Editor’s Note:
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) was discontinued in November 2023 and is no longer administered. For more information on preparing for available graduate-level standardized tests, please visit Best GRE Prep Courses and Classes and Best GMAT Prep Courses and Classes.
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is a test students going onto graduate school may be required to take, and it is designed to test reasoning and analytical thinking capabilities. At only 60 minutes long, it’s a much shorter test than others like the GRE, which may make it an attractive option if the program you’re applying to lets you decide which test you want to take. To get the highest score and avoid having to retake the test, it’s important to prepare accordingly. We’ve gathered together six of the best MAT prep courses below.
- Union Test Prep — Top Pick
- Pearson — Best Free Resources
- MyGuru — Most Affordable
- Parliament Tutors — Best One-on-One Experience
- Mometrix University — Best Study Guide
- Varsity Tutors — Most Personalized Experience
Our Ranking Criteria
As we went through available prep courses to form this list, we looked first and foremost for courses that had a demonstrated record of success in helping students achieve high scores. We also weighed flexibility, adaptability, and personalization heavily in our factoring.
Flexible scheduling and adaptable formats
Test prep only works if you actually follow through with the program, and this means it needs to fit around your lifestyle and needs. We looked for courses that offered a variety of instruction methods, such as online and in-person classes, and we also prioritized prep companies who were able to offer instruction in a variety of formats, such as video lectures, live discussions, audio recordings, and workbooks.
Personalized instruction
The best MAT prep courses have some ability to tailor the instruction to each student. For some, this means offering a variety of formats for different learning styles, and for others, this means using intelligent quiz designs to track what areas you are struggling with and change questions to focus on those areas.
The Best MAT Prep Courses
Union Test Prep — Top Pick
Union Test Prep’s MAT prep course gets the top spot on our list because of its variety of resources. It offers practice tests, flashcards, and study guides to help you prepare for the MAT. The resources are offered for free if you’re willing to deal with ads, or you can upgrade to an ad-free experience for a low fee. Union Test Prep also partners with Wyzant to offer personalized, one-on-one tutoring.
Need-to-knows:
- Free
- Online practice tests, study guides, and flashcards
- Donation gets you an ad-free experience
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Pearson — Best Free Resources
Pearson’s free resources include a full study guide and a guide on test-taking strategies. They also offer online practice tests for $30 each. But while these are helpful study materials, they shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for live tutoring. If you believe you’re mostly ready for the MAT, you might not need anything other than these Pearson resources to prep for the test — otherwise, you should probably also invest in an interactive class.
Need-to-knows:
- Free study guide, $30 practice tests
- Support available from 9 AM to 4 PM CT, Monday to Friday
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MyGuru — Most Affordable
Of the options on our list that provide cost information, MyGuru Online MAT Prep is the most affordable. Hourly tutoring rates are as low as $99 per hour, and there is also small group tutoring where you can take advantage of others’ thoughts and class discussions. If you want instant access to an instructor, you’ll need to bump up to the $169 per hour plan. Sessions take advantage of a modern online setting and include access to a premium interactive whiteboard and video conferencing tools. In-person tutoring sessions are available. Also, you can get a bulk discount by investing in a package of 10, 20, or 40 hours of instruction upfront.
Need-to-knows:
- Starts at $99 per hour
- In-person tutoring, online tutoring
- Bulk discount available
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Parliament Tutors — Best One-on-One Experience
Parliament Tutors offers one-on-one MAT prep with tutors who have the experience to help you better understand the theory behind analogies and develop the strategies you need to solve them. While there is no free trial, Parliament Tutors lets you meet your tutor before you put any money down so you can ensure that it’s a good fit. Once you decide to commit to a tutor, they will develop a personalized study plan that’s designed to help you achieve the highest score possible.
Need-to-knows:
- Custom quote
- Online tutoring
- Individualized study plans
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Mometrix University — Best Study Guide
While not a traditional MAT prep course, Mometrix offers several resources for those studying for the test. This includes a thorough study guide that walks you through how the test is set up, what kind of questions to expect, and how to prepare. You’ll learn problem-solving strategies specific to analogies, and those who buy the study guide also get access to extras, including practice questions, vocabulary words to study, and resources for conquering test anxiety. Mometrix also offers a set of study cards that will help you get even more prepared for the MAT, as well as a free practice test that will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Need-to-knows:
- $44.99 study guide, $39.99 flashcards
- Practice test, study guide, flashcards
- Study guide available as both a printed book and ebook
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Varsity Tutors — Most Personalized Experience
Varsity Tutors is a tutoring service that can help you better prepare for the MAT. It offers both in-person and online experiences, and the large number of tutors available helps ensure you’re able to find someone who is a fit for your personality and learning style. Tutoring sessions are tailored to the student, so you can work on your problem areas, and this also lets you prep as much or as little as you like. Their tutors are particularly qualified, as many of them have attended Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.
Need-to-knows:
- Custom quote
- Online tutoring
- Tutors from Ivy League schools
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Choose the Right MAT Prep Course for You
As you’re going through our list of the best MAT prep courses, it’s important to consider how each one will fit into your lifestyle and how it fits your needs and helps you achieve your goals. Some of the most important things to consider are how much time you have to prep, your individual learning style, your budget, and what features are must-haves for you. Follow these steps below to choose the best MAT prep course for you.
Calculate your prep time
It’s important to note how much time you have before your test date. Some prep courses have specific timeframes they must be completed in, while others are self-paced and can be adjusted longer or shorter accordingly. In general, you’ll want to allow at least a few weeks of prep time.
Consider your learning style
When it comes to test-taking tips and strategies for figuring out analogies, knowing your learning style and choosing a prep course that fits it can be of great benefit. If you don’t already know what kind of learner you are, you can take a quiz that tells you about your learning style.
Compare costs
Most of the prep courses on our list charge by the hour for tutoring and live on-demand instructions while others do custom quote pricing depending on your needs. Prep costs can range from $100 an hour on the low side all the way up to $4,800 for an in-person course.
Look for must-have features
Some of the most important features to look for when considering an MAT prep course are:
- Number of practice exams and questions
- Whether courses are offered in-person or online
- Whether resources are self-paced
- If there is a certain score guarantee
MAT Frequently Asked Questions
What are the important dates for taking the MAT?
The MAT is administered by different testing facilities across the U.S., and each sets their own schedule. You’ll need to find and contact the testing center nearest you to find out what dates are available and how far in advance you need to register. Each center will also have its own policy on schedule changes. Preliminary score reports can be available right after you take the test; however, these are not official. Official scores are mailed out 10 to 15 days after the test date.
Are there accommodations for disabilities?
Testing accommodations are available for those covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). To receive accommodations, you must make an official request and then work with the specific test center to ensure that they can meet your needs.
How early should I prep?
Because the MAT is only analogies, how early you need to prep really depends on how comfortable you are with these problems. There isn’t any subject matter to brush up on, so some may be able to prep in as little as a few weeks. Those who don’t have experience working with analogies will want to allot more time.
How many practice tests should I take before the actual exam?
It’s helpful to take at least two practice tests before the actual exam to get used to the pacing required for the test and to get an idea of what your score range might be. However, some programs focus more on question banks and less on practice tests.
How long are most MAT prep courses?
Most MAT prep courses are conducted on an individual, by the hour basis, which means you can prep for however long you need and want to.
Is MAT prep worth it?
MAT prep is an important part of ensuring you do well on the exam. If the MAT is required for your graduate program, consider that the average person with a master’s degree makes $228 more per week than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Getting a good score on the MAT can set the stage for a higher paying career.
How much does MAT prep cost?
Many MAT prep courses work with custom pricing, but others focus on hourly or per-course rates. Get a better idea of how much MAT prep costs with the table below.
| Company | Cost |
| Union Test Prep |
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| Pearson |
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| MyGuru |
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| Parliament Tutors |
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| Mometrix University |
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| Varsity Tutors |
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