Kaplan Test Prep is one of the most well-known names in standardized test preparation. Founded in 1938, the company began solely focused on medical school admissions test prep before expanding to include other standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, LSAT, GMAT and GRE. With in-person and online courses available, as well as self-study books and supplemental online resources, Kaplan aims to give students every tool they need to get a high score and get into their top choice schools.
While Kaplan promises top-tier instruction and materials, one service they offer that is less well-known is their essay review option. For many standardized tests that include essay sections, like the GRE Analytical Writing section, scoring highly on the essay portion can be just as important as acing the multiple choice. An objective third party review of a practice essay could help iron out weaknesses to maximize that crucial essay score. With Kaplan’s essay review, students have their practice responses analyzed by Kaplan’s team of experienced graders. But exactly what can students expect from a Kaplan essay review? Here’s a deeper look:
Expert Review: At the core of Kaplan’s essay review is evaluation by fully qualified graders. All Kaplan graders complete intensive training in scoring essays using the official rubrics and scale for whichever standardized test is involved. This allows them to provide an assessment that aims to mirror what an actual grader would say on test day. Some reviews may even be double-checked by senior graders to ensure accuracy.
Detailed Feedback: Students shouldn’t expect just a numerical score from Kaplan’s essay review. The grader provides a written evaluation pointing out strengths, pinpointing weaknesses, and analyzing the response based on how well it meets each criteria of the official rubric. They’ll comment on elements like thesis, organization, development, evidence to support positions, and language facility. This level of feedback is meant to give clear guidance on how to improve.
Comparison to Scoring Bands: In addition to the raw score, graders also assess where the response falls in relation to official score levels. For example, on the GRE they would say if an essay is clearly in the 6 band or right on the border of 5 versus 6. Knowing the scoring band status helps students gauge how close or far they are from their target score and guides focused practice.
Tips for Improving: Along with analysis of what was done well and deficiencies, Kaplan’s essay review conclusions include actionable suggestions for strengthening future responses. Advice addresses issues like incorporating more sources, tightening organization, varying sentence structure, or expanding on a thesis. These targeted tips aim to move students to the next performance level.
Additional Practice: Students have the option to write another essay based on the feedback and resubmit it within 30 days to gauge progress and whether further practice is still needed. Some may need just one revision cycle, but being able to practice applying the critique in a follow-up response can maximize learning for others. Another review then provides closure on areas that still require work.
While the essay review can’t simulate actual test day scoring perfectly, it gives several key advantages over just self-grading. Having an experienced third party analyze the performance based on official standards provides a realistic target score assessment compared to a student’s potentially biased self-evaluation. The actionable critique and opportunity for practice applying feedback also better prepares for the rigors of the actual essay tasks than writing in a vacuum. Overall, Kaplan’s essay reviews offer a convenient way for standardized test takers to get an objective outside view of their writing to guide focused study. The in-depth feedback aims to help maximize scores on those all-important essay sections.
Of course, as with any review service, the quality and usefulness will depend on the grader. Some may provide more thorough analysis than others. And there’s no substitute for actual test practice over time. But for many students, one pass through Kaplan’s essay evaluation process can help take their writing to the next level and give them added confidence entering the big exam day. It represents a relatively low-cost investment that may help secure a higher score and better chances of acceptance at top programs. With the intense competition for coveted spots at graduate and professional schools today, any small edge gained from an outside assessment like this could make a meaningful difference in a student’s future education and career opportunities.
Overall, Kaplan’s essay review delivers on promises of expert evaluation and targeted guidance to strengthen areas of weakness. The level of individualized feedback aligns with what’s needed based on official scoring criteria. Additionally, the option for practice applying the advice and resubmitting for another critique maximizes learning value. While no supplement can usurp the need for repeated self-testing under timed conditions, Kaplan’s service offers a structured way for standardized test takers to realistically gauge current essay abilities and identify focused growth areas – insights which research shows improve scores. Students serious about maximizing their essay results would do well to consider the potential boost that could come from an impartial outside assessment like Kaplan’s.
Andrew Stroud