Erfun! read more

This review is the culmination of hours of hard work and determination. I took the GMAT in 2015 after working with a tutor from Manhattan Prep, but scored 650, far short of the lofty 720 goal that I had set. Frustrated and burned out, I decided that the GMAT wasn't for me and put biz school on hold. Fast forward to January 2017, and a colleague with an MBA from Wharton suggested that I give Erfun a shot. I was skeptical, given my experiences with other tutors, but I figured it was worth a shot. And it was! Erfun knows the GMAT cold, and he's able to explain concepts in accessible, clear terms that take the intimidation out of the exam. He has a database of 1000+ questions, along with supplemental worksheets for pretty much every topic. What I most appreciated about the tutoring was the organization and customization. He kept an ongoing log of every question we did during every lesson, and I was able to refer to this later in my prep when I needed to refresh on a topic. He assigned detailed homework at the end of each session and most importantly, he was proactive, focusing only on the areas that gave me trouble and designing a week by week lesson plan to address these areas. This is in contrast to my previous tutor who pretty much had me work sequentially through the official guide. Anyways, this review is getting long, but I'll end by saying that I ended up hitting that magical 720 and am confidently working on my round 1 apps. I highly recommend Erfun. read more

I came to Erfun three GMAT tests deep. I was definitely frustrated by the inconsistency in my scores: while I did fine in my first two tests, I did terribly on my last one, scoring a 610. Erfun reminded me of a specialty doctor as he reviewed my past exam scores and diagnosed me by throwing Quant and Verbal questions at me. He quickly put together an efficient and comprehensive study plan for me, detailing how many questions I should be completing per day and the time I should be allocating. The study schedule definitely wasn't easy but it was invaluable. Not only did I end up becoming comfortable with certain topics, I got incredible insight into overall GMAT test taking strategy. This insight into strategy likely made the biggest end impact on my final score. I will not go into too much details as that's Erfun's secret sauce. I ended up scoring a 740 on test day, which was the highest I received, even on mock exams. While I attribute the increase to hard work, I have to take my hat off to Erfun: he was definitely the key difference that made it possible. One note- these classes aren't cheap. I experienced a little sticker shock when I first considered working with Erfun and almost decided not to go with him due to the price. But in retrospect, it was a great, great move to move forward with his sessions. My recommendation to you is to quantify how much value a good GMAT score might be for you and weigh the benefits. For me, it was a no brainer. read more

I utilized Erfun for my GMAT prep to apply to B-School and Erfun was worth every penny! Erfun was composed, professional, knowledgeable and extremely thorough.The man knows how to teach and his expertise and depth of knowledge of the material make studying for the GMAT less daunting. Erfun helped me achieve my goals and then some, albeit i had more time to study than other students which was a huge thank you to my boss for letting me leave work early so i could study. Erfun goes over every aspect of the GMAT so that you will not be blindsided when you take the real deal. He focuses on content and the fundamentals of test taking and gives you a thorough understanding of the math & verbal concepts you will need to know for the exam. He simply is a maestro but you the student have to put in the adequate time to study and master the material to achieve your desired score. Erfun was a 10/10 and he is a genuinely nice guy too! If you choose to use Erfun you will not be disappointed. Even though he is expensive, he is worth it if your goal is a top b-school. And one last note: We did online (Skype) tutoring, and it wasn't a problem AT ALL. I was skeptical before we started, but it actually saved me commuting time (meaning more time to study). After the first session, it pretty much felt like we were in-person, and I didn't have to slog through the NYC snow to get to Erfun :) Thanks for helping me get into my top-choice B-school, Erfun! read more

When I began studying for the GMAT I relied primarily on the Official Guides and MGMAT books. For 4 months I studied every night and completed every practice question I could possible find. However, after all of that studying, the highest score I was able to attain was 640 - it was extremely disappointing. Finally, I decided to get a tutor here in NY. I looked online and found Erfun (http://gmattutornyc.com) who does one-on-one sessions for two hours - his guidance and help were priceless. I must say I totally underestimated the value that a tutor could provide. Once I started working with Erfun here was our strategy: - We reviewed all of my past practice exams and - I began to focus on my weakest areas in Quant using official guide problems and the Official GMAT Software. - As my comfort level with Quant, we began doing work on Verbal using some Official Guide questions as well as LSAT questions. - After 2 months of review I began taking practice tests. A GMAT tutor can be extremely useful when studying for the GMAT. Yes, everyone knows that the GMAT tests the same type of skills all the time, but a tutor can provide excellent insights on how to approach tough questions and how to effectively study so that weak areas are improving and strong areas remain strong. After a lot of hard work I finally scored a 720! read more

I never thought I'd say this, but Erfun transformed my approach to tackling GMAT Quant with a style that felt like a mix between a strategy session and a conversation with a friend. Instead of just throwing formulas at me, he equipped me with clever strategies and shortcuts that made solving even the toughest questions feel manageable. He turned data sufficiency questions into a game, teaching me how to quickly identify the traps and spot the shortcuts. And his intuitive ways of explaining things made complex strategies click, equipping me with a newfound confidence in my abilities and in my approach toward the exam. He also had an uncanny ability to simplify complicated concepts and reveal the underlying patterns in GMAT questions. His approach was all about efficiency--eliminating wrong answers swiftly and managing time like a pro. He showed me how to dissect problems, recognize recurring themes, and apply logical steps to reach the solution faster. The sessions were less about rote learning and more about developing a strategic mindset that turned my previous panic into precise, calculated moves. So, if you need someone who can revamp your math strategies and keep you laughing through the stress, Erfun is your secret weapon, Trust me, you'll walk into that exam room with both a sharper mind and a lighter heart. read more

I worked with Erfun in 2021 to study for the GMAT. He was a fantastic tutor and helped me achieve a great score that got me into my target schools. His ability to identify your strengths/weaknesses, structure a lesson plan around your abilities, and clearly and succinctly explain the the answers for each question/question type is unparalleled. He not only teaches the underlying theory for each topic (be it quant or verbal), but also drills the importance of learning how to take the test with well-defined strategies for each question type. If I were to have studied by myself, I almost certainly would have overlooked the significance of identifying each question type and being strict in following the same strategy for each. A huge piece for me was having structure within my studying. Studying for the GMAT is daunting, especially with a full-time job, so having a plan was crucial. Erfun helped devise a study plan with quizzes/practice tests, and a target for test day. He kept me on track with daily practice from his trove of questions, as well as weekly assignments based on the current area of focus. Working with Erfun was definitely a worthwhile investment in my B school journey. read more

If you're looking for the best private GMAT tutor In NYC, stop your search and go with GMAT Compass. I interviewed three different tutors before settling on Erfun, and, though he's not cheap, his services were unquestionably worth it. I'd never hired a tutor before Erfun, so i was cautious to take the plunge, but he proved me wrong. Sessions with Erfun felt like I had someone peering inside my head and dissecting my thought process. If a concept gave me difficulty, Erfun wouldn't just explain it; he'd pull up official GMAT questions of progressive difficulty to show me how the testmakers present the concept and how to best reason through the situation. What I found really noteworthy is that he taught me higher-level reasoning skills. Instead of just teaching math, grammar, etc, he taught me how to think through the topics in the way the GMAT rewards. His laidback but motivational style made me comfortable during the sessions, and even though I've never been a math person, I never felt judged or rushed. Erfun has my highest recommendation. read more

Highly recommend. TL;DR Price: Very competitive Value: Great(better than some other tutors/programs in my opinion) Schedule: Flexible Communication: Consistent Resources: Everything you need After trying self-study I found myself going in several directions, using a wide array of resources, spending more money then budgeted, and ultimately seeing no result in official exams. Erfun was actually not my first choice nor first tutor. Yet he ended up being my best choice. After about 5 or so sessions over the course of about a month, I made drastic improvement. Sessions and homework were tailored to me. Over time my confidence rose. We actually didn't even meet the week of the test which I was a little worried about. In conclusion, my test score increased 130 total points! (Factoring practice exams in, it technically went up 190 points.) He is not as expensive as some private tutors therefore making his ROI even better. You won't be disappointed and can't go wrong! read more

Erfun is one of the kindest, most intelligent people I have ever met. He was able to set me up with his partner, Matt, to work with me in reaching my GMAT goals. Matt is an extremely patient and thorough tutor, he took the time to understand what my needs are and to find the best approach with me. In my case, I had a very hard time understanding the verbal section of the GMAT exam. Not only did he break down the format of the question types that are asked, he patiently addressed every "I don't get it" that I threw at him. I was truly surprised at how encouraging both Erfun and Matt were throughout my studying. They answered every email promptly and constantly provided emotional support to tackle the GMAT. After just two sessions with Matt, I increased my verbal score from a 39 to a 44 !! I am very happy with my score increase and I am so thankful to Matt for helping me -- it was worth every penny! read more

Unlike the other reviewers, I came to Erfun without having done any prior GMAT preparation. I was pretty stressed about the test, and I needed someone who had GMAT expertise and could identify what was giving me difficulty. We worked together on Skype for about 12 weeks, focusing mostly on Quant and Critical Reasoning. Erfun did a great job of explaining the concepts, but, just as importantly, he showed me why I was falling for traps, the different types of approaches for each question, and how to save precious time in certain questions. He was organized and reliable, and I really liked that he assigned homework targeted toward my weaknesses. Surprisingly, being held accountable was a big motivator for me to stay on top of my studies! Yes, it wasn't cheap, but he charges about the same as MGMAT, Kaplan, etc., and he provides what I genuinely believe is a superior service. Highly recommended. read more

I noticed that there are no reviews for Erfun on Yelp, so I wanted to chime in. My experience with the GMAT was long and drawn out. I had taken the test 2 times prior to meeting with Erfun and still couldn't crack the 700 barrier, despite taking a high-priced course. I signed up with Erfun for intensive bi-weekly tutoring, focusing on all areas of the exam. Basically, we'd meet at his office in Midtown, he'd walk me through questions and how to think about them, and then we'd do some together. His focus really is on teaching you how to think like a 99th-percentile scorer. He does cover shortcuts, but he told me repeatedly that if I wanted to get a 700, I needed to reason like a 700-scorer. And he was right! With his encouragement and guidance, I worked my butt off, and finally scored a 730 on the GMAT. read more

Erfun was the third and last tutor I used for the GMAT. Before him, I tried a tutor from a big company and another independent tutor, but neither one was able to help me get over that 700 hump. I was really discouraged but I decided to give it one last shot with his assistance, and I used yelp reviews to help me make the decision. What I like about him is that he's super smart and knowledgeable about the exam, but also surprisingly down to earth. He's able to simplify things in a way that makes them stick, and he has a huge database of official questions to reinforce everything. He was always on time, always professional, and always prepared. I will say that he was a bit pricier than the other tutors I worked with, but paying an additional $30/hr was well worth it to finally break 700. read more

Studying for the GMAT was a necessary evil in the process of applying to business schools, and finding the appropriate preparation was an essential part of the process. I relied on Yelp to find a tutor, and after reading Erfun's reviews, I decided to give him a shot. I'm glad I did. I was interested in Erfun because of his high GMAT score, but the tutoring was so much more beneficial than that. His organization, structure, knowledge of the algorithm, and uncanny ability to understand why I was having difficulty with the questions propelled me to a score higher than I even expected. He had refreshing insights into my issues and provided customized hw that helped me overcome my major obstacles and achieve my GMAT goals. read more

Finished my MBA at NYU Stern (full-time) last year. This would NOT have happened without Erfun. I was struggling with those stupid tests, and had tried many of the major commercial services (manhattan, Kaplan, etc) with minimal improvement. My back was against the wall in terms of timing and applying so took a flyer on Erfun. As opposed to applying some generic tutoring framework, he took the time to curate a plan based on a) foundational gaps b) learning style. My score improved drastically. Yes, you have to do the work, but if you do, Erfun will get you there (and he doesn't give up on you). I'm not one to write one of these weird yelp reviews, but Erfun is a great tutor, and an even better dude. Go see him! read more

After trying to self-study for the GMAT with disappointing results, I reached out to GMAT Compass for help. Erfun set me up with Matt Douglas and we did online sessions every week. Matt knows both the GMAT and GRE in and out and our sessions were a great help in identifying where I was making silly mistakes to help improve my timing and score. After my first GMAT exam, Matt and I concluded that my strengths were better shown by taking the GRE and within 3 weeks I was sitting for the GRE and scoring my goal scores to get into my desired business schools. I could not have been happier with the results. I would highly recommend Matt's tutoring to anyone struggling to self study with the GMAT and/or GRE! read more

From the moment I read about the candid and comprehensive GMAT Compass approach, I knew they were the right fit. I'd done self-study and some online courses, but I still had some glaring issues on the GMAT that I just couldn't plug on my own (particularly Quant and Critical Reasoning). Erfun's tutoring lived up to his reputation. He really made an effort to understand my weaknesses and how I thought, and he customized all the sessions to target these issues. I felt heard and seen, which wasn't the case in my prior prep. Because of this level of customization he provided, I saw quick gains in my score that ultimately culminated in a 725. Thanks Erfun! read more

I worked with Erfun this spring to prepare for the GMAT (after taking a Manhattan prep classroom course in the fall) and I could not have asked for a better experience. He is not only knowledgeable about the subject matter, but also understands each student and how they learn best. He takes complex content and simplifies it through an efficient and interesting approach. He turned my weaknesses into strengths in a matter of months through in-person drills, consistent homework / review and full length practice tests. I would highly recommend Erfun to anybody serious about taking their GMAT score to the next level. read more