If you have been around the internet searching up GRE stuff, then I am sure you have come across PrepScholar at least once. Their blog posts on GRE and SAT are some of the most informative and helpful resources that I have come across. 

However, their blog articles are just a complement to their primary interest, their GRE and SAT online prep courses. 

I was interested in their GRE prep course, mainly, so I did a little digging around, and from what I have learned, their GRE course seems like an excellent choice for reasons that I will detail below.

The first thing I noticed when using PrepScholar is how affordable their online courses are compared to the more high-end test prep companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review. It became apparent quickly that the founders, Allen Cheng and Fred Zhang, set out to achieve this very goal of offering affordable SAT and GRE prep courses.

PrepScholar, founded in 2013, is a relatively new company when you compare it against the established players in the industry; however, that doesn’t keep it from helping students across the world score excellent GRE scores, as evident by the plethora of testimonials all over GRE forums.

So, what makes PrepScholar a GRE course worth taking? Well, there is a myriad of reasons so let’s dissect them one by one.

Affordability

As someone who has struggled his whole student-life with paying the numerous fees that come with standardized tests, affordability will always be a feature that stands out the most for me.

Unlike the more prominent names in the test-prep industry, PrepScholar is quite affordable, which I appreciate. You don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars on GRE prep courses when you are already paying for GRE exam.

Furthermore, taking and retaking GRE in itself can dig quite a hole in your pocket, so who needs to spend even more money on prep, right? 

Free-Trial

If you are on the fence regarding the course, then you can try it for free. PrepScholar offers a free trial where you will have access to their main features. Do keep in mind that you will not be able to use their practice tests or any of their specialized GRE lessons during the free trial.

However, you can test out their adaptive diagnostic exam, assessing your skill level by using machine learning algorithms, and carving out a customized study plan.

Also, you will have access to 150+ interactive lessons, an individual progress tracker for critical GRE skills and Ultimate GRE strategy, and GRAD school admission guides.

Course Personalization

This is easily the one feature that makes PrepScholar stand from other prep courses. I think one of the significant contributors to PrepScholar’s over-night success was the realization that every student is different when it comes to learning.

Where most companies go wrong is their singular all-encompassing approach to prep courses. Designing a single GRE course and hoping everyone would get it is seldom possible. 

When you first open their GRE course, you will be asked to take a diagnostic test. You will be asked 60 questions, and depending on your answers, a machine learning algorithm will evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and then build a custom study plan that will best suit you.

This is, of course, optional, and if you want, you can study in the order you wish to, but it is generally recommended that you follow the custom study plan because of its continued reliance. 

Money-back Guarantee

Nothing exudes confidence in your product like a money-back guarantee. Yes, PrepScholar claims that you will see a 7-point improvement in your GRE score, and if you don’t, they are willing to refund your money completely. 

When a business offers such a guarantee, you can tell that it rarely happens; otherwise, they would be out of business. This goes to show how confident they are in claiming that 7-point improvement. 

In case you don’t want your money back but instead would like to get access for another year, that is possible. 

Highly Qualified Instructors

PrepScholar has an assemblage of highly qualified teachers. Firstly, every one of their GRE tutors has scored in the 99th percentile on the GRE. Secondly, the tutors are graduates of some of the most highly accredited schools like Harvard and Columbia. 

Given how accustomed the tutors are to the GRE makes a big difference. These people design the course, write the lessons, questions, and everything else that you would encounter. Having people who understand the GRE in and out makes the course much more authentic. 

Year-Long Access

Unlike many other top GRE courses, PrepScholar gives you year-long access to their course, which is more than enough time to study for the GRE. Most courses on the market run for 3 or 6 months at best. 

Progress Reports

Being able to keep track of your progress is paramount to your study regiment. PrepScholar does just that. PrepScholar will keep track of your progress and notify you via emails about what you have learned so far and what remains. It will also inform you about your study schedule and remind you when you miss time.

Moreover, you can also visit the progress report page, which will show you your skill progression.

Customized Study Plan

PrepScholar’s machine learning algorithm will ensure that you study for the GRE in the best and most efficient way possible. Depending on the evaluation of your skill level, specific lessons will take precedence over the others in order of appearance. Once you master the beginning lessons, then you will move onto the much harder ones. This way, the course adapts to your abilities, and you don’t feel overwhelmed.

2000+ Questions

PrepScholar provides a total of some 2000 practice questions with their course. Although 2000 questions are a lot but they are relatively less than Kaplan, which provides 5000 practice tests.

Moreover, PrepScholar provides only two full-length GRE practice tests, whereas a Princeton Review company delivers 8. However, I will mention that quality-wise, PrepScholar’s practice tests are far better quality than either Kaplan or Prince Review. 

Essay review

PrepScholar provides a neat feature where their test instructors will grade your essays for the AWA section. However, this feature is not available with the 1-year plan, and instead, you can only avail of it if you buy their unlimited GRE package, which is hundreds of dollars more expensive.  

It would have been beneficial to have this feature included in the more affordable package, but sadly it isn’t. 

Cons

No Live Classes

PrepScholar does not provide any live classes like some of the other courses. All of what you will learn will be through a self-paced online format. If you learn better with live interaction, this will perhaps hinder your ability to learn. 

An insanely cheap course by the name Greg Mat offers three live classes a week for only $5, so I was expecting the same with PrepScholar as well.

No Mobile App

You see how most students lack time to sit down in front of a computer to study mostly; it would have been beneficial if PrepScholar had a mobile app that you could study on no matter where you are. You can still use the internet browser on your mobile to access the course, but the experience won’t be the same since it is not optimized for mobile viewing.

Bottom Line

Overall, PrepScholar is a commendable choice for GRE test takers who want good learning material on a budget. The course is structured well and adapts to your pace and skill level. You will have access to thousands of GRE like practice tests year long and will be able to keep track of your progress as well. Sure, the questions could be more in number, but what PrepScholar lacks in quantity makes up for it in quality. 

If you don’t need online classes and are not deterred by the lack of a mobile app, then, by all means, buy the course. You can always ask for a refund when you don’t make that 7-point improvement, so I’d say go for it.