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Is an SAT Prep Course Worth It? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re planning to take the SAT, you’ve likely asked yourself: “Should I take an SAT prep course?” With college admissions more competitive than ever, a small score increase could make a huge difference. But with so many prep programs available, how do you pick the best one?
In this guide, we’ll break down the best SAT prep courses available in 2024—covering their features, pricing, reviews, and whether they’re worth your investment.
By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether a prep course is right for you and, if so, which one offers the best value.
Top SAT Prep Courses in 2024: A Quick Overview
There are plenty of SAT prep options, but we’re going to focus on three of the most popular:
- The Princeton Review SAT Prep – Offers structured learning with a score improvement guarantee.
- Kaplan SAT Prep – Provides flexible learning with live and on-demand options.
- PrepScholar SAT – Uses an adaptive program tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.
And yes, there’s a 100% free option too: Khan Academy’s SAT Prep, which is perfect for self-studiers who don’t want to spend a dime.
Now, let’s dig deeper into each course.
1. The Princeton Review SAT Prep (Best for High Score Improvements)
✅ Price: $299 – $2,199
✅ Best For: Students looking for a guaranteed score improvement.
Key Features:
- Live online or in-person instruction (18 hours of live instruction).
- Over 3,200+ practice questions and 140+ drills.
- Score Improvement Guarantee: If you don’t improve, you get your money back.
- ✅ Highly structured program with expert instructors.
- ✅ Strong strategies for tackling challenging SAT questions.
- ✅ Includes proctored full-length practice tests.
- ❌ Can be expensive, especially if opting for private tutoring.
User Feedback:
📌 “I improved by 200 points! It was a lot of work, but totally worth it.” – Reddit User
📌 “Great instructors, but overpriced compared to other options.” – Trustpilot
2. Kaplan SAT Prep (Most Flexible Learning Options)
✅ Price: $199 – $1,999
✅ Best For: Students who want a mix of live and self-paced learning.
Key Features:
- 18 hours of live online instruction.
- Over 40 hours of on-demand video lessons.
- 8 full-length practice tests.
- ✅ Flexible scheduling for busy students.
- ✅ Strong test-taking strategies emphasize time management.
- ✅ 8 full-length practice tests help with stamina building.
- ❌ Some students feel they could learn similar material from books alone.
User Feedback:
📌 “Kaplan helped me get familiar with the test format, but I wouldn’t say it’s a magic bullet.” – Quora
📌 “Good structure, but expensive for what you get.” – Reddit
3. PrepScholar SAT Prep (Best for Personalized Learning)
✅ Price: $397 – $995
✅ Best For: Students who prefer self-paced, adaptive learning.
Key Features:
- 60+ hours of interactive content and lessons.
- Over 7,100+ practice questions.
- Uses an AI-based custom study plan tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses.
- ✅ Great for students who want a customized learning path.
- ✅ More affordable than Princeton Review or Kaplan.
- ✅ Flexible and great for self-motivated learners.
- ❌ No live tutoring included (only pre-recorded lessons).
User Feedback:
📌 “PrepScholar let me study at my own pace, and I improved by 150 points!” – Trustpilot
📌 “Wish there was an option to get live tutoring.” – Reddit
What About Free SAT Prep Courses?
Not everyone wants—or can afford—to spend hundreds on an SAT course. Luckily, there are free SAT prep options available. The best one?
Khan Academy’s Free SAT Prep
✅ Best For: Self-motivated students looking for top-notch free SAT prep.
✅ Key Features:
- Direct partnership with College Board (the makers of the SAT).
- Personalized study plan based on your PSAT or SAT results.
- Thousands of free questions and full-length practice tests.
⚠️ Keep in Mind: While Khan Academy offers excellent free resources, it lacks structured guidance like Princeton Review or Kaplan. If you struggle with study discipline, a paid prep program might be a better fit.
How to Choose the Best SAT Prep Course for You
Now that we’ve covered your best SAT prep options, let’s help you make the right choice.
- 👉 Choose The Princeton Review If: You need a structured plan and one-on-one guidance. You want the highest guarantee of a score improvement.
- 👉 Pick Kaplan If: You need flexibility with both live and self-paced learning. You want lots of full-length tests to prepare for test day.
- 👉 Go With PrepScholar If: You prefer an adaptive, personalized learning system. You are self-motivated and can study without live instruction.
- 👉 Stick to Khan Academy If: You need a 100% free option. You can discipline yourself to follow a study plan without external motivation.
Final Thoughts: Are SAT Prep Courses Worth It?
✅ If you’re aiming for a 200-300 point increase, a structured SAT course could absolutely be worth the investment.
✅ If you’re already scoring high and just need a slight boost, self-studying with free resources like Khan Academy might be just as effective.
At the end of the day, the best SAT prep course depends on your budget, learning preferences, and target score improvements. If you’re serious about increasing your SAT score, it’s worth considering one of the structured options above.
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