Princeton Review GRE Prep Review

Verdict: The “Insurance Policy” for Your Score

The Princeton Review (TPR) has positioned itself as the “safe bet” in the GRE market. Their value proposition is simple: We guarantee you will get a top score, or we will give you your money back.

For students who are anxious about their performance or who need a specific score cutoff for a competitive program, TPR offers peace of mind that no other provider can match. Their 162+ Guarantee is the most aggressive promise in the industry, targeting a score that puts you in the top 10-15% of all test-takers.

The “Shorter GRE” Context

TPR has fully updated their curriculum for the shorter GRE. Their strategy has always been about “cracking the test”-finding the shortcuts, the patterns, and the traps. This approach works exceptionally well on the shorter format, where time management is critical. Their “DrillSmart” technology (see below) is particularly effective for the new exam, as it ensures you aren’t wasting precious study time on questions that are too easy or too hard.

Deep Dive: Course Options

Self-Paced

Price: ~$499 A solid option for independent learners. You get access to the video lessons, the 8 practice tests, and the DrillSmart algorithm. It’s more expensive than Magoosh, but you get more practice tests.

GRE 162+ (Live Online)

Price: ~$2,299 (often on sale for less) This is their flagship product. It is an intensive course designed to get you to a 162+ on Quant and Verbal. It includes:

• Live instruction from top-tier teachers.
• Personalized study plans.
• The famous money-back guarantee.

Fundamentals

Price: ~$1,199 A standard live online course without the aggressive 162+ guarantee (though it usually still includes a “higher score” guarantee). Good for students who want live instruction but don’t need the elite score promise.

Feature Analysis

The 162+ Guarantee

This is the headline feature. If you start with a baseline score of 156+ (Verbal) and 156+ (Quant), TPR guarantees you will score at least a 162 on both sections. If you don’t, they refund your tuition.

Note: There are strict requirements. You must attend all classes, do all homework, and take all practice tests. But if you are willing to put in the work, it’s an incredible safety net.

DrillSmart Technology

TPR’s DrillSmart is an adaptive practice engine. As you answer questions, the system analyzes your performance and serves up subsequent questions that are slightly harder or easier, keeping you in the “zone of proximal development.” This mimics the actual adaptive nature of the GRE, training your brain to handle the increasing difficulty of the real test.

8 Practice Tests

TPR offers 8 full-length practice tests, more than Kaplan (7) or Manhattan Prep (6). These tests are widely regarded as being very close to the real thing in terms of difficulty and interface. Taking 8 full exams is a grueling process, but it ensures that by test day, the exam feels like just another practice run.

Lightboard Video Lessons

TPR’s video lessons are visually distinct. They use “Lightboard” technology, where the instructor faces the camera and writes on a transparent glass board between them and the lens. The writing glows, and the instructor never has to turn their back to you. It creates a very engaging, face-to-face learning experience that feels personal and high-tech.

User Experience and Interface

The TPR dashboard is robust. It tracks your progress across every sub-topic (e.g., “Geometry - Triangles” vs. “Geometry - Circles”). The interface is professional and easy to navigate, though it can feel a bit more “corporate” than the friendly vibe of Magoosh.

Pricing & Value

TPR is expensive. There’s no way around it.

• Self-Paced: ~$499
• 162+ Course: ~$2,000+

You are paying a premium for the brand name, the number of practice tests, and most importantly, the guarantee. If you are applying to a program where a 162 is the cutoff, that extra cost might be worth it for the insurance policy alone.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The Guarantee: The best score promise in the business.
• Volume of Practice: 8 full tests is a massive amount of material.
• Video Quality: Lightboard lessons are engaging and clear.
• Strategy Focus: Excellent at teaching you how to “game” the test.

Cons:

• Price: Significantly more expensive than competitors.
• Workload: The 162+ course requires a massive time commitment to qualify for the guarantee.

FAQ

What if my starting score is below 156? You can still take the 162+ course, but the guarantee changes to a “score improvement” guarantee rather than hitting the specific 162 number.

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

Is the 162+ course worth the money? If you have the time to do all the work and the money to invest, yes. It forces you to be disciplined, and the result is usually a top-tier score.

Final Thoughts

The Princeton Review is for the student who wants certainty. If you are willing to pay a premium and put in the hours to guarantee a specific result, TPR provides the structure and the safety net to get you there. It’s the “heavy artillery” of GRE prep.

Verdict

The Princeton Review is the safest bet for students who need a specific score. Their 162+ Guarantee (available on their premium courses) is the most aggressive promise in the market. If you do the work and don’t hit the score, you get your money back.

Video Lessons

Princeton Review’s video lessons are excellent. They use a “lightboard” technology where the instructor faces the camera and writes on a transparent glass board between them and the lens. This creates a very engaging, face-to-face learning experience that feels personal and high-tech.

Practice Tests

They offer 8 full-length practice tests, which is more than Kaplan (7) or Manhattan Prep (6). Crucially, these tests use an adaptive algorithm that mimics the real GRE’s section-level adaptation (where the second section gets harder if you do well on the first).

Drill Smart

Their Drill Smart technology helps efficiency. As you answer questions, the system adjusts the difficulty of subsequent questions to match your skill level, ensuring you aren’t wasting time on questions that are too easy or getting discouraged by ones that are impossible.