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Target Test Prep Review

Sunday, February 9th

2025 GRE Test Prep Company Reviews

Target Test Prep Review 4.5 Star Rating

Target Test Prep

4.5 Star Rating
  • Monthly payment at $149
  • 4 months for $299
  • 6 months for $399
  • Live-online classes starting at $1,399
  • Tutoring at $350/hour
  • Detailed explanations for every GRE topic
  • Live expert support
  • 15 point guarantee
  • 5-day trial for $1

Target Test Prep stakes their claim with a range of high quality test-prep options, from individualized study, to live-online courses, and one-on-one tutors. Of all the GRE study products on our list, Target Test Prep offers the best value for highly-structured self-led and live-online classes.

Good value for what you get

Target Test Prep's price is comparable to - and actually less than - most of their major online-class competitors. As such, they offer some of the best value at the price point. Here's how it breaks down:

  • Self-led GRE prep can be purchased for $149 per month, $299 for four months, or $399 for six months. That price will get you 4,000 quant and verbal GRE questions and 1,000 quant and verbal videos, an adaptable/personalized data-driven study plan, intelligent metrics and error analytics, "insider” knowledge of question types and traps, live expert support, and a 15 point guarantee.
  • Target Test Prep's live-online classes cost $1,399. These include everything in the self-led plan, plus add 40 hours of live-online classes, and a dedicated slack channel to coordinate/crowdsource information with fellow students and class instructors.
  • Target Test Prep's tutoring costs $350 per hour, and does not include any of their aforementioned study plans or materials (though they do recommend purchasing them on your own).

Prohibitively expensive tutoring plans

All in all, we appreciate Target Test Prep's compelling mixture of GRE test prep materials, customer support, and score guarantees, all at a lower price than their competitors. That is, for everything except their tutoring plans, which are just plain expensive, and do not include any of their recommended study materials. We think that if you are charging $350 per hour, you should at the very least offer a discount to the multi-hundred dollar services you recommend purchasing as part-and-parcel of said tutoring.

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Excellent score guarantees

Another plus: Target Test Prep has one of the best score guarantees on our list, with a 15-point guaranteed increase from your baseline across all their plans, or a 320 minimum score guaranteed. While you must establish a baseline score and complete all course materials to be eligible for either guarantee, it is by far the most robust guarantee on our list. To top it off, their $1 5-day trial is an excellent way to asses their materials before spending a significant sum of money

Universally acclaimed

Target Test Prep has universally good reviews both on aggregate review sites and on study boards centered on GRE prep, including the GRE Prep Club, which is exclusively composed of those who are studying for or already took the GRE.

A significant investment that should pay dividends

If you're looking for the most value-per-dollar spent on a live-online or self-led GRE prep course, we think that Target Test Prep is an excellent choice, and should one be one of your top contenders. With structured support built into their already robust live-online and self-led offerings, if you want to be assured of the quality and support you'll receive, Target Test Prep is a top option on our list.

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.

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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 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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