Manhattan Prep GRE

I completed the GRE course in spring 2012 and it was a worthwhile investment. I scoured the internet for reviews on the different test prep companies for a couple days before coming across Manhattan Prep GRE. There wasn’t much information about the classes, but a lot about the company’s test prep books, which were highly rated. I thought about getting just the books, but I had done that a few years ago with the Kaplan books and never followed through. So I signed up for the free intro class in hopes that I’d be more motivated and receive guidance on how to study. From the first class, I had a sense that this was going to really prepare me. So although the course was expensive, I signed up.
Julia was my instructor and from the very beginning she was warm, straightforward, and insightful. It’s obvious she’s brilliant, but not in the ‘look at me I score perfect on the GRE without even trying’ type of way. She works hard. She’s very familiar with the questions on the test and gives clear cut guidance on how to prepare. During that first session I received a course outline. This was helpful as it identified which sections to prioritize. Most weeks I wasn’t able to get all of the assigned work completed, but I did what I could and I still got a lot out of class. I would recommend that you at least complete the high priority assignments so that you can get your questions answered in class.
The company was also quite responsive. After signing up I received the box of the test guides in only a couple days. The shipment was very fast. When I was out of town for a couple sessions the company was great at getting me scheduled for makeup sessions. I took these sessions through live online courses. You do receive access to online recordings of each class through enrolling so you can also use those if you miss a class. I didn’t use them, but it was good to know they were there. I did use the online practice tests and the online flash cards. For the times that I needed to be on the go, I downloaded the e-​book versions of the test prep guides onto my laptop. It can be tedious to carry the big books around, especially because there are over 8.
Overall I’m really happy I found Manhattan Prep. Like the reviews said, the prep guides and online practice exams are top-​notch. The practice exams show you the specific areas in which you’re performing well and need to improve. They also give you information about the time it’s taking you to complete each problem. I had more than enough practice.
Julia’s instruction took my preparation over the top. She really set me off in the right direction and kept me on track. She scores your practice essays, reviews the results of your practice exams, and drills you each week. The classes are held at a nice hotel in Harvard Square. As I predicted, being in a class gave me more motivation to follow through. Once the classes were done, I checked in with Julia to set up my study plan for the next 5 months. I didn’t follow it exactly because of work, but I completed mot of it. I wound up taking the exam in November of 2012 and I had no anxiety. I slaughtered the verbal section and kept up with the math, both of which were great improvements for me.
I would recommend this class to anyone needing a kick in the butt to get started with their GRE studying and/​or wanting a proven method of success. If you do enroll: bring an extra layer because its cold in the room and take Julia up on her offers to review your exams and score your essays.