Magoosh vs. Kaplan for GRE Prep

[Daniel M. Pitta]

My semester is winding down so I'm going to begin preparing for the GRE soon, looking to take it in late January, before spring semester begins. I've heard good things about Magoosh, but my friend who is applying for DPT this cycle scored pretty well on the test, and said all he used were the Kaplan practice tests, which would be way cheaper for me. Then again, he's much, much quicker and more efficient with math problems than I am. I'm looking for opinions on both, I am very good with English and Reading Comprehension (journalism major in undergrad) but struggle with algebra. Thanks in advance.

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[Daniel M. Pitta]

This was the one he ordered:

Amazon product ASIN 1625231326
Comes with 6 online diagnostic tests for only $25

 

[Bossman88]

I will began prepping for the GRE as well by next month and taking it by late January too. I bought Magoosh for $99 and seems like it's the best so far based on the feedback I've heard and testimonies. It's worth every penny. Used Kaplan before and didn't score high in the GRE, the book and test makes it look easy but the GRE is harder. Definitely go with Magoosh. Btw did you apply this cycle or you are planning on applying next cycle? I'm also taking my prereqs at Montgomery college.

 

[Daniel M. Pitta]

I will began prepping for the GRE as well by next month and taking it by late January too. I bought Magoosh for $99 and seems like it's the best so far based on the feedback I've heard and testimonies. It's worth every penny. Used Kaplan before and didn't score high in the GRE, the book and test makes it look easy but the GRE is harder. Definitely go with Magoosh. Btw did you apply this cycle or you are planning on applying next cycle? I'm also taking my prereqs at Montgomery college.

I am finishing my chem and physics prereqs next semester and finishing the rest of the stuff for my app by the summer; I'm going to be applying for Fall '17.

 

[ROSTedFlakes]

I took the GRE over the summer (early July) and used the Kaplan GRE study guide and the Kaplan math workbook. I went with them because they were cheap ($25 and $20 at my university's book store). I purchased the math workbook because it had been 4 years since I took a math class and definitely needed a refresher - this book was really helpful. I bought the books in March but didn't really start working through them until school got out in May. I would study for about an hour or so a night in the summer and then I took the entire week before the test off from work so I could really focus on studying. Ended up putting in 8-10 solid hours of studying per day and did 4 or 5 online practice tests that week. I strongly advise against cramming like this, but I had a pretty heavy courseload during the spring semester and 2 different jobs during the summer and didn't really have any other choice.

I scored 157V 155Q 4.0AW

After that I immediately jumped right back in to studying (1-2 hours per night + more on the weekends) and took it again in mid-August and got the exact same score.

I liked the format of the Kaplan books and my practice test scores were pretty close to what I got on the real thing, although the actual tests felt a little more difficult. For me the worst part was the writing, for each essay you have 30 minutes so you feel rushed, and some of the prompts were a little obscure which added to the difficulty. Math wasn't fun, but if you already know you struggle with math focus on that in the time you have to prepare and you should be fine. Good luck!

 

[scrawnyguy]

I would use Magoosh again in a heartbeat. I bought books from several publishers using a gift card I received as a gift. Some were better than others, but overall I didn't find them all that helpful. The videos on Magoosh were much more useful to me. I also really liked the practice questions, which show video explanations of questions you get wrong. I also really liked the practice tests with timing. It really helped me with me pacing. One thing they are missing however is AW practice. I probably relied a little too much on Magoosh and I think the lack of writing practice showed on my test (only scored a 3.5). On the other sections my scores went up a lot though. I think my first practice test was around 300, but I was able to score a 319 on the actual test. That was after only a few weeks of serious studying. In retrospect I would have changed my study plan a bit (I definitely would have devoted more time to AW), but I still would have used Magoosh.

 

[kawtason9]

Magoosh was the best investment I've ever made...I have a hard time self motivating, but they give you daily "homework" that I kept up with and damn did that help!

I'm not a great standardized test taker (4.0 gpa but I've never been great with standardized testing!) and my scores on Magoosh were pretty close to what I actually scored on test day, 159Q 159V. Unfortunately, it's hard to study for the writing portion, and I only managed a 4 on that...I also got a government question, of course, my least favorite topic!

 

[steveyk]

I've said it and I'll say it again. $100 goes a longgg way with Magoosh. Surprised that thing is only a $100. Super helpful in refreshing your memory on math concepts you haven't touched since high school. Scored a 160 Q. Good tips for other sections, too.

 

[Daniel M. Pitta]

I would use Magoosh again in a heartbeat. I bought books from several publishers using a gift card I received as a gift. Some were better than others, but overall I didn't find them all that helpful. The videos on Magoosh were much more useful to me. I also really liked the practice questions, which show video explanations of questions you get wrong. I also really liked the practice tests with timing. It really helped me with me pacing. One thing they are missing however is AW practice. I probably relied a little too much on Magoosh and I think the lack of writing practice showed on my test (only scored a 3.5). On the other sections my scores went up a lot though. I think my first practice test was around 300, but I was able to score a 319 on the actual test. That was after only a few weeks of serious studying. In retrospect I would have changed my study plan a bit (I definitely would have devoted more time to AW), but I still would have used Magoosh.

Which package did you get from Magoosh?

 

[scrawnyguy]

Which package did you get from Magoosh?

I think it was the 6 month one for $99. I actually ended up getting it 9 or so months for the same price. I had to bump the date of my GRE and I emailed them to see how much it would be for an extension and they offered to extend my membership for free which was pretty cool of them.