GRE
Methodology
The GRE used to be a difficult exam to teach. The previous GRE tested knowledge (esoteric vocabulary out of context, for example), and short of arming students with 2,000 vocabulary cards, prefixes and suffixes, tutors couldn't add much value to the preparation process. The current revised GRE is designed to assess comprehension and reasoning. Additionally, now that the GRE competes with the GMAT for a slice of the MBA admissions market, more students are taking the exam, and more quality official and unofficial material has made its way into the market. The short of it is that the GRE is now an exam that you can and should prepare for. Because Cambridge Coaching draws most of its tutors from top doctoral programs, we are especially well-poised to help you with your GRE studying.
We understand the importance of the GRE and we're dedicated to helping you beat the exam. Before you even meet with your tutor, we assess your strengths and weaknesses on an official exam. Based on your results, your tutor will construct and e-mail you a customized syllabus in advance of your first session. Please view a sample syllabus that describes our 16 session Comprehensive Package. While each syllabus is customized to the student, this document provides a detailed example of what our program entails.
There are significant advantages to working with Cambridge Coaching on the GRE:
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1Strategic Teachers
Even though the GRE is a critical part of the graduate school admissions process, most of our students maintain busy work schedules or course loads while they prepare. Our tutors can help you fit studying into your life. We are strategically minded interpreters of test data, as well as efficient and effective teachers. We emphasize a highly structured and systematic study process as the best path to a higher score.
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2The Highest Compensation
Unlike other companies, we place a heavy emphasis on tutors' pay and their professional development as teachers. As far as we are aware, our tutors earn the highest compensation—and the greatest share of company revenue—of any tutors in the industry. Although it seems like common sense that tutors are the most important part of a tutoring organization, most companies shortchange their tutors in order to reap greater profits. We consider our tutors to be our most important investment, and we have found that caring about our tutors allows us to hire and retain the very best.
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3Official Practice Material
We rely primarily on the The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test, Powerprep II software, and the Practice Book for the Paper-Based GRE Revised General Test. All of these materials are available on the ETS website. We supplement official material with an evolving list of the secondary sources that we view to be the best means of mastering particular methodologies. Because we are not invested in selling proprietary materials, we prefer to cherry-pick the best materials from as many sources as possible. Your syllabus will include homework, practice exams, and in-session drills, all targeted at the specific areas that you need to improve.
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4Customized Curricula
National companies develop general curricula aimed at a broad population, the so called "average students." They do not tailor their curricula based on student needs because customization is expensive and time-consuming. We believe that a tailored program is a basic prerequisite for any effective tutoring relationship, particularly with GRE students who are often juggling multiple priorities. We build each tutoring relationship around a unique student and we only work with students on a one-on-one basis. We typically meet with students once or twice per week for 90 minutes per session. Between each meeting, we scrutinize student progress section-by-section and problem-by-problem.
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1Data Driven Approach
Every question you see will be categorized and tracked. Every choice we make about your preparation will flow from an increasingly growing and refined catalogue of historical data. We know where to go because we know every single place you've been. Our approach to data sets our team and our results apart.
Our programs are intensive. During the course of a Comprehensive Package, our students see between 2000 and 3000 questions, take 6 to 10 practice exams, and study between 80 and 100 hours. We make sure that our students have raised their scores and maintained them before taking the official GRE. It isn't a coincidence that our students consistently achieve outstanding results.
Our GRE Tutors
Cambridge Coaching GRE tutors are dynamic teachers who think strategically about raising their students' scores. As a prerequisite, we only hire tutors who have scored in the highest percentiles of the test. But, the scores are a minimum requirement. We also ask that our tutors be effective communicators, savvy interpreters of testing data, and structured thinkers. You are busy. Your GRE tutoring should be as efficient, effective, and enjoyable as possible. With an eye towards this goal, we employ a diverse group of exceptional tutors to meet the needs of every kind of student.
Our GRE tutors are doctoral candidates in top graduate programs at Harvard, MIT, Columbia, Cornell, NYU, and Princeton. They are grouped into four categories based on their level of teaching experience, qualitative feedback from students, volume of referrals, and historical (quantitative) client score improvement. Only tutors who have success raising scores and receive consistently outstanding feedback are promoted. You can view all our GRE instructors here.
- Standard Tutors
- Gifted tutors who stand out for their extraordinary GRE scores, academic accomplishments and interpersonal facility. Of the exceptional population that applies to teach for Cambridge Coaching, these dynamic tutors strike us with their ability to engage students and help them improve their test scores. Many of our Standard tutors move on to the Senior and Guru levels.
- Senior Tutors
- Experienced tutors who have strong track records of score improvement. Senior tutors are experts at identifying weaknesses and raising scores. They are distinguished as interpreters of testing data: doctoral candidates and educators, who are able to read, understand, and improve your performance. Senior tutors receive consistently high praise from students and demonstrate a track record of score improvement.
- Guru Tutors
- Highly experienced tutors with exceptional track records of score improvement. Guru tutors are a good match for students who are working within compressed time frames, who have found group classes to be ineffective, or who could benefit from the attention of a veteran tutor. Like our Senior tutors, they are distinguished for their superlative skills in interpreting and responding to individual students' testing data. They receive the highest praise from students.
- Master Tutors
- Seasoned veterans: our most experienced, successful, and sought-after tutors. This small group never ceases to amaze. They have seen everything. They are able to turn around scores, crack a persistent problem and squeeze out those extra points. They can help the reluctant test-taker get to work and the most impressive students go the final mile. The most accomplished GRE tutors available anywhere.
Pricing and Packages
The packages listed below are based on 90 minute sessions. The frequency and length of sessions are flexible, though most students find one or two 90 minute sessions per week to be ideal. We require a first-time minimum purchase of three 90 minute sessions (the First Time Package) due to the significant amount of preparation that tutors perform in advance of the first few sessions. Although we have found the options listed below to be well aligned with our students' needs, we are happy to develop customized packages.
| Package | Standard Tutor | Senior Tutor | Guru Tutor | Master Tutor |
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| Standard Hourly Rate | $90/hr | $140/hr | $220/hr | $270/hr |
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| First Time
3 sessions, 4.5 hours
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$405 | $630 | $990 | $1215 |
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Most students use the three session package to address finite areas of the exam or specific problem types. Because we believe that tutoring is an iterative process, three sessions is the minimum number that we offer. The three session package is a good way to see if you feel comfortable with a tutor. We are always happy to apply your first payment to one of our longer discounted packages. |
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| Verbal
5 sessions, 5% off hourly rate
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$640 | $1000 | $1567 | $1923 |
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This package offers full coverage of the verbal reasoning section. Beginning with a review of argument structure and logic, we cover all major and minor verbal reasoning question types—reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence - and ultimately address section strategy and timing. |
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| Quantitative Reasoning
5 sessions, 5% off hourly rate
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$640 | $1000 | $1567 | $1923 |
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This package offers full coverage of the quantitative reasoning section. We cover all major and minor quantitative reasoning question types—multiple choice, numeric entry, and quantitative comparison—and ultimately address section strategy and timing. Major topics include arithmetic (integers, operations, exponents, radicals, and ratios), algebra (factoring, simplification, equations, and inequalities), geometry (coordinate geometry, triangles, circles, polygons, and the Pythagorean theorem), and data analysis (statistics, tables/graphs, probability, and combinatorics). |
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| Analytical Writing
6 sessions, 5% off hourly rate
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$770 | $1197 | $1881 | $2308 |
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This package offers coverage of both sections of the analytical writing section: the "analyze an issue" task and the "analyze an argument" task. Beginning with a review of basic logic and arguments, we examine the types of prompts most common to the GRE and the methodology required to consistently produce successful essays in the allotted time. We devote the majority of session time and homework to writing, critiquing, and revising essays on a range of representative prompts. |
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| Comprehensive Package
16 sessions, 10% off hourly rate
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$1944 | $3024 | $4752 | $5832 |
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Our preferred approach to the GRE offers complete coverage of the exam: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. We review general test strategy and time management extensively. Students typically complete no fewer than six (untimed and timed) practice exams. We devote five to seven sessions to verbal reasoning. Beginning with a review of argument structure and logic, we cover all major and minor verbal reasoning question types—reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence—and ultimately address section strategy and timing. We devote five to seven sessions to quantitative reasoning. We cover all major and minor quantitative reasoning question types—multiple choice, numeric entry, and quantitative comparison—and ultimately address section strategy and timing. Major topics include arithmetic (integers, operations, exponents, radicals, and ratios), algebra (factoring, simplification, equations, and inequalities), geometry (coordinate geometry, triangles, circles, polygons, the Pythagorean theorem), and data analysis (statistics, tables/graphs, probability, and combinatorics). We devote two to three sessions to analytical writing. We cover both sections of the analytical writing portion of the exam: the "analyze an issue" task and the "analyze an argument" task. Beginning with a review of basic logic and arguments, we examine the types of prompts most common to the GRE and the methodology required to consistently produce successful essays in the allotted time. We devote the majority of session time and homework to writing, critiquing, and revising essays on a range of representative prompts. |
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| Planning Ahead Package
20 sessions, 15% of hourly rate
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$2295 | $3570 | $5610 | $6885 |
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Because the GRE heavily rewards repetition and coverage, we offer this package to students who would prefer to space their preparation out over a longer duration and complete additional practice exams. As in the Comprehensive Package, we offer a complete coverage of the GRE: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. We review general test strategy and time management extensively. Students typically complete no fewer than ten (untimed and timed) practice exams. We devote seven to eight sessions to verbal reasoning. Beginning with a review of argument structure and logic, we cover all major and minor verbal reasoning question types - reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence - and ultimately address section strategy and timing. We devote eight to ten sessions to quantitative reasoning. We cover all major and minor quantitative reasoning question types—multiple choice, numeric entry, and quantitative comparison—and ultimately address section strategy and timing. Major topics include arithmetic (integers, operations, exponents, radicals, and ratios), algebra (factoring, simplification, equations, and inequalities), geometry (coordinate geometry, triangles, circles, polygons, and the Pythagorean theorem), and data analysis (statistics, tables/graphs, probability, and combinatorics). We devote two to three sessions to analytical writing. We cover both sections of the the analytical writing portion of the exam: the "analyze an issue" task and the "analyze an argument" task. Beginning with a review of basic logic and arguments, we examine the types of prompts most common to the GRE and the methodology required to consistently produce successful essays in the allotted time. We devote the majority of session time and homework to writing, critiquing, and revising essays on a range of representative prompts. |
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The Process
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1Determine when you need to take the test and plan your preparation schedule
The GRE is administered year-round in the computer-based format. Most programs require that applicants report only unofficial results in their application, so in theory you could take the exam on the day your application was due. That said, it's wise to start studying early. Achieving your best score on the GRE takes time and it's nice to have the test out of the way by the time your graduate program application process is in full swing. In addition, while the vast majority of our students are satisfied with their scores after taking the test for the first time, it is good to give yourself another opportunity in case you are unhappy with your first score. Because applicants may only take the GRE once within any calendar month, we advise our students to schedule an exam date at least six weeks in advance of the earliest application submission deadline.
Starting your preparation earlier is obviously better. The revised GRE is highly coachable, patterned, and predictable. Familiarity through repetition leads to dramatically superior outcomes. We recommend a minimum of 16 sessions to cover the entirety of the test. Most of our students space these sessions out over the course of two to four months in a Comprehensive Package.
Students who have more time or feel that they would benefit from additional preparation often choose the Planning Ahead Package which includes 20 sessions. Generally, the Planning Ahead Package allows for additional focus on advanced problem types and more extended coaching on full length exams.
2Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam
ETS provides this summary of the GRE format. In addition to understanding the three different question types and familiarizing yourself with the timing requirements, we recommend that you complete the sample questions provided on the GRE website.
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3Establish a baseline on a previously administered practice test
Establishing a baseline is a critical step in the process of studying for the GRE. We highly recommend taking a full-length practice exam as your diagnostic. Unfortunately, to date ETS has only released one official practice test for the revised exam. Because we believe that this official exam should be used to confirm preparedness just prior to the exam, we would be happy to direct you to several unofficial exams that we have found to be useful indicators of student strengths and weaknesses.
Take the diagnostic exam under timed conditions and complete it in one sitting. Sustained focus over a long stretch of time are primary challenges associated with the GRE. Give yourself three hours and forty-five minutes to complete the test, including a ten minute break. Follow the scoring instructions at the end of the booklet to see how you did.
Your score on this diagnostic exam is not particularly important. Your correct and incorrect answers serve as a starting point for your tutor, allowing us to build a syllabus customized to your strengths and weaknesses.
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4Contact us at info@cambridgecoaching.com
Once you have a score from your diagnostic, we can advise you on what kind of preparation program makes sense. The more information you provide the better. If possible, please summarize your performance on each section of the exam, your goals, your schedule, and any specific concerns you have about your preparation. One of our tutors would be happy to discuss a preparation schedule that suits your needs.
Resources
The GRE is important in many different types of graduate school admissions from Master's Programs to PhD programs. No matter the program to which you're applying, you will need a certain set of resources to help you conquer the test. In this section, you can browse our recommended resources for GRE test-takers.
