The Princeton Review
Long-running test prep company offering SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep for high schoolers: self-paced programs from $299, live online courses from $949, and private tutoring from $175 an hour, with score guarantees on many programs.
What is The Princeton Review?
The Princeton Review is one of the oldest names in test prep. For high schoolers, it sells SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP prep in every format: self-paced online programs, live online classes, small high-scorer courses and one-on-one tutoring. It also publishes widely used prep books.
The core pitch is structure plus a guarantee. Many programs come with a money-back Better Scores Guarantee, as long as the student does the assigned work.
How it works
Most students start with a free practice test to get a baseline. From there:
- Self-Paced: Video lessons, drills and full-length practice tests on your own schedule. The self-paced program includes both SAT and ACT prep.
- Live courses: Ultimate 18 gives 18 hours of live online instruction. The SAT Essentials course runs over 3 or 6 weeks with 18 hours of classroom time, 9 full-length digital SAT practice tests and a year of online access.
- High-scorer courses: SAT 1400+ and ACT 31+ are for students already scoring high.
- Tutoring: Private or Master-level tutors build a plan around the student. SAT 1500+ Tutoring adds a stronger score guarantee.
Parents mostly handle choosing a program and keeping the student on schedule.
What it covers
| Test | Options |
|---|---|
| SAT | Self-Paced, Ultimate 18, Essentials, 1400+, 1500+ Tutoring, private tutoring |
| ACT | Self-Paced, Ultimate 18, Bootcamp, Essentials, 31+, 34+ Tutoring, private tutoring |
| PSAT | Essentials and self-paced practice |
| AP | AP courses and AP LiveOnline tutoring |
Who it's best for
It's best for students who need a class schedule or a tutor to stay on track, and for high scorers aiming at the top percentiles. It also suits families who want one place for SAT, ACT and AP prep.
If cost is the main concern, start with free Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy. If you mainly want a smart self-paced plan with a strong guarantee, PrepScholar is worth comparing.
Pricing at a glance
In October 2026, the program search showed Self-Paced from $299, Ultimate 18 at $949, ACT Bootcamp at $1,499 and SAT 1400+ or ACT 31+ at $2,199. Private tutoring is $175 an hour, and Master tutoring is $315 an hour. Live courses are refundable until they start. After that, refunds come only through the guarantee.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Some education savings account programs, such as the Arizona ESA, allow test prep or tutoring as an expense, but each program decides which vendors and costs qualify. See scholarships by state for your options.
On Edulist, you can save Princeton Review to your wishlist and apply once to the programs that fit your family.
How it compares
- Kaplan offers a similar lineup and is the ACT's official live online prep partner.
- PrepScholar is cheaper for self-paced prep and offers a 160-point SAT guarantee.
- Magoosh is the budget self-paced pick.
- Varsity Tutors is an alternative for one-on-one SAT and ACT tutoring.
Browse more test prep and high school tutoring.
Who The Princeton Review is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Students who want a structured live class with a set schedule
- High scorers aiming for 1400+ or 1500+
- Families who want one company for SAT, ACT and AP prep
- Students who need a private tutor for test strategy
Look elsewhere if
- Budget-first families; Khan Academy's SAT prep is free
- Self-starters who only need practice questions
- Families who want a guarantee with no fine print
The Princeton Review pros and cons
Pros
- Every format: self-paced, live online, small classes and one-on-one
- Self-paced programs include both SAT and ACT prep
- Prices for most programs are shown publicly
- Better Scores and Satisfaction guarantees on many programs
- Free practice tests and a free trial
Cons
- Expensive at the top: Master tutoring is $315 an hour
- Guarantees require completing assigned work and other conditions
- Recent Trustpilot reviews complain about refunds and customer service
- No refunds on live courses once the program starts
What’s included
- SAT and ACT self-paced programs that include both tests
- Ultimate 18: 18 hours of live online classroom instruction
- SAT 1400+ and ACT 31+ courses for high scorers
- Private and Master-level one-on-one tutoring
- Better Scores money-back guarantee on eligible programs
- Free practice tests and a free self-paced trial
How much does The Princeton Review cost?
Prices from The Princeton Review's SAT and ACT program search in October 2026 (the same at New York, Phoenix and Kansas City ZIP codes): Self-Paced from $299 (a $499 tier also listed), Ultimate 18 for $949, ACT Bootcamp for $1,499, SAT 1400+ or ACT 31+ for $2,199, Private tutoring at $175 an hour (an 18-hour SAT package is $3,150) and Master tutoring at $315 an hour (a 24-hour package is $7,560). Private tutoring packages start at $2,000.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT or ACT Self-Paced (from) | $299 | One-time | — |
| Ultimate 18 live online course | $949 | One-time | — |
| ACT Bootcamp | $1,499 | One-time | — |
| SAT 1400+ or ACT 31+ course | $2,199 | One-time | — |
| Private tutoring, 18 hours ($175/hr) | $3,150 | One-time | — |
| Master tutoring, 24 hours ($315/hr) | $7,560 | One-time | — |
Free trial: Free Self-Paced trial and free full-length SAT and ACT practice tests.
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.
On Trustpilot, The Princeton Review held a 3.5 rating from about 2,140 reviews as of October 2026, but recent reviews skew negative. Students and parents praise specific instructors and report solid score gains. The most common complaints, mostly about SAT prep, are money-back guarantees that were hard to claim, little or no score improvement for some, generic material for top scorers and slow customer service.
Common praise
- Engaging, knowledgeable instructors
- Meaningful score gains for some students
- Flexible attendance options
Common complaints
- Guarantee claims denied or delayed on conditions
- Small or no score gains after expensive tutoring
- Generic content for students aiming at 1500+
- Hard-to-reach customer service
Sources: trustpilot.com · princetonreview.com
The Princeton Review family reviews
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The Princeton Review FAQs
How much does Princeton Review SAT prep cost?
As of October 2026, SAT Self-Paced starts at $299, the Ultimate 18 live online course is $949 and the SAT 1400+ course is $2,199. Private tutoring is $175 an hour, and Master-level tutoring is $315 an hour.
Does Princeton Review have a score guarantee?
Yes. Eligible SAT, ACT, PSAT and AP programs carry a Better Scores Guarantee: score higher or get a tuition refund, if you meet the conditions. SAT 1500+ Tutoring guarantees a 1500+ or a 180-point gain. Read the terms, since you must complete assigned work.
Is Princeton Review better than Kaplan?
Both offer self-paced, live and tutoring options at similar price points. Princeton Review shows most prices publicly and bundles SAT and ACT in its self-paced program, while Kaplan is the ACT's official partner for live online prep. The right pick depends on format and schedule.
Does Princeton Review offer AP prep?
Yes. It offers AP courses and AP LiveOnline tutoring, and some AP programs are covered by the Better Scores Guarantee. It also publishes AP prep books.
Can I get a refund from Princeton Review?
For live courses, you can cancel for a full tuition refund until the program starts, but not after. After that, refunds come only through the score guarantee, if you qualify.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. The Princeton Review offers a free Self-Paced trial and free full-length SAT and ACT practice tests.
Can an ESA pay for Princeton Review?
It may. Some ESA programs allow test prep as an expense, but each program decides. Check your state's rules before you enroll.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: