All Reviews > Kaplan Reviews |
It was definitely nice having a set time to focus on studying. The instructors were really nice. My score didn't improve a ton from my first practice test to what I actually got on test day but I would say that was due more to situations that occurred the week before the test and not because of the quality of instruction since my scores had been improving pretty steadily until then, including the TDE exam. The biggest thing that the course did for me was help me to reduce my anxiety over taking the test. The course showed me the little tricks that the test makers like to use and tips for overcoming them that I never would have figured out studying on my own.
Improvement 100 Points
Course Kaplan GRE Prep - In Person
Instructor Andrew Kula
Location Los Angeles, CA USA
I took the in-person course, meeting twice weekly in the evenings to prepare for my GRE. The course was really helpful for me, though it still requires a lot of independent study. Kaplan gives you the resources you need - the key is to use them. The best part of the class is the online test banks and recommendations, as well as the test day experience where you get to take your Kaplan timed prep test at the ETS facility, simulating the actual GRE. This was really helpful. USE the online quiz banks, do all your practice tests and you will improve with this course.
Andrew Kula was my instructor and he was phenomenal and dedicated. Highly recommend him if you can get into his class.
I was skeptical about paying for such an expensive course, but I knew taking a prep course was something I needed to do. I am a nervous test taker and my GRE scores are important for programs I am applying to (Master's/Doctorate in Occupational Therapy). The amount of resources and personal attention you receive from Kaplan is well worth the money. The class is tailored to your needs. Although the course is a general prep course, online resources and access to practice tests with feedback was extremely helpful for my individual preparation. You receive 3 textbooks, a pocket reference, a vocabulary phone app, 5 practice tests, and an opportunity to take a practice test in a real GRE setting- unique to the Kaplan course.
Prepping with Kaplan for the GRE was one of the best decisions I made. This was my first time taking the GRE and I was very nervous. I generally do O.K. on standardized test. One great things I noticed about Kaplan is their commitment to student success. The professors REALLY care about your performance in the online class and e-mail after class to see how things are going. The strategies I learned in the class made the questions less challenging or even if I came across a challenging question, I had the tools to break down the question. I really appreciated the positvity from the professors, no matter what my practice scores were or how bad was freaking out as test day got closer. Though I did not do as well as I hoped (due to personal events) I will still use Kaplan in my prep before taking the exam for a second try.
I am so glad that I chose Kaplan as my test prep program! I truly believe that you get your money's worth. This course comes with an extraordinary amount of resources to help your score improve and be what you want it to be. By far the best thing from this course is the Test Day experience option. This allows you to take a practice test at the test center where you are planning on taking your actual GRE. It's super helpful with eliminating unnecessary stress on test day, you'll know what to expect on your test day and be more relaxed and focus on your test rather than worrying about how to get to the center or where the bathrooms will be. There instructors are also really caring and super involved in your education, even outside of the classroom. My instructor even offered his help after our course was officially over. Likewise the many resources and extra quizzes they have online tremendously helped with getting us to taking a test online. There interface really does match the ETS's very closely. Overall I am very thrilled and thankful to Kaplan!
I was very impressed with this prep class. I was debating between a few companies to use and I decided on Kaplan because of their higher score grantee. I really did get a higher score on my GRE and I was very pleased with my score! The instructor was very thorough and made sure we understood the concepts. It was great to be able to take this in person, because if I had any questions, I could get an answer right away. This class is definitely worth the cost. It got me the score I needed and I would recommend this class to anyone who wants an in-person prep class.
Being out of school for three years and never being strong at standardized testing, the GRE was beyond daunting. I initially bought a workbook and thought that would be how I would prep. I suddenly felt even more overwhelmed and like I had to climb Mt. Everest alone. I chose Kaplan and the In-Person Plus because I really felt like I needed all the help I could get. It was the best decision I ever made. Kaplan breaks down every concept from basic addition to Geometry and gives you resources for whatever stage you are at. Ever coach, in person teacher and even customer support team members I interacted with were beyond helpful. My teachers went above and beyond to review essays, create extra resources and questions. I am so thankful for their help. My score went from a measly 292 to a 312!!!
Before taking the Kaplan course, studying for the GRE seemed like an impossible task. With taking the Kaplan course, I was able to stay on task and progress through my studying. There were various resources and I always felt that I had things that I could be doing to improve my score. The positivity of the professors was super helpful, and I also got fast response anytime I had to email them. I felt like they truly cared about how I was doing. You also had opportunities to be involved in class by participating in a public chat and could even have your name called. This made me feel like a part of the class, an active participant. I would recommend this course to anyone who is serious about improving their GRE score. I wish I would have done it the first time I took the GRE. It is worth the time and money.
I am really happy I took this course and I highly recommend it. I saw a dramatic increase in all of my scores and I think it's because of the amount of homework required for the class. if you do the homework there is no way that you won't improve. I also think the Kaplan practice tests are much harder than the actual GRE so I felt so prepared and really confident when I was taking my real GRE. I was honestly really surprised at how identical the practice tests look and function like the real GRE. Also Kaplan lets you take your final practice test at an actual testing center and have that experience and I'm really glad I took advantage of it. I got to know what it was like to get metal detected and everything so I wasn't shocked when I took the real one. I also didn't think my instructor was going to be so hands on, but she emailed me regularly and analyzed my tests to tell me what I had to work on.
I did a lot of research when deciding which GRE prep course to take. I decided on Kaplan and am so glad I did. The classes were surprisingly engaging and I actually enjoyed them! They didn't feel like a burden. The teachers were great. It was also nice to have the classes on-demand if there were parts that I wanted to watch again, or missed because of a phone call in the middle (it happens). The full-length practice tests were also really great and I was able to learn a lot from reviewing my answers.
I also really appreciated the in-person practice test. I felt much more comfortable on the day of the test because I knew where I was going, if there was food around (there was) and if there were lockers for my stuff (there were), and felt familiar with the process and the surroundings. (I took my test in Chicago so I don't know if all locations have what mine did.)
The coaching was also extremely helpful for me. It was great to have someone to bounce ideas off of, to talk through specific areas where I had questions, and to guide me through making a study schedule. My coach was also available the whole time through email for any questions I had, not just for the 3 hours specifically stated, which was a big help as well. She even looked through my practice essays and gave me additional feedback beyond what Kaplan's graders sent me.
In all, I had a wonderful experience with Kaplan and I have only positive things to say. I highly recommend Kaplan's course.