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Magoosh vs Kaplan

Monday, June 5th

2023 GRE Test Prep Company Reviews

Magoosh Review 5 Star Rating

Magoosh

5 Star Rating
  • Cost: From $149 to $179
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Magoosh has two affordable, high-quality study programs to help students taking the GRE. Their study plans depend on the length of time that a student has before taking the GRE (1 month or 6 months). We give Magoosh our highest recommendation due to their straightforward course content and reasonable pricing. Students are very satisfied with their experiences with Magoosh, so we don't see any reason not to use their services.

Kaplan Review 3.5 Star Rating

Kaplan

3.5 Star Rating
  • Cost: From $69 to $2,299

Kaplan has practice and full course options for students looking for test prep materials for the GRE. The two types of study plans vary quite a bit with pricing, so it gives more options to students with different budgets. We are disappointed that they receive a C- rating from the Better Business Bureau and feel leery of their services because of it. There are definitely better options out there for GRE study help, so we recommend trying those before spending the money at Kaplan.

Who Provides the Best GRE Test Prep?

For students hoping to get into specific schools and programs, their performance on the GRE is important. Having to retake this test for a higher score is both expensive and time consuming.

Each GRE test costs around $205 and scores are sent to the designated schools chosen by the student. Test takers will want to be prepared by reviewing all relevant content so they can be confident on test day and get a GRE test score that will open educational doors for them.

The Best GRE Test Prep Companies Compare GRE Test Prep Companies Compare GRE Test Prep Company Reviews What are the best GRE Test Prep Companies Best GRE Test Prep Company Reviews

GRE Test Prep Company FAQ

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations. This is a standardized test required by many graduate schools in the US and Canada. The scores that a student receives on their GRE test play a role in whether or not they are accepted into a potential graduate program. Sometimes the GRE is taken multiple times until a satisfactory score is received.
The GRE tests students on critical thinking, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. An individual score is given for verbal reasoning (130-170), quantitative reasoning (130-170), and analytical writing (0-6). The test questions consist of multiple choice, numeric entry, and essay writing.
There are six total sections on the GRE exam. It usually takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test from beginning to end. For verbal reasoning there are two 30-minute sections, each containing 20 questions. For quantitative reasoning there are two 35-minute sections, each containing 20 questions. The third section is analytical writing with two separately-timed tasks. One asks you to analyze an issue and one asks you to analyze an argument. After the third section, there is an optional 10-minute break for test-takers to get refocused for the remainder of the exam. You may be asked to complete an unscored, research section at the end of the test.
Most people would agree that you can't cram for the GRE. If you do, you'll likely get an unsatisfactory score that reflects how little effort you put in. It is recommended that you heavily study for at least 4-12 weeks before attempting the GRE. Many test prep courses are designed to help you study over the course of a year, to make sure you are familiar with the material and are able to obtain a high score on your first try.
The cost for the GRE test can vary slightly year to year. Most recently, the fee was $213 for test-takers within the United States. If you are signed up to take the GRE and need to reschedule, you'll pay a fee of approximately $50 to have the exam administered at another time.
Many GRE test prep services offer some free resources to get you started with your studies. For tutoring services or monthly subscriptions to books, practice tests, flash cards and more, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $2,000. Some of the most expensive courses include access to materials for a year or more and usually guarantee a certain test score. They include everything you need to succeed and feel confident when you take the GRE.
Not all test prep services offer the same study materials for the GRE. You'll find a mix of resources like practice tests, one-on-one tutoring, practice essay questions, vocabulary flashcards, diagnostic tests, strategy sessions, and more. The tools that you need to get a good score on the GRE are readily available through many different GRE test prep services.
If you are unhappy with your GRE score, you can retake it every 21 days. However, you are only allowed to take it 5 times within a period of 12 months. Taking the test multiple times will not hurt your chances of getting into graduate school, since you can choose to only submit your highest score.
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Continued from above...

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test required for admission for many graduate schools in the U.S. and Canada. It was first established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Essentially, the score that a student receives on the GRE measures the student's readiness for graduate or business school.

In this 3 1/2-hour test, students are tested on their abstract thinking skills in the areas of vocabulary, mathematics, and analytical writing. The test scores are sent to graduate schools to help them with admission decisions. Students are assessed in their algebra, arithmetic, geometry, grammar, and multi-source data analysis skills. The GRE is a long test, so it's not something that students will want to have to retake multiple times.

The best way to secure a high GRE score is to study all the relevant content ahead of time so you know what to expect. This might come in the form of watching videos, working with a tutor, taking practice tests, and answering practice questions. There are many online resources that offer all of these things specifically for students taking the GRE. Most of these programs come at a cost, but it will be worth it when you receive a satisfying test score.

There are a few GRE test prep services to choose from out there. Before buying a membership for one of them, we suggest you keep the following criteria in mind:

  • Cost. Does the price of the course reflect the amount of material you're getting? How do prices compare with other GRE test prep sites?
  • Instruction Method. Do they have one-on-one tutoring as an option? Does the course content come in the form of videos? Reading material? Practice tests?
  • Use of Materials. How long will you have access to the materials you pay for? Will you have enough time to study all of the content before taking the GRE?

To help you find the best GRE test prep service, TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked a variety of options. We hope this information helps you feel confident and successful when you take the GRE!

The Best Reviews of GRE Test Prep Companies