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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 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.
I took the course in Arlington VA with Ian Schlie. He was such a great teacher. He took time outside of class to call us and see what our goals where and asked how he could help us attain those goals. He was friendly and engaging. The other students in the class were all very kind and we all worked together to get good scores. I would recommend this course for anyone who is planning on attending grad school. He made me feel like my goals were attainable and I am truly thankful I took this class. My recommendation would be if someone wants to improve their score to take this class.
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This online course provided a lot of tips and tricks for the GRE that I could not find elsewhere. However, it was less helpful if you are scoring above average on Math already and just want to get your score up to 160-170. There are not enough combinatorics and probability questions in the reviews to effectively do this. However, the verbal and online sessions were very helpful and convenient. Their Official Test Day Experience is unique and helpful for people with test anxiety to see a testing center ahead of time. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a self-directed pace for their GRE prep, with a bit of help from a live instructor.
The Kaplan in person course was extremely helpful. I was able to take it twice thanks to the Kaplan Guarantee, which was great, since I wasn't entirely satisfied with my first score. My second time taking the class, I had a different instructor and a smaller class size, which were definitely contributors to my score increase. The strategies we learned to save time and better approach questions proved to be invaluable on test day. My instructor also framed the test in a way that proved it to be less about information and problem solving, and more about critical thinking, which significantly eased my anxiety around test taking. Between in-class instruction, the practice MSTs, and the excellent online resources, I went into my second test far more confident than I did the first time. I went from 157V to 161V and 152Q to 155Q, and received a 4.5W both times. I definitely recommend Kaplan for test prep needs; the quality of instruction and resources, and the Kaplan Guarantee, make it well worth it!
I first tried studying for the GRE on my own by purchasing a GRE book but I was not motivated enough to read the entire book and practice the problems. When I went to take the GRE test I did not do as well as I had wanted so I decided that I should take GRE classes to help guide me and keep me motivated enough to work the problems. I had originally chosen an in person class but there was not enough people who had signed up for it and it was cancelled but Kaplan representatives worked quickly with me and helped me find a class session that would work for me. I then decided to take the live online GRE classes and they were so much more convenient! You just needed your computer, books, paper, and pencil, and you were all set for the GRE prep class! I could take the classes anywhere where there was wifi and that was very helpful for I am a busy person. If you are a busy person as well but want to take a prep class I would definitely recommend taking the live online GRE class. I had Jonah for the Quantitative classes and Steven for the Verbal classes and they were both wonderful! They knew exactly what they were talking about and never got distracted. They would answer all of your questions and even stayed after the class was over to answer more of your questions. They were also available through email and you could email them any questions you had and they would respond very quickly back to you. The classes definitely helped me because both Jonah and Steven explained all the concepts, terminology, and gave tips on how to well. I was motivated by them to do all the homework, practice problems, and practice tests. There was plenty of practice tests to do and the quiz bank also helped so much! I would also recommend getting the Kaplan vocabulary app on your phone because it has the 500 most common words used on the verbal section on the GRE. Because of the classes, I did way better on the GRE the second time I took it! I thought I did better on the Quantitative section than I really did but I still did exceedingly well! You just have to remember it is very challenging and requires practice and work but all that pays off in the end! Through all my hard work and through the help of Kaplan I was able to raise my score 11 points so I would say the prep courses are definitely worth the money!
Kaplan GRE instructors were great. Online classes were very convenient since I am always traveling - the best part is they were surprisingly engaging. The personal tutor really helps you understand the product and material and tells you what to focus on based on your scores. Having the personal tutor really holds you accountable (something that is usually missing when you're not physically in a classroom.) If you are engaged in your classes, do all the homework, and listen to your tutor you WILL improve your score tremendously. It's worth every penny if you're willing to put in the effort.
I liked how I was able to take 7 practice tests including one at the actual testing center where I took the real GRE. And the way their interface for exploring how well you did on the practice tests was very nice. Additionally, I found the PLUS tutor sessions useful for asking questions about practice problems. The tutors were extremely helpful and Kaplan as a whole was always about ensuring that I was having a good experience. There was a big effort from Kaplan to ensure that nothing, not even tech issues, got in the way of me studying. I found the Increased Score Guarantee to be comforting as I prepped for the test.
This course was amazing! It was well worth the money. All the teachers are awesome and invested in your success on the GRE. The classes are long, but the instructors make the class go by quickly. The practice tests are super helpful. The GRE is a marathon for your brain, and the practice tests help prepare your brain for the whole 4 hour test. The practice quiz bank is also fantastic. You can customize the quiz to your level and what you want to focus on. This course definitely helped me to feel confident in the GRE.The Higher Score Guarantee is also great. Kaplan wants to make sure that you do well.
Improvement 30 Points
Course Kaplan GRE Prep - In Person
Location New York (Lower Manhattan), NY USA
This class was a wonderful experience. Oliver Lontok was everything I could have hoped for in a teacher- relaxed, but completely on point. After a long day of work (I work full time), Oliver made a 3 hour class bearable. My scores improved dramatically and he was even still willing to help with my application for graduate school once the class was over. I would recommend this to anyone, whether they are still in school or if they are 10 years out of a classroom. It definitely helps to take with a friend. Having someone to attend class with makes it go by faster and also gives you someone to study with. For me that was important.