Finding the Best SAT Test Prep Courses: A Comprehensive Guide

Each year, roughly 2 million high school students take the SAT, according to College Board. Along with the ACT, the SAT is a key component of college admissions. While many schools have gone test-optional in the wake of Covid, the most competitive schools still like to see SAT or ACT scores. In addition to college admission, test scores can be used to earn scholarships or placement in special programs. Finally, test scores are a handy tool for students to figure out where they might be a competitive applicant.

With college admissions being more competitive than ever, you’ll likely need a top-tier Digital SAT score to stand out from the crowd. If you want to get scholarships, if you want to get financial aid, if you want to reduce your cost of college, a good SAT score is the only way to go!

Do You Need an SAT Prep Course?

You do not strictly need a SAT prep class to get a good score. Plenty of students reach their target score with free resources and a self-made study plan. That said, a structured SAT prep class can make a big difference if you struggle with discipline, feel lost about where to start, or need to raise your score quickly. Compared to self-studying or no studying at all, a prep course will very likely raise your score. In our SAT prep course, instructors typically see students increase their scores by about 100-300 points.

Guidance with SAT prep comes in two main forms: group classes or individual tutoring. These days, many courses are online. This allows students to seek out the best classes regardless of their physical location, which is great! Live online SAT prep classes and in-person courses provide a clear calendar, homework between sessions and a teacher who can answer questions in real time. In our experience, a good live online SAT prep class is just as effective as most in-person programs. The key drivers of score improvement are lesson quality, practice material and student effort, not whether the teacher is on a screen or in the same room. Many students do well with a single, solid SAT study guide plus online practice tests.

Key Features of Effective SAT Prep Courses

Not all SAT prep courses solve the same problem. Some focus on test content, others on test-taking skills, and others on specific score goals. The most important aspect of a good SAT prep course is the teacher. Excellent classes should be taught by experienced instructors who know the test inside and out and have many years helping students. A good SAT prep class will also encourage students and help them reduce their test anxiety. Many good SAT prep courses will assign structured homework so that students can practice constructively with official test questions.

Read also: Choosing the Right SAT Prep Book

Adapting to the Digital SAT

The Digital SAT is taken exclusively on the College Board’s Bluebook application. Don’t just practice content; practice the interface. Learn the “Desmos” Calculator: Unlike the old paper test, the Digital SAT embeds the powerful Desmos graphing calculator directly into the math section. It can solve many systems of equations and geometry problems for you instantly. Understand Adaptive Testing: The Digital SAT is module-adaptive. How you perform on the first module determines the difficulty (and score ceiling) of the second module.

Top SAT Prep Course Providers

Digital SAT prep courses can cost anywhere from $100 up to $2,000 or more, depending on what features and level of support you need. Here’s a look at some of the best options available:

Kaplan

There’s a reason Kaplan is the popular choice among students and their parents for SAT prep - their curriculum is simply the best around. The study plan staggers lessons and practice work by exam section topics, with a logical lesson sequence that starts with simpler concepts and gradually builds in complexity. Students are guided step-by-step through lessons (live online and recorded), targeted assignments, SAT practice exams, and more. The entire course has an extremely cohesive and detailed design that keeps you working efficiently toward your goal. For most Kaplan students, the main coursework is Kaplan’s live online lessons. While Kaplan only offers 500 or so practice problems, which is less than most competitors provide, the practice work is really well put-together.

Kaplan offers superb video-based lessons. Kaplan takes a more conversational approach to teaching. The instructor is often onscreen, sitting on a couch with a Starbucks coffee in hand, just talking to the camera. The high production value and frequent segment changes in these video lessons really ups the engagement level for students while keeping their attention. Moreover, the instructor will often pull in a high school student to help present the lesson through use of examples. And if you’re going with the live online course, there are two instructors who team up for each session - one answers questions live in the chat while the other keeps the lesson moving forward. Kaplan’s Live Online class offers 18 hours of live online classes (9 sessions of 2 hours each) and the opportunity to message instructors through a group chat. It also includes 15 hours of additional on-demand video content. Kaplan’s classes are larger than many other providers’, with up to 30 students per class. Their Unlimited Prep Course offers students to schedule classes when they want, and there is no fixed calendar. This can be beneficial for students who are fitting test prep into already busy schedules. For students wanting external structure and accountability, however, this can be less beneficial. The course comes with a high price tag, but 12-month payment plans are available. Students enrolled in the Unlimited Prep Course can also choose between classes for the ACT and selected AP exams. Kaplan’s On Demand Course provides short (under 30 minutes) pre-recorded courses with practice questions and quizzes.

Kaplan offers one free online trial class, sample free practice materials, and a money-back guarantee. On Demand material includes instructional videos, study guides, practice tests, and access to Kaplan’s Qbank with over 500 practice questions. Kaplan recommends at least 30 minutes of daily study to prepare for the SAT. All courses come with access to On Demand. SAT Live Online includes 18 hours of live instruction and four (4) realistic practice tests. This program includes everything from Live Online plus three (3) hours of 1-on-1 tutoring with an expert instructor who will answer questions, guide you through review and test taking strategies, and give you personalized recommendations. Kaplan generally offers tutoring in blocks of 10, 20, 30, and 40 hours. With Standard SAT Tutoring, Kaplan connects you with a private instructor for one-on-one sessions. The key difference between Standard and Premium SAT Tutoring is educator experience. Unlimited Prep covers material for most college entrance exams, including advanced placement tests. Scholars may schedule classes any time and take as many courses as they like until December of their senior year of high school. According to Kaplan, their Unlimited Prep course is a $5,300 value.

Read also: Higher Education Test Prep Options

Princeton Review

Princeton Review offers one of the most well-developed and detailed SAT curriculums in the test prep space (perhaps only trailing Kaplan). This package of impressive study resources is led by the live class work and video lectures. A clear highlight of the Princeton Review course is their live online classes. Meeting for 18 hours over the course of several sessions, both the instructors and the curriculum are awesome. The Princeton Review classes don’t waste any time on fluff or rarely tested topics. That’s not to say these classes are boring, though. Because of the instructors’ knowledge and communication skills, the classes are engaging and swift moving. Now, these courses do not come cheap, and there is some fine print attached. Their lesson plans, which cover just about every testable subject on the Digital SAT, are a mix of text-based instruction and video lectures. That said, they can be a little dry at times - which can be an issue when trying to hold a high school student’s attention. The video lessons are very good, but wish they had these video-based lectures for every lesson topic (they only have them for most topics). The Princeton Review provides a deep set of practice materials, including 140 hours of additional video lessons to review individual concepts. Teachers with the Princeton Review receive extensive training.

Princeton Review offers multiple SAT prep courses, online and in-person, at various levels of intensity. Tutoring and 1-on-1 help is available, usually for an additional fee. All courses include 365 days of access to study and practice material. Discount codes may be available. Princeton Review’s courses are high-end in terms of quality and price. Extensive course material and resources are available with the most modestly priced courses. Interactive study guides and progress trackers let students see themselves advancing. Princeton Review’s private tutoring offers the best value among higher-end online tutoring services. This option includes a year of access to study materials, including drills, instructional videos, and practice questions. For self-motivated students, Self-Paced is the best value. The abundance of quality coursework, videos and texts, practice exams, and more provide hundreds of hours’ worth of study and practice. With 18 hours of scheduled class time, SAT Essentials fits well with a busy high school student’s schedule. Courses are available online and in person. Students also have a year of access to over 135 video lessons, as well as live study and review sessions. Students enrolled in SAT 1400+ have access to 24/7 tutoring with 36+ hours of live classroom instruction. The 1400+ score money-back guarantee* applies to students with a previous score of 1250 or higher (making the price of each additional point a maximum of $10.67). SAT 1500+ Tutoring often tops SAT prep course “Best of” lists; this is objectively Princeton Review’s best course in terms of results. This two-week bootcamp makes use of the least effective method of study (i.e., “cramming”) at an exclusively high cost. Summer Camp offers many of the same study aids found in the Essentials course. The program includes unlimited SAT Advantage sessions, over 140 video lessons, and access more than half-a-million hours of Princeton Review’s LiveOnline session.

PrepScholar

You start by reviewing necessary content and learning a strategy, then test your knowledge with a quiz. This is a classic and proven learning process used in a number of online SAT prep courses. Students are given clear direction on what to study and when, which is directed by PrepScholar’s smart, adaptive software. The most eye-popping feature of the PrepScholar package is their level of practice work. In addition, their volume of practice exams is bested only by Princeton Review. This is a huge benefit to students that should not be overlooked. And to be clear, the quality of these practice problems doesn’t suffer because of the high quantity. They are all excellent, and we appreciated their thoughtful substance and feel. One more thing worth mentioning: PrepScholar also offers college admissions consulting - a smart option if you want everything in one place.

PrepScholar’s core offering is its SAT Classes, which provide 9 hours of live instruction. The small classes of just 9 students, as well as the fact that you can choose from three different course levels - Fundamentals, Essentials, or Advanced. But the course levels can also lock you in - what if you need Essentials” in Reading & Writing but you’re ready for “Advanced” in Math? More importantly, the classes don’t offer office hours, group chats, or other ways of requesting extra help from the instructor. Instead, students needing additional explanations are encouraged to purchase additional tutoring hours. The course is also significantly shorter than other options at the same price, with only six sessions. PrepScholar does offer an “unlimited” live instruction package that goes up to 36+ hours of instruction and unlocks all three course levels. The price tag for that one goes up. PrepScholar’s most affordable option gives students access to a variety of online prep materials, including videos about both content and strategy. There is no live instruction or access to a teacher.

Magoosh

Magoosh’s ultra-affordable pricing isn’t the only reason they’ve earned a spot on our roster of top online SAT courses. While the format of the video lessons isn’t our favorite, with a slideshow-style presentation and basic production value, the quality of content cannot be disputed. The text explanations are thorough and well-executed with graphics, equations and diagrams. As mentioned above, the biggest selling point of the Magoosh SAT course is its price tag. The company’s two online prep courses, which are identical in terms of content, differ only in terms of bonus live classes. To be clear, the team weighs the cost of the prep course against the actual value of the study materials, classes and more. For students who want an instructor-led online class on a budget, Magoosh’s Guided Live Class is a solid choice. All classes are recorded and also available to watch on-demand.

Magoosh’s mobile applications have the most versatility, allowing students to study and practice using multiple tested methods. Students can quiz themselves and each other. The user-friendly interface is perfect for learning on the go. Partial access is available with a 7-day free trial. The best relatively low-cost SAT course, Magoosh’s premium course offers more practice material and guidance than other programs that cost more. Guided Study includes everything the Self-Paced course does, plus 16 hours of live instruction with an instructor whose SAT score was in the 99th percentile.

Prep Expert

The live online classes are engaging, informative and one of the best methods of teaching Digital SAT prep. These high-quality live online lessons are supplemented with video lectures from Shaan Patel himself and official SAT practice material. In addition, the Digital SAT practice work that hammers home his strategy teachings doesn’t get any better, as it’s all derived from real, previously administered SAT exams. The most unique, and coolest, feature of the Prep Expert course is their set of 100 Digital SAT test-taking strategies. These strategies are integrated into the lesson plans as the central theme. Your instructor identifies a pain point of the Digital SAT, or a way in which they try to trick you. When applied to practice questions, it is clear these Prep Expert strategies work. Many of these tips hadn’t been seen before, but they make a ton of sense.

Prep Expert’s Flagship SAT Prep Course offers 36 hours of live instruction and guarantees a score increase of 200 points, the largest in the industry. Their longer Capstone SAT Prep Course, which is marketed towards students aiming for 99th-percentile scores, includes 48 hours of live classes taught by an expert instructor. There’s also a 7-week Founder course, in which students get 42 hours of instruction with the company’s founder. There is also a self-paced option for students who want to plan their study schedule independently with 30 hours of video content.

UWorld

UWorld has spent years perfecting high-stakes test prep, and their Digital SAT course is built specifically for the student who doesn’t want to sit through a long classroom lecture. While traditional providers like Kaplan and Princeton Review lead with live instruction, UWorld focuses on independent study. The center of the UWorld experience is their question bank. The practice problems are more realistic than almost any other program on the market. What makes this program truly stand out is how it handles answer explanations. Instead of just giving you the right answer, UWorld provides a deep dive into the why behind the question. Every explanation includes colorful illustrations and step-by-step breakdowns of why every single incorrect choice is wrong. UWorld doesn’t waste your time with fluff or long-winded lectures. Their library of over 100 video lessons consists of short clips that are all under 10 minutes. This makes it incredibly easy to squeeze in a study session during a lunch break or between after-school activities. The instructors use a conversational tone and plenty of on-screen graphics, which keeps the material engaging. The platform itself is a near-perfect mirror of the official College Board testing interface. Practicing in this environment helps eliminate test-day anxiety because the screen layout and tools will already feel familiar. The performance tracking is also sleek, showing how your speed and accuracy compare to other students. Keep in mind that UWorld doesn’t offer video solutions for their practice questions or a formal score guarantee, so it’s best for students who are already motivated and comfortable with text-based feedback.

Khan Academy

For motivated and organized students ready to work independently, Khan Academy has amazing content. A non-profit educational organization, Khan Academy has partnered with the College Board (the makers of the SAT) to provide free test prep that’s accessible to everyone. That means that apart from the official practice tests, Khan Academy’s materials are the only other materials officially approved by the College Board. Khan Academy is the best first step for any student preparing to take the SAT. For some students, it may be the only prep course they need or have time for. Should you select a premium SAT prep course, Kahn Academy is an excellent supplement. It can also help you decide what you want to pay for, such as 1-on-1 tutoring.

Other Options

PrepMaven: PrepMaven’s SAT MasterClass offers students the chance to learn directly from the company’s co-founder, Kevin Wong, a Princeton grad with 15+ years and over 15,000 hours of SAT experience. The course emphasizes teaching students how to use practice materials effectively and provides all students with a comprehensive study and homework plan.
Ivy Bound: Their SAT Premier Class offers 28-30 hours of live instruction on a variety of different schedules, depending on the time of year.
College Prep Genius: Their virtual class provides 11 hours of instruction spread out over either 3 days or 8 weeks.
Varsity Tutors: Varsity Tutors offers a SAT Prep Class in three different time frames: as a two-week bootcamp, spread out over four weeks, or spread out over eight weeks.
CollegeVine: CollegeVine offers a nontraditional kind of prep that includes interactive live streams with established experts and peer discussion.

Additional Considerations

In-Person vs. Live Online: For most students, a Live Online course is the best choice.
Self-Study: Many students do well with a single, solid SAT study guide plus online practice tests.
Score Guarantees: Some courses offer score guarantees, promising a certain increase in your score or your money back.
Instructor Quality: The quality of the teacher is the single most important factor in an SAT course.

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