Magoosh GRE Prep Review

Verdict: The People’s Champion

Magoosh has disrupted the test prep industry by asking a simple question: “Why does GRE prep have to cost $1,000?” The answer, it turns out, is that it doesn’t. Magoosh offers a premium, high-quality self-paced course for a fraction of the cost of its competitors.

But don’t let the price tag fool you. This isn’t a “budget” course in terms of quality. With over 1,600 practice questions, comprehensive video lessons, and a smart analytics engine, Magoosh is a powerhouse. It is the ideal choice for the self-motivated student who wants flexibility, efficiency, and results without breaking the bank.

The “Shorter GRE” Context

Magoosh was one of the first providers to fully update their platform for the “Shorter GRE” (the current format). Their practice tests now mirror the exact timing and section structure of the new exam. Because the new GRE is a sprint, Magoosh’s emphasis on efficiency-teaching you the fastest way to solve a problem, not just the “textbook” way-is more relevant than ever.

Deep Dive: Course Options

Magoosh keeps it simple. They don’t confuse you with a dozen different packages.

Premium (6 Months)

Price: ~$179 This is the standard plan. It gives you access to everything:

• All video lessons (Math, Verbal, AWA)
• 1,600+ practice questions
• 3 full-length practice tests
• Score predictor
• Email assistance from tutors

Premium + Admissions

Price: ~$219 (often on sale) This includes everything in the Premium plan plus a suite of admissions support tools, including video guides on how to apply to grad school and sample Statements of Purpose. For a small upcharge, it’s a nice bonus if you’re feeling lost in the application process.

1 Month Plan

Price: ~$129 If you are cramming and only have a few weeks before your test, this plan offers the same access as the 6-month plan but for a shorter duration. However, the price difference is so small that most students opt for the 6-month plan just to be safe.

Feature Analysis

Video Explanations: The Secret Sauce

This is Magoosh’s killer feature. Every single practice question comes with a video explanation. Not just a text paragraph, but a video of an instructor walking you through the problem step-by-step.

This is incredibly powerful for visual learners. If you get a geometry question wrong, you don’t just read “Area = pi * r^2.” You watch an instructor draw the circle, label the radius, and show you exactly where you made the mistake. It turns every error into a micro-lesson.

Custom Practice: Surgical Targeting

Magoosh’s “Custom Practice” tool allows you to build quizzes based on very specific criteria. You can filter by:

• Subject: (e.g., Text Completion, Data Interpretation)
• Difficulty: (Easy, Medium, Hard, Very Hard)
• Status: (Unanswered, Incorrect, Flagged)

This allows for surgical targeting of your weaknesses. For example, you can create a quiz consisting only of “Very Hard Algebra questions that I answered incorrectly.” This is the most efficient way to improve your score.

Mobile Learning

Magoosh understands that modern students are busy. Their mobile ecosystem is excellent.

• GRE Prep App: Watch lessons and do practice questions on your phone.
• Vocabulary Flashcards: A separate, highly-rated app dedicated entirely to building your vocab. It uses a spaced-repetition algorithm to ensure you master the words that stick.

Score Predictor

Magoosh’s dashboard features a “Score Predictor” that updates in real-time as you answer questions. It gives you a range (e.g., “Estimated Verbal: 158-163”). Former students consistently report that this predictor is eerily accurate, often landing within 1-2 points of their actual test score.

User Experience and Interface

The Magoosh interface is clean, minimalist, and intuitive. It doesn’t feel corporate or clunky. The dashboard gives you a quick snapshot of your progress, showing you exactly how many questions you’ve answered and your estimated score. It’s designed to get you studying in 3 clicks or less.

Pricing & Value

There is simply no better value in the GRE market.

• Kaplan/Princeton Review: ~$500 - $1,000+
• Magoosh: ~$179

For the price of a few textbooks, you get a full digital course with analytics and video support. The ROI (Return on Investment) is off the charts.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Incredible Value: The best bang for your buck, period.
• Video Explanations: A game-changer for understanding mistakes.
• Flexibility: Study anywhere, anytime, on any device.
• Score Guarantee: Improve by 5 points or get your money back.

Cons:

• No Live Classes: If you need a teacher to yell at you to do your homework, this isn’t it.
• Fewer Practice Tests: 3 tests is sufficient for most, but heavy users might want more (Kaplan offers 7).

FAQ

Is Magoosh enough for a top score? Absolutely. Magoosh students frequently score in the top percentiles (165+). The content is difficult enough to prepare you for the hardest questions on the GRE.

What if I get stuck on a question? Even though it’s self-paced, you’re not alone. There is a “Help” button on every question. If you don’t understand the video explanation, you can email the tutors, and they usually respond within 24 hours with a detailed answer.

Does the score guarantee apply to the 1-month plan? Yes, the +5 point guarantee applies to both the 1-month and 6-month Premium plans.

Final Thoughts

Magoosh is the “smart choice” for the vast majority of GRE test-takers. Unless you absolutely require a live classroom environment to function, there is little reason to pay 3x-5x more for a competitor. Magoosh provides everything you need to crush the GRE in a package that is affordable, accessible, and highly effective.