Kaplan SAT Prep Review (2025): Is It Worth the Cost?

Choose the wrong SAT prep course, and there’s no going back. But choose the right prep course and you could find yourself attending the school of your dreams.

Kaplan literally invented SAT prep, back in 1938. But after nearly 90 years, is Kaplan just coasting on its great reputation? Or is it actively adapting to the new digital SAT format and keeping up with increased test prep competition? 

Let’s take a deep dive into Kaplan’s SAT programs and see if it’s the next logical step toward your dream school.

Kaplan SAT Prep is ideal for students of all levels, from early starters to last-minute crammers, offering a wide variety of learning formats including tutoring, live classes, and on-demand videos. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer formal, traditional instruction or want to prep mainly through a mobile app.

Who Is Kaplan SAT Prep For?

Kaplan SAT Prep and its wide array of courses provides something for every type of student preparing for the SAT.

🎯Kaplan is perfect for both over-achievers and last-minute learners.

Ambitious students can begin preparing for the SAT and other standardized tests as early as their first year of high school with the Unlimited Prep course. Last-minute learners can take the three-week Bootcamp course and still feel prepared come test day. And of course, there’s plenty of options for all those who fall in between.

🎯Kaplan can significantly boost scores for SAT re-takers

Those who have already taken the SAT or were disappointed in their PSAT results can use Kaplan to gain the confidence they need to significantly boost their score. In fact, Kaplan’s score-improvement guarantee is one of the most straightforward in the business.

And if your score improved, but not by as much as you’d like, you can contact Kaplan to get 12 weeks of free access to your program if you plan on retesting.

🎯Kaplan’s variety means it caters to many learning styles.

Kaplan’s variety also means there’s an ideal setting for many different types of learners. For those most comfortable with one-on-one instructions, Kaplan offers excellent tutoring and goes to great strides to make sure that students are paired with the right instructors for them.

Other students have the knowledge but just need test-taking practice. To this end, Kaplan offers four full-length realistic digital SAT questions in all of its courses. That’s in addition to the 500+ sample questions that you can do at your own pace.

And students of all stripes have responded to Kaplan’s engaging, informal approach to the on-demand video content and live-online courses. The casual tone of all of Kaplan’s content is meant to make retaining difficult concepts as simple as possible.

🎯Kaplan’s hands-on approach is great for students who need structure and attention.

For those who do well in a classroom setting but also need a little extra individual attention, Kaplan’s Live Online program offers live classes staffed by at least two teachers.

While one teacher provides the general instruction, another answers individual questions via chat. This is a unique feature among test prep courses and one you’re not likely to find elsewhere, especially at a lower price point.

❌Who is Kaplan SAT Prep NOT for?

Stanley H. Kaplan started teaching exam prep courses in his basement, and in the spirit of this home-grown origin, Kaplan maintains a similar casual style. For those seeking formal instruction with a teacher standing at a chalkboard, Kaplan may not be the best choice.

Kaplan’s philosophy is that casual instruction leads to higher retention, so courses and on-demand videos are more conversational in tone. Obviously, this format has worked well for Kaplan’s thousands of satisfied students, but it may prove distracting to some.

Take advantage of the free course offer to get a good feel for the Kaplan style if you’re concerned it won’t work for you.

Another downside that might put you off Kaplan is that its program is not available on an app. Most students prep mainly on their laptops, and Kaplan’s courses all work well in a mobile web browser, but if your plan includes a lot of phone time, check out Magoosh or one of the other test prep courses that use an app.

Kaplan SAT Course Options and Pricing

Course	Features	Price (with current 20% discount)
On Demand	35 on-demand videos 4 full-length practice tests Qbank of 500 practice questions Full access for 6 months Score-improvement guarantee	$160
Bootcamp	18 hours of live-online instruction 35 on-demand videos 4 full-length practice tests Qbank of 500 practice questions Score-improvement guarantee	$640
Live Online	18 hours of live-online instruction 4 realistic practice tests Qbank of 500 practice questions Access to on-demand videos Score-improvement guarantee	$640
Live Online+	All of the above plus 3 hours of one-on-one tutoring and a physical practice book	$880
Standard SAT Tutoring	10, 20, 30, or 40 hours of individual tutoring Access to the Live Online course 4 full-length practice tests Access to full Qbank & on-demand videos Score-improvement guarantee	$1,600–$3,680
Premium SAT Tutoring	All of the above plus 99th-percentile teachers with more than 8 years’ teaching experience	$2,400–$5,600
Unlimited Prep	Unlimited Live Online prep courses through December of your senior year Courses cover SAT, ACT, & PSAT tests, plus 8 AP subjects 10 physical books	$1,600

What Does Kaplan SAT Prep Include?

Kaplan’s SAT prep courses offer a variety of learning tools, all designed to help you maximize your score come test day.

☑️On-Demand Video Lessons

Kaplan’s on-demand video lessons have become the cornerstone of its SAT prep courses. Every course, from the cheapest to the premium package, includes 35 on-demand videos.

These videos deliver SAT content through short, engaging lessons that cover the subjects you’ll need to know.

Even if you’re a math whiz, the SAT might test your trigonometry and algebra in unexpected ways, so Kaplan makes sure you know not only the subject matter, but the way in which that subject will be tested.

A nice touch is that the videos cover test-taking strategies along the way, like how to quickly eliminate wrong answers and narrow down your choices if you get stuck on a particular question.

Kaplan’s videos clearly cover all the basics and provide valuable information, but yes, there are similar videos for free on YouTube.

Where Kaplan differentiates itself is in its production value and how it engages learners.

The best test prep in the world is worthless if you zone out or can’t get through all the lessons. Kaplan uses experienced, charismatic teachers and just enough graphics to keep you engaged without distracting you or making the production feel cartoonish.

Another tactic Kaplan uses to keep students engaged is presenting some information in a conversational style between instructor and student. This is actually really effective, especially in comparison to the dry, austere instructional style of other prep companies or YouTube videos.

A screenshot from one of Kaplan’s video lessons

Kaplan’s critics say it tries a little too hard to cater to teenagers with short attention spans, and that might ring true to more traditional students. However, these videos have to appeal to a wide range of students, and to that end, Kaplan succeeds.

But it doesn’t stop there. Kaplan makes sure what you learn from each video sticks.

☑️Interactive Drills and Quizzes

Accompanying each on-demand video are interactive drills and quizzes to reinforce what you’ve just learned. These drills serve several purposes.

Interactive drills break up the instructional videos and require something of students beyond passive listening.

That’s another effective tactic to increase engagement.

The drills also instantly assess how well you grasped the concept presented, to see whether you need to repeat the lesson or move on.

Kaplan also provides adaptive quizzes presented just how they’ll appear on the actual SAT.

If you answer a question wrong, an additional video will pop up with detailed instructions on how to get the right answer. If you answer the question correctly, you’ll move on to a more challenging question on the same topic, until you’ve mastered it completely.

Overall, the drill followed by a quiz might seem a little repetitive, but it’s a great way to assess your strengths and weaknesses. It allows you to really focus your attention on the subjects that need it the most. And that’s where the massive Qbank steps in.

☑️Question Bank

All of Kaplan’s programs come with a Qbank of more than 500 sample SAT practice questions. These are in addition to the quizzes, sample tests, and drills that are part of the structured program and are meant to be quick practice questions that you can sneak in when you have the time.

The Qbank is categorized by subject, so if you have identified a particular weakness, you can focus on where you need the most practice.

Honestly, other SAT prep programs have more practice questions, and you can even go directly to the College Board’s website for thousands of free sample questions. With Kaplan, the Qbank serves more to augment its quizzes, drills, and practice tests, but it’s not the focal point of the program.

☑️Practice Tests

As many intelligent people have learned the hard way, a solid grasp of subjects covered on the SAT doesn’t always translate to a great score.

This type of underperformance is most often the result of either not being comfortable with the way the SAT presents its questions—sometimes it seems like it has its own language—or succumbing to the pressure of test day.

Kaplan tackles common test-taking issues with its four full-length digital SAT practice exams.

Other SAT prep courses offer more practice tests, like the Princeton Review, which has nine, so if you only want practice tests you should look elsewhere. In my experience, however, four is sufficient, and the quality of the SAT practice tests are excellent. For some students, the best companion to practice tests is live, structured classes with corporeal instructors.

☑️Live-Online Classes 

Kaplan also offers live-online classes in all its packages except for the On Demand course. In the Unlimited Prep program, you can take as many live-online classes as you’d like, but the rest are limited to 18 hours.

All live-online classes are taught by instructors who have scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT, so you’re learning from experts not only in their respective subjects, but also in the art of test taking.

What’s unique about Kaplan’s live classes is that all classes have a second or even third teacher.

These extra instructors are there to answer live questions you may have during the lecture. So if something isn’t clear, they can immediately help you out via chat.

Students can ask questions during class using the “Private Q&A” section in the bottom right corner.

One downside to Kaplan’s live-online classes is that they can sometimes be crowded with 30 students or more. That’s a lot compared to other prep companies, but with the help of the extra teachers, class size isn’t as significant an issue. If you need tangible resources to augment these programs, Kaplan has you covered.

☑️SAT Prep Books by Kaplan

If you want access to Kaplan’s wealth of knowledge but prefer traditional study methods, like an old-fashioned physical book (remember books?), Kaplan offers those as well.

Kaplan offers an SAT prep book free with both the Live Online Plus program and the Unlimited program.

In fact, at these levels you get not only the SAT Prep book but also the books for a number of AP subjects and other standardized tests as well. Which of Kaplan’s two SAT prep books comes with free will have to be a surprise, though, since the website doesn’t specify.

You can also order Kaplan’s Digital SAT Total Prep 2025 or Digital SAT Prep Plus 2025 on Amazon, both of which are reasonably priced (under $30) backdoors into the Kaplan program.

What you’ll love about this shortcut is that both books come with one year of access to some of Kaplan’s online resources, including one year of access to some of the on-demand videos and quizzes.

Inside Digital SAT Total Prep 2025 you’ll find more than 1,000 practice questions and explanations, plenty of quizzes, plus two practice tests and methods and strategies for test day.

The book is 960 pages, so not quite as portable as your laptop, but it’s a great investment for those who learn better with actual paper.

The Digital SAT Prep Plus 2025 is less comprehensive (only 648 pages) but still includes 700 practice questions, a full practice test, and one year of access to part of Kaplan’s online program.

Kaplan has been publishing its SAT prep books forever, but there’s a lot more competition these days. The Princeton Review’s SAT books are more popular on Amazon, probably because they’re a few dollars cheaper, but Kaplan’s have higher ratings and offer more sample questions.

If all that still leaves you uncertain of your SAT-taking abilities, you can always go one step further and meet one-on-one with a Kaplan tutor.

☑️Personal Tutoring

For a lot of students, the complexity of the SAT requires one-on-one guidance. This is particularly true for students who already took the test but were disappointed in their results. Kaplan SAT Prep can accommodate those students with its personal tutoring program.

If you just need a few hours of one-on-one instruction, three hours are included in the Live Online Plus program.

But if you suspect high-level tutoring is the only way you’ll achieve your goal score, Kaplan’s tutoring program has a lot going for it and a lot to offer—except affordability.

All the tutoring courses include access to the Live Online course, four full-length practice tests, access to the full Qbank and on-demand videos, and a score-improvement guarantee.

Here’s a comparison chart of Kaplan’s tutoring prices:

Tutoring Course	Features	Price (with current 20% discount)
Standard (10 hours)	10 hours of one-on-one tutoring  Live Online and On Demand access	$1,600
Standard (20 hours)	20 hours of one-on-one tutoring  Live Online and On Demand access	$2,320
Standard(30 hours)	30 hours of one-on-one tutoring  Live Online and On Demand access	$3,040
Standard (40 hours)	40 hours of one-on-one tutoring  Live Online and On Demand access	$3,680
Premium (10 hours)	10 hours from 99th-percentile tutors with 8 years’ experience Live Online and On Demand access	$2,400
Premium(20 hours)	20 hours from 99th-percentile tutors with 8 years’ experience Live Online and On Demand access	$3,440
Premium(30 hours)	30 hours from 99th-percentile tutors with 8 years’ experience Live Online and On Demand access	$4,640
Premium(40 hours)	40 hours from 99th-percentile tutors with 8 years’ experience  Live Online and On Demand access	$5,600

The problem with any SAT tutoring program is that different tutors teach differently. Some are simply better than others and some use different teaching styles that may not match your learning style.

Kaplan tries to match each student to the right teacher. It’s not a flawless process, but it definitely improves the odds that you’ll get your perfect tutor.

The Premium Tutoring program is as good as you’re going to get anywhere. The tutors all have more than eight years of SAT tutoring experience, which is a ton in an industry that sees a lot of turnover. They are also all 99th-percentile testers, so you’ll be learning from the best.

If you have the resources, you won’t have a better prep experience anywhere else, not just because of the quality of Kaplan’s tutors, instructors, and curriculum, but also because of its well-developed online dashboard.

Digital Platform and User Experience

Kaplan has come a long way from Stanley’s basement, and although it might be the OG in the test prep industry, it’s more than adapted to the internet age.

Kaplan has a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to find the resources you need, access the on-demand content, and take your practice tests and quizzes.

One of the most important facets of prep courses is the user interface, though, and unfortunately, not every program has a user-friendly interface. Luckily, the folks at Kaplan have spent a lot of time developing a great performance dashboard.

Kaplan’s dashboard allows you to monitor your progress, a great motivator to continue with your studies.

If you see how far you’ve come, it gives you that extra push to continue going.

Analytics also play a critical role in allocating your most precious resource: time.

With Kaplan’s performance dashboard, you can see where you most need to improve and dedicate your time toward that subject.

Most of Kaplan’s live-online instruction is conducted via Zoom, with one or more teachers available for private chats should you have specific questions.

Through the Zoom app, you can access Kaplan’s live courses on your phone. However, keep in mind that Kaplan itself does not have a dedicated app in support of its SAT prep program.

All the on-demand videos, quizzes and drills work well through a mobile browser, but it’s not quite as convenient as an app. Kaplan does have dedicated apps for its other test prep program, like the MCAT, so hopefully an SAT version is in development.

So, how long do you have to enjoy all of this?

Content Access Period

How long you can access Kaplan’s content depends on the program you select.

If you’re a first-year in high school and really want to get ahead of the game, you can have access for up to four full years with the Unlimited Prep course.

Most students, though, will be looking for a less intensive program that meets their needs on a shorter timeline.

For Kaplan’s standard SAT prep courses, you are limited to six months of access, which is notably less than some competitors, like Princeton Review, which offers a full year.

For most students, six months is enough. However, if you’ve nearly completed your course but need a little bit longer, Kaplan offers very affordable extension options.

If you want to extend your access for just a few weeks, all SAT test prep courses can be extended for $50/week.

Just click on the Extend Course option on your Account Management page. You can actually do that for up to 24 weeks should your test-taking plans change.

When you reach the end of your content access period, if you need more instruction or you don’t like your SAT score, you have options.

Kaplan’s Score Guarantee and Refund Policies

Kaplan offers first-time students a straightforward score guarantee that comes with a full refund or free retake on most of its courses.

But first, if you buy a Kaplan prep course and change your mind, you can get a full refund if you request one within three days. Within four to seven days, you are eligible for a refund of 75% of what you paid, but no refunds are issued after that. In such a case, I suggest you take the course.

Here’s how the score-improvement guarantee, which applies to all SAT prep courses, works: 

If you’ve already taken the SAT, you forward your score to Kaplan. If you haven’t, you’ll use a practice test as your baseline score.

After you’ve taken the SAT, if you fail to beat your baseline score, you have 60 days to send in your score and request a refund. If you liked the program but just didn’t perform well come test day, you can also opt for a free retake of the course you selected.

You are also eligible for a free retake (but not a refund) if you take the SAT, perform better than your previous or baseline score but not as high as you’d prefer, and want to take the SAT again. In this case, your account will be reactivated for 12 more weeks for free so that you can retake the course.

The only caveat is that you must complete all required homework and prep tests for courses with live-online classes and/or use all purchased tutoring hours if you selected a course with one-on-one tutoring. It makes sense. If you don’t take the course seriously, why would Kaplan offer you a refund for not doing well?

Here’s a nice thing: If you purchased a tutoring course and can’t finish your tutoring hours for any reason, Kaplan will refund you $75 for any session(s) missed.

That’s pretty cool.

You might assume that Kaplan’s perks and resources stop here, but you’d be wrong.

Supplemental Study and Admissions Resources

Kaplan also offers supplemental resources beyond the course inclusions, some of which are free, to help you with your SAT prep and beyond.

Kaplan offers one free online practice test, beyond what you get with the paid programs. It also offers Free SAT Events, which are essentially sample live-online classes, so you can assess Kaplan’s teaching style.

If your course does not come with Kaplan’s books, they are affordable and available on Amazon. They offer some of the same content as the courses, but if you’ve been staring at a screen too long and your eyes need a break, an old-fashioned paperback can help you keep studying.

Obviously the long term goal of a good SAT score is to get into college, and to that end Kaplan also offers a free AI Admissions advisor, which acts as a “virtual guidance counselor.” Enrolling in this free program also emails you SAT and ACT practice questions, gives you odds on getting into the school of your choice and more.

Kaplan also offers real, live admissions advisors who will guide you through the complete admissions process at the schools of your choice and help you through financing options. You can also add guidance on your admissions essay.Packages start at $500.

Final Verdict: Kaplan SAT Prep Course Review

Kaplan invented test prep courses, and it’s come pretty close to perfecting them. Its on-demand videos are engaging and efficiently teach you exactly what you’ll need to know to crush the SAT. The live-online courses are taught by charismatic instructors who will keep you engaged.

If you need one-on-one attention, the Kaplan tutors are among the best in the business, particularly the premium tutors, all of whom have more than eight years of SAT prep teaching experience and 99th-percentile scores.

The only people who might be disappointed in the Kaplan SAT prep experience are those who want to use an app or those who long for the good old days of in-person instruction. Kaplan offers neither.

What it does offer is our highest ranked overall SAT test prep course. And you know it’s true thanks to the backup of Kaplan’s straightforward score-improvement guarantee. You will get a better SAT score with Kaplan, and that’s the bottom line.

FAQs

How much does the Kaplan SAT prep course cost?

With current promotions, Kaplan course costs vary in price from $160 for the On Demand video course to $5,600 for the most Premium SAT tutoring hours, with many other options in between. It’s important that you look at each course’s curriculum before deciding based on cost alone.

Will Kaplan digital SAT prep raise my score?

Yes, Kaplan Digital SAT prep courses will raise your score, though by how much depends on the effort you put into the program. If your score doesn’t improve, you might be able to retake the course for free or receive a full refund.

Is there a Kaplan SAT mobile app?

No, Kaplan does not have a dedicated SAT mobile app, although its courses work well via mobile browser.

Does Kaplan have a higher score guarantee?

Yes, Kaplan has a higher score guarantee. If you complete the course work and practice tests and don’t receive a higher score, you have the option of retaking the course for free or, in most cases, getting a full refund.