Prepping to dominate the GRE? The web is awash in GRE prep resources, but how do you know which one is right for you? Check out this comprehensive Grad Prep GRE review and learn how its courses stack up against alternative test prep providers.
All About Grad Prep GRE
Grad Prep GRE is a no-frills, all-online, self-paced prep course. It primarily consists of a series of practice tests (available as individual purchases or as a bundle), flashcards, and some basic videos.
GradPrep.com GRE Prep
- More affordable than most GRE prep courses
- You can purchase individual practice tests
- Flashcards are decent
- High-quality mobile app
- Not as comprehensive as other GRE prep courses
- No live instruction or tutoring elements
Related: What’s a Good GRE Score? Find out in 5 Steps
My Thoughts on Grad Prep’s GRE Course
There’s not a whole lot to Grad Prep’s GRE course compared to some other prep courses. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile.
If you’re looking for a deep-dive GRE prep course, I wouldn’t recommend Grad Prep GRE. However, if you’re just interested in basic practice tests/flashcards/videos to gauge your test readiness, or if you’re shopping around for an auxiliary course to supplement another GRE course, Grad Prep GRE is a great additional study resource – especially because it’s so affordable.
User Experience & Platform
The platform is simple to use and straightforward. The student dashboard is intuitively laid out and it was pretty easy to organize my prep approach.
There’s nothing special about the platform, and it’s not particularly impressive from an aesthetic perspective, but it gets the job done.
The mobile app works just fine with very few technical shortfalls, so no problems there.
Quality of Lessons & Videos
Short instructional videos are offered for each sub-section of the exam. They provide basic insight into how to approach each type of problem you’ll encounter on the actual test.
GradPrep lesson videos are broken into short, digestible clips
The vocabulary flashcards go over some more academicky terms that you might not use every day but that often appear on the GRE. They’re kind of clunky in their aesthetic features, but it’s a solid review tool for vocab. You can see an example of a flashcard below:
The sentence completion exercises reinforce the vocab training.
Practice sentence completion to better understand vocab with GradPrep
Overall, the quality of the lessons is decent, but they’re lacking in quantity and depth. So, again, it’s probably not ideal for a holistic, comprehensive approach to GRE prep. For comprehensive GRE prep options, see here.
Practice Tests & Explanations
Each question comes with a thorough explanation. So, for instance, when err in your quantitative reasoning in your calculation to answer the following dilemma…
The platform pops up with the correct formula that you can extrapolate out to similar questions you will encounter on test day.
You can toggle between three modes:
- Learner Mode
- Practice Mode
- Simulation Mode
Learner Mode shows question explanations one by one before you answer as you work through the test; Practice Mode offers explanations after answering each question; Simulation Mode mimics the real test, in which you work through the test like you would when sitting for the actual exam. Timed practice tests may be the most effective way to prep for the GRE test day, according to US News.
The General Test Prep portion of the prep course consists of full practice tests with sections offering complete explanations at the end of each test broken up by section.
Free Trials
Download a 12-question free mini-test to try out what Grad Prep has to offer for three days. The only hassle is that you have to register with all your personal info to access it.
Based on personal experience, the free mini-test is more or less accurately representative of the full course.
Grad Prep’s GRE Course & Practice Test Options
Let’s have a look-see at pricing options for Grad Prep GRE.
Individual GRE Practice Tests ($24.95)
Grad Prep GRE offers single practice tests for $25 a piece. Each single test includes:
- Detailed answers for each practice question
- Score predictor
- Higher score guarantee
The entire platform is ADA 508 compliant, meaning that it accommodates preppers with various disabilities.
The GRE Practice Tests Bundle ($149.95)
At $149.95, the GRE Practice Tests Bundle includes all seven full-length practice tests available through Grad Prep GRE.
Related: The 7 Best GRE Prep Books in 2024
What’s the Refund Policy?
For whatever reason, if you’re unsatisfied with your purchase, you can apply for a full refund within seven days of buying the course. Also, pursuant to the score guarantee, you qualify for a refund if you don’t increase your score on the actual exam.
Grad Prep Reviews from REAL Students
Independent reviews on the web from Grad Prep users are few and far between. The company does post its own reviews from students – which you should take with a grain of salt as they’re likely curated.
One user, Ty, cites the affordability aspect of Grad Prep.
Another user, Abigail, says she appreciates the basic nature of Grad Prep GRE.
Who Needs the Grad Prep GRE Course?
Here’s who will benefit most from the Grad Prep GRE course:
- You’ve completed another prep course already and want to test your level of preparedness
- You’re mostly interested in free practice tests
- You’re on a tight budget (Grad Prep GRE is very affordable)
For more course options, check out our top 5 picks for Best GRE Review Courses in 2024.
Grad Prep GRE FAQs
Here’s a handful of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that many students have vis a vis Grad Prep GRE.
Does Grad Prep’s GRE course have a high score guarantee?
Yes. Grad Prep GRE guarantees you’ll improve your score, backed up by a refund pledge.
Is a GRE prep course worth it?
Yes. Research shows that prep courses reliably increase scores on standardized tests. And GRE Grad Prep is very affordable.
How long should you prep for the GRE?
Most preppers find that 4-12 weeks of GRE study, depending on your starting point, is sufficient to achieve a desirable score.
The Bottom line on Grad Prep GRE
Here’s what to consider in the final analysis regarding Grad Prep GRE:
- It’s super affordable
- You can purchase individual tests if you don’t need a fully immersive prep course
- There are more comprehensive prep courses out there (see “alternatives” section for more info)
- The mobile app is highly functional and easy to use on the go
GradPrep.com GRE Prep
- More affordable than most GRE prep courses
- You can purchase individual practice tests
- Flashcards are decent
- High-quality mobile app
- Not as comprehensive as other GRE prep courses
- No live instruction or tutoring elements
