Princeton Review SAT vs Kaplan: Which Course for 1500+?

Princeton Review SAT vs Kaplan: Which Course for 1500+?

For SAT 1500+ scorers, Princeton Review and Kaplan are the traditional powerhouses. Both offer live instruction and comprehensive prep, but Princeton Review costs $1,399 vs Kaplan at $999. Both can get you to 1500+, but they take different approaches to teaching and practice.

Quick Comparison

Feature | Princeton Review SAT | Kaplan SAT Price | $1,399 | $999 Live Class Hours | 24 hours | 18 hours Practice Tests | 8 official + Princeton tests | 8 official + Kaplan tests Score Guarantee | 1400+ or money back | 1400+ or money back Best For | Comprehensive prep | Budget-conscious students

Teaching Methods: Similar Approaches

Both Princeton Review and Kaplan use systematic strategies for Reading, Writing, and Math. Princeton Review teaches test-taking techniques like Process of Elimination and Plugging In. Kaplan uses the Kaplan Method with similar strategic approaches.

The teaching quality is comparable. Both hire instructors who scored in the 90th+ percentile. The main difference is class hours: Princeton Review provides 24 hours vs Kaplan 18 hours.

Winner: Princeton Review for more instruction hours.

Practice Tests: Identical Quantity

Both courses include 8 official College Board practice tests plus proprietary tests. The official tests are identical since they come from the same source (College Board). The proprietary tests differ slightly in difficulty, but both are good practice.

Winner: Tie. Both provide excellent practice materials.

Score Guarantee: Same Promise

Both Princeton Review and Kaplan offer a score guarantee: if you do not improve by 140+ points or reach 1400+, you get your money back or can retake the course free. The guarantees are essentially identical.

Winner: Tie.

Price and Value: Kaplan Wins

Princeton Review costs $1,399. Kaplan costs $999. That is a $400 difference for similar content and guarantees.

Kaplan gives you 18 hours of live instruction, 8 official practice tests, and the same score guarantee for $400 less. Princeton Review gives you 6 more hours of instruction (24 vs 18) for $400 more.

Is 6 extra hours worth $400? That is $67 per hour. Most students will say no.

Winner: Kaplan for value.

Who Should Choose Princeton Review SAT?

You want maximum instruction hours (24 vs 18). You can afford $1,399. You prefer the Princeton Review brand. You want slightly more hand-holding and structure.

Who Should Choose Kaplan SAT?

You want to save $400. You are comfortable with 18 hours of instruction. You are self-motivated and do not need extra hours. You want the same score guarantee for less money.

The Bottom Line

For most students, Kaplan SAT is the better value. You get the same score guarantee, same number of practice tests, and similar teaching quality for $400 less. The 6 extra hours Princeton Review provides are not worth the premium for most students.

Choose Princeton Review only if you specifically want those extra hours and can afford the higher price.