In-depth Kaplan MCAT review covering course quality, pricing, technology, and student outcomes. Evaluate if Kaplan is the right choice for your MCAT prep.
Kaplan MCAT Review: The Bottom Line
Kaplan MCAT is a comprehensive, well-established prep course with strong content coverage and adaptive technology. At $2,799 for Live Online, it offers good value for students who want structured instruction and extensive practice materials.
What You Get with Kaplan MCAT
Kaplan MCAT Live Online ($2,799):
- 120 hours of live instruction
- 7 subject review books
- 16 full-length practice tests
- 3,000+ question QBank
- Adaptive technology
- 12 months of access
Kaplan MCAT Self-Paced ($1,999 USD):
- On-demand video lessons
- Same books and practice tests
- No live instruction
Pricing Analysis
At $2,799 USD, Kaplan is more affordable than Princeton Review ($3,299 USD) but more expensive than Wizeprep Elite 515 ($2,999 USD). The self-paced option at $1,999 USD is competitively priced.
Verdict: Good value for the comprehensiveness of materials.
Course Content & Materials
Kaplan 7 subject review books are comprehensive and well-organized. They cover all MCAT topics in detail with clear explanations and practice passages.
The books are updated regularly to reflect MCAT changes and include high-yield summaries at the end of each chapter.
Verdict: Excellent content quality. The books alone are worth a significant portion of the course price.
Teaching Quality
Kaplan instructors must score in the 90th percentile on the MCAT and complete Kaplan training program. Class sizes typically range from 15 to 25 students.
Teaching quality is generally good, though some students report variability between instructors.
Verdict: Solid instruction, though class sizes are larger than premium competitors like Princeton Review.
Adaptive QBank Technology
Kaplan standout feature is their adaptive QBank with 3,000+ questions. The system adjusts difficulty based on your performance and provides detailed analytics showing strengths and weaknesses by topic.
Verdict: Industry-leading technology that helps focus your studying efficiently.
Practice Tests
Kaplan includes 16 full-length practice tests, including all AAMC official tests. The proprietary tests are high-quality and closely mimic actual MCAT difficulty.
Verdict: Excellent practice test selection with more tests than most competitors.
CARS Preparation
Kaplan CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) preparation is solid but not exceptional. They teach good strategies for active reading and question analysis.
Verdict: Good CARS prep, though some students supplement with additional CARS resources.
Score Guarantee
Kaplan offers a score guarantee: if you complete all course requirements and do not achieve your target score, you can repeat the course for free or receive a refund.
Verdict: Strong guarantee that provides peace of mind.
What Kaplan Lacks
Large class sizes: 15 to 25 students means less personalized attention than smaller competitors.
No admissions consulting: Kaplan focuses solely on MCAT prep, not medical school applications.
Limited live coaching: Unlike Wizeprep Elite, Kaplan does not offer unlimited one-on-one coaching.
Best For Different Students
Kaplan is ideal if:
- You want comprehensive, structured content
- You value adaptive technology and analytics
- You need extensive practice tests
- You prefer established, proven methods
Kaplan may not be right if:
- You want small class sizes (consider Princeton Review)
- You need unlimited coaching (consider Wizeprep Elite)
- You are on a tight budget (consider self-paced options)
Our Recommendation
Yes, Kaplan MCAT is a solid choice for most students. The combination of comprehensive content, adaptive technology, and extensive practice tests makes it one of the most complete MCAT prep packages available.
For students who want a score guarantee with unlimited coaching, consider Wizeprep MCAT Elite 515 at $2,999 USD.
FAQ
Q: Are Kaplan practice tests accurate? A: Yes, Kaplan tests are generally considered accurate predictors of actual MCAT scores.
Q: Can I access Kaplan books without buying the full course? A: Yes, Kaplan books are sold separately on Amazon for around $200 for the full set.
Q: Does Kaplan offer payment plans? A: Yes, Kaplan offers monthly payment plans with 0% interest.
Q: How long do I have access? A: 12 months from enrollment date for both Live Online and Self-Paced.
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