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The most important factor in GRE prep is the person teaching you.
GRE PREP CLASSES & Tutoring in San Diego
Below are the 4 options we have to help you get ready for the GRE.
We work with people from everywhere, not just San Diego.
Questions? Contact Vince directly here.
OPTION 1: Free stuff.
Vince's free GRE resources are all here on the blog. He also has a free live GRE Zoom meeting every week if you want to ask him a question.
OPTION 2: For self-studiers.
Vince's verbal video course, webinar, and customized self-study plan give you the skills and structure you need to prepare for the GRE on your own.
OPTION 3: Live GRE classes.
Our live GRE verbal and GRE math classes provide the opportunity to talk through questions and get weekly feedback on your progress. Includes live office hours for homework help.
OPTION 4: Private tutoring.
One-on-one GRE tutoring is a completely customized experience. To see our GRE tutors' bios, locations, and pricing, please click here.
GRE Verbal Precision
$34 - $94
I've twice gotten a perfect 170 on the GRE's verbal section, and GRE Verbal Precision is my online verbal video course designed to improve your verbal and essay scores. I call it "verbal precision" since it teaches you to be able to precisely tell whether answers are right or wrong. Unless you're already scoring near 170 for verbal, this course will improve your accuracy and confidence. Also covers the essay section of the test. Includes the official ETS Verbal Reasoning book and my GRE prep journal, plus access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
Instructor: Vince Kotchian
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GRE Self-Study Webinar
Price TBD
NEW! If you've realized that effective GRE prep is more complicated than big companies like Magoosh and Kaplan would have you believe, or if you've started to study but feel overwhelmed, this on-demand GRE self-study webinar might be a good fit for you.
In this 45-minute recorded video webinar, I'll walk you through one of my study plans and explain how to do all the things you'll need to accomplish on a daily and weekly basis. I'll even specify how to modify the plan for people at low, medium, and high score levels. Includes access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
You'll gain a step-by-step understanding of how to make the most of your GRE prep.
Note: This webinar will be available for purchase on July 1st, 2020. Send an email to vince@vincekotchian.com with WEBINAR as the subject if you'd like to join the waiting list - the first 20 people will be eligible for an early bird discount!
Instructor: Vince Kotchian
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GRE Customized Study Plan
$395
What people need for GRE prep varies tremendously, so one-size-fits-all courses don't work well for many people. To help make sure you prepare effectively on an ongoing basis, I offer a customized GRE study plan.
We'll create a complete schedule with daily and weekly to-dos for math, verbal, and the essays that is based on your unique situation and goals. Then, we'll communicate weekly via email until you take the test for real - so I can make sure you're doing the right things in the right ways.
Bonus: My GRE Verbal Precision online video course is included ($94 value). Also includes access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
After you sign up, I’ll contact you to schedule a 45-minute Zoom meeting to create the plan. You'll email me a weekly study report so we can adjust as we go to make sure the plan is working optimally.
Instructor: Vince Kotchian
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GRE Math For Beginners
$495
3 / 12 Remaining
If you are worried about the math on the GRE, this is the class for you! We'll cover GRE math in a beginner-friendly way and spend extra time on the most commonly tested concepts. This isn't a lecture; there'll be plenty of time for questions and we'll work through the material together to make sure you understand it.
The class is best suited for people either new to GRE math or who have scored below 153 (50th percentile) on a practice test. We'll show you how to raise your score as much as possible in the time between now and your test. Not sure if this class is the right level for you? Contact us!
Includes all materials, free office hours with Blake to get extra help, and weekly, personalized adjustments to your study plan. Also includes access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
SALE: If you'd also like to take a verbal class with us, click the Register button below and purchase the "GRE Discount Combo" to buy both a math and a verbal class at the same time and get 5% off. We'll email you to ask which class dates you want.
Note: We recommend taking a math class at your earliest convenience. GRE math skill is about the accumulation of experience, not memorization, and most people benefit from having as much time as possible to build that experience.
Dates: July 6th - August 5th
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(Mondays/Wednesdays) (10 Meetings)
Instructor: Blake Jensen
Location: Zoom meeting (online)
Register
GRE Math For Beginners
$495
7 / 12 Remaining
If you are worried about the math on the GRE, this is the class for you! We'll cover GRE math in a beginner-friendly way and spend extra time on the most commonly tested concepts. This isn't a lecture; there'll be plenty of time for questions and we'll work through the material together to make sure you understand it.
The class is best suited for people either new to GRE math or who have scored below 153 (50th percentile) on a practice test. We'll show you how to raise your score as much as possible in the time between now and your test. Not sure if this class is the right level for you? Contact us!
Includes all materials, free office hours with Vince to get extra help, and weekly, personalized adjustments to your study plan. Also includes access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
SALE: If you'd also like to take a verbal class with us, click the Register button below and purchase the "GRE Discount Combo" to buy both a math and a verbal class at the same time and get 5% off. We'll email you to ask which class dates you want.
Note: We recommend taking a math class at your earliest convenience. GRE math skill is about the accumulation of experience, not memorization, and most people benefit from having as much time as possible to build that experience.
Dates: July 21st - August 20th
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(Tuesdays/Thursdays) (10 Meetings)
Instructor: Vince Kotchian
Location: Zoom meeting (online)
Register
GRE Verbal Class
$295
7 / 12 Remaining
In my experience, 99% of people will benefit from a GRE verbal class, since talking through official questions with an expert will improve your ability to precisely tell whether answers are right or wrong. We'll cover every aspect of the verbal and essay sections of the GRE in this small group class. This isn't a lecture, so there'll be plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Includes all materials, free office hours with Vince to get extra help, and weekly, personalized adjustments to your study plan. Also includes access to GRE Prep Squad - our private Facebook group.
SALE: If you'd also like to take a math class with us, click the Register button below and purchase the "GRE Discount Combo" to buy both a math and a verbal class at the same time and get 5% off. We'll email you to ask which class dates you want.
Dates: Starts August 1st and ends August 22nd
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
(Saturdays) (4 Meetings)
Instructor: Vince Kotchian
Location: Zoom meeting (online)
Register
ABOUT OUR LIVE GRE CLASSES
What will this GRE class cover?
GRE Math courses cover the math sections of the test and GRE Verbal courses cover the verbal and essay sections - taking both a math and verbal class will prepare you for the entire GRE.
After doing this for so long and working with all kinds of people, we're really good at explaining the GRE. Our expert advice combined with the opportunity to talk things through with us will raise your scores - as long as you're willing to put in some hard work. We'll cover both concepts and strategies and throw in every tip, trick, and hack we've learned over the years.
Here are a few of the takeaways:
- All GRE math concepts explained in simple terms
- How to precisely prove answers for vocab and reading passages
- How to deal with tricky critical reasoning questions
- How to make sure you're ready to write great essays
- How to develop good technique and strategy for verbal and math questions
- How to squeeze the most value out of practice questions through analysis
- How to effectively study outside of class
- How to decipher the GRE's patterns, logic, and rules
- How to analyze your practice tests and make better test-taking decisions
Everything we do is designed to maximize your test-day performance and your score.
What's included in the price?
- Weekly live office hours so you can get extra help!
- A 1, 2, 3, or 4 month study plan that covers every part of the GRE.
- Personalized weekly customization of your study plan to maximize accountability and productivity.
- All books and materials. (For online classes, these are shipped / emailed to you.)
- GRE verbal classes include free access to Vince's complete online GRE verbal course (normally $94).
What makes your GRE classes different?
Long answer: Does your hairdresser do your taxes?
Short answer: We've been doing this for a very long time.
Test prep is not a common career, so most test prep teachers - especially those who work for big organizations - are working part-time while they finish grad school or look for a "normal" job in their field of interest. Once these instructors move on, the big company hires more newbies and the cycle repeats. This is why big companies and universities don't tell you who's teaching their classes.
Cost? Duration?
GRE Verbal classes are $295 for 9 hours of class time, and in-person GRE Math classes are $495 for 15 hours of class time. Discounts are available for students and active duty military. Taking both a verbal and a math class will prepare you for the entire test.
When should I take a class?
It's better to take a class first and then study on your own as opposed to vice versa, because by taking a class, you'll learn how to study more effectively, with the right materials. The GRE is NOT about memorization - so don't worry about forgetting what you learned in the class if your test isn't coming up right away. In fact, you will really benefit from having some time to practice on your own after the class ends!
Who should NOT take the class?
Everyone, even high scorers, will probably benefit from a verbal class. Learning more precise verbal technique and analysis skills will raise your score, even if it's already high.
If you are solid on math concepts, keep in mind that our GRE math classes are for beginners, so the main benefit to you might be the test-specific techniques we teach as well as the accountability and structure the class provides. People who are already good at math concepts AND who are disciplined enough to study on their own will often benefit more from our Customized GRE Study Plan.
Registration Form
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San Diego GRE Tutoring
The most important question for you to ask, we think, is this:
"Who will be the person tutoring me?"
Our competitors hire college students, train them, and give them a fixed curriculum to teach. We hire long-time tutors (average experience: 9 years) and trust them to adapt the tutoring to the student for a completely customized experience.
Look for each tutor's location and pricing in their bio.
Vince Kotchian
Vince: I grew up in small-town Connecticut and completed the honors program at Boston College, graduating with a B.A. in English Literature. I moved to San Diego in 2007, and I’ve been working full-time as a test-prep tutor ever since. Along the way, I've written some test-prep books and courses, but I still enjoy GRE tutoring, even after 11 years. When a student texts me that she aced the test or got into her reach program, I still literally jump up and down and grin.
In my spare time, I like traveling using miles and points (Japan is our favorite country to visit), reading (favorite authors include Haruki Murakami, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, and Philip Pullman), watching The Great British Bake-Off (and sometimes actually baking things), hiking and camping, and rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots. I live in the Kensington neighborhood with my hilarious wife and our crazy cat.
Vince is one of the most experienced and well-known GRE tutors working today. He charges $330 an hour or $295 an hour for a purchase of 10 or more hours. Most students use between 10 and 15 hours total. He meets students online via Zoom.
Vince also teaches many of our live GRE classes.
Blake Jensen
Blake: I’m a native San Diegan, father, and an aficionado of basketball, vintage video games, pitchy karaoke, and lecturing my son on how much better Star Wars was "back in the day." I played college basketball at St. Mary’s College and Whittier College, where I earned my B.A. in Psychology in 2002.
Having been a full-time test prep coach for over 13 years, I have seen just about every type of student and tutoring situation. This allows me to give my students exactly what they need to reach their goals.
My years of experience have also led me to coach my students a little differently than most. A lot of test prep revolves around how to answer a question. While that is a necessary component, identifying what is needed to answer a question is at least as important, especially for timed tests like the GRE. I show my students how to look at the test the way I do, to the patterns and tendencies of the test to make them faster and more accurate.
GRE tutoring with Blake is $199 / hour (or $179 / hour for 10 or more hours). Most students use between 10 and 15 hours total.
He meets clients in his Rancho Santa Fe office or online via Zoom.
Kaitlin: I am originally from Amarillo, TX, where I developed a love of BBQ, country music, and beautiful sunsets (I can still get about 2 out of 3 of these things in San Diego).
I attended the University of Pennsylvania, and received a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering with minors in Spanish and Nanotechnology. Following that, I worked at Siemens for a couple of years in building automation. I then made the move to teaching and am a high school credentialed chemistry teacher at a local private school
At the same time I started teaching, I began teaching test prep. I currently tutor private GRE clients and teach a GRE prep course at CSU San Marcos. I use my extensive training in classroom teaching best practices to infuse my tutoring sessions and group classes with strategies and activities for students to help improve their scores. I love helping clients do well on these tests so that they can shine in other areas of their applications. I never want a test score to limit a student from their potential dreams and goals.
I have also gone through the process of taking the GRE and being accepted to graduate school (twice!) I understand the stressors associated with applying to graduate school, often on top of working or family commitments. My goal is to not only help you understand the test, but to also figure out a reasonable plan of action for studying and preparing.
GRE tutoring with Kaitlin is $149 per hour ($134 / hour for 10 or more hours). Most students use between 10 and 15 hours total.
She meets students in her Sorrento Valley office or online.
Kaitlin Douglass
Matt: I am originally from Hopkinton, Massachusetts - the start of the historic Boston Marathon. I went to college at Northwestern University, where I graduated with a degree in Theatre. After college, I wised up and moved to the warmer coast. I worked in Los Angeles for many years as a full-time SAT / ACT tutor and part-time arts educator.
I have been tutoring for over 10 years and have spent thousands of hours helping students improve their scores. Recently, I moved to San Diego after getting a M.A. in Education from Stanford University, and I currently work as a credentialed classroom teacher.
When I’m not working, I enjoy good books, performing improv comedy, surfing, watching Game of Thrones, and enjoying the charms of San Diego. I live in North Park, where I love to get out and take advantage of all the delicious food in the area. I am also a huge Boston sports fan - the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics are my favorite teams.
GRE tutoring with Matt is $149 an hour ($134 / hour for 10 or more hours). Most students use between 10 and 15 hours total. He meets with students in North Park, or online.
Matt Sheelen
