If you want to take the GRE, let’s just be honest…you can just find videos on the internet or cobble together some stuff from Khan Academy. There are even lots of “past papers” that you can download and work on until you think you know what you are doing. But is that the best way to prepare? Are Dubai GRE tutors worth it?
Obviously, we are biased. But, we think hiring a GRE tutor in Dubai is absolutely worth it. Here’s why:
1. You are also hiring an advisor.
The best tutors are absolutely itching to answer not only your GRE questions, but also your questions about admissions, colleges, and the graduate school experience. That person can advise you informally on the process. Moreover, she can give feedback regarding other people’s opinions about graduate programs, deadlines, and more.
Often, our students ask us for university ideas, language tests like the IELTS, and GPAs. Any student who is not studying in the American system may not be familiar with the testing style of the GRE. Since we also do academic coaching, we know about many of the curricula in Dubai. That enables us to offer specific feedback based on the system a student is coming from.
Want to know more about how many extracurricular activities you should have? Don’t know if you should apply to graduate schools in Canada or if you even need the GRE for that. Wondering how many schools to apply to?
A good tutor can answer all these questions and more.
2. The internet doesn’t talk back.
Khan Academy videos aren’t going to answer your specific question about counting problems. It’s not going to explain the same question in a different way. It’s not going to figure out that your problem with algebra is because you need a review of signed numbers.
Preparing for the GRE online using a prerecorded course is a one-way conversation. It can be helpful, but without a live person to ask questions, you’re shortchanging yourself on your prep.
Yes, you can Google the answers to your questions…
But which way is the best way? Your tutor knows.
One of the most frequent questions we are asked about the verbal sections, for example, is if a student should strategically skip the text completion questions (the first part of the verbal sections and easily the hardest). How do we know the answer?
During the first verbal lesson, we informally assess your vocabulary and reading ability as well as ask questions about how often you read and what you read. We make our recommendation based on our observation of you. The internet isn’t going to do that for you.
3. The internet doesn’t have an opinion.
Is NYU better than Columbia? Should you get a master’s in Engineering or an MBA? What’s a good graduate degree for someone who likes theater but doesn’t want to be an actor?
You can Google all day but the internet isn’t going to learn your personality and answer give you a personalized answer. General answers, sure. One just for you? Nope.
4. Your tutor’s energy is important.
Preparing for the GRE is tiring. You have work, hobbies, friends, family obligations, and more. You’re tired.
But…
Your tutor isn’t. She’s going to show up bright and excited about learning. She’s going to be well-prepared and happy to answer your questions. She will gently guide you when you have a “brain fart.”
Most importantly, she’s seen many students–just like you–go through this exact process and succeed. So many of her other students will have gotten their happy academic ending, so she knows that you can get yours. Want to see how it turned out for our students? Read our testimonials.
5. Your tutor will provide valuable accountability.
We cannot stress this enough–tutors provide accountability.
If you’re tired, you can just study tomorrow…
Unless you have to meet with your tutor.
Don’t feel like taking the GRE in December? Maybe you can leave it until March…
Unless your tutor is expecting you to do it in December.
You don’t have to study, do homework, or sit for practice tests…
Unless your tutor is waiting for the results.
You get the point.
6. BONUS! She will grade your essays.
We’ve provided guidance and sample essays for the GRE Argument and GRE Issue essays, but there is no substitute for feedback on your writing.
Your tutor will read and grade as many essays as you write.
Don’t think this matters?
The first HOUR of the GRE is two essays that graduate programs barely care about. Score well and it doesn’t seem to matter, but score poorly…well, your profile does not look as good to programs anymore.
Besides, you don’t want to be rushed and anxious in the first hour. It can lead to you bombing the part of the test that programs really do care about and the parts that matter in your composite score.
Make it easy on yourself: write the essays, get the feedback from your tutor, go into the GRE breezing through the essays.
When are GRE Tutors Not Worth It?
When you aren’t prepared to do the work.
Your tutor won’t be there on test day. She won’t take the test for you (although we have been asked many times). She won’t do the homework or practice tests for you.
Make sure you are ready to get started when you hire a tutor.
A good tutor will keep you on track to ensure you reach your education goals. Have the discipline to make it without one? Maybe, but you might not realize that you don’t until the GRE is next week and you haven’t studied enough. We wouldn’t take chances, though. So ask yourself: do you feel lucky?
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