Kaplan Test Prep
Test prep company, in business since 1938, with SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep for high schoolers plus ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT prep for younger students. Kaplan is the ACT's official partner for live online prep.
What is Kaplan Test Prep?
Kaplan is one of the original test prep companies, in business since 1938. Today it covers everything from nursing licensure to law school, but for families the relevant part is its high school and middle school prep: SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP for college admissions, and ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT for private and specialized high school admissions.
Its standout credential is the ACT. Kaplan says it is the ACT's official partner for live online prep, with lessons and practice questions sourced from official ACT materials.
How it works
Kaplan sells prep in a few formats:
- Live online courses. Kaplan's live online SAT prep includes about 18 hours of instruction from 99th-percentile scorers, plus video lessons and full-length practice tests. Live online ACT prep includes about 16 hours.
- Self-paced and on-demand prep. Short video lessons, practice questions with step-by-step guidance and quizzes with video explanations.
- Kaplan College Advantage. A bundle of ACT, SAT and AP prep plus advising, sold by graduation year, from freshman year through applications.
Most students start with a diagnostic test, follow a study plan and take full practice tests along the way. Parents mainly pick the format and keep an eye on the schedule.
What it covers
| Stage | Tests |
|---|---|
| Middle school | ISEE, SSAT, NYC SHSAT |
| High school | PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP exams, GED |
| AP subjects | 15 AP courses, from Biology and Chemistry to U.S. History and Statistics, built with Barron's content |
Who it's best for
Kaplan is a natural fit for ACT-bound students who want live online classes with official questions, and for middle schoolers facing the ISEE, SSAT or SHSAT. It also suits families who want SAT, ACT and AP help from one company.
If price is the deciding factor, start with free Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy or low-cost Magoosh. If you want transparent pricing and a big score guarantee, compare PrepScholar.
Pricing at a glance
Kaplan lists prices by course on kaptest.com, and they shift with format and season. Kaplan's site blocked our price checks in October 2026, so we don't list figures here. Compare formats at checkout, and read the Higher Score Guarantee conditions before you buy.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Some education savings account programs, such as the Arizona ESA, allow test prep as an expense, but each program decides which vendors and costs qualify. See scholarships by state.
On Edulist, you can save Kaplan to your wishlist and apply once to scholarship programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- Princeton Review offers a similar lineup with public prices and a self-paced program that covers both SAT and ACT.
- PrepScholar is a self-paced, adaptive option with a 160-point SAT and 4-point ACT guarantee.
- Magoosh is the budget self-paced pick.
- Varsity Tutors offers one-on-one SAT and ACT tutoring.
Browse more test prep and high school tutoring.
Who Kaplan Test Prep is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- ACT-bound students who want official ACT questions and live online classes
- Students who want a live course taught by top scorers
- Middle schoolers prepping for the ISEE, SSAT or NYC SHSAT
- Families who want SAT, ACT and AP prep from one company
Look elsewhere if
- Families on a tight budget; free Khan Academy SAT prep is a strong start
- Students who want in-person classes
- Families who need to see a price before talking to anyone
Kaplan Test Prep pros and cons
Pros
- Official partner for live online ACT prep
- Live instructors are 99th-percentile scorers
- Covers SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT and GED
- Higher Score Guarantee on eligible programs
- Long track record, since 1938
Cons
- Consumer prices change often and were not verifiable for this review
- Guarantee has conditions and restrictions
- Live classes are online only
- Most public reviews are about professional exams, not high school prep
What’s included
- Official partner for live online ACT prep, using official ACT practice questions
- Live online SAT and ACT courses taught by 99th-percentile scorers
- Self-paced and on-demand prep with video lessons and quizzes
- PSAT and AP prep, including AP content built with Barron's
- ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT prep for middle schoolers
- Kaplan College Advantage bundle of SAT, ACT and AP prep plus advising
How much does Kaplan Test Prep cost?
Kaplan sells its SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep on kaptest.com, with prices that change by format and season. Kaplan's site blocked our checks in October 2026, so we could not confirm current consumer prices and do not list them. Compare the live course and self-paced options at checkout, and look for the Higher Score Guarantee conditions before you pay.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Kaplan Test Prep held a 4.4 rating from about 6,300 Trustpilot reviews as of October 2026, but nearly all visible reviews concern nursing, finance and medical school exams rather than the SAT or ACT. Across those reviews, people praise instructors, test-like practice questions and test-taking strategies, while complaints mention condensed materials and dated self-paced software.
Common praise
- Knowledgeable, encouraging instructors
- Practice questions that resemble the real exam
- Useful test-taking strategies
Common complaints
- Some materials feel too condensed
- Self-paced software can feel dated
Sources: trustpilot.com · kaptest.com
Kaplan Test Prep family reviews
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Kaplan Test Prep FAQs
Is Kaplan the official ACT prep partner?
Yes. Kaplan says it is the official partner for live online prep for the ACT, and its ACT lessons and practice questions come from official ACT materials. That makes it a strong option for ACT-focused students.
How much does Kaplan SAT prep cost?
Kaplan lists prices by course on kaptest.com, and they change by format and season. We could not verify current consumer prices in October 2026, so check the course page or checkout. Free Khan Academy SAT prep is a good baseline to compare against.
Does Kaplan have a score guarantee?
Kaplan advertises a Higher Score Guarantee on eligible programs. Conditions and restrictions apply and are explained at kaptest.com/hsg, so read them before relying on it.
How long is a Kaplan SAT course?
Kaplan's live online SAT prep includes about 18 hours of instruction from 99th-percentile scorers, plus video lessons and full-length practice tests. Its live online ACT prep includes about 16 hours.
Does Kaplan offer prep for middle schoolers?
Yes. Kaplan offers ISEE and SSAT prep for private school admissions and SHSAT prep for New York City's specialized high schools.
Kaplan or Princeton Review: which is better?
Both sell self-paced and live online options. Kaplan's edge is its official ACT partnership and middle school admissions test prep. Princeton Review shows most prices publicly and bundles SAT and ACT in its self-paced program.
Can an ESA pay for Kaplan?
It may. Some ESA programs allow test prep as an expense, but each program decides which vendors and costs qualify.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: