If you’re planning on applying to a graduate program, odds are you’re going to have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). After all, GRE scores are often a major factor for admission committees who are looking for the best and brightest. It’s a way of challenging potential students to see just what they’re made of and whether they deserve scholarships or grants.
With so much on the line, many students feel immense pressure when it comes to their GRE test prep. There are numerous articles that try to tell you how to go about your studies, but the question of whether GRE tutoring is worth the extra money is always hotly debated. To help set the record straight, here are a couple of things to consider when deciding what’s best for you.
Examine Your Skill Level And Goals
The first thing you should do before beginning any test prep, is take a full-length GRE practice test. This will help give you an idea of your skill level, strengths, and weaknesses. You can then compare your practice score with the average admittance scores of the graduate programs you will be applying to, so you know how much work you have to do.
Once you have an idea of what’s ahead of you, you can start thinking about how to go about it. If the amount of work you need to hit your target score is overwhelming, or if you’re not sure how to start your test prep, then GRE tutoring may be a good option for you. Test prep programs can provide all of the resources you need to make sure that you are covering everything you need to. So, if you have a lot of content that you need learn to reach your target score, GRE tutoring can make sure that you’re able to fit in all of the material before your exam date.
Learn Everything You Can About The Exam
Deciding whether or not to use a GRE tutoring program is a very personal decision. Every student is different and will have different needs when it comes to test prep. One way to figure out how much help you’re going to need is to learn everything you can about the exam. The ETS website (from the writers of the GRE) can be a good resource for new test takers. This way you can get an idea of what sections you’re going to need the most help with and whether you think you can handle it on your own.
Consider Your Learning Style
Another factor to consider is your own learning style. If you know that having a strictly structured learning format and daily assignments will be most beneficial to you, then a GRE tutoring program is perfect for you. Test prep programs are designed to help keep you on track and motivated so you’re less likely to procrastinate or miss any important content.
Most GRE tutoring programs can also help you diagnose the best strategy for your test prep. If you’re confident that you know the best way to study by yourself, then you probably don’t need any help. However, if you’re unsure how to begin working through such a large amount of information, a tutor can be beneficial. Your instructor will get to know your style and can design assignments to make sure you get the most out of your study time.
