How much does a good GRE prep course cost?

GRE prep ranges from $179 (Magoosh) to $999+ (Manhattan Prep, Kaplan). Your choice depends on budget and how much improvement you need.

What GRE score do I need for graduate school?

It varies by program. Competitive programs often look for 320+ combined (Verbal + Quant). Top programs may expect 330+.

Is the GRE going away?

Many programs have gone GRE-optional, but the test remains widely accepted. A strong GRE score can still strengthen your application, especially if other parts of your profile need support.

GRE or GMAT for business school?

Most MBA programs accept both. The GMAT has a Data Insights section relevant to business. The GRE offers flexibility to apply to non-business programs too. Take practice tests for both.

How do we score and rank these courses?

We evaluate each course across five key dimensions: Course Technology (platform innovation and adaptive features), Content Quality (accuracy, depth, and comprehensiveness of materials), Teaching Effectiveness (instructor quality and lesson structure), Value for Money (pricing, access length, and refund policies), and Practice & Analytics (question banks, practice exams, and progress tracking). Each dimension is scored on a 1-5 scale by our review team.

Updated February 2026

Best GRE Prep Courses

Expert rankings of top GRE prep courses for grad school. Independent reviews with 5-point scoring methodology.

Course Technology Content Quality Teaching Effectiveness Value for Money Practice & Analytics

GRE Prep Hub| Head-to-Head Comparisons| Study Guides| Our Methodology

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Full Courses (Live + Comprehensive)

Manhattan Prep GRE Live OnlineBest Overall GRE Prep 2026

4.7/5 2

Kaplan GREMost Comprehensive

4.2/5 3

Princeton Review GREBest Strategy Focus

4.1/5

Self-Paced Courses

Magoosh GRE Premium

4.3/5 2

Target Test Prep GRE MaximumBest for Quant

4.0/5 3

Achievable GREBest AI-Adaptive

3.8/5

Full Courses: Side-by-Side Comparison

Rank	Course	Overall	Technology	Content	Teaching	Value	Practice	Price
1	Manhattan Prep GRE Live Online Manhattan Prep	4.7	4.0	5.0	4.8	4.0	4.2	$1600.00
2	Kaplan GRE Kaplan	4.2	3.5	4.3	4.2	3.8	3.8	$1099.00
3	Princeton Review GRE Princeton Review	4.1	3.5	4.2	4.3	3.5	3.5	$2399.00

Best GRE Prep Courses (Full / Live)

#1Best Overall GRE Prep 2026

Manhattan Prep GRE Live Online

Premium GRE prep with world-class instructors and deep content

Overall

4.7

out of 5

Course Technology4.0/5

Content Quality5.0/5

Teaching Effectiveness4.8/5

Value for Money4.0/5

Practice & Analytics4.2/5

Price

$1600.00 USD

Access

6 months

Video Lessons

70+

Guarantee

Repeat course free if not satisfied

Manhattan Prep is widely considered the gold standard for GRE preparation, with comprehensive instruction, expert teachers, and a depth of content that few competitors can match.

#2Most Comprehensive

Kaplan GRE

Comprehensive GRE prep with live and on-demand options

Overall

4.2

out of 5

Course Technology3.5/5

Content Quality4.3/5

Teaching Effectiveness4.2/5

Value for Money3.8/5

Practice & Analytics3.8/5

Price

$1099.00 USD

Access

6 months

Video Lessons

180+

Guarantee

Higher score guarantee or money back

Kaplan offers a well-rounded GRE prep experience with both live instruction and self-paced study options, backed by their decades of test prep expertise.

#3Best Strategy Focus

Princeton Review GRE

Strategy-focused GRE prep with score improvement guarantees

Overall

4.1

out of 5

Course Technology3.5/5

Content Quality4.2/5

Teaching Effectiveness4.3/5

Value for Money3.5/5

Practice & Analytics3.5/5

Price

$2399.00 USD

Access

4 months

Video Lessons

160+

Guarantee

Score improvement or retake free

Princeton Review applies their signature strategy-first methodology to GRE preparation, helping students work smarter with proven test-taking techniques and comprehensive content coverage.

Best Self-Paced GRE Courses

These courses are designed for independent learners who prefer to study on their own schedule. Self-paced courses typically offer pre-recorded video lessons, on-demand question banks, and flexible access periods without live instruction. They are often more affordable than full courses.

Rank	Course	Overall	Technology	Content	Teaching	Value	Practice	Price
1	Magoosh GRE Premium Magoosh	4.3	4.0	4.5	4.3	4.8	4.0	$179.00
2	Target Test Prep GRE Maximum Target Test Prep	4.0	4.2	4.5	4.0	3.5	4.0	$499.00
3	Achievable GRE Achievable	3.8	4.3	3.6	3.5	3.8	3.8	$199.00

Magoosh GRE Premium

Affordable self-paced GRE prep with 1,200+ practice questions

Overall

4.3

out of 5

Course Technology4.0/5

Content Quality4.5/5

Teaching Effectiveness4.3/5

Value for Money4.8/5

Practice & Analytics4.0/5

Price

$179.00 USD

Access

6 months

Video Lessons

200+

Pros

Extremely affordable at $179 for 6 months
1600+ practice questions with video explanations
Official ETS content included
Excellent mobile apps for on-the-go study
+5 point score guarantee

Cons

No live instruction or tutoring
Fewer practice tests than premium competitors
Video lessons may feel slow for advanced students
Limited personalization compared to adaptive platforms

#2Best for Quant

Target Test Prep GRE Maximum

Quant-focused GRE prep with proven score improvements

Overall

4.0

out of 5

Course Technology4.2/5

Content Quality4.5/5

Teaching Effectiveness4.0/5

Value for Money3.5/5

Practice & Analytics4.0/5

Price

$499.00 USD

Access

4 months

Video Lessons

600+

Guarantee

Score improvement guarantee

Target Test Prep has built a reputation as the go-to platform for GRE Quantitative Reasoning preparation. Their adaptive learning system and deep quant focus make them the best choice for students who need to maximize their math score.

#3Best AI-Adaptive

Achievable GRE

AI-adaptive self-paced GRE prep with infinite quant practice

Overall

3.8

out of 5

Course Technology4.3/5

Content Quality3.6/5

Teaching Effectiveness3.5/5

Value for Money3.8/5

Practice & Analytics3.8/5

Price

$199.00 USD

Access

1 year

Video Lessons

Key topic videos only

Guarantee

Score improvement guarantee (+8 for scores under 300)

Pros

AI-adaptive learning engine personalizes study path based on your performance
Infinite quantitative practice with dynamically generated questions from 200+ templates
AI-powered essay grading provides instant feedback on Analytical Writing
Extremely affordable at $199 for a full year of access
250 vocabulary flashcard quizzes built into the platform
Score improvement guarantee with money-back policy

Cons

No live instruction or video lectures
Relatively newer platform compared to established GRE prep brands
Text-based learning format may not suit all learning styles
Limited community features or peer interaction

Achievable GRE is a modern, AI-adaptive self-paced prep platform that combines memory science technology with infinite quantitative practice generation and AI-powered essay grading. At $199 for a full year of access, it delivers exceptional value for self-directed learners who prefer technology-driven study tools over traditional video lectures.

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