Update: In 2022, Magoosh launched Live Classes taught by instructors who cover essential GRE topics such as test-taking strategies, reading comprehension, statistics, and more. These are virtual classrooms where students can learn alongside others and ask questions for extra accountability and support. Learn more about the Live Classes here.
Applicants preparing for the GRE have a lot of options – from self-study using books and practice tests, to in-person courses, to private tutoring. Today I’m reviewing one test prep option: Magoosh’s online GRE prep course.
What is it?
It’s a comprehensive, flexible online GRE prep course, which includes videos, general information, test prep strategy, substantial banks of practice questions, and full sample exams. There are also resources to help you study, such as flashcards for math and vocabulary.
How does it work?
You can move through the resources at your own pace (helpfully, Magoosh also supplies recommended study schedules, depending on how much time you have until your test date). I started by watching the introductory videos, which provide an overview of what the GRE tests and are a good introduction to test-taking strategy. The video guides for each section of the exam are also clear and helpful, providing a concise overview of concepts you may have forgotten while focusing on the logic that governs the test.
Then there are the practice questions: hundreds of sample questions for the verbal and math sections. You can customize your practice (setting the length of your session, the difficulty of the questions, etc), and you can review your practice questions to learn from what you got wrong. You can also take full-length practice exams.
Who is it right for?
This is a strong, comprehensive GRE prep course that has the advantage of flexibility: you can access the flashcards and practice questions from anywhere, so if you have a few minutes and your phone, you can fit in some study time. The course provides guidance and strategy, and the Magoosh team responds quickly to inquiries (when I messaged their helpdesk, I received a reply within a few hours; they say they normally respond within a day). But working through a self-paced online course does require a certain amount of motivation – if you know that you’re the type of person who needs the structured environment of a classroom (or a one-on-one tutoring interaction), then you might want to look elsewhere.
Overall?
I think this is an impressive resource. It’s flexible, well-thought-out, easy to use, and provides both a wealth of study materials and the support to use them effectively.
By Dr. Rebecca Blustein, former Accepted admissions consultant. Dr. Blustein has a BA and PhD from UCLA in English and Comparative Literature. She formerly worked as a Student Affairs Officer at UCLA’s Scholarship Resource Center where she gained experience guiding applicants in areas of admissions and funding. Dr. Blustein’s clients have been accepted to top Master’s and PhD programs in dozens of fields across all disciplines. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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