If you're considering studying for an MBA, there's an extremely good chance that at some point you'll be required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (otherwise known as GMAT). Consisting of four sections of numeracy and literacy questions, the GMAT is an extremely intense test of your ability and doing well it in requires weeks, if not months, of practice and study.

While there are no shortage of online resources to help you prepare for the GMAT, knowing which are the best to use can be an impossible task. Fortunately for you, we've compiled a list of the best GMAT prep websites and courses out there. So, consider this your one-stop shop for acing the GMAT and getting the MBA of your dreams. It really is that easy.

GMAT prep websites

QS LEAP: http://www.qsleap.com/ 

QS LEAP is an adaptive social learning test prep platform. It offers guided and adaptive test prep and learning modules, which are linked to a customized personal study schedule and access to GMAT prep experts, as well as feedback and advice from other candidates and friends which will help you improve critical areas for higher scores. It’s also totally free, so there's no reason why you shouldn't start using it right now.

Veritas Prep: http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/category/gmat/

Veritas Prep uploads weekly articles analyzing each section of the GMAT in great detail. The blog is contributed to by a large network of instructors, students and consultants who all know their stuff and is both informative and occasionally humorous, injecting an element of fun into often mundane study. It's ideal for anyone who is already familiar with the basics of GMAT prep and wants to expand on their knowledge.

GMAT Tutor Blog: https://gmat.economist.com/blog

For anyone with too many GMAT queries in their head but not enough people around to answer them, this GMAT blog run by The Economist is your answer. You're able to submit questions to the website which are then replied to by experts in the GMAT field and featured on the website. The blog also runs regular self-help articles for people struggling with study and provides a regular newsletter detailing a roundup of the best GMAT prep blog articles and product news available from the website.

GMAT Club: http://gmatclub.com/

Prepping for the GMAT can be a lonely time for applicants. If the solitary confinement is becoming too much for you, then sign up to the GMAT Club and connect with other prospective MBA students online. The site features forums, free test materials and video content that users can comment on and engage with. The site is very popular with MBA applicants and has over 149,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook – a lot of people to connect with next time you're lonely in the library.

TopMBA.com: http://www.topmba.com/admissions/gmatgre

Our sister site is a quality source of admissions information – if we do say so ourselves. Aside from basic GMAT prep articles, it also features content for anyone wishing to hone their interests and focus on particular areas of GMAT study. It aims to provide the best GMAT prep possible by providing helpful articles from academics, students and test prep experts from around the globe on a regular basis.

Beat the GMAT: http://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/how-to-get-a-700-on-the-gmat

This website draws on the experiences of the most ambitious MBA applicants who can already boast impressive GMAT scores. Users from around the world upload personal stories of how they scored 700 or higher on their GMAT test and proceed to brag, provide helpful assistance or write smugly about how they achieved such high scores. Beware of excessive self-congratulation and competition on this forum – it is not a site for the faint-hearted, or for applicants lacking in confidence in the early stages of their GMAT prep.

GMAT prep online courses

KAPLAN Test Plan: http://www.kaptest.com/gmat

For students with cash to spare, it could be worth paying out for one of KAPLAN’s in-depth GMAT prep courses. KAPLAN offers a range of classes, from private face-to-face lessons priced at US$2,599 to prerecorded self-paced online lessons priced at US$799. If students are feeling particularly confident about their scores then paying for these GMAT prep courses may not be necessary, but they could be extremely beneficial for applicants who require a little more guidance and assistance before undertaking the examination. They run offers, such as an annual summer sale, during which applicants can save up to US$200 on GMAT prep courses.

Empower GMAT: http://www.empowergmat.com/

Empower is one of the more affordable GMAT prep courses out there. Study sessions are all taken online for the relatively reasonable price of US$99 per month. The websites offers multiple platforms for learning with lessons and tips being relayed through podcasts, videos, documents and immersive lessons. The success of the course is evidenced by the volume of success stories that the website features in its records. Applicants can sign up to the service at any time and receive all their learning materials instantly – handy for anyone in a hurry to cram one last month of revision into their schedule.

Magoosh: https://gmat.magoosh.com/

Magoosh offers one of the most affordable GMAT prep courses online. Currently, the website offers mathematical and verbal reasoning courses at US$79 each and an all-inclusive ‘Premium’ course for $99. Study options are split into different sections so that applicants don't have to pay the full fee if they only need assistance in specific areas. Users receive video lessons, email correspondence with tutors, practice questions and one year’s worth of access to the Magoosh website once they have registered.

Manhattan Review online GMAT course: http://www.manhattanreview.com/gmat-online-prep-courses/

This course offers a more interactive service than the other courses listed here. Classes are not prerecorded but are conducted in real-time on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays so you can be more involved with the learning process. Applicants also benefit from the added advantage of interacting with their professors and classmates instantaneously during live lectures. Tutors are available daily throughout the whole week to assist anyone who has issues relating to their GMAT prep. Prices for the Manhattan Review courses vary between US$890 and US$990, while private online tuition costs US$1590.

This article was originally published in June 2015 on TopMBA.com

Sponsored by EU Business School

Want to make a global impact? Are you hoping to travel while you study, without compromising your education and career?

Read on for simple, straight-talking advice on the perks of international study from EU Business School, a far-reaching business school with campuses in Geneva, Montreux, Barcelona and Munich, and partner universities with exchange opportunities across the world.

1. Build a global network of contacts

The best international universities strive to add value to their offerings, and understand the benefits of a responsive alumni network comprised of supportive, high-impact alumni in executive roles across the globe.

While studying abroad, you’ll build connections through your university – but also via its partner universities. For instance, EU Business School partners with top universities across five continents and gives students the chance to take part in exchange programs and obtain further qualifications from affiliated universities. Discover a full list of EU Business School’s partner universities here.

2. Become a problem solver

By living and studying abroad, you’ll learn to fend for yourself away from home. From registering with a local doctor, to making a meal from scratch without familiar ingredients, or even calling a locksmith in a foreign language if you’ve locked yourself out, you’ll constantly be  forced to take the initiative and solve problems! After this, applying your cool-headed, pragmatic, problem-solving aptitudes in the world of business will be a breeze.

3. Train for international careers

No matter which EU Business School campus you find yourself on, you’ll represent one of the 100+ nationalities around you. Meeting people from all over the world, you’ll actually become smarter, as you encounter regular opportunities to challenge your beliefs and enjoy exposure to an amazing variety of cultures and customs.

On top of that, your course will train you to understand an extensive range of business contexts and needs worldwide, as well as offering you the chance to spend a semester or two somewhere else in the world.

After all this experience, studying abroad will make applying for international jobs much easier. You’ll have so much to talk about!

4. Boost your résumé

Studying abroad is a big résumé-booster, whether you plan to work for an international company or move into a sector such as non-profit, government, international business or finance. Recruiters value the skills and attributes cultivated by studying abroad, including adaptability, resilience and independence, as well as the preparation it provides for working in a multicultural environment.

5. Learn a new language

Languages are in high-demand among recruiters. In 2017, speaking a language such as Spanish, French, German or Mandarin is a huge asset. The good news? EU Business School has campuses in Geneva, Montreux, Barcelona and Munich, and programs in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.

At EU Business School, 98% of students and staff speak more than two languages. Be one of them! While all courses are taught in English, there will be plenty of opportunity to pick up a new language. If you’re serious about learning a new language, nothing beats being based in the country where it’s spoken.

6. Impress graduate school admissions committees

Looking to pursue an additional qualification somewhere down the line? Completing your undergraduate degree at a reputed university abroad will help you score points with admissions officers. Like employers, academics value the skills developed through studying abroad, and they’ll no doubt be interested to hear about the new perspectives you gained on your subject.

7. Avoid the costs of a gap year  

Taking a gap year to get some travelling done before you start your first job might sound appealing, but there’s a risk you’ll be left behind when you try to enter the employment market. Your desirability as a graduate fades the longer you wait before starting your career. You might find that you need to do a master’s degree or take a short course just to  secure an interview once your gap year is over.

Rather than write off a year of your life and indebt yourself even further, why not kill two birds with one stone by studying abroad? You’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the country and wider region during your weekends and between semesters – all the while with a strong support network in place to ensure that you get the most from your time overseas.

Follow EU Business School on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

This year’s edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject will be published on 8 March 2017, here on TopUniversities.com. With the addition of four new subjects this year, the rankings will now cover a total of 46 disciplines – highlighting the world’s top-performing universities in each academic area.

Aiming to help prospective students identify the leading universities in their chosen subject, the QS World University Rankings by Subject are compiled annually using data on research citations, combined with the results of major global surveys of academics and employers. Read more about the methodology here.

New subjects covered this year…

Four new subjects will be covered for the very first time this year: anatomy & physiology, hospitality & leisure management, sports-related subjects and theology, divinity & religious studies.

First published in 2011, the QS World University Rankings by Subject aims to help prospective students – especially those interested in studying internationally – identify the top universities in their chosen discipline. The rankings have been continually expanded since their inception, with new tables added each year, and a growing number of universities ranked for subjects in which sufficient data is available.

For many students, subject rankings are an invaluable tool when deciding where to study, as they allow individuals to gather much more information about different undergraduate and postgraduate courses than an overall ranking of universities.

The growth in breadth and depth of this year’s rankings should ensure more students than ever before can rely upon the QS World University Rankings by Subject for the information they need to make the right decision about where to study.

All 46 tables included in this year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject will be published here on 8 March 2017. The rankings can also be accessed by downloading the free QS World University Rankings app, available for iPhone and Android.