<p>Kaplan and Princeton Review offer class courses for the GRE at about $1,149. Has anyone had experience with their GRE classes specifically and can attest to whether or not it's worth it?</p>
<p>After seeing that price, I'm thinking I'll just buy or borrow as many GRE review books/materials that I can instead. Anyone know if a Kaplan or PR class would make a significant difference enough to consider taking?</p>
<p>I've never taken a test prep class so I can't answer your question directly, but I have informally helped some people prepare for said exams and would like to offer some advice. I don't mind those tests - they often make me look smarter than I am.
<em>IMO</em>, the best way to prepare is to first buy a selection of used prep books. They can be picked up cheap on-line and at bookstores and you can mark in them at will. Then you just work problem upon problem ad nauseum until you can get the score you need. If you are missing a lot of questions in one area then you may need to study some fundamental material - and be sure that you fully understand the missed questions. Shortly before taking the test get practice material that simulates the test problems as closely as possible and work them under strictly timed conditions. No magic pill or 10 easy lessons here - just lots of work. And this approach costs maybe 1/20th of a formal course!
These exams are simply mental versions of a military PT test, e.g., as many sit-ups as you can do in 2 min., as many push-ups you can do in 2 min., and a 2-mile run. Not everyone can make a perfect score on each section of the test, and even fewer can make the maximum score on all sections, but the average testee can make an excellent score provided he/she plans well and works hard to accomplish goals.</p>
<p>i'm in the same boat. i dont know if i should pay for a Kaplan course or if i should attempt it on my own. i dont really have any friends that are studying for the GRE's at this time so it's just me, all by myself. i am wondering if just being in the atmosphere of other students in the same boat as me will help motivate me along.</p>
<p>I personally don't think its worth it to take a course. The GRE isn't that hard to self-study.</p>
<p>Considering the GRE is more of a formality than the SAT's, I really wouldn't bother paying for a course. Typically for grad programs they only look for a certain section's score or to make sure you meet a minimum threshold, which can easily be accomplished by self-study.</p>
<p>i actually just started my gre prep course with princeton review. i wasnt sure i was going to do a prep class, but i can honestly say im very surprised how good my instructor and class have been so far. i took a blueprint class for lsat prep and was very disspointed with it. this princeton review class for gre im taking has been very very good. my instructor is excellent and my class has only 5 people in it including me. they cap the class at a maximum of 8 i believe. the gre could be self studied, but if your looking for an edge, the princeton review gre prep class ive taken has been very good so far. im impressed. its price was $1049.</p>