Peterson's Review: GRE Test Prep Companies

If you're looking for an affordable way to prepare for the GRE, Peterson's might catch your eye. The pricing is undeniably low, and the platform includes access to some live tutoring - a rare perk at this price point. But while the cost of entry is budget-friendly, the value you'll get in return is just as bare-bones. Peterson's is a general test prep provider, better known for things like CLEP exams and high school-level resources than for serious GRE studies. And unfortunately, that lack of focus is pretty easy to spot once you start digging into the details.

Not enough practice materials

On the surface, Peterson's GRE prep sounds like a great deal. But once you get past the pricing, things start to unravel. The most obvious issue? You just don't get very much prep content. Three full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test are a decent start, but with only 55 practice questions included, you'll run out of new material fast - especially if you're studying several hours per week. Flashcards and test-taking tips help round things out, but overall, the platform feels shallow compared to what other prep providers offer at similar or even slightly higher price points.

Pricing:

• $49/month (month-to-month)
• $45/month (3-month subscription, billed quarterly)
• $39/month (6-month subscription, billed semi-annually)

Budget pricing

There's no denying that Peterson's is one of the cheapest GRE prep options out there. With subscriptions starting at $39/month if you commit for six months, it's a fraction of what you'd pay for most name-brand test prep platforms. Longer subscriptions also come with live tutoring time - 90 minutes for the 3-month plan or 270 minutes for 6 months - and one writing review per month, which is a nice bonus given how often other low-cost services skip this entirely.

Generalized content, not GRE-specific expertise

Peterson's offers test prep for dozens of exams, from the SAT and ACT to nursing and military entrance tests. That sounds great in theory, but it also means their GRE materials aren't always built by specialists who know the test inside and out. There's no mention of GRE-specific instructors or test content created by subject matter experts. And while there's nothing obviously outdated in Peterson's GRE materials (the same can't be said about some of the other tests covered in Peterson's repertoire), the coverage is still thin. There's little to no adaptive learning, no advanced analytics to track your strengths and weaknesses, and nothing that mimics the real GRE interface to help reduce test-day surprises.

A platform that raises questions

Even outside the actual test content, Peterson's doesn't always inspire confidence. The company holds a "D-" rating from the Better Business Bureau, largely due to complaints about billing issues and unresponsive customer service. And while you do get access to tutoring with the two longer plans, there's no transparency about who those tutors are, what their qualifications might be, or whether they specialize in GRE prep. You could be matched with someone fantastic - or someone who barely knows the test at all.

Bottom line: low cost, low return

Peterson's offers one of the most affordable GRE prep subscriptions on the market, and the inclusion of live tutoring and essay feedback is a genuine plus. But when it comes to helping you achieve your best score, the content just doesn't go far enough. With such a limited number of practice questions, no score prediction tools, and no guarantee of GRE-specific instruction, it's hard to recommend this course for anything beyond light prep. You might save money upfront, but don't be surprised if you end up paying more down the road to fill in the gaps - or to retake the test entirely. Peterson's continues to land almost at the bottom of our list among GRE prep services.

On the Peterson's website