Should I take a GRE test preparation course?

Some believe that the only way to score high on the GRE test is to enroll in an expensive GRE prep course. This is false! Although a GRE prep course could be helpful, you should try to improve your GRE test score on your own before coughing up a few thousand dollars to the nearest test strategy company.

Try GRE Prep Books Before the GRE Prep Course

A major reason you should try to study on your own first (other than the high cost of a GRE prep course), is that companies like Kaplan and Princeton Review often have strategy books in print at your local bookstore. These strategy books teach the exact same strategies that their respective test prep companies teach to students in their prep courses! Those who pay for a prep course are paying for the guidance and some extra practice materials (which you could easily find in a less pricey book).

Students' misconception is that by enrolling in a GRE prep course, they are going to learn "GRE secrets" that are going to give them a high GRE score. Wrong! If you study from a good GRE strategy book and take a lot of GRE practice tests and do a lot of practice problems, you will be at no disadvantage.

As a final note, if you've been studying on your own for a while and have not improved much, perhaps a GRE prep course is for you. Just remember that the key to studying for the GRE on your own is self-discipline. If you want a high score on the GRE, you have to put in the time.