Let me start by saying I have never taken the GRE - nor have I taken the Kaplan course for the GRE. So exactly why am I qualified to write this Epinion? Because I have taught the course several times. I took the LSAT course from Kaplan and had been teaching the LSAT course for some time so I was approached about teaching the course for the GRE. The tests are similar and the Kaplan approach is generally the same. My student feedback has always been good so maybe I don't do too bad a job, even if I never have actually taken the test.

The Kaplan courses have 3 components - class instruction, home study, and the test-and-tape library. The philosophy behind Kaplan is to give the test-taker a systematic approach for tackling the test. Kaplan is not into quick fixes or 'gimmicky tricks' (their words - not mine!) such as "When in doubt, pick C." Kaplan provides an in-depth evaluation of the test and teaches the student a systematic method to maximize his/her score.

The class instruction is a systematic, through examination of the test. The three sections of the GRE (math, reading comprehension, and logical reasoning in Kaplan terminology)are broken down and analyzed as are individual question types within each section. The typical math problems one may encounter are discussed as well as tactics for solving them. The math review is comprehensive, most student appreciate this part of the class more than any other. The different types of questions are broken down and students are shown how to approach each one. Similarly, an approach is taught for reading comprehension and the different type of reading comp passages a student is likely to see (such as scientific, humanities, etc.) is discussed as well as strategies for dealing with each kind. The logical reasoning questions are studied individually by type as well. Over all strategies for the whole test such as time strategies are also discussed.

Students are encouraged to change their mindset from one of learning and absorbing vast quantities of knowledge (the purpose of most college exams is to test ones mastery of a subject) to how to maximize ones score on this test. In other words, the object is not to learn about a subject but to perform or test as well as one possibly can. Its an important distinction.

The home study part of the program has 2 parts. One is meant to be done before class so the student can receive the maximum benefit from the class. Another portion of to be done after class and reinforcement. Due to customer feedback Kaplan has expanded the homestudy part of the course in recent years. Personally, I have always felt this was the weakest part of the program. In my opinion students receive the most benefit from the 3rd leg of the program which is the test-and-tape library.

The test-and-tape library consists of paper test (whole tests or individual sections) that a student takes on his/her own. The tapes explain each question and answer, including the wrong answers and why they were wrong. No doubt about it, the test-and-tape library is tedious. But the student reaps ENORMOUS benefit from these taped explanations. They don't just give the correct answer, they explain the rationale behind it. They don't just say why an answer is wrong, but WHY is it wrong. Even if a student gets a question right, the tapes can show how one could have arrived at the correct answer faster. Basically the test-and-tape library provides an opportunity to practice, practice, and more practice. But more than that, it provides an opportunity, through the taped explanations, to achieve maximum benefit from this practice.

Kaplan is not cheap. It is not for everyone. I would not advise anyone to take a Kaplan course if they were not prepared to put in some major time studying. A student who only attends the class, maybe does some of the home study material, is not receiving the full benefit of their Kaplan course. In short, you get out of it what you put in it. But if you put in the time, I can almost guarantee, you will see results in the form of a vastly improved GRE score.




Recommended: Yes