GRE Classroom Prep Courses. Worthwhile?

<p>Anyone with any experience with GRE Classroom prep courses? If so, which course and was it worthwhile? I know that there are lots of books for self study but am particularly interested in the classroom courses such as Kaplan or Princeton Review.</p>

<p>How did you prep for your SAT or ACT? Did you need a classroom course or was self-studying sufficient?</p>

<p>Got caught up in the whole SAT frenzy and used a private tutor. I don't hear much "buzz" about GRE prep and I don't want to pay for a private tutor. I was thinking that the classroom prep courses might be a good alternative that forces you to sit and work on the exam each week. Does anyone have any experience with these classes?</p>

<p>D took one on campus (discounted to students) that was offered to the community.
She's an "A" student, but felt she wouldn't prepare adequately given her ridiculously busy schedule. This class did exactly what nervous1 mentioned: it forced her to prepare and most importantly, take the test several times under timed conditions.
She felt she did much better than she would have without it. That said, I think if a person is very disciplined, self-study with CD's etc would suffice. S took an SAT class but felt his own personal study time was far more beneficial. His SAT class was not one of the expensive ones offered by Kaplan but was an abbreviated version offered at his high school.</p>

<p>D did an online prep program, self regulated. She said the most important part is getting used to doing a test on the computer rather than on paper and learning the "ways" of the test were more important than mastering the content.</p>

<p>Any one else with classroom GRE prep experience? Also, any advice on when it is best to take GRE? D is currently a sophomore and is planning on taking the second semester junior year abroad. We were thinking that she might be best studying over this summer and taking the exam in the fall of her Junior year.</p>

<p>Still searching for input on GRE prep classes....</p>

<p>I suggest you post your query on the graduate school forum.</p>

<p>I second menloparkmom. It looks like you've decided to go with a classroom course. Posters on grad. school forum will be more knowledgeable about the current state of GRE prep classes. We took our GREs a loooong time ago.</p>

<p>Thanks. I didn't even know that there was a graduate school forum!! I'll give it a try.</p>