For students planning on going to graduate or professional school after college, preparing for entrance exams can be tough. To help them do well on exams and get into their “dream” schools, Kaplan, 616 E. Green St., offers several courses and resources that focus on improving test scores.

Specializing in courses for the MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, GRE and PCAT, Kaplan covers all areas of interest. These courses, while designed to help test scores, still demand hard work and dedication.

Amy Leisher, Kaplan’s programmer coordinator, said the courses were not easy fixes for receiving a high score.

“We give the students the resources and structured class, but they must put in the work,” she said.

The classes are designed to prepare students for a specific entrance exam. Work consists of attending three-hour classes with an instructor, “pre-work” to understand the material, class homework and practice tests. Lesson and workbooks complement class work and supplementary books suggest additional lessons, which focus on specific areas where a student might need extra help.

Leisher said she often tells students that they should think of a Kaplan course as similar to a four credit hour class at the University.

“Students have to adjust their schedule to make the commitment,” Leisher said.

There have been success stories of students who have put in the effort and seen positive results.

“Many students have gotten into their dream school because the course has helped them obtain the results they wanted,” Leisher said.

Kaplan offers a guarantee that allows students to take the class at no charge the second time if they don’t feel ready to take their exam or aren’t satisfied with their scores. The guarantee only works if students qualify by completing homework assignments and attending classes.

Adam Ward, junior in LAS, took advantage of the guarantee and is currently taking the MCAT class for the second time. Having taken the test over the summer, Ward wasn’t satisfied with his score and felt repeating the class would help him increase his score.

Even though Ward said the course required a lot of work, he doesn’t mind because it helped him prepare for medical school.

“The way the course is set up, you have to be self-motivated,” he said. “It helps get you ready as nobody is going to be walking you through med school.”

Jodi Cottrell, Kaplan’s area director, said the courses’ main goal is to instill confidence in students for when they take the tests. By providing students with a structured setting, a teacher, a place to study and assigned homework, Cottrell feels this forces them to study, helping them do better on the test.

“Students will feel confident if they put in the work,” Cottrell said.

But not all students find this confidence. There have been some students who change their mind halfway through the course, Leisher said.

“There have been a few students who decide that law school or med school just isn’t for them,” she said.

And some students don’t believe in what Kaplan offers. Meghan Kennedy, sophomore in LAS, never took a prep class for the ACT in high school even though most of her friends did.

“I just think it is a waste of time,” Kennedy said. “I can take pre-tests and study on my own.”

Kennedy, who is thinking of going to medical school, hasn’t decided if she will take a Kaplan course.

“I want to ask others what they think of the program before I sign up for it,” Kennedy said.

If she talks to Ward, her answer might change.

“It’s worth it,” Ward said. “Unless you’re naturally smart, it will help everyone.”