Best GRE Prep Courses

Magoosh gives you a program for your desktop, or an app for your mobile device, with thousands of GRE questions and full-length tests.

The Princeton Review specializes in private and semi-private tutoring classes with top of the line instructors.

• In-depth: You receive more than 200 hours of personalized instruction and resources, including guidance from a live instructor, either in person or online.
• Realistic testing: You can take practice GRE exams eight times in conditions very similar to the real test.
• Available everywhere: A zip code search on the Princeton Review website will identify the closest study center or personal tutor who can travel to wherever you want to study.
• Current instructors: Instructors are required to take the GRE periodically to stay up to date with the latest changes.
• Community: Semi-private classrooms introduce you to other students who are preparing to take the GRE for additional study and mutual support.
• Leaps in improvement: Many students who struggled with independent study have improved scores by double digits.
• Best for: This is the ideal GRE prep for anyone who needs a more structured approach to studying.

Since 2000, Manhattan Prep has covered the middle of the market with instruction options ranging from self-study to private one-on-one mentoring.

Kaplan was among the very first test prep companies, and was founded in 1938. It is now an umbrella organization supporting many other private education companies.

Since 1997, PowerScore has made a name for itself in the GRE prep field with an innovative philosophy focused on shorter study times, tighter focus areas and practical affordability.

• Lower prices: Many resources, tests and seminars are free, and PowerScore offers a variety of packages to fit into any budget.
• Six levels: From webinars to 30 hours of detailed instructions, you have many options for the duration and intensity of study.
• On-site in some states: Although they offer primarily online courses, PowerScore has made classroom arrangements in 21 states so far.
• Telephone tutors: Tutoring over the phone is a unique and useful option for those who are on the road, don't have steady web access or just learn better by hearing.
• Accelerated learning: If you're short on study time, accelerated learning classes condense full courses into weekend study events.
• Tighter targeting: Many students need to focus only on one or two areas of study. PowerScore offers targeted course options to maximize your improvements in specified sections of the test.
• Best for: PowerScore is a low cost option for people who need a tight, concentrated approach to acing the exam.

Cambridge Coaching is a tutoring-only program, and is among the newest entrants in the GRE prep field, having launched in 2005.

• Subject matter experts: Instructors know their subjects extremely well, and can offer more than simple test taking tricks and tips.
• Multilingual: Prepare for the GRE in the language that is most comfortable for you with a tutor who really understands your challenges.
• Teachers, not instructors: Cambridge pays their tutors from company revenue and makes sure they excel as supportive teachers.
• Personalized structure: Tutors adjust their hours to fit your life, and only present you with the challenges that you need to reach a better score.
• More efficient schedules: Students typically take six to 10 practice exams over 50 to 100 hours of concentrated learning.
• Official materials: All study materials come directly from ETS, the company that administers the official GRE exam.
• Best for: Busy professionals who need highly educated and personalized attention that is flexible.

In 1999, Manhattan Review began as a GMAT prep system before gradually expanding to cover the GRE and related exams. They have offices on every continent.

• Specialized testing: Beyond the GRE general exam, they cover GRE subject exams like Literature, Physics and Molecular Biology.
• Subject matter first: Instead of concentrating on the mechanics of questions, this prep begins with exploring what the GRE expects you to know.
• Larger role of the GRE: Scores mean more than just getting into your preferred schools. This program helps you achieve scores that can win scholarships, fellowships or teaching assistant positions.
• Online backup: The online library of post-class reviews and streaming video comes with unlimited access, 24 hours a day.
• Best for: Students that are analytical by nature and want broader academic applications for their studies.

Since 2006, Stratus Prep has grown rapidly across more than 30 countries. They specialize in private tutoring for test prep, along with admissions counseling.

Parliament's GRE Tutoring program is a recent addition to their well-established K-12 tutoring programs. Now their extensive network of tutors covers college subjects and exams from undergrad to Ph.D. level.

• Students first: Unlike other programs that focus on specific tests, the tutors here are experts in helping people learn.
• Tutor match: If for any reason there is not a good connection between you and your tutor, Parliament will find a better match at no charge.
• Section specialists: Students can choose to use one comprehensive GRE exam tutor or a series of subject area specialists.
• Most major languages: Parliament has one of the biggest tutor databases in the industry, which means they can arrange tutoring and test prep in nearly any language you require.
• Top scores: Their customer records show that students who work with their tutors often go on to become some of the nation's leaders in GRE scores.
• Best for: Students who need private, in-home tutoring for in depth lessons and test prep.