8 Best GRE Prep Courses to Improve Your Test Score

If you plan on getting into a top business school, law school, or graduate school in the United States, Canada, or any other country, preparing for the GRE is an absolute must.

However, preparing for the exam is a daunting task. In addition to that, you need to perform many complex tasks to make good use of your GRE score. So, we bring you an easy-to-understand article to know everything about GRE and GRE preparation.

What is the GRE exam?

The Grade Record Exam (GRE) is a globally recognized standardized test required by most reputable U.S. universities from their students. Candidates seeking admission to programs such as master’s programs, business school graduates, professional programs, and doctoral programs. You must ensure a good GRE score.

It is a versatile exam as an academic achievement test, as GRE scores can be cited for admission to MBA, science, and other master’s programs. Additionally, GRE scores are accepted in most developed countries, which are academic education hotspots for students around the world.

For example, if you want to study graduate-level courses in the UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Canada, or the European Union, you’ll need a good GRE score.

Importantly, not every graduate school, business school, or university administers the GRE. There is an independent organization called Education Testing Service (ETS) that administers and administers tests worldwide. Therefore, educational institutions can expect high quality candidates from multiple countries, screened through one gold standard of skills testing.

Academic abilities covered by the GRE test

The GRE test primarily targets three academic skills: verbal, math, and analytical writing.

#1. GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

The Verbal and Reasoning sections of the GRE are roughly equivalent to the Reasoning sections of the SAT. It consists of some fill-in-the-blank questions, text equivalence questions, and critical reading.

Sentence equivalence is a unique approach found only on the GRE test, which tests advanced language and vocabulary skills. In this problem, you are asked to fill in the blanks in the sentences with two different words. The ultimate goal of the question is to generate two sentences with similar meanings.

Solving sentence equivalence problems requires advanced skills in English grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning.

#2. GRE Math or Quantitative Section

This section is all about mathematics. ETS creates questions in a way that tests your quantitative reasoning skills. Therefore, you should focus on the basics of high school mathematics, such as algebra, data analysis, arithmetic, and geometry.

#3. GRE Analysis Writing Assessment (AWA)

This section assesses your ability to provide targeted answers to questions. You need to develop skills such as explaining complex ideas in plain language, scrutinizing claims and evidence, maintaining a coherent argument, and controlling your written language.

GRE test overview

Examination fee

An itemized list of GRE fees is below.

• The GRE General test costs $231.30 in China, $213.00 in India, and $205.00 in other regions.
• Rescheduling fees vary between $50.00 and $53.90.
• If you wish to change the default test center, you must pay $50.00.

interval

The overall duration of the GRE General test is 3 hours and 45 minutes. Test time includes breaks, ungraded time, and research questions.

Sections and number of questions

The GRE General Test consists of seven question sections as shown below.

• Analytical Writing: One Section. 2 questions. 30 minutes each
• Quantitative Reasoning: Two Sections. 35 minutes per section. Total 40 questions
• Verbal Reasoning: Two Sections. 30 minutes each section. Total 40 questions
• The number of ungraded questions varies
• Variable number of research questions

At the beginning of the test, everyone takes an analytical writing section. The testing algorithm then shuffles the sections and questions within each section to eliminate the possibility of fraud or bias.

average score required

The average score required varies by graduate, master’s, or doctoral program and institution. However, the following are considered raw averages of GRE scores.

• 149.97 points in language section
• Quantitative Section 153 – 158
• 4.0 for analytical writing section

Score validity period

GRE scores are valid for five years from the exam start date.

GRE test date

GRE at Home and GRE at the Test Center offer multiple test dates during the calendar year. You must take the test at least three months before the program registration application deadline. If you wish, you can retake the exam approximately one month in advance.

Result announcement date

You will receive an email from ETS regarding score availability. Typically, you should expect to receive your score sheet within 10-15 days of your test date.

So let’s take a look at some of the best online GRE prep courses.

university lecturer

If you are someone who wants to absorb more in a classroom environment, Varsity Tutors is for you. Join a live online GRE prep class and learn how to prepare for the exam from an expert instructor. The platform also has a money-back guarantee if your score doesn’t improve.

When you enroll in a Varsity Tutors course, you will have access to the following facilities:

• 20 hours of live instruction
• Each class typically has 6 to 9 students
• Receive personalized support and attention from your instructor

On this platform, you will learn content and strategies for quantitative and verbal reasoning and analytical writing. After completing this course, you will have a comprehensive idea of ​​the GRE exam structure, scoring, section-specific test-taking strategies, and how to deal with difficult questions.

Plus, you’ll have access to GRE self-study resources to implement the strategies you’ve learned and track your progress. We offer expert-curated diagnostic tests, practice tests, question banks, strategy guides, and flashcards. It comes with a mobile app so you can practice on the go.

Magoosh GRE Preparation

Magoosh’s GRE training courses offer excellent value for money. The most affordable online course. Compared to other courses, Magoosh’s fees are a fraction of the price, but the course content is elaborate.

Get months of access to the following GRE premium learning materials from Magoosh:

• There are three full-length practice exam questions.
• Over 1,400 practice questions.
• Over 100 video lectures available for regular viewing.

The strategy of this GRE preparation platform is to provide test takers with flexibility, value, and intensive practice material for ultimate success. So if you’re looking for concise study material, check out this resource.

While there may be other practice questions and practice exam questions available, Magoosh’s questions are actual GRE questions from past years. There are also sophisticated digital media for content delivery, which can be customized according to quantity, type, timing, difficulty, etc.

GRE Preparation Course on Udemy

#1. Complete preparation for the GRE

Another one-stop solution for pre-GRE preparation is this Udemy course. This brings together all the sections and their course content such as Verbal, Writing, and Quantitative on one platform. Additionally, the authors of this material regularly update the course content to synchronize the syllabus with ETS.

The main highlights of the course are:

• High-impact lectures to help you master GRE topics quickly.
• principles of mathematics.
• Quantitative comparison.
• statistics and algebra.
• Text completion.
• Interpretation of data.
• Self-paced learning materials, including 28.5 hours of on-demand video and 150 lectures.

According to some user reviews and course creators, many test takers have achieved scores of 320 or higher on the GRE by signing up and following the course content diligently. So, if you are looking to study a master’s or graduate level course at a top educational institution in the US, check out our course offerings.

#2. GRE quantitative

If you are looking for a GRE preparation course to start your study session from scratch, check out this Udemy course. This course has no required prerequisites and is open to anyone who wants to get a good GRE score as long as they follow the curriculum diligently.

Important features of the course are:

• All quantitative topics proposed by ETS are covered.
• Solved questions for all Quant topics over the years.
• Tricks to calculate without using a calculator.
• Customized Algebra Test.
• Classroom-like instruction.
• I solved the GRE practice test provided by ETS.
• A comprehensive 6-hour session on quadratic functions for beginners.

If you take a closer look at the course content, this training material will be beneficial for both beginner and expert GRE Quant test takers alike. Because this course covers both basic and advanced GRE quant topics in 457 lectures. The total length of the content is 41 hours and 9 minutes.

princeton review

It’s not hard for The Princeton Review to make it onto the list of the best GRE prep courses. Thorough and engaging video lessons are the perfect blend of lecture and dialogue. Apart from instructional videos, we also provide full-length practice tests. All eight practice exams feature the original GRE interface and difficulty levels, making them realistic.

The main features of this program are:

• An online-based, self-paced course.
• The core curriculum consists of four sections of the exam.
• Drill smart program according to difficulty level.
• Best-in-class video lessons with great instruction.

The Princeton Review’s course curriculum includes a variety of interactive learning modules.

The structure of the unit is also simple. First, there is a short video explaining the main points, followed by a lesson. Finally, do a series of drills.

Kaplan

When it comes to GRE preparation courses, Kaplan is the name to go to. This reputable platform offers a proven formula to prepare students for the tough GRE test.

High-quality video lessons are at the heart of Kaplan’s online curriculum.

Here, experienced instructors will use a digital whiteboard to help you solve problems. There are some well-designed quizzes based on videos, with explanatory text that explains each question very clearly.

Other key features of this course include:

• Over 5,000 practice questions
• 7 full-length practice tests
• Customized question set for practice

The Kaplan QBank tool allows users to create customized quizzes based on various factors such as question type, timing, and difficulty. Additionally, if you prefer to study offline, Kaplan’s hardcopy preparation books are also available.

Graduation preparation

Those who want to ensure a high score on the GRE should choose GradPrep. Respected subject matter experts from LearningExpress have prepared this course with some unique practice tests. Additionally, you can access this program from Windows Mac, Android, and iOS.

This ADA 508-compliant, self-paced testing program will help you improve your overall score. Users must enter exam dates and study hours per week. The program adds that information to your study plan and generates lessons and practice tests, prioritizing your weakest areas first.

Other features include:

• Three test modes: learner, practice, and simulation.
• Diagnostic report to identify strengths and weaknesses after practice tests
• 50+ micro-lessons for complete GRE coverage
• Lessons for developing quantitative and linguistic reasoning
• Evaluation score prediction tool
• Over 500 personalized questions for quantitative comparison and sentence completion

Economist GRE Instructor

Economist GRE Tutor is considered the ultimate preparation tool for the GRE test. This online learning program will help you maximize your potential and reach your target score smoothly. This personalized GRE preparation platform uses cutting-edge technology to accurately identify your study patterns and habits.

A comprehensive and customizable course curriculum prepares you for all sections of the GRE according to your personal learning style. Economist GRE Tutor has a wide collection of video tutorials and targeted practice questions, as well as possible solutions.

The tutoring platform uses learning software Crowd Wisdom and machine learning algorithms to determine how to best solve every question. Additionally, our team of expert instructors provides one-on-one tutoring sessions, AWA essay grading, progress reviews, and additional support throughout the week.

exam pal

ExamPAL Online GRE Prep focuses on the most important parts of practice that are most important to your dream score. Study the GRE at your own pace. So, you don’t need to manage your time to attend offline classes.

Not only can you learn from the comfort of your home or any other location, but it also provides a truly personalized learning experience. Here you will learn how to solve more problems in less time. This adaptive course also creates a tailored study plan based on your time until the test.

By attending ExamPAL’s preparation courses, you will receive additional benefits such as:

• Secure a higher score while saving time
• Receive real-time feedback on how to improve
• Learn the best solutions for the best results
• Interactive videos and animations with real-time statistics
• Learn how to find the easiest way to solve each question

last word

From July 2020 to June 2021, more than 350,000 candidates took the GRE test. The average scores for verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing were 151.4, 155.8, and 3.6, respectively.

The above data shows that this is a highly competitive exam as you compete with students from all over the world for better scholarships and admission to North America’s premier graduate schools.

If you want to secure a good GRE score for the next admissions season, you should start preparing for the GRE diligently.

If you are planning to study abroad in the United States, Canada, or Australia, you may also be interested in these English learning courses.