TestCrackers GMAT & GRE Prep Classes

I’ve never been good at math. It was always my hardest subject in school, and my lowest score on the SAT, ACT, and the practice GRE tests when I was studying by myself. I was anxious that it would stand between me and getting into my school of choice. Chapter by chapter, Yuri not only decoded complicated math problems and answered any and all questions I had patiently and repeatedly, but was also always available by e-​mail.
Seth teaches the qualitative side. He’s great — patient, available, and was actively involved in my progress during the class. He took what seemed like nonsensical questions and made them simple. 4 weeks with Seth, and with the strategies he taught us I increased by score my 7 points on the second practice test we took!
Going through the books on my own to study for the test would have been a mistake. The many resources they provide are invaluable (I’m confident in saying that you can’t find them anywhere else) and the relaxed (dare I say fun?!) atmosphere makes for a really great ⁴⁄₅ weeks. They try to get everyone in the class to answer questions (unless you opt out of being called on!) and their positive, energetic nature made these classes one of the the best investments I’ve made towards my future. Each class is small, and individual attention is easy to come by. I highly recommend Testcrackers!

TestCrackers was a great investment for me! I took the GMAT quant and verbal courses from Seth and am so thankful that I did. Seth isn’t just a great teacher, but he genuinely cares about your success. Since the class has ended, Seth has continued to check up on me to see how the application process has gone and offered help along the way. I commuted to Berkeley from south of SF twice a week (not a fun drive during traffic), but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The quality of instruction from TestCrackers is more than worth a few extra minutes in the car (or BART). Because of Seth, I am confident that I will get into my target school. If you live in the Bay Area and need help tackling the GMAT, TestCrackers is the only way to go!

Can’t say enough about Seth and Yuri. I was looking for an organized, straightforward approach to studying for the GRE that presented all the relevant topics along with the strategies for tackling them. This is exactly what I found with TestCrackers. Additionally, both Seth and Yuri went above and beyond responding to my questions outside of class quickly and thoroughly. They even offered additional study session opportunities outside of the scheduled classes. Between the classes, materials they provide, and extra support this review class was by far the best value I found in the bay. And the bottom line — I was able to improve my score and even beat what I thought was my best potential score of 325 by four points with a 329.

I only took the GRE math course so far, but speaking as someone with phobias around math, I found Yuri to be a profoundly compassionate and effective teacher. Simple as that. Thank you Yuri, for being so awesome.

There are so many moving parts to preparing a graduate school application, and amidst all the chaos, sifting through the options for test prep can be quite a daunting task. Well, skip the hassle. I researched for weeks every option out there and TestCrackers is far and away the BEST choice, both in value and efficacy. All test prep courses are expensive, but this one is actually well priced and — unlike many other options out there — will definitely work! Make sure you enroll early because this service is so effective that spots fill up fast.
I took Yuri’s GRE quant class with just six weeks between me and my scheduled GRE test. My math skills were comparable to those of a second-​grader, but Yuri actually helped me get a great score on the GRE! His teaching style is accessible and encouraging, and he really invests in his students’ understanding of the material. The classes are small and Yuri makes sure that all students participate, which really allows everyone to get their money’s worth from every class. He is able to support students at any level, and works with each person to help them understand the concepts without making anyone feel stupid.
I have to confess that when I first walked through his door I knew that nothing short of a miracle could raise my math abilities from such a low starting point and in such a short amount of time. Well, it turns out that Yuri and TestCrackers are, indeed, miracle workers. What’s more is that Yuri does everything in his power to help students succeed, even making himself available for questions outside of class. The two days prior to my exam, Yuri had family visiting from out of town, yet he welcomed me to contact him to ask last-​minute questions and strategy advice in preparation for the GRE. His dedication to students’ success apparent in every interaction. If you want to get the best score possible, enroll NOW in TestCrackers. You definitely will not regret it.

Yuri took my GRE math score from a 152 (48 percentile) to a 164 (88 percentile). His class helped transform previously panic-​inducing math problems into manageable tasks that I felt confident tackling. It is amazing that he did all of this with a sense of humor and genuine care for our class’ success.
In addition to the 6 weeks of class, Yuri scheduled calls with me to go over my study plan and identify the areas where I should focus. Twice, at no extra cost, Yuri spent an hour with me one-​on-​one to review problems that gave me trouble on practice exams and offered extra advice on test taking strategies. Even though I didn’t take Seth’s course, he gave me some great pointers over email on the verbal section.
Before taking this course, I approached the GRE with fear. While I was a little nervous on test day, I felt confident and prepared because of Yuri’s help. I could not recommend TestCrackers more highly!

I finished Seth and Yuri’s classes recently and just took the GRE. They did an excellent job of preparing me for the test. They each teach test strategies as well as content. Yuri does an excellent job at efficiently covering the wide variety of quant material that appears on the GRE in an easy to understand way. Seth does a great job of explaining the nuances and tips of verbal questions and essays. The small class size is useful to ensure each student has a grasp of the content. Seth and Yuri provide each student with a Manhattan prep book, with access to 6 great practice tests, all included in the price of the class. Considering all of this, it is definitely worth it to take these classes. I highly recommend it.

Can’t say enough good things about Yuri, Seth and the classes they run at TestCrackers. I took the full GMAT prep course which included Verbal with Seth and Quant with Yuri.
Class sizes are small and highly participatory, but very comfortable and collaborative. They’ve also held free events with admissions consultants, and both Yuri and Seth have been happy to help and answer any questions even after the class is over.

Pardon my long over due review of TestCrackers. Yuri and Seth are wonderful teachers. I’ve taken other GMAT courses but none compares to TestCrackers. They helped me get into my school of choice, USF.
The class format is small so each student receives adequate time with both instructors. This helps the students adjust their learning pace. They know the GMAT inside & out and give tips on weekly prep and test day timing. I highly recommend TestCrackers over Kaplan or Manhattan when choosing a GMAT or GRE program.

Yuri and Seth love what they do. Stick around after class and get to know them, you’ll realize they genuine love teaching and helping others achieve their goals. Yuri knows the GMAT quant inside out and Seth is the master of the verbal section. There is so much strategy within each section and these guys have it all figured out. I recommend taking both their classes, you’ll feel more than confident when you take the real test. Now I can get into the programs I want!
Justin (GMAT 710, Q46 V42)

I researched for weeks before deciding on TestCrackers for my GRE prep. I hadn’t studied the math content in years and was totally unprepared to start learning this material on my own. After months of unsuccessful prep — Yuri saved the day. He is an excellent instructor. He is calm and clear. He offers creative, simple solutions to frustrating problems, and more than anything he makes his class welcoming and something to look forward to. The homework he assigns is plentiful without being overwhelming and he provides all the resources you could need to study for the exam included in the fees. This was the most reasonably priced class I found and it was worth every minute.

Yuri is the man, his Quant class is well priced, and he is a good guy, enthused about helping the students, and available for extra work. Good strategies, and prep material.

If I had Yuri tutor me in math in high school/​college, my whole attitude toward math would have been different. Not only does Yuri understand the concepts and explain them well, he seems to genuinely enjoy what he does and he takes a vested interest in how his students do. His enthusiasm makes math (which scares the crap out of me) actually kind of fun and interesting.
He keeps his class sizes small (less than 10 kids) and he makes himself available between classes for homework questions or general study strategies. The class requires a lot of participation (which kinda freaked me out at first) but he makes sure the atmosphere is unintimidating so the participatory nature of the class helped me stay awake.
I’ve taken classes for other exams with Kaplan and Princeton Review. Those consist of a bored proctor reading from a teacher’s guide to a lecture hall full of students. TestCrackers is the opposite of that. The classes are small, the teacher is engaged, and the students are awake and participating.
The material is really well suited for the course. He picks representative questions and provides us with a huge amount of study resources. He even offered to help design individualized study plans (and act as a weekly enforcer) for those of us who feel unfocused after the course. That level of investment in student success is way too rare. I would recommend Yuri to anyone seeking math test prep for the GRE or GMAT.

Yuri provides a great service at a reasonable cost. I utilized his services for Quant. prep. for the GRE in December of 2014 and just took the exam yesterday. This review is part of the closure process.
Yuri is the reason I increased my Quant. score by 8 from intake, the reason I hit my overall goal score, and the reason I will only have to sit for this exam once. He is a very accessible, down-​to-​earth person who hosts a non-​judgmental, participatory environment. You will not just be sitting in class listening to a lecture, you will be using his methods to attack various forms of math in a supportive environment. While classes are packed with information and strategy, there is still time to ask questions and time for Yuri to make sure everyone understands his methods for success. He sincerely cares about the outcomes of his students and will help outline a realistic plan for you to hit your goal score. If you feel like you need a tutor for the GRE or GMAT, call Yuri.
*Side note: I took the 2.5 week (5 classes, 3 hours each) accelerated course and it is doable, but homework and remediating are a big part of the process. If your personal or professional life won’t allow for the time, I would sign up for the conventional course length of 5 weeks. Good Luck!

I highly recommend Yuri’s Quant class as an excellent way to prepare for the GRE. It’s been about 10 years since I did high school math, so I was desperate for help getting back into it. I thought about taking a Manhattan Prep or Princeton Review course, but ultimately decided on Testcrackers because of the awesome reviews from students, small class size, and comparably low cost.
Yuri’s class went above and beyond my expectations. Not only has Yuri developed tried-​and-​true tips for getting through the test, but he also creates an atmosphere of non-​judgement and encouragement in his classroom. I left every class feeling more confident in my abilities. By the end, Yuri’s love for math started to rub off on me – sometimes I (ALMOST) looked forward to doing a chapter in the 5lb book!
Unlike larger test prep courses, Yuri clearly cares about his students’ success. Once the class was over, Yuri didn’t disappear; he helped me develop a daily study plan until the day I took the exam and was more than happy to set up a few Skype lessons to go over any last minute questions I had. When anxiety hit a few days before the test, Yuri was there to make sure I felt confident and ready to kick ass on test day. :)
I can’t say enough good things about Yuri and his Quant class. If you’re still deciding whether or not to invest the big bucks in another course run by the big test companies, definitely go with Yuri — you won’t be disappointed!

After going it alone my first attempt at the GMAT, my quant score was in need of some serious improvement. I needed instruction, but with a busy weekday travel schedule this was looking like a very daunting task. I found Testcracker’s here on Unilocal,and discovered exactly the class I was looking for — weekend small-​group sessions, targeting quant strategies and content, in detail, along with 2 hours of private tutoring prior to my retest date — all at an unbeatable price.
Yuri is friendly, calm, and a natural teacher. With his guidance, I approached the quant section with a sound game-​day strategy that centered on much improved timing. I was ecstatic when I saw my score of 700 on the screen. To be honest, I could have done a lot better had I more thoroughly engaged the homework and supplemental materials Yuri generously provided, but luckily the foundation of understanding built during class was all I needed. Don’t pass up a chance to work with Yuri — and Seth, the new verbal specialist — they should be able get you as fall as you want to go, or further!

Not only was Yuri’s class the most reasonably priced, it was great content. I took the quantitative GMAT prep course, and he does a wonderful job with his group classes. everyone participates in class, and the homework (while a lot) is relevant. He’s also great about answering questions any time, in class or otherwise. As someone who isn’t totally confident with my math skills, I always felt supported and encouraged when working through a problem in class.
One suggestion: Only commit to a class if you know you can be there in-​person for each class session. It’s way more valuable than trying to play catch-​up other ways. Yuri is a wonderful teacher, and my GMAT quant score definitely improved after his classes. Thank yo Yuri!

I recently decided to take the GMAT. My first step was to sign up for the test, and second I signed up for Manhattan. What did I gain from Manhattan? 6 practice tests that told me how horribly I would do on the GMAT. Then I found out about Yuri! First, I’d like to mention that I am an engineer, so my quant skills should theoretically be very good. According to Manhattan tests, I was under 50%. When I signed up for Yuri’s class, I was hovering around 630 – 640 (Quant about 40).
The techniques that he explains during class are brilliant! Being an engineer, I have no problem solving 99% of these problems given enough time, but that is not what the GMAT is about. The GMAT is about what you can solve in 2 minutes. Yuri’s strategies built on my strong math abilities previously, and made me think of the test in different ways. These strategies brought my math score immediately towards the top. My quant scores hovered around 47 – 50 (up from 40) on all my 4
practice tests prior to my actual GMAT. When I took the actual GMAT, I thought it was the hardest test that I had taken up to that point. I was expecting another 40, but I stuck to the strategies that I had been practicing over and over. When I finished the test, I was overwhelmed when I saw my 720 score flashing at me (47 quant!).
Another great thing about Yuri is that he helped me with verbal too. I was having trouble with CR and a little RC, and he gave me some insight on what to study, and where to read up on some strategies. I went from 50% correct on CR to 90+% correct with that little direction. Yuri is one of the nicest guys around and is always willing to help, even if it isn’t directly related to the math class.
Last thing I have to say about Yuri is that he is absolutely brilliant. There is no doubt in my mind that he is a 99^th percentile GMAT taker. The best part though is that he is humble and doesn’t make anyone feel stupid. He has a way of teaching that makes you think about things deeply, but never makes you feel bad about yourself.
All that being said, he has a new verbal course for GMAT that I wish he had when I took the quant course. I surely would have taken that as well! I highly recommend any course taught by Yuri.

Let me start this review off by thanking Yuri for being a great coach and mentor on the GMAT. There’s no way I would have been able to score as high as I did on the test without his help.
I dream about going to business school and doing an MBA like many of Yuri’s other students. This March, I decided that it was time to make my dream come true. I purchased Manhattan GMAT and GMAC study materials and got going. My arrogance led me to believe that brushing up on some theories and concepts was all I needed to score well on the test. Boy was I ever wrong. Yes, I re-​learned most of the theory on what is tested but I had major issues applying that theory on the test. By the end of May, I was still nowhere close to where I needed to be (stuck in the low to mid 600s). Luckily, a quick Unilocal search led me to Yuri. I decided to give his quant course a chance because of all of his stellar reviews. Best. Decision. EVER!
Yuri genuinely has a love for teaching. You can tell he enjoys what he’s doing during courses and he has a vested interest in his student’s success. His quant course gave me the confidence, and more importantly, the tools to excel on the quant portion of the GMAT. He taught me how to approach the questions in the most efficient way. Personally, I’m more of a visual and interactive learner so my experience with Yuri was invaluable.
But wait, it gets better! I told Yuri that I was having issues with the sentence correction portion of the test. I needed to improve in sentence correction in order to take my score to the next level. Yuri offered me a two hour one-​on-​one tutoring session for free. That two hours was EXACTLY what I needed to understand how to better approach sentence correction.
Overall, Yuri is more than a GMAT tutor. He really is a partner and a friend who wants to see you do well. His course will be useful to you no matter where you are in your GMAT journey.
Andrew
740 (Q48 V42)

I had the opportunity of a lifetime to attend a top tier Business School. GMAT was the only thing that stood between me and Biz school. One of my team mates recommended me to Yuri. From the first moment I was impressed with how Yuri was able to help me master Quant so quickly.
Yuri’s mastery over Quant and Verbal is fantastic. However, I felt it was his gift of teaching that helped me learn and understand the concepts quickly and effortlessly. In addition, what really helped me was that Yuri held me accountable for all the homework that was required of me to do well on the GMAT in a relatively short period of time. With Yuri’s help I was able to get into Business School and fulfill my lifelong dream. Through the process, Yuri has become a trusted partner — a person who I can count on, anytime I need to brush up on my Quant and Verbal skills. I absolutely and highly recommend Yuri if you are looking to master the GMAT.