Stellar GRE is a silver bullet for achieving your GRE goals. A few years before having the pleasure of meeting and working with Orion, I spent countless hours studying in what I believed to be the "traditional" and best approach to tackling this behemoth of an exam. I purchased loads of highly reviewed study guides, flash cards, video tutorials and committed to preparation. My efforts did not prevail, and my first score was disappointing to say the least. Shortly after, and unrelated to my score, I determined it wasn't quite my time to pursue graduate school. Three years later, I came back with a vengeance and determination to complete the unfinished business I had started and excel at my next attempt of the GRE. Understanding that all the "best material" in the world or ones "written by the test writers themselves" was not the answer from my own empirical experience, I promptly set out to find a more efficient alternative. Unbeknownst to me, a silver bullet had existed the entire time. That silver bullet is Stellar GRE and Orion Taraban. After extensive research, I discovered Stellar GRE under rather extenuating circumstances: I had just over two months to study and successfully acquire a strong score in my effort to earn admission to highly ranked and competitive MBA programs. After reaching out to Orion and having a very pleasant first phone call, I signed up for the Stellar GRE manual and went to work. I can't even begin to express the power of this manual, and how engaging it is despite being an online, well, manual. The structure and prose was incredibly well-written, straightforward, easy to grasp, balanced with entertainment and humor, and quite frankly, fun. In addition to following the manual, I also met with Orion on a few virtual meetings to dive deeper on areas requiring additional attention. We covered substantially more instruction in each one hour session than I ever could have imagined. Orion was cordial, engaged, honest, thoughtful and encouraging for the entirety of each session. It is conspicuously clear that Orion genuinely cares for his students and their goals, is resolute in using his gift of teaching, and is ready and eager to get you where you want to be. I'm thrilled to report that I have exceeded my GRE goals by a long shot, a conquered feat I lend exclusively to Orion and his Stellar program which empowered me to make it happen. I cannot recommend Stellar GRE highly enough. Do your present and future self a favor and work with Orion, and watch yourself shine on test day and step foot onto your dream campus shortly after. read more

I'm a "second career" (i.e., older) prospective student looking at going back to graduate school. I last took the GRE almost 30 years ago, and although I did well, I knew I needed help to get back up to speed to get the best scores possible for the first-tier schools I'm applying to. I couldn't make scheduled classes with my work schedule, so I worked with Orion in 1:1 sessions. I did okay in my baseline testing, but I have first-class schools on my radar and wanted to do better than "okay." I took the test a couple of weeks ago and got perfect scores in Verbal and Analytical Writing and much higher Math scores than I needed or expected! There's no question this was due to the coaching I got from Orion. First, meeting with him forced me to keep to a schedule. He's no-nonsense: show up prepared or else! While that had an irritating element to it, it also drove me to do the homework and practice I knew I needed to do, and it paid off. Second, he understands this is a standardized test, a hurdle to get over, not the educational objective itself. He trains for doing well on the test itself. The ETS prep materials were annoying, especially the math materials, because they want to wow us with what smart math wizards they are. Orion, on the other hand, is happy to talk plain English, give the test-taking tricks, and just help us through the test without burdening us with all the math gee-whiz. Third, he knows tricks and tips probably not available elsewhere. I confess to doubting at least one major recommendation he made, going so far as to calling one of my school's admissions officers and asking if the advice sounded right because I couldn't find any backup for it on the internet. The admissions officer didn't blink an eye and said to follow his advice, and he turned out to be spot on based on the highest-possible score I got. Fourth, practice, review and learning from mistakes is the way to prepare for the test content, and he just keeps at it and at it and at it--not the most fun I've ever had, but what I needed to do well on the test. And fifth, he was great in preparing for test-day logistics, from location, food, managing breaks, etc., so all that practice doesn't get side-tracked by the stress of taking the test. Orion is a nice guy, a good teacher, and keeps the purpose of both the test and graduate school in perspective, and I'm sure I wouldn't have done as well without his tutoring and test-taking guidance. I highly recommend his services, either 1:1, or I would imagine, his classes. read more

The GRE was this test that was looming over my head, and I just could not foster the motivation to study. After a recommendation from a friend, I signed up for Orion's 8-week class as a way to finally push myself into taking the test. As I reflect now on those 8 weeks there are a couple of things that I walked away with: 1. Orion does an amazing job providing his students with only the information that they will need to succeed on the test. If you are so inclined to dive deeper into the topic there is space for that, but the class is focused on training your mind to identify types of problems on the test and how to do them quickly and correctly every time. 2. Having been through graduate school himself, Orion provides an refreshingly honest perspective on why you should (or shouldn't) go to graduate school. It may not have always been what I wanted to hear, but I walked away from it confident that this was still the path that I wanted to take. 3. Practice, Practice, Practice! Orion gives you the tools you need to learn, if you are willing to take the time to use them. 3. Finally, sign up to take the test within 2 weeks of the final class. I took the test the following Saturday, and walked in with all the material still fresh in my mind. I think this had a huge impact on my eventual score. You are never going to feel ready to take the test, but I promise you that you will be able to walk in with the skills you need to get the score you want if you take Orion's class! read more

I took Orion's Winter 2019 course. I had been studying through Magoosh for 3 months and wasn't getting the results I wanted. I picked Stellar GRE because it was the cheapest in the market with good reviews. I was NOT disappointed, and despite the lowest price point for GRE prep, it's probably the highest quality instruction you will ever get. He knows everything on the test from front to back, and will make sure you will get the best score in the most time-efficient way as humanely possible. Just some of the tips he gives is worth the money alone. I got a perfect score on the writing section and I absolutely would not have done that without Orion's help. He does have a system to take the test, and since I had been studying with Magoosh, it took some time to unlearn how Magoosh (and likely every other GRE prep system) teaches in order to learn his tactics. Trust his system! It statistically works. If you haven't done any GRE prep yet, Stellar GRE is a good place to start and finish; if you have done some prep, still take his course! He makes himself really available to you and your concerns. Even though it is a class environment, you can tell he really takes the time to address your particular trouble points individually if you ask. Also he's just a super cool dude. His classes are engaging and funny. Orion is your guy! read more

I took a Stellar GRE group course in 2017 while applying for a professional school. Stellar GRE is hands down the best test review service I have ever used! I took the group prep class for the GRE. I dramatically increased my Quant scores from the bottom 10% to the 62% percentile. I also saw a statistically significant increase in my Verbal scores as well. I do not know how a would have done without the prep and feedback on the written part of the exam. Orion is a great instructor. He knows how the testing systems works. He gives you great strategies to maximize the knowledge that you have and how to effectively manage the gaps that exist. Most importantly, he teaches you proven test and time management strategies. I think that if I had had the time to dedicate to working further on my own I could have made a near perfect score. It is the best school-related money I have spent. If you are taking the GRE this is the best review and strategies on the market. I improved my scores well above what was needed for the one professional school that required the test. If you are trying to get into a competitive program and need top-tier results, Orion and Stellar GRE are the ticket. read more

I don't often write Yelp reviews, but wanted to highlight the incredible impact Orion's instruction has had on my GRE performance. After struggling with prep books and online courses, I realized how unnecessarily complex I was making my GRE prep, conflating processes and therefore incorrectly solving problems. Orion helped me simplify my strategy and, through an iterative process of identifying core concepts and common mistakes to avoid, helped me gain my confidence with test taking. Additionally, he helped mollify my test taking anxiety through identifying fail safes. I'd highly recommend anyone to sign up for his tutoring sessions, which offer a holistic approach to tackling this often arduous test prep process. My test scores have incrementally improved and this would not have happened without his guidance. I've found that larger company materials tend to over complicate prep and answer descriptions to practice problems (at least to me), which exacerbated my prep. Orion simplified and ensured I grew more keenly aware of how to take the test. Thank you, Orion, for helping my increase my chances of success in this often intimidating process. read more

Orion is an extraordinarily talented teacher. I walked into my first session knowing that I needed to double my quantitative and improve my verbal in less than a month and a half to get into my dream school, Harvard Graduate School of Education. As I write this review, I can happily report that I just got my acceptance letter and could not have prepared for the GRE so efficiently without Orion. Orion helps you identify strengths and weaknesses quickly, and he gives strategies and homework based on your individual need. Furthermore, he knows the test inside out and can answer any question in a thoughtful and thorough way. Listen and take note of every tip or trick he says! His knowledge about the writing no doubt gave me the tools to succeed on test day. He also has a remarkable way of normalizing the nerves and anxiety. I highly recommend Orion! A word of advice to get the most out of your time....do your homework and come prepared to work during your study time. You want to take full advantage of that 1 on 1 time with an expert! read more

I had been self-studying for a couple months, but hit a wall and I couldn't increase my scores. It was immensely frustrating and I wasn't sure a private tutor could help, but I reached out to Orion and never looked back. Through multiple one-on-one sessions we worked together to identify where I was going wrong and how I could improve my score. Though Orion provided tremendous value in understanding the actual content of the GRE (e.g. individual mathematic and vocab/reading comprehension concepts), I found the most valuable aspect of working with Orion in his unparalleled understanding of the nuances of the GRE (i.e. how to take the test, regardless of the subject matter). This really gives you a sense of confidence and mastery to tackle any type of question. I was so pleased with my time with Orion that at my recommendation, my brother is now working with Orion as well. If you're looking to get the best GRE score possible, I strongly urge you to work with Orion. You won't regret it. read more

I took Orion's 2015 group GRE class. Orion showed himself to be a courteous, compassionate, and highly knowledgeable instructor. I applied to graduate landscape architecture programs around the country and was accepted to several top ten design schools. I had never taken the GRE before, but I was concerned primarily about my quantitative test score, which I was able to raise by several percentile points. My results were very competitive. There will be no shortage of material to study in his class. Even though the class I took was over a year ago, I am still amazed by how Orion has dedicated himself to studying the GRE: how scores are evaluated, successful test-taking behaviors, and of course the problem sets themselves. Orion's patient and clear communication style is rare in a teacher. I think his training as an actor and as a psychotherapist must have played a part in this. If you stick with his program, you will be able to enter (and exit) the testing room with confidence. read more

Orion was so accommodating, so encouraging, and an all around incredible GRE teacher. He started out by acknowledging that the test is stacked against most people - a truth that I appreciated acknowledging greatly - and continued to give unique, non-traditional words of encouragement throughout the course (i.e. meditation suggestions, breathing). For me, the most important thing was brushing up on my math. My score improved HUGELY over the course of the class. He gave a lot of tricks, and provided structured practice every week. The verbal I started out OK on, and continued to improve throughout. Orion used to be an essay grader, and so he gave a lot of incredible resources and advice around the essay sections as well. We had many opportunities for him to grade and give invaluable feedback on these essays. Most of all, I enjoyed going to class, and Orion was an incredible listener and accommodated the unique needs of our class. HIGHLY recommend the course. :) read more

Orion knows all the secrets and tricks that one could do on the GRE test, and in the class he shares his knowledge and insight with his students; I enjoyed it for the intellectually stimulating atmosphere, not to mention Orion's great personality and pedagogical methods. I would highly recommend signing up for his class, for one of the reasons is that it will help you discover which area of the test you would want to concentrate more in your studying (and on which one - less). This, coupled with the right and simple (underlined twice) approach to solve problems (that you will learn in the class), will give you a satisfactory result with reasonable effort. Most people wouldn't need to score 99th percentile on each section, and for them this class is more than sufficient. For the ones who are aiming for the top 10 schools, this class is still full of useful information; if you're one them, it is up to you to decide whether you would prefer group or private lessons. read more

Orion was a truly stellar tutor. His company name most definitely lives up to his performance and delivery as a tutor and teacher. Through his unique sense of humor and steadfast commitment to his clients, he works hard to ensure the success of every one of his students. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Orion and was bummed to stop working with him once my test date rolled around! He made ordinarily dry and stressful content accessible and structured in a way that was incredibly attainable. I must mention that he is also excellent at working with students with various learning challenges. I was concerned going into my work with him that my learning disabilities would pose as a roadblock in our tutoring dynamic, but my fears could not have been further from the reality. Regardless of how you learn or take standardized tests, Orion is ready to work closely with you to ensure your success on the GRE. read more

I took Orion's winter 2017 group GRE prep class, and thought it was great! Orion was a polished, clear, easy-to-understand instructor who packed a lot of content into each session while also emphasizing anxiety-reduction strategies for standardized tests. He prioritized organizing information to ensure his students came away from each class with a solid understanding of the material covered in the GRE along with effective strategies for taking the test. The structure Orion provided both in class and outside of class through homework assignments was instrumental to my success on the GRE. Not only was each class clearly thought out and well structured, the homework assignments were well sequenced to build on what we had learned each week. I was able to take the test just two weeks after the end of the course, and was incredibly happy with my scores! Thanks so much, Orion! read more

After studying my own for a month, I decided to reach out to Orion for help on the GRE. His eight-week course was, without a doubt, well worth the time and money! Orion's years of experience with the GRE was beneficial in finding an approach to efficiently and effectively take the test. Orion provides a great source of information, materials, and test-taking strategies to minimize careless errors and relieve testing anxieties that ultimately improve scores. I would highly recommend GRE Stellar and Orion's admission counseling. I know my scores and applications would not be what they are without Orion's help. The graduate school application process is a pain, but Orion made the process a lot less stressful. My best piece of advice is not to waste your time going down the internet rabbit hole looking for GRE tricks, instead sign up for GRE Stellar as soon as you can. read more

When I needed to study for the GREs from scratch and take the test within a short turnaround, I turned to Stellar GRE. In 8 weeks, I was able to go from not even fully knowing the test format, to scoring in the 98th percentile in verbal, 86th percentile in quant, and getting a perfect score on writing (having never taken a full practice test before this class!). Orion teaches the GREs in an intuitive, achievable system with no extraneous efforts spent; he teaches focused techniques geared towards cracking the test and achieving as high a score as you can. He provides all the materials you need, and if you follow his system--it definitely works! Orion is a fun instructor--brightening up an otherwise miserable subject--and is genuinely invested in his students' success, responding to questions with care. The Stellar GRE program is a worthy investment. read more

Orion is an excellent tutor. I only needed to raise my writing score by 1/2 a point and Orion was the perfect person to go to. (I tried another tutoring service first: they placed me with a tutor who was leaving the country to 4 days! Not very helpful.) Not only was he willing to find a time that worked for me with my busy schedule, he knows the GRE inside and out, forwards and backwards. Orion, helped me understand how to write the kind of essay ETS is looking for. He was also dedicated to helping me learn from my mistakes and making sure that I did my best. Even after our last session, Orion offered to read over additional practice essays and give me feedback before the test day arrived. If you are as frustrated by this test as I was, there is no one better than Orion to go to for help! read more

I am a terrible test-taker, and I could not have worked up the courage to register for the GRE (much less take it) had it not been for Orion. He's the best! His perfect test scores and ability to adapt his teaching style to the individual student make him an amazing teacher. I shudder when I think about what my scores could have been without Orion, and he helped me reframe my mindset and approach to problem-solving. My scores improved 1.5-2x from when I initially started working with him, and have been raving about his methods ever since. I knew that Manhattan/Kaplan/other group class-based services wouldn't have worked for me; I definitely needed the 1:1 attention, and cannot say enough great things about him. Do it; you won't regret it. read more

Orion was an awesome GRE tutor and gave me some helpful tips/tricks for attacking questions that I couldn't learn from GRE prep books (especially for math!). He gave organized strategies for approaching different types of quantitative questions, as well as tips for time management! He was very accommodating of my busy schedule and was able to squeeze many private sessions into the 2 week period I had before my exam! He is patient, calm and an all-around good teacher! After working with Orion for 5 sessions, I raised my math score by 3 points and reached my goal score! I was fortunate be accepted by multiple physical therapy schools and will be attending USC in the fall! Thanks Orion for all of your help and guidance with the GRE! read more

Taking Orion's class was the best decision I made to get the GRE scores I was looking for. I got scores that I would not have gotten without the strategies and techniques he taught us, including a perfect score on the essay. If you're looking to get serious about improving your GRE scores, I highly recommend taking this course. Worth every penny. Orion makes a class that could be really boring into one that is fun and interesting. His humor and charisma made this 8-week course really enjoyable. You will also be provided with weekly homework and a study plan, so you don't have to worry about creating that on your own. The class was also a great opportunity to meet new people in SF. Couldn't speak more highly about this course! read more