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The SAT is a test that almost every high school student will take at least once in their life. While some schools make the test optional, you still must take the SAT to get into select majors or to qualify for scholarships.
Enrolling in an SAT test prep course can help ensure you're ready for test day. These courses typically cover the material you need to know to pass the SAT, as well as strategies you can use to increase your chances of getting a good SAT score.
In this article, we'll review the best SAT test prep courses available and tell you what you should consider before signing up. Remember, there are multiple ways to prepare for the SAT—and we cover online-only courses, instructor-led courses, and more.
Best for High Score Guarantee: The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is one of the most well-known names in college exam prep. They have a variety of learning options, including one-on-one tutoring for the SAT and advice on the college application process.
Your Digital SAT 1400+ course includes a money-back guarantee designed to help you score in the 95th percentile of test takers. The course includes more than 36 hours of instruction delivered online or in a live classroom. Additionally, on-demand tutoring is available at no additional cost to help students who need additional support.
Princeton Review's diverse offerings make it affordable for students of all backgrounds. The Digital SAT 1400+ costs $1,899, but students who cannot afford the full amount can enroll for just $299. One-on-one SAT test prep tutoring starts at $175 per hour.
Read our full course review from The Princeton Review here.
Best for Interacting with Teachers: Kaplan
Kaplan is another well-known company that offers SAT test prep courses. With decades of experience, Kaplan has perfected the formula to help students improve their test scores.
The live online SAT prep course was developed with the new digital SAT format in mind. The 18+ hour course is taught by instructors who have scored in the 99th percentile themselves. Each session has a chat feature that allows students to interact directly with their teacher. This is useful for students who need help understanding difficult concepts or need advice on developing an exam strategy that works for them.
The course starts at $640 and can be divided into installments for students who cannot pay the entire cost upfront. For students who need more responsibility, Kaplan also operates testing centers in 46 states that offer in-person courses.
Read our full Kaplan test prep review.
Best for test prep and admissions advice: PrepScholar
Many test preparation courses offer additional support when it comes to general university admission. PrepScholar is ahead when it comes to combining advising with SAT test prep. Founded by two Harvard graduates who achieved perfect SAT scores, PrepScholar is committed to helping students achieve their best. The tutors also scored in the 99th percentile.
The Complete SAT Online Prep course uses this expertise to help students increase their chances of attending a top school. The course contains over 7100 realistic test questions and a 5-day trial. This combined PrepScholar complete admissions package is designed to help students improve their scores while developing a strategy for navigating the entire college admissions process.
The course starts at $397, making it one of the most affordable SAT test prep options on the market. For students who need more support, PrepScholar offers one-on-one tutoring packages starting at $995.
Read our full PrepScholar review here.
Best for monthly exam preparation: University tutors
One of the biggest challenges in accessing SAT test prep courses is cost. Even with payment plans, the cost can be prohibitive for students and their parents. This is where Varsity Tutors shines.
Varsity Tutors operates a membership-based learning platform. Students who join the platform gain access to an unlimited number of courses, from SAT test prep to French. This can be a good investment for high school students who need help preparing for other exams such as AP tests.
Memberships start at $269 per month and give students access to live, instructor-led classes. The courses are offered in varying lengths so that students can fit them into their current exam-taking schedule.
Read our full Varsity Tutors review here.
Best for Free Learning Materials: Khan Academy
For students looking to create their own customized SAT test prep program, there's nothing better than Khan Academy. The platform is free to use and contains a variety of learning materials.
A nice feature that Khan Academy offers is the ability to evaluate past test performances. Students can connect it to their College Board account, the company that administers the SAT. Its artificial intelligence tool can evaluate a student's results and create a study plan based on the areas they need to work on.
Khan Academy is completely free, making it a good resource for any study to add to your exam preparation plan.
Things to consider before enrolling in an SAT test prep course
While enrolling in an SAT test prep course can be a great way to improve your score, there are a few things to consider when choosing a course.
Why should you trust us?
The College Investor team has spent the past year reviewing and analyzing many of the most popular SAT test prep companies and courses. We rated them based on their offers, prices, availability and any customer feedback we could find.
During our research, we quickly realized that it depends on what you need to prepare for the exam. Would you like a self-study online course? Would you like an instructor? Do you need in-person courses to help you focus?
Based on this research and review, we compiled this list based on our opinion of where students and their families can find the best options for SAT test preparation.
Is preparing for the SAT test worth it?
As college competition becomes increasingly fierce, enrolling in an SAT test prep course can help you improve your score. Even if it's not just college entrance exams like the SAT that determine whether you're accepted or not, a good result can certainly be helpful.
However, following a test preparation program is no guarantee that you will actually see an improvement in your score. There are a number of other factors that can affect your performance on test day. However, the best SAT courses can also help you plan a great test day.
Preparing for the SAT test can be helpful, but remember that it is not a shortcut to a good score. You still have to put in a lot of work to get there.
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