Wednesday, March 19th
2025 GRE Test Prep Company Reviews
Peterson's
- $49/month access
- $45/month for 3 months access (+90 minutes tutoring & essay review)
- $39/month for 6 months access (+270 minutes tutoring & essay review)
- 8 full-length GRE practice tests
- Study guides integrated into practice tests
- Flashcards included (total undisclosed)
Peterson's primary market is the military, as they have a series of contracts with the U.S. Government to provide test prep to service members. Military contracts seem to have done little for the quality of their product; even as Peterson's offers some of the cheapest test prep, it is also all-around unremarkable. Here's what Peterson's has to offer.
Simple offerings, a good sum of tests.
Peterson's offerings are simple, and include 8 full-length GRE practice tests, study guides integrated into said practice tests, an undisclosed number of flashcards, and complete answer explanations. Their pricing reflects the amount of time that these materials are available to you. Peterson's charges the following:
- $49 for one month of access to the aforementioned materials
- $45 per month for 3 months plus 90 minutes of tutoring and essay review
- and finally $39 per month for 6 months of access plus 270 minutes of tutoring and essay review
Peterson's plans end up totalling $49, $135, and $234 respectively. While generally unremarkable, we appreciate that Peterson's offers 8 full length practice tests: a significant amount.
Poor value for the price
In regards to Peterson's offerings, they just aren't very impressive; at their higher end, the price ends up being comparable to more highly-rated companies on our list, even as the quality is not. And while Peterson's does include small amounts of tutoring in their more expensive plans, they do not list the credentials of their tutors, which is slightly off-putting.
No refunds and exploitative auto-renewal
Peterson's does not offer any refund policy, and plans with Peterson's auto-renew unless you cancel them. On top of that, Peterson's terms of service state that you have to cancel your subscription 48 hours before it is up or you will be auto-billed for another one, three, or six months. As their policies state that they explicitly do not refund any unused months, their policies seem designed to trap unwary test-prep takers into accidentally overpaying for their subpar service.
Few reviews
As most of its customer base is likely military who receive the product for free, Peterson's GRE prep has few reviews. Even so, Peterson's has earned a "D-” from the Better Business Bureau, so those who do review Peterson's often do not have great things to say.
Not recommended (unless it's already free)
Unless you are accessing Peterson's through the U.S. military portal/contracts and are receiving the service for free, there is no reason to use Peterson's for your GRE test prep. Unless you're looking to be surprised with an automatically-renewing subscription that can't be refunded, we recommend you browse some of the more highly-rated GRE prep services on our list.
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What's the Best GRE Prep Service Online?
It's a critical question, because if you're headed to graduate school, then the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is an infamous hurdle that you'll have to deal with one way or another. The GRE test plays a significant role in the admissions process for many graduate programs. It serves as a standardized measure that allows universities to assess applicants' academic readiness and potential to succeed in advanced studies.
For institutions, the GRE provides an objective tool to differentiate among applicants, especially when faced with a large pool of candidates. It helps in predicting how well students might perform in their initial year of graduate school, offering insight into their cognitive abilities and analytical thinking. Moreover, the GRE can assist in awarding merit-based scholarships, helping to allocate financial aid to deserving students.
GRE Test Prep Company FAQ
Continued from above...
The GRE consists of three key components: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. These components collectively evaluate an applicant's cognitive abilities, communication skills, and analytical prowess. Such a comprehensive assessment is crucial in identifying candidates who possess the skills necessary for advanced academic work. By incorporating both quantitative and qualitative aspects, the GRE offers a well-rounded perspective on an applicant's intellectual capabilities, and offers a common benchmark for comparing candidates from various academic backgrounds and cultures.
Many institutions allocate scholarships to outstanding students as a way to incentivize excellence and attract top talent. GRE scores can play a pivotal role in awarding these scholarships, as they offer a quantifiable measure of an applicant's potential contribution to the academic community. High GRE scores can bolster an applicant's eligibility for financial assistance, making higher education more accessible to deserving individuals.
As it stands, the GRE continues to play a pivotal role in many graduate school admissions. With that in mind, the following factors can help you evaluate GRE preparation plans to achieve the highest score possible:
- Cost: Paying for GRE test prep services can range from affordable to very expensive. Personalized instruction and tutoring can focus on specific problem areas that you've identified, but this tailored approach may cost more than you want to spend. Self-paced learning systems are more affordable, but are more generalized and rely on your dedication to study on your own.
- Score guarantees: Many GRE test prep companies offer score guarantees but place significant caveats around actually getting a refund through that guarantee. Usually it will include restrictions around setting a baseline score (you have to have already taken an official GRE or a proctored facsimile), and completion of all course materials (which is sometimes made artificially difficult). In short, be sure to read the fine print.
- Time: Be honest with yourself about how much time you have to study. Many students start out by purchasing pricey test-prep packages, and then find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of work. Take stock of your schedule, and choose a mixture of free resources, self-lead test-prep, or time-intensive live-online/tutored classes accordingly.
Top Consumer Reviews has done the preliminary research for you, so if you're going to be taking the GRE, and are overwhelmed by the high price and bold claims of most test-prep options, don't worry. We've found the best, most highly rated, and most economical GRE test prep options for your consideration. Before you begin studying, take a moment to browse our curated list, and find the GRE prep that best suits your budget and your needs.
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