
I can’t even tell you how many times I have talked with desperate students who put in time and effort with the best GRE prep book and courses, only to get a lower GRE score than they need.
I quickly found one issue they have in common — taking inadequate GRE prep courses.
There are too many GRE prep courses that significantly underdeliver in quality and content.
To help you avoid such a mistake, I’ve personally taken and analyzed dozens of online self-paced programs during a period of two years.
I managed to narrow your choice down to this list of the best GRE prep courses.
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COURSES | Magoosh | Achievable | Kaplan | PrepScholar | Target Test | The Princeton | Manhattan | Economist |
Ranking | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
STARTING PRICE | $119.20 | $199 | $449 | $38 | $149 | $399 | $299 | $349 |
PRICE OPTIONS & ACCESSIBILITY | 1 month ($119.20)
6 months ($143.20) Premium + admissions ($180.60) |
1 Year Access | 6 Months ($449) | 1 Year ($38) Lifetime ($345) |
1 month ($149)
4 months ($299) 6 months ($399) |
GRE 162+ ($2,099)
Fundamentals ($1,099) |
GRE for MBA from ($1599)
Private tutoring ($2450) |
6 Weeks ($349) 3 Months ($489) 6 Months ($699) |
FREE TRIAL | 7-day Free Trial | 5-day Free Trial | 5-day $1 Trial |
14-day Free Trial | 7-day Free Trial | |||
# PRACTICE QUESTIONS | 1,200+ | 9,999+ | 5,000+ | 2,000+ | 3,000+ | 2,500+ | 1,000+ | 2,000+ |
PRACTICE EXAMS | 3 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 5 | |
SCORE PREDICTOR ACCURACY | 99% | N/A | 98% | 97% | 96% | 98% | 96% | N/A |
ASSIGNED HOMEWORK | ||||||||
SCORE INCREASE GUARANTEE | +5 Points Guarantee | +7 Points Guarantee | Higher Score Guarantee | +7 Points Guarantee | High Quant Score Guarantee | +10 Points Guarantee (10+ Course) 162+ Points Guarantee (162+ Course) |
+6 Points Guarantee (Premium) +7 Points Guarantee (Genius) |
|
FORMAT | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced | Self-Paced |
COURSE BOOKS | Online Only | Online Only | 3 Workbooks + Pocket Reference | Online Only | Online Only | Online Only | ||
VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS | 48+ | 180+ | 50+ | 800+ | 30+ hours | 77 | ||
YOUTUBE CHANNEL | 50+ GRE Videos | 25+ GRE Videos | 40+ GRE Videos | 15+ GRE Videos | 7 GRE Videos | Non-GRE Related | 7+ GRE Videos | Non-GRE Related |
COURSE DEMO | ||||||||
STUDY PLAN | ||||||||
PROGRESS TRACKING | ||||||||
FLASHCARDS | ||||||||
MOBILE APP | ||||||||
ESSAY GRADING | ||||||||
LIVE TUTORING | Unlimited drop-in classes (179$) | Online ($999) In Person ($1199) |
$400/hour | Fundamentals ($999) 165+ Tutoring ($156/hr) |
Online or in-person ($1399) | 1 Live Tutoring Session (Premium) | ||
STUDENT SUPPORT | Email & live chat | Chat, email & phone | Only for premium | Email & live chat | Email & live chat | Email & forum | Live video & chat | |
MORE DETAILS | Read Full Review | N/A | Read Full Review | Read Full Review | Read Full Review | Read Full Review | Read Full Review | N/A |
Our Top GRE Prep Courses for 2022
1 - Magoosh GRE Prep Course (Editor's Choice)
Magoosh GRE is one of the best GRE prep courses we’d like to recommend. What students seem to like the most is the type of dashboard with personalized recommendations based on your progress.
The platform works like a GRE prep tutor, providing an efficient planning method, so there's no second-guessing.
My favorite part of the course was the self-paced online learning style. It gave me good flexibility to set aside the right amount of time for each topic, section, and practice question.
If you don’t do well on certain sections of the practice exam, Magoosh GRE prep will recommend focusing more of your time on those specific study materials.
You'll find the instructional videos short and motivating, and the practice tests, handy during random mock exams.
We also like that it gives you a regular prediction of what kind of score you’ll most likely get, which may help you decide when you’re ready. You can learn more about this course in our Magoosh GRE review.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 - Magoosh GRE Prep Course (Editor's Choice) | 17 | 29 | 9 | 98% |
Quick Facts
- 3 practice tests
- 1,200+ practice questions
- The dashboard is easy to use with recommendations for study focus points
- Easy to follow written and video instruction
- Offers a GRE test score predictor to help you assess your progress
- Good for both comprehensive and last-minute study
- Structured with clear and flexible lesson plans
- It could offer a larger number of questions in different formats
2 - Achievable GRE Prep Course
Achievable is also one of the best GRE prep courses you can try out. The first thing we liked about Achievable's GRE prep is that everything is available online as well as an easy to use tutoring app.
I liked that the course continuously checked my progress to recommend certain areas where I may need to spend more time studying.
And by doing a regular GRE practice test (there are 10 in total), you may get a much better picture of how much you’ve improved in preparation for the GRE.
The only thing we’d like to see added to the course is video lessons on some of the more complex topics on GRE Math, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 - Achievable GRE Prep Course | 15 | 27 | 10 | 98% |
Quick Facts
- 10 practice tests
- 9,999+ practice questions
- All GRE prep course materials available online and in an app
- Unique personalization and prioritization for better focus
- Offers the largest range of questions of all the GRE prep courses
- Regular discounts available
- Achievable doesn’t offer video lessons or tutorials
3 - Kaplan GRE Prep Course
Another course that deserves a place on our list of the best GRE prep courses is Kaplan GRE.
What stood out for me with the Kaplan GRE prep courses is that they allow you to sit one of the practice exams at a test facility in front of a GRE test tutor. As a student, this helped me better prepare for the nerves on the test day.
You may also have enough tests to take along the way to see how much the GRE test prep course has worked to improve your score.
And if you like studying on the go, during a lunch break, or while commuting, then flashcards on the app may be helpful for test preparation. You'll see helpful materials for GRE math, quantitative reasoning, and verbal communication.
Kaplan also offers test prep courses for other standardized tests, including GMAT prep. If you wish to learn more check out our complete review of Kaplan GRE prep course.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Prep Course Accuracy | |
---|---|---|---|---|
3 - Kaplan GRE Prep Course | 16 | 30 | 5 | 98% |
Quick Facts
- 7 practice tests
- 5,000 practice questions
- Option to take a practice exam at a test facility
- The GRE prep full-length practice tests allow you to track your progress
- Many users love the flashcard app to study while on the go
- It’s one of the most expensive GRE prep courses
4 - PrepScholar GRE Prep Course
PrepScholar GRE Course provides one of the more detailed study plans among the prep courses we've reviewed.
Thanks to this, I started each day with an exact goal in mind and I knew what I need to cover on that day.
The GRE tutor company is also confident enough in their past student results to guarantee at least a 7 point improvement.
Also, you have access to all the materials for 12 months, which is something most other GRE prep courses don’t come close to.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
4 - PrepScholar GRE Prep Course | 17 | 23 | 7 | 97% |
Quick Facts
- 2 practice tests
- 2,000 practice questions
- Detailed study plans may help you stay on track
- Comes with a +7 point higher score guarantee
- Allows access to study materials for 12 months
- Some more practice exams would help prep for test-taking
5 - Target Test GRE Prep Course
Many students like about Target Test Prep because a lot of the GRE prep course content comes in HD video format. That could make it feel more like a class or tutorial experience.
With Target Test prep, you also have the option to book into live online tutorials, which may help you better prepare for some areas where you’re struggling the most. I’m a fan of studying with an instructor, so these classes were of great help for my GRE prep.
These GRE preparation tutorials also seem to cover a lot of the math topics, which may be a good option if this is one of your weak points in the GRE. To learn more about the course options be sure to check out this link.
Unfortunately, Target Test Prep doesn’t include practice exams, and we thought that the content was heavily geared towards GRE math.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 - Target Test GRE Prep Course | 16 | 25 | 5 | 96% |
Quick Facts
- No practice tests
- 3,000+ practice questions
- Comes with the largest selection of HD video lessons and tutorials
- Option for live online tutoring with an experienced GRE teacher
- Many positive reviews that it may particularly help with the quantitative reasoning section [1]
- Volume of course material other than GRE math could be improved
Unfortunately, Target Test Prep doesn’t include practice exams, and we thought that the content was heavily geared towards GRE math.
6 - The Princeton Review GRE Prep Course
The Princeton Review Prep GRE may be one of the more prestigious prep courses that might be a good investment if you’re hoping to become an ivy league student.
With Princeton Review, not only do you get some very good quality course work, but there are several stages where you may submit tests and essays to be reviewed by an expert.
Coupled with a Princeton Review GRE prep book, this helped me get more personal feedback to improve my score in areas where I needed to put in a bit more work.
The Princeton Review course also has a live online prep class where you may be able to raise specific questions that you’ve struggled with. In case you'd like to learn more be sure to read our Princeton Review Prep GRE review.
With Princeton Review, the only thing missing is a recommended study plan laying out what you should be doing from week to week.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
6 - The Princeton Review GRE Prep Course | 18 | 24 | 9 | 98% |
Quick Facts
- 8 practice tests
- 2,500 practice questions
- All the Princeton Review practice exams are full length
- Submit practice exams to a GRE expert for detailed feedback on strengths and weaknesses
- Instructor-led live online tutorials available on Princeton Review
- You may need to come up with your own study plan and focus areas
With Princeton Review, the only thing missing is a recommended study plan laying out what you should be doing from week to week.
7 - Manhattan Prep GRE Test Course

The Manhattan Prep GRE course is another one that focuses a lot on providing more formats of online self-paced learning.
With Manhattan Prep, many students seem to have succeeded by watching more than 25 hours of video lessons several times to better remember the content.
And for an extra fee, you’ll get access to some Manhattan Prep private tutoring workshops that may focus on your weaker areas.
Manhattan Prep GRE also allows you to take an official practice test six times. This was more than enough tests for me, and it helped me see when my progress has brought me to the level I’m aiming for.
You can learn more about this course in our Manhattan Prep GRE course review.
The only thing missing is a detailed study plan to guide you through all the sections. Manhattan Prep also provides a free GRE practice test prep, check it out.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 - Manhattan Prep GRE Test Course | 19 | 24 | 7 | 96% |
Quick Facts
- 6 practice tests
- 1,000+ practice questions
- Broad range of study materials including over 25 hours of videos
- Optional Manhattan prep tutoring and workshops available
- May provide enough practice tests to check your progress
- A test taker will have to come up with a study plan
The only thing missing is a detailed study plan to guide you through all the sections. Manhattan Prep also provides a free GRE practice test prep, check it out.
8 - Economist GRE Prep Course

Update 2022 - Economist GRE Prep Course is no longer offered
The final one of our best GRE preparation courses comes from The Economist, which provides test takers with access to a private tutor. Many students have commented that this may have helped them overcome study problems that could have reduced their test scores.
There are a total of 5 GRE practice tests, and you have access to over 5,000 questions. I liked that this is one of the rare prep courses that let me submit essays for review.
The Economist GRE prep course feedback you receive includes actionable recommendations on how to improve your writing skills for the actual GRE.
Student Score Improvement Average | Largest Improvement | Smallest Improvement | Book Accuracy Result | |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 - Economist GRE Prep Course | 16 | 25 | 9 | 96% |
Quick Facts
- 5 practice tests
- 5,000+ practice questions
- Access to real tutors to help with specific problems
- Good selection of practice tests with a decent mix of sample questions
- Essay reviews may help you better focus on weak points
- The materials don’t include videos of important topics
The only thing we were missing compared to other prep courses, is a library of videos, especially for some of the more complex topics.
8 Factors to Consider
Here are the main focus points that we looked at during our research of the GRE Prep Courses.
1. Price

While investing in your future career success shouldn’t come down to just money, you’ll notice that there are big differences in the prices of the above prep courses.
GRE prep courses can go from free to several thousand dollars. However, a more expensive option isn’t necessarily the best one.
In some cases, the best GRE test prep courses are more expensive because of the prestigious organizations that provide them, like Princeton Review and Prep Manhattan.
Determine what’s your budget and find a program that fits your budget best. Also, many GRE prep courses have free trials, so you can try out a course before you pay for it.
Finally, check the score guarantee and money-back conditions, as many courses have specific criteria that need to be met for students to be eligible for these.
2. Number Of Practice Exams
This is one of the more important features of prep courses, and you need to focus on it for two reasons. First of all, the more times you can go through the best GRE prep tests, the more confident you should get in answering the questions.
We’ve heard from so many students who were very nervous about taking the GRE test. They all said that going through multiple full-length practice tests showed them that they were able to get a good score.
With a short amount of time to prepare for the GRE, the most important thing examinees can do is quickly take a practice test to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses. “
– Arvin Vohra, founder of the Vohra Method.
Secondly, taking multiple prep tests will show you how much your score has improved from week to week or month to month. It’ll give you a good picture of when you’ve done enough work to take the real exam.
3. Number Of Practice Questions

Some people think that the more questions there are, the more repetition of the same questions will come up.
But you’ll be surprised to see how even a small change in the wording of a question and answer could improve how well you retain the correct information.
It forces your brain to pay more attention to the exact wording to come up with the right answer.
The best GRE prep course has many different questions in order to help you prepare for the prep course properly. The more practice problems you get to work on, the more flexible you’ll become at dealing with the questions on the real exam day, so we highly recommend you check out these prep tests.
Read More: Barron’s GRE Test Prep Course Review
4. Score Improvement Guarantee
We like seeing a GRE test prep program that comes with a score improvement guarantee. It shows you that the course providers are confident in the content they have created.
And the guarantee usually shows a score improvement that is at the low end of the average they see.
That being said, don’t be too relaxed because there’s a guarantee. It’s no excuse to put in less work just because your chosen program has a high guarantee.
The guarantee isn’t going to improve the results you achieve if they aren’t high enough.
Read More: How To Prepare for the GRE
5. Course Delivery
Self-paced online learning should provide a few different content delivery options that match different learning styles. We like to see some of the more complex materials like verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and GRE math offered in video lessons.
Having someone talk you through certain concepts in video lessons is possibly one of the best ways to understand and memorize them. Magoosh GRE, Princeton Review, Prep Manhattan, and Princeton Review offer these options.
Another important factor is an easy-to-view dashboard of all the sections you need to cover. And some prep courses provide recommendations on the dashboard based on your weekly progress.
6. Mobile App

Now, it’s easy to access online GRE preparation course content on your phone if it’s on a webpage.
But a designated app might make things a lot easier.
When you launch the GRE test app, you’ll see exactly what you need to cover each day, and it should give you a progress report as well.
Some of the course providers have also come up with innovative solutions like digital flashcards.
You can use these for repetition whenever you have some spare time.
7. Live Online Tutorials And Grading
Sometimes, video lessons are included with the more expensive prep courses (like Princeton Review) or available as an extra.
I particularly liked the option of live courses when I’m stuck on a problem and no matter how many times I try to solve it, it doesn’t sink in.
All it might take is for a GRE tutor to take you through a GRE test section step by step to get that lightbulb moment.
And while digital grading services have become better, they often lack the human touch to pinpoint exactly what you should be doing to improve your writing skills.
8. GRE Study Schedule
The best GRE prep courses have a plan that breaks down all the work, so you know what you’re studying and when. This is especially important for working on areas you most need improvements in.
Unfortunately, not all of the best GRE prep courses come with a study guide, which means you would need to break this down yourself [2].
Ideally, you should choose an online course option that continuously checks your progress from the studied content and prep course to show you where you may need to spend more time. It could help you make much better use of your time and significantly improve your success rate.
FAQs
Are GRE Prep Courses worth it?
Yes, GRE prep courses are worth it, especially if you need a specific score to get into the graduate school of your dreams. The prep courses are specifically designed to prepare you for the type of questions you’ll encounter on test day.
How far in advance should you study for the GRE?
You should study between 4 and 12 weeks in advance of the comprehensive GRE prep. However, if you have a busy work and life schedule, then you may want to give yourself up to 6 months to improve your chances of success.
Can you take the GRE without studying?
Yes, you can take the online GRE prep course without studying or using prep courses, but this may not give you much more than a passing score. If you need a specific score for your chosen school, it’s best not to take any chances and put in extra study time.
What is a good GRE score?
A good average GRE score for math is 152, and for verbal 150 [3]. Students need to check what their chosen school requires as a minimum score, as this could be very different between schools.
And the #1 GRE Prep Course is...
Out of the best online GRE prep courses that we reviewed, Magoosh was the one that we kept using to compare others.
One of the main things you need to do when studying for the GRE is to spend a lot of time going through practice questions and exams. This is one area that Magoosh stood out the most.
But you might also find you make better use of your time preparing for the GRE by taking advantage of the study recommendations on the Magoosh platform. We like how the personalized dashboard provides recommendations based on an individual's progress.
If you want to maximize your success rate, then try out Magoosh GRE prep and improve your chances of getting into that graduate institution you’re aiming for.
Our #1 Recommendation
Magoosh GRE Prep Course
- The dashboard is easy to use with recommendations for study focus points
- Easy to follow written and video instruction
- Offers a GRE test score predictor to help you assess your progress
- Good for both comprehensive and last-minute study
- Structured with clear and flexible lesson plans
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of February

Rank | GRE Prep Course | Features | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Magoosh | Best value for money | $149 |
2 | Achievable | Most practice | $199 |
3 | Kaplan | Very well rounded | $449 |
4 | PrepScholar | Affordability | $38 |
5 | Target Test | Video instructions | $99 |
6 | The Princeton | Point-increase guarantee | $499 |
7 | Manhattan | Flexibility | $299 |
8 | Economist | 24/7 Customer support | $349 |
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