Kaplan GRE Prep Review

Verdict: The Gold Standard for Live Instruction

Kaplan is the 800-pound gorilla of the test prep world, and for good reason. While nimble, tech-first competitors have chipped away at the self-paced market, Kaplan remains the undisputed king of Live Online instruction. If you are the type of student who needs the accountability of a schedule, the ability to raise your hand (virtually) and ask a question, and a structured curriculum delivered by a master teacher, Kaplan is your best bet.

Their adaptation to the “Shorter GRE” (which is now just the GRE) has been seamless. The course content is streamlined, focusing heavily on the high-yield strategies needed for the accelerated format.

The “Shorter GRE” Context

Since the GRE was shortened to just under two hours, the margin for error has decreased. Every question counts more. Kaplan has updated their curriculum to reflect this reality. Their strategies for the Quantitative and Verbal sections now emphasize speed and precision even more than before. The “Official Test Day Experience” (discussed below) is particularly valuable here, as it trains you to maintain peak focus for the entire sprint of the exam.

Deep Dive: Course Options

Kaplan offers a variety of ways to prep, but they all share the same high-quality DNA.

Self-Paced (On Demand)

Price: ~$449 This is the entry-level option. You get access to the full curriculum, the Qbank, and the practice tests, but you move at your own speed. It’s a solid option, but if you’re going self-paced, you might find better value with Magoosh. However, Kaplan’s On Demand course does include the GRE Channel (see below), which is a significant value-add that most self-paced courses lack.

Live Online

Price: ~$1,099 This is Kaplan’s flagship product. You attend scheduled classes via a sophisticated virtual classroom. What makes this unique is the two-teacher model:

1. The On-Camera Teacher: Delivers the lesson, works through problems on the whiteboard, and keeps the energy high.
2. The Off-Camera Teacher: Manages the chat. You can ask questions privately without interrupting the flow of the class. This ensures you never get left behind.

Tutoring

Price: Starting around $2,499 For those who need hyper-personalized attention, Kaplan offers packages that combine the Live Online course with 1-on-1 private tutoring. This is the “money is no object” option for students aiming for top-tier scores (325+).

Feature Analysis

The GRE Channel: Netflix for Test Prep

A standout feature that truly differentiates Kaplan is the GRE Channel. Think of it like a TV guide for GRE prep. It offers live, drop-in episodes on specific topics (e.g., “Advanced Geometry,” “Reading Comp Strategy,” or “Data Interpretation Deep Dive”) almost every day of the week.

If you miss a live session, you can watch the recording in the archives. This provides hundreds of hours of extra content beyond the core curriculum. It allows you to “binge-watch” your weak areas. Struggling with Probability? There’s likely a 1-hour deep dive episode waiting for you.

Official Test Day Experience

Kaplan is the only provider that offers an “Official Test Day Experience.” Through a partnership with Prometric (the company that administers the actual GRE), Kaplan allows you to take one of your full-length practice exams at an actual testing center.

You go to the center, check in with your ID, sit at the real computer, and take the test under actual conditions. This is invaluable for reducing test-day anxiety. By the time the real test rolls around, you’ve already “been there, done that.”

Qbank and Practice Tests

Kaplan’s Qbank allows you to build custom quizzes based on difficulty and topic. With over 2,500 questions, you will never run out of practice material. The interface allows you to filter by “Unused,” “Incorrect,” or specific sub-topics.

You also get 7 full-length practice tests. These are computer-adaptive, just like the real GRE. Kaplan’s scoring algorithm is notoriously accurate, often predicting your actual score within a few points.

User Experience and Interface

Kaplan’s dashboard is professional and comprehensive. It can feel a bit “busy” compared to the minimalist design of newer startups, but it’s packed with utility. The “Study Plan” feature dynamically updates based on your test date, telling you exactly what to do each day to stay on track.

Pricing & Value

Kaplan is a premium product with a premium price tag.

• Is it cheap? No.
• Is it worth it? If you take advantage of the Live Online classes and the Official Test Day Experience, absolutely.

The value proposition collapses a bit if you only buy the Self-Paced course, as competitors offer similar self-paced quality for half the price. But for live instruction, Kaplan is in a league of its own.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unmatched Live Instruction: The two-teacher model is excellent.
• Official Test Day Experience: A unique feature that can cure test anxiety.
• The GRE Channel: Endless hours of bonus content.
• Hardcopy Books: You get physical books mailed to you, which is great for offline study.

Cons:

• Price: It’s an investment.
• Access Period: typically 6 months, whereas some competitors offer 12.

FAQ

Does Kaplan have a score guarantee? Yes, Kaplan offers a Higher Score Guarantee. If your score doesn’t go up, you can get your money back or repeat the course for free. (Terms apply, of course).

Are the practice tests adaptive? Yes, Kaplan’s practice tests mimic the section-level adaptation of the real GRE.

Can I switch from Self-Paced to Live Online? Usually, yes. You can pay the difference to upgrade if you find you need more structure.

Final Thoughts

If you are aiming for a top graduate program and you know you struggle with self-motivation, Kaplan Live Online is the safest investment you can make. It provides the structure, the expertise, and the unique “Test Day” rehearsal that can make the difference between a 315 and a 325.