All the Best GRE Prep Courses of 2017
Choosing the right Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prep course is a very important decision that will help you score higher on the GRE and get into the graduate school of your dreams.
You will be spending many hours studying, so it’s crucial to find the study materials that best fit your learning style and background.
So here’s the good news – we have personally researched and reviewed every major GRE prep course on the market to make things easier for you! The comparison chart below will help you figure out which one is best for you.
Please note that several of the links included below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a referral commission if you purchase one of the courses below. Please understand that I recommend these courses because I confidently believe they will help you succeed on your GRE exam, not because of the small commission. Only use the links if you have been helped by my review!
Jump Links to GRE Prep Course Reviews & Discounts Below:
- Magoosh GRE
- Kaplan GRE Test Prep
- Princeton Review GRE
- The Economist GRE
- Target Test Prep GRE
- GraduateX GRE
- Manhattan Prep GRE
Magoosh GRE (Rank: #1)
OVERALL RATING:
Intuitive Interface: Magoosh has a very user-friendly online platform. From the dashboard students can view progress charts, recommended lessons based on completed practice questions, and gain quick access to key course features. The course structure is easy to follow too; you can watch video lessons, take customizable practice quizzes, and review GRE course material all from the well-organized dashboard.
Price: The Magoosh GRE program is unmatched when it comes to providing quality study material at a discounted price. For just $99 (using this Coupon Code), students have 6 months of access to more than 200 video lessons, 1,000 practice questions, and up to 3 practice exams. With competitors charging hundreds of dollars more, this course is definitely a bargain!Quality Instruction: Their test prep experts have extensive backgrounds in tutoring and GRE subject matter. Each practice problem is accompanied by both written and video explanations to ensure the concepts are fully and clearly explained.Customer Support: Magoosh has a reputation for being prompt and thorough in all responses to students’ questions. A built-in help tab appears whenever students are logged in, making it easy to submit questions immediately as soon as they come up, rather than having to stop what you are doing and going to a different part of the site to send an email or a message.Bottom Line: Magoosh provides the most flexibility and is easily the best overall value of any GRE course.
Kaplan GRE (Rank: #2)
OVERALL RATING:
Bottom Line: Kaplan provides the most comprehensive course offering on the market. If money isn’t an issue, go with them.
Princeton Review GRE (Rank: #3)
OVERALL RATING:
Bottom Line: Princeton Review is unmatched in terms of their course guarantees and providing feedback on your practice essays. If you have concerns with the Analytical Writing section, go with Princeton Review.
TAKE ME TO PRINCETON REVIEW GRE
The Economist GRE (Rank: #4)
OVERALL RATING:
Bottom Line: The Economist’s new GRE course is a great, affordable alternative to Kaplan. If you want built-in tutoring services, this is the course for you.
Target Test Prep GRE (Rank: #5)
OVERALL RATING:
Bottom Line: If you need help specifically with the Quantitative Section, Target Test Prep is a solid option.
GraduateX GRE (Rank: #6)
OVERALL RATING:
Simplicity: There aren’t any amazing features for this product. You’re not going to get any full practice exams, no direct tutoring, no score guarantee, and it’s somewhat lacking in terms of additional content.
Bottom Line: GraduateX is a solid, no-frills budget option for someone who studies on the go.
Manhattan Prep GRE (Rank: #7)
OVERALL RATING:
Bottom Line: Manhattan Prep provides a comprehensive course but it isn’t as accurate or difficult as the material Magoosh and Kaplan provide.
Best GRE Prep Courses and Books of 2017
| GRE Courses | Best For… | Discounted Price |
| Magoosh GRE | Flexibility, Ease of Use | $149 |
| Kaplan GRE | Best Overall | $629 |
| GraduateX GRE | Overall Value | $231 |
| The Economist GRE | One-on-One Video Tutoring, Live Chat | $299 |
| Target Test Prep | Comprehensive Materials | $279 |
| The Princeton Review GRE | Online Prep Courses | $449 |
| Manhattan Prep GRE | Practice Test Provider | $549 |
| TestMasters | One-On-One Tutoring | $950 |
| PowerScore | Admissions Prep Services | $995 |
| Barron’s GRE | Low Cost/Budget Option | $99 |
| MLIC | Test Score Guarantee | $1495 |
Thanks for the review, how do you determine your rankings?
Makosan,
To determine our ratings we consult with successful GRE test takers, teachers, aggregate data from around the web, and compare the specific benefits and features of each course as well as testing them out ourselves when we can. We try to do as thorough of reviews as possible and remain unbaised. The goal is to lead exam takers to the review courses that best suit their needs.
-Team Crush The GRE
How does the score increase work for Kaplan it seems like a good deal?
Rilan,
Great question. You have to submit a baseline score to Kaplan before using their course materials. You then would submit your test score to them if it did not increase or you were unsatisfied with your results. If your score doesn’t increase they will give you a full refund or allow you to retake again with their review materials. It’s a killer deal because unless you succeed you don’t really pay for the course. Additional details are on their site when you buy. Let us know if you have any other questions!
-Team Crush The GRE