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<\/p>\nIf you have plans on attending a graduate school, there\u2019s a high chance that you\u2019re going to need to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a professionally administered test that assesses a test taker\u2019s cognitive aptitude required to earn a graduate degree successfully.<\/p>\n
GRE is not just challenging, but getting high scores on your test is critical. Your GRE score is a factor not just for admissions but it will also influence the amount of funding you\u2019ll receive. Many graduate programs use GRE scores to determine scholarships, fellowships and academic financial aid.<\/p>\n
Now that we\u2019ve established the importance of getting a high GRE score, the next step is to find a GRE prep course that will help you achieve your goals. With so many best GRE prep courses available online, it can be confusing to decide on which one is the right one for you. In this guide, we thoroughly review and evaluate the best GRE prep courses available to help you make an informed decision.<\/p>\n
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Princeton Review self-paced online GRE prep course is the king in video instruction. Others may come close but it is clear that Princeton Review is the #1 in terms of online video GRE test prep category.<\/p>\n
All the videos produced by Princeton Review are engaging, thorough, and successfully achieves an excellent balance of lecture and interaction. On top of providing first-rate video instruction, Princeton also provides a number of full-length practice tests to help you stay prepared. The GRE test prep course offers a category best 8 practice tests, all taken through their proprietary and adaptive platform.<\/p>\n
As discussed earlier, Princeton Review\u2019s video lessons are what really shines for this company. All the self-paced online videos are thoughtfully designed and written, and even better executed. Each video will have an instructor who appears on screen and works through the lesson in front of a really sharp digital whiteboard with text, notes, and graphics appearing as they talk.<\/p>\n
There will also be times when the instructor will pull out their marker and start working on a problem or make notes on an invisible plate of glass so that the text appears before them. The combination of a digital whiteboard and transparent marker board really makes for an incredibly engaging lesson to keep student\u2019s attention. Aside from first-rate delivery, the content of each lesson is also exceptional. All in all, the first-rate production quality and spot-on substantive material propel Princeton Review onto the top of our list today.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Princeton Review\u2019s practice test offerings also truly stand out from the rest with a best in category 8 full-length practice tests. This is a very important feature for students who prefer to learn by doing actual questions. There are no better means of prepping than to take practice tests under exam-like conditions to help you manage and prepare yourself for the actual day. Princeton Review offers this opportunity more than anyone else.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Princeton even employs proprietary adaptive technology that\u2019s able to replicate the nature of the official GRE. During a GRE test, the sections get progressively harder or easier depending on your performance on earlier sections. Princeton Review\u2019s practice test technology does an excellent job at mirroring this function to make their practice test platform look and feel just like the real thing.<\/p>\n
The bottom line is that Princeton Review offers in-person courses, online classroom courses, and self-paced courses to suit each individual\u2019s learning style. The more expensive subscription comes with unlimited access to Princeton Review\u2019s live sessions and original content. Plus more than 2,500 practice questions, 60 video lessons, Adaptive Drills, and eight practice tests. They even include a GRE expert that will help review your written essay.<\/p>\n
Princeton Review\u2019s satisfaction guarantee is unmatched by any other program. They even have a High Score Guarantee where students are permitted to retake the course if they\u2019re unsatisfied with their after-course score. If your results do not improve, they will issue a full refund on the GRE prep course.<\/p>\n
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Unlike the GRE prep course we reviewed above, Achievable GRE is a quiz-focused approach that\u2019s perfect for those who learn by doing. Their modern platform makes studying easier and more enjoyable with adaptive learning techniques to help you score higher in less time. Achievable GRE is also an affordable GRE prep course option for those with a tight budget.<\/p>\n
Achievable GRE prep course feels just like the smartest prep course in the room as it relies on adaptive algorithms to allocate study material, AI to grade essays, and proven memory science principles to maximize gains. The main feature we love is this company\u2019s dedication to efficiency.<\/p>\n
Achievable delivers a comprehensive digital textbook with hundreds of verbal practice problems and an infinite number of quantitative practice questions. It also has narrowly focused review sessions to help you target your weaknesses. Although the features of this GRE test prep course are not as robust as you\u2019d find on Kaplan or Princeton Review, we can\u2019t really complain with a price of just $199. This is definitely the GRE test prep course to go for if you want to get the best bang for your buck.<\/p>\n
Another highlight of the Achievable course is its wise decision to break modules into bite-sized lessons. While Achievable does not provide video lessons, it makes its digital textbook as the centerpiece of its course curriculum. Though that might sound unappealing to some, we actually found this learning style a major positive. Their prep book has 89 chapters, which essentially act as short learning modules. Each chapter is very short and will only take an average of 15 minutes to read. The book is also written in about the plainest English we\u2019ve seen for a GRE prep book, using layman\u2019s terms to describe complicated concepts.<\/p>\n
Another thing we love is how the GRE prep course has littered its chapters with simple, easy-to-understand sample problems. The textbook walks you through a concept in plain English, demonstrates the point with an example problem, and helps tie theory to practice. Following each chapter, you\u2019ll be assigned a review session that quizzes you on the material you just learned while also circling back to earlier content. This is a highly effective and efficient method of learning that lets you rip off an entire lesson on a topic (including text and review problems) in less than 30 minutes.<\/p>\n
As mentioned earlier, the biggest selling point of the Achievable GRE prep course is the science baked into their curriculum. The smart, adaptive tech is primarily accomplished through their adaptive algorithm which monitors your progress on practice work and is able to optimize your study plan. It is able to identify and help you focus your studies on weak spots.<\/p>\n
Another way that Achievable differentiates itself from the rest is through spaced reviews, which is a learning concept backed by memory science. Instead of covering one topic at a time and continuing on with other material until you reach the end of the course content, Achievable periodically pulls old material back into your review quizzes to keep the material fresh in your mind. The smart tech and solid curriculum structure combined with top-shelf texts and practice problems are why Achievable has earned itself a spot on our list today.<\/p>\n
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Another best GRE prep course that offers bang for your buck is Magoosh. This GRE test prep course provides significant value at a fraction of the cost of other GRE prep courses. While the cost may be a fraction of its competitor\u2019s offerings, the study material is definitely not.<\/p>\n
Magoosh delivers a respectable amount of quality study material with more than 1,200 practice problems, 3 full-length practice tests, and 100+ short video lessons with months of user access. Though Magoosh doesn\u2019t offer a comprehensive curriculum or crazy levels of study material, what you\u2019re really getting with Magoosh is value, flexibility, and a generous slate of high-quality practice materials through a sleek digital platform. If you\u2019re on a tight budget but still want top-notch practice questions and explanations, then Magoosh might just be one of the best GRE test prep courses you need to consider.<\/p>\n
Many students find that working practice problems at the heart of their go-to prep plan. And while Magoosh doesn\u2019t offer as many practice problems as other GRE courses do, they do offer superb practice question quality and a great means of working the GRE practice problems. Their custom practice function lets you customize GRE practice problem sets however you like. You can even narrow the scope of questions by type, difficulty, number, timing, and more.<\/p>\n
This is not a unique feature to Magoosh, but it is one of the most beneficial aspects of a GRE test prep course. Each practice problem is even followed by a thorough video and text explanation that do a great job of breaking down each problem and clearly articulating why the answer is correct or incorrect. The custom practice tool and quality video explanation really work to boost Magoosh\u2019s value in the GRE test prep industry.<\/p>\n
As discussed, Magoosh is well known for its value. Though they don\u2019t give you heaps of resources like other prep companies, their most expensive GRE prep package runs at around $179 only. Some comparable budget self-paced options from competitors like Kaplan can have you paying close to $400, so Magoosh is a dominant force in the price game.<\/p>\n
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No best GRE Prep courses list is complete without Kaplan. Kaplan is one of the most recognizable names in the test prep industry and they have a tried-and-tested formula for prepping students for almost any standardized test.<\/p>\n
Their core GRE test prep online curriculum is led by a collection of extremely high-quality video lessons where an instruction works through problems onscreen in illuminated ink as the notes roll across a digital whiteboard behind them. The videos are paired with well-designed quizzes to reinforce the material from the lesson, and each has an accompanying detailed text explanation breaking down the problem with great clarity.<\/p>\n
Kaplan\u2019s quantity of study material is also very impressive with over 5,000 practice questions, 7 full-length practice tests, and a host of drills and other coursework in their prep books. All in all, the Kaplan GRE prep course package is an all-around home run in terms of quality of coursework and the level of resources available.<\/p>\n
One of our favorite key features of the Kaplan course is their QBank, which is a tool that allows you to create customized quizzes based on problem type, difficulty, timing, and other factors. This allows students the chance to quickly zero in on their weaknesses and work through extra problems to improve in those areas. The QBank also draws from Kaplan\u2019s library of over 5,000 practice questions to give you plenty of fresh problems to work on. Furthermore, the QBank is super easy to use – you can easily jump into a highly personalized practice problem set within seconds of logging in.<\/p>\n
Though it seems that more and more test prep courses go away with traditional printed workbook since everyone is going digital, Kaplan has stayed strong in providing its students with a set of first-rate textbooks with its GRE prep course. Their books are well-vetted and are exceedingly detailed, well-written, and use a host of well-timed example problems to quickly explain complicated concepts.<\/p>\n
Kaplan books generally track with and supplement their core curriculum for both online and live classes. And we must admit that it does feel nice to be able to follow a lesson along in a hardcopy book and write notes directly on it, highly important concepts and dog-ear pages. Adding these wonderfully thorough prep books to an already foribdable GRE prep course makes for a formula that you simply cannot miss.<\/p>\n
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PrepScholar is a relatively newcomer to the GRE prep space, but it does bring the same effective playbook that they\u2019ve used with great success in the SAT and ACT prep space. The GRE prep course offers a 100% online, complete prep package with a unique algorithm that optimizes your study plan.<\/p>\n
In addition to their smart tech, PrepScholar offers one of the most robust packages of lesson work available. However, their instructional material is text-based, so you\u2019re going to have to be the type of student that doesn’t mind reading to appreciate their prep course. Assuming if you\u2019re okay with reading a portion of each lesson, their detailed and well-crafted lessons offer some of the best insights and test-taking strategies in the game.<\/p>\n
PrepScholar even gives you access to more than 2,000 practice questions and 2 full-length practice exams to help you get ready. While these numbers may pale in comparison with other GRE test prep courses like the Manhattan Prep, we really do love the quality of their practice material and explanations.<\/p>\n
As mentioned earlier, one of their biggest selling points is PrepScholar\u2019s ability to design a totally personalized and efficient study plan. This is perfect for those with limited time to study or those who just want to get in and knock out your prep as quickly and efficiently as possible. PrepScholar starts with their 60 questions diagnostic exam at the beginning of the course, which will then evaluate the results through PrepScholar\u2019s propriety \u201cCustomPrep\u201d algorithm to produce a study plan tailored to your needs.<\/p>\n
Their incredibly smart software is able to pinpoint your weaknesses and strength and is able to design your studies to maximize gains around them. If the system finds that you\u2019re already really strong on a subject, they won\u2019t waste your time trying to get small, incremental gains from there. They target big gains where you\u2019re currently weakest to help you make big point jumps on the GRE. The study plan will constantly update and change to your ever-evolving GRE knowledge base and skill as you progress through your studies.<\/p>\n
Another highlight of PrepScholar is that they have a score increase guarantee. PrepScholar promises that if you complete all of your lessons and do all of your practice work, your score will increase by at least 7 points, if not they will give you your money back. However, there is a fine print to qualify for the refund, but the bottom line is that this guarantee applies to most students and is an incredible insurance policy to protect your investment. The +7 points guarantee is nearly unheard of in the GRE prep space, so PrepScholar obviously has plenty of confidence and believes in the prowess of their prep materials.<\/p>\n
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One of Manhattan Prep\u2019s signature marketing claims is that they\u2019re able to make studying for the GRE fun! Their video lessons are sprinkled with skits, jokes, and playful cartoons to keep things lively. Despite being a \u201cfun\u201d prep course, the study resources offered by Manhattan Prep is no laughing matter. All their classroom instruction is thorough and delivered by the top 1% scoring instructors with a knack for delivering tough topics across effectively.<\/p>\n
Manhattan Prep\u2019s online video lessons are also well designed to keep your attention from beginning right to the end with interactive features and quizzes. They also offer a ton of practice problems, drills, study tools, and a good number of full-length practice tests beyond the video instruction. The well-designed video lesson and practice tests\/problems are what makes Manhattan Prep\u2019s GRE course one of the most well-rounded prep courses on the market.<\/p>\n
One of the most effective tools in the Manhattan Prep study toolbox is their course structure which employs an extremely effective approach to learning through their repeated sequence of lessons, drills, and quizzes. The company labels this as their \u201cLearn It, Drill It, Prove It\u201d approach that has been proven to work.<\/p>\n
The \u201cLearn It\u201d portion of each module comprises an interactive video lesson that delivers all of the content you need to know for that particular topic. The \u201cDrill It\u201d section gives you sets of flashcard-like problems to work through, helping the material you just learned to sink in. Finally, the \u201cProve It\u201d portion of the module is where you\u2019re quizzed on the subject matter and must get a passing score before you can move on. This effective structure ensures you properly understand the material and also retaining it.<\/p>\n
Aside from that, the number of practice problems that Manhattan Prep provides its students simply dwarfs the level of questions other test prep companies offer. With more than 100,000 practice problems, Manhattan Prep offers more than 20x the next closest competitor. If you\u2019re the type of student that likes to learn by doing, then the Manhattan Prep is definitely one of the best GRE prep courses for you. With over 100,000 practice problems, video lessons, books, and practice tests, you\u2019ll never run out of study material.<\/p>\n
GRE stands for \u201cGraduate Record Examinations\u201d and is administered by the Educational Testing Service to assess a candidate\u2019s readiness for graduate school. The GRE is often required as a main component in a candidate\u2019s application into a graduate program.<\/p>\n
The GRE is a computer-based, standardized exam that consists of multiple-choice questions to measure an individual\u2019s ability to evaluate data, think critically, and solve problems. The GRE exam is split into three different sections, and they are:<\/p>\n
The analytical writing portion consists of two, thirty-minute tasks where individuals are required to write two different essays during the exam. One essay focuses on analyzing an issue and the other centers around analyzing an argument. The analytical writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, with the average score equaling 4.<\/p>\n
The verbal reasoning portion of the exam is composed of two, 20 question sections where individuals are given 30 minutes to complete each section. Of the 20 questions, 10 questions relate to reading comprehension, six relate to text completion, and four relate to sentence equivalence. The verbal reasoning section of the exam is scored on a scale of 130 to 170, with the average score equaling 151.<\/p>\n
Similar to the verbal reasoning part of the exam, the quantitative reasoning portion consists of two, 20 question sections. However, in this part, individuals will receive 35 minutes to complete each section. Of the 20 questions, 12 to 13 will relate to problem-solving and 7-8 will relate to the quantitative comparison. The quantitative reasoning section is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 with the average score of the section being 153.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of GRE Prep Courses available online, there are also great options for those on a budget. Before making any final decision on which is the best GRE preparation course for you, do remember to take some time to note down exactly what you want from the course and see which ones match your list.<\/p>\n
With the power of the internet and technology, tutoring and exam preparation is so much more accessible now. But if you do have any questions regarding the GRE preparation course, do contact the provider and ask all the questions you need. A financial investment is still a financial investment, no matter how big or small it is.<\/p>\n
GRE prep courses are required by a vast majority of students to get a great score on the GRE. The GRE course provides students the study material and relevant content they need in order to ace the exam.<\/p>\n
GRE courses can cost anywhere from $150 up to $2,500 and this will all depend on what type of format you prefer you learn in as well as the number of resources you need. For most students, the average course will cost around one thousand dollars.<\/p>\n
GRE courses will almost always help you score better on the exam compared to not using one. And if you don\u2019t, most prep companies will even give you your money back through their score increase guarantee program.<\/p>\n
A GRE prep course can assist you in preparing for the test by offering structured study strategies, a large number of practice questions, and also full length sample practice tests.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you have plans on attending a graduate school, there\u2019s a high chance that you\u2019re going to need to sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a professionally administered test that assesses a test taker\u2019s cognitive aptitude required to earn a graduate degree successfully. GRE is not just challenging, but getting high … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":902,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions\/902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.australian-universities.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}