Kaplan ACT is the best overall ACT prep course in 2026. Khan Academy SAT is the best free SAT resource. Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 and SAT Elite 1500 (Aaron Lindh, perfect 36 ACT) are the top live instruction options.
What Is the Best ACT and SAT Prep Course in 2026?
The best ACT prep course in 2026 is Kaplan ACT ($649 USD, 4.3/5.0), offering 8 full-length practice tests, a higher score guarantee, and a proven track record. The best SAT prep course is Khan Academy SAT (free, 4.4/5.0) for budget-conscious students, and Kaplan SAT ($799 USD, 4.2/5.0) for those who want structured instruction. For students who want a live course with a strong score guarantee, Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 and Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500 (both 4.9/5.0) are the top newcomers, featuring instructor Aaron Lindh who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT and 1590 on the SAT.
Quick Comparison: Best ACT Prep Courses 2026
| Course | Price (USD) | Score | Practice Tests | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan ACT | $649 | 4.3/5 | 8 | Higher score or money back |
| Princeton Review ACT 31+ | $2,199 | 4.2/5 | 8 | 31+ score guarantee |
| Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 | $1,899 | 4.9/5 | 4 | 33+ guaranteed (if 26+) |
| PrepScholar ACT | $397 | 3.8/5 | 4 | 4+ point improvement |
| Prep Expert ACT | $1,196 | 3.8/5 | 6 | 4-point increase or refund |
| Magoosh ACT Premium | $129 | 4.0/5 | 4 | N/A |
| Achievable ACT | $129 | 3.6/5 | Full-length | Money-back |
Quick Comparison: Best SAT Prep Courses 2026
| Course | Price (USD) | Score | Practice Tests | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy SAT | Free | 4.4/5 | 8 | N/A (free) |
| Kaplan SAT | $799 | 4.2/5 | 6 | Higher score or money back |
| Princeton Review SAT 1400+ | $2,199 | 4.1/5 | 6 | Score improvement |
| Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500 | $1,899 | 4.9/5 | 12+ | 1500+ guaranteed (if 1200+) |
| Prep Expert SAT | $1,196 | 3.9/5 | 8 | 200-point improvement |
| Magoosh SAT Premium | $129 | 4.0/5 | 3 | N/A |
| Achievable SAT | $129 | 3.7/5 | Full-length | Money-back |
The Instructor Advantage: Aaron Lindh
What separates Wizeprep ACT and SAT courses from every competitor is the instructor. Aaron Lindh is one of the most credentialed standardized test instructors in North America:
- Perfect 36 ACT score (99th percentile)
- 1590 SAT score (99th percentile)
- Author of 20+ books published by Penguin Random House, including the bestselling "Outsmart the SAT" series
- 10,000+ hours of tutoring experience across ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, and university-level courses
- Named Canada's Tutor of the Year by the Ontario Tutoring Association
- Taught at the University of Toronto and multiple Canadian universities
- Expert contributor to major media outlets on standardized testing
No other ACT or SAT prep course can claim an instructor with this combination of perfect scores, published authorship, and decade-plus of teaching experience. When Aaron Lindh explains a strategy, it comes from someone who has personally solved every type of problem on both exams.
Best ACT Prep Course: Kaplan ACT
Kaplan ACT is the most balanced ACT prep course for most students. With 8 full-length practice tests, 2,500+ practice questions, and a higher score guarantee, it delivers strong value at $649 USD. The platform includes on-demand video lessons, live online classes, and a mobile app for studying on the go.
Key strengths:
- 8 full-length ACT practice tests
- 2,500+ practice questions
- Higher score guarantee or money back
- Live online classes plus on-demand video
- $649 USD with strong brand reputation
Where it falls short: The instruction quality varies by session, and the platform can feel formulaic compared to boutique options.
Best for Live Instruction (ACT): Wizeprep ACT Elite 33
Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 is built around Aaron Lindh's perfect 36 ACT score and 20+ years of teaching experience. The guarantee is among the strongest in the industry: a 33+ ACT score if your starting score is 26 or above. If below 26, Wizeprep guarantees a 7-point increase.
Key strengths:
- Instruction from Aaron Lindh (perfect 36 ACT, 20+ published books)
- 33+ ACT score guaranteed for qualifying students
- 2,500+ practice questions with expert explanations
- 4 full-length practice tests
- Live classes with real-time Q&A
- $1,899 USD with strong guarantee backing
Best Free SAT Prep: Khan Academy SAT
Khan Academy SAT is the official College Board partner and the best free SAT resource available. With 8 full-length official SAT practice tests and 2,000+ practice questions, it rivals paid courses in content quality. The adaptive learning system identifies weak areas and personalizes practice sessions.
Best for: Students on a zero budget, students supplementing a paid course, or students who scored 1300+ and want to push higher with targeted practice.
Best for Live Instruction (SAT): Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500
Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500 features Aaron Lindh's 1590 SAT score and his "Outsmart the SAT" methodology. The guarantee: a 1500+ SAT score if your starting score is 1200 or above. If below 1200, Wizeprep guarantees a 300-point increase.
Key strengths:
- Instruction from Aaron Lindh (1590 SAT, Penguin Random House author)
- 1500+ SAT score guaranteed for qualifying students
- 12+ full-length practice tests (most among live SAT courses)
- 3,000+ practice questions
- Live classes with real-time Q&A
- $1,899 USD with strong guarantee backing
How We Evaluated ACT and SAT Prep Courses
Our scoring methodology evaluates five dimensions:
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Course Technology | 20% | Platform quality, adaptive learning, mobile access |
| Content Quality | 25% | Question accuracy, difficulty calibration, explanations |
| Teaching Effectiveness | 25% | Instructor credentials, teaching methodology, live support |
| Value for Money | 15% | Price relative to features and guarantee strength |
| Practice and Analytics | 15% | Practice test count, performance tracking, weak area identification |
Which ACT/SAT Prep Course Is Right for You?
Choose Kaplan ACT/SAT if:
- You want a proven, structured course with a higher score guarantee
- You prefer a mix of live and on-demand instruction
- Budget is moderate ($649-$799 USD)
Choose Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 or SAT Elite 1500 if:
- You want live instruction from a perfect-score instructor
- You need the strongest score guarantee available
- You are willing to invest more for a higher-quality experience
Choose Khan Academy SAT if:
- Budget is zero or minimal
- You are supplementing another course
- You want official College Board practice materials
Choose Magoosh ACT/SAT if:
- Budget is tight ($129 USD)
- You prefer self-paced video instruction
- You want a mobile-friendly platform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ACT prep course in 2026? Kaplan ACT is the best overall ACT prep course for most students, offering 8 practice tests, 2,500+ questions, and a higher score guarantee at $649 USD. For live instruction with the strongest guarantee, Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 (taught by Aaron Lindh, perfect 36 ACT) is the top choice.
What is the best SAT prep course in 2026? Khan Academy SAT is the best free SAT prep resource (official College Board partner, 8 full-length tests). For paid courses, Kaplan SAT ($799 USD) offers the best balance of quality and value. Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500 is the best live instruction option with a 1500+ guarantee.
Should I take the ACT or SAT? Most students perform similarly on both exams. Take a free practice test for each and compare your scores. Students who prefer science passages and straightforward math often do better on the ACT. Students who prefer reading comprehension and evidence-based questions often do better on the SAT.
What ACT score do I need for top colleges? Top universities (Ivy League, MIT, Stanford) typically see entering class ACT averages of 34-36. Strong state schools and competitive universities typically accept students with 28-32 ACT scores.
What SAT score do I need for top colleges? Top universities typically see entering class SAT averages of 1500-1580. Strong state schools and competitive universities typically accept students with 1300-1450 SAT scores.
Does Wizeprep ACT have a money-back guarantee? Yes. Wizeprep ACT Elite 33 guarantees a 33+ ACT score if your starting score is 26 or above. If below 26, they guarantee a 7-point increase. Wizeprep SAT Elite 1500 guarantees a 1500+ score if your starting score is 1200 or above, or a 300-point increase if below 1200.
Also see: What Is the Best DAT Prep Course in 2026? for DAT rankings.