Kaplan GRE Prep Review
Kaplan has a wide choice of GRE prep options so you can find one that suits your needs and will help you get the GRE score of your dreams.
In a hurry? Check out our deal here
GRE Prep Course
Just reduced pricing on all of their courses.
Is Kaplan a Good Prep Option?
Kaplan offers a wide variety of GRE prep options. Even though Kaplan is a bit more expensive than some of its rivals, you have the option of enrolling in their self-paced, live online (lecture or small class), in-person programs, and tutoring programs. If you just want to go through practice GRE questions, you can simply get Kaplan’s Qbank [1] that is full of custom quizzes.
Below, we outline the features that make Kaplan worth considering as you shop for a GRE prep course.
We have a full list of the Best GRE Prep Course here.
About Kaplan
Kaplan GRE has been a name in test prep since 1938, when founder Stanley Kaplan began tutoring students in the basement of his parents’ Brooklyn home. Today, Kaplan is one of the largest test prep companies.
Kaplan offers its GRE prep course in several options that you can customize to suit your needs. One of Kaplan’s biggest selling points is its wide range of offerings, The GRE Channel, and printed prep books.
Kaplan GRE Prep Pros And Cons
Pros
- Wide Choice of Course Options
- Print Materials
- Large amount of Practice Questions and Practice Tests
- Live and On-Demand Interactive Lessons (The GRE Channel)
- Expert Instructors
Cons
- Pricier than competitors
- Customer Service
Things To Consider Before Buying Kaplan
Kaplan is an upper-tier GRE prep provider with a wide variety of prep packages. You will pay a bit more for their programs, but their live classes and tutoring programs are a strong fit if you want instructor support.
Here are some things you need to think about before you buy the Kaplan GRE course:
- Do you want the option of live online or in-person classes?
- Do you want the chance to get in lots of practice before the GRE?
- Do you want hard copy prep books to come with your course?
- Do you want lots of full-length, test-like practice?
Depending on how you answered these questions, Kaplan could be the right fit for you. We have highlighted the features found in the Kaplan GRE program to help you make this critical decision.
Features And Benefits
A Wide Choice of Course Options
Self-Paced
Kaplan’s Self-Paced GRE prep program lets you work online from home. It includes on-demand lessons, a large bank of practice questions (including the Qbank) and full-length practice tests.
Higher tiers add live instruction on The GRE Channel. Package names, prices and contents change often, so check kaptest.com for the current lineup.
Live Online Lecture and Small Class
Kaplan’s GRE Live Online Lecture is an instructor-led online class where students can ask questions, just like an in-person classroom. It adds scheduled live sessions to the self-paced materials.
The GRE Live Online Small Class gives you the feel of a real class online, where you can engage with your instructor and classmates. It also includes the self-paced resources.
In-Person Classes
Kaplan’s In-Person Course places you in the room with your instructor, face-to-face, along with the self-paced materials.
* In-person classes are offered only in some cities and on set dates. Check their schedule ahead of time [2]. If you need to start sooner, check out their online prep courses.
Robust Tutoring Packages
Kaplan’s tutoring package [3] pairs one-on-one sessions with a tutor with Kaplan’s course materials. Tutoring is the priciest option; check kaptest.com or call 1-800-KAP-TEST for current hours and prices.
Free Diagnostic Full-Length Practice Test
A good first step is taking Kaplan’s diagnostic exam [4]. This way, you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and make a plan to attack the areas where you need to put in more effort. Knowing your baseline GRE score will help you reach your goals. The real GRE reports Verbal and Quant scores on a 130-170 scale and Analytical Writing on a 0-6 scale.
The practice test will cover Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. It includes the type of questions you’ll see on the exam so you can practice your pacing. You’ll also get to experience their realistic, test-like interface, so you’ll know exactly what test day feels like before it rolls around.
Kaplan has also offered free access to some instructional videos and extra practice with the free test; check what is included when you sign up.
Lots and Lots of Practice Questions
Kaplan’s quiz bank offers thousands of practice GRE questions, so you can practice as much as you need.
When using their quiz bank (Qbank), you can filter the questions by type and difficulty, tailoring your study plan to focus on the skills and types of questions you may be struggling with. To simulate the actual test, use Timed Mode. Use Tutor Mode to review the questions as you answer them.
The Qbank also lets you customize by topic and provides you with progress reports, detailed explanations for every answer choice, and personalized feedback to help you continuously review, improve and learn from your mistakes.
The GRE Channel
The GRE Channel streams live or on-demand interactive lessons and is one of Kaplan’s trademark features.
Episodes cover everything from fundamentals to advanced skills. You can choose the difficulty level and topics that you need to work on. The GRE Channel covers test-taking strategies for algebra, geometry, vocabulary, statistics, and text completion.
Which packages include the live channel varies, so check before you buy. Episodes are archived for on-demand viewing.
Hardcopy Course Materials
Kaplan also publishes print GRE prep books that line up with its online course content. You can buy them separately from Kaplan or anywhere test prep books are sold. Make sure any book you buy covers the shorter GRE introduced in September 2023.
Kaplan’s Study App
Kaplan’s study app gives you on-the-go access to your course materials and practice questions. We found it a little harder to use on a phone than the lessons are on a PC or tablet.
Full Test Day Experience
Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions helps you know what to expect and can reduce test anxiety. The current GRE runs about 1 hour and 58 minutes, with one essay and two sections each of Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning.
Kaplan has offered test-day simulations in the past; check kaptest.com to see if one is available and what it costs.
In a hurry? Check out our deal here
GRE Prep Course
Just reduced pricing on all of their courses.
Risk-Free Trial Option
To see if the Kaplan GRE course is the right fit for you, Kaplan has offered a limited free trial through their GRE Prep Starter Pack. It has included:
- On-demand verbal and math lessons from their highest-rated GRE teachers.
- Short quizzes where you can practice what you’ve learned with realistic, test-like questions.
- Complete answers and explanations so you can learn Kaplan’s step-by-step method on how to approach questions.
Higher Score and Money-back Guarantee
Kaplan offers a Higher Score Guarantee on eligible courses: if your score does not improve, you may get a refund or another option. You must meet the conditions, such as completing the course and showing an official prior score.
The terms and eligible courses change, so read Kaplan’s current guarantee before you buy.
Free GRE Events and Resources
Kaplan offers free events and resources, such as:
- GRE Bootcamp is an online teacher-led seminar where you’ll review key content and pick up strategies to help you answer questions quicker. A team of instructors will answer all of your questions in a private chat.
- Attend an online “first class session” where expert instructors will give you an introduction to mastering the GRE. This 90-minute class will cover key content, question-answering strategies, and discuss a study plan. You can even ask questions in a private chat with one of the instructors.
- Watch a seminar from Kaplan on the steps to applying to grad school. A Kaplan admissions consultant will share advice on the application process, including timelines, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
- Watch free live or on-demand episodes from The GRE Channel. You’ll get a sample of the lessons and gain insight into the skills and strategies their expert instructors use to teach their students. Free lessons are offered on verbal and quantitative strategies.
Customer Service
Kaplan’s prep courses offer several ways to contact them if you have a question or need tech support. Options include live chat, email, social media and phone at 1-800-KAP-TEST (1-800-527-8378). You can also visit the Help Center for articles and FAQs.
Student reviews of Kaplan’s support are mixed. Some students report slow responses or unhelpful answers.
Is Kaplan GRE Prep Any Good?
The best way to find out the worth of any GRE test prep course is to see what past students have said about their program. Here are just a few testimonials from past Kaplan learners who praise the merits of their GRE course:
In a hurry? Check out our deal here
GRE Prep Course
Just reduced pricing on all of their courses.
Conclusion
Overall, Kaplan is one of the best options for GRE test prep. It offers a wide choice of course options from self-paced to live online and in-person classes and private tutoring. The programs come with plenty of practice questions and practice tests, and their print materials are a great complement to their online resources.
The GRE Channel is a great way to view live and on-demand lessons. Their tutoring program is a strong (but pricey) option. Kaplan offers free and trial resources so you can test-drive their program before you buy.
Their Higher Score Guarantee adds some peace of mind, but read the current conditions first.
Even though their overall price tag is higher than many of their competitors and their customer support is spotty, Kaplan would be an excellent pick for you if you want to ace the GRE.
References
[1] https://www.kaptest.com/gre/practice/gre-qbank
[3] https://www.kaptest.com/gre/courses/gre-prep-tutoring-selection