Best SAT Prep Courses for 2021

The SAT is an important test used by colleges and universities across the United States in determining college admissions. Many schools require students to take either the SAT or the ACT.

The SAT is a standardized test that consists of three sections – math, evidence-based reading, and writing. The SAT also includes an optional essay section. 

Use our reviews of the top 6 SAT prep courses to make your choice based on budget, learning style, guarantees and more. 

Summary: Find and compare the best SAT prep courses below. 

Table of Contents

1. Our Picks for Best SAT Prep Courses
2. Comparison Table
3. Who Needs an SAT Prep Course
4. Magoosh Review
5. Princeton Review
6. Kaplan
7. PrepScholar
8. ePrep
9. Kranse

Our Picks for Best SAT Prep Courses

Best SAT Prep Course Reviews (2021)

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SAT Prep	Magoosh	Princeton Review	Kaplan	PrepScholar	ePrep	Kranse
Rating	T-G choice (Best Value)	T-G choice (Most Comprehensive)
Pricing	$1200 $129 Get Discount	$399 $299 Get Discount	$99	$397	$299	$499
Subscription Length	12 months	12 months	6 months	12 months	6 months	18 months
Free Trial
Guarantee	+100 points	Higher score guaranteed	Higher score guaranteed	+160 points	+250 points	Higher score guaranteed
Practice Questions	1750+	3200+	1000+	7100+	1100+	n/a
Practice Exams	3	15	No	10	6	n/a
Delivery Options	Online (self-paced)	Online (self-paced)	Online (self-paced)	Online (self-paced)	Online (self-paced)	Online (self-paced)
Videos
Study Plan
Essay Feedback	- via email	- additional $59
Score Predictor
Support Options	Email, Chat	Email, Phone	Email	Email	Email	Email
Summary	Review	Review	Review	Review	Review	Review
Learn More	GO!	GO!	GO!	GO!	GO!	GO!

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Who Needs an SAT Prep Course?

Many colleges require the SAT for admissions. The SAT is challenging and high scores are vital. Your SAT score is a factor not just for admissions but can also influence the amount of funding you’ll receive. Many undergraduate programs also use SAT scores to determine scholarships and academic financial aid.

SAT prep courses are a great way for students to refresh their knowledge on multiple topics while also learning new material. SAT prep courses will help students become more comfortable taking the SAT by offering strategies and test taking tips. The more comfortable a student is with the material and concepts, the better the student will do when taking the SAT. 

Determining your best approach to preparing for the SAT can be tough. SAT prep courses can be time-consuming and expensive. Do you need an SAT prep course? The answer depends on many factors.

Factors to Consider

• Improvement needed – take a free SAT practice test to see where you stand. If your score needs improvement, an SAT prep course may be a good option.
• Study discipline – if you routinely have trouble maintaining a study schedule, you’ll find that a prep course is worth it.
• Budget – SAT prep courses can get expensive. If money is tight, consider our best value recommendation, or self-study with SAT prep books.
• Learning style – if you have a history of successfully studying with books, a self-study approach with a good SAT prep book may be your best plan.
• Need for encouragement – if you need encouragement, feedback and motivation, a prep course with an instructor (either in-person or online) is a good option.

Benefits of an SAT Prep Course

• Score improvement – the top SAT prep courses will guarantee a score improvement of 100 points or more.
• Simulates actual test – the online exams included in an SAT prep course do a great job of simulating the real SAT.  Magoosh’s dashboard predicts your SAT scores and compares you to other students.
• Quality instructors – courses that include live instructors will help you with efficient strategies, motivation, and one-on-one feedback.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses – the best SAT prep courses offer advanced diagnostics to identify the topics you need to focus on.
• Comprehensive study plans – SAT prep courses will help you craft, and stick to, a customized study schedule that works for you.

Why an SAT Prep Course May Not Be Your Best Option

• Expensive – the best SAT prep courses may be over $400.
• Time-consuming – prep courses often require significant study/prep time.
• DIY alternative - self-study using prep books may be a cost-effective alternative.
• Instructor-dependent – if you opt for an instructor-led course, the quality of your instructor will be a significant factor towards your success.

Bottom Line - If you need a high SAT score and have the budget, a top SAT prep course is a great option.

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SAT Prep Course Online Reviews 

Magoosh SAT Prep Review 

• Test-Guide Rating:  T-G Choice (Best Value)
• Price: Starting at $129
• Discounts: Available Here

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Magoosh Feature Summary

Magoosh Pros and Cons

Magoosh Summary

Magoosh offers one of the most affordable SAT prep courses available on the market. Their courses range from $100-$129 with the biggest difference being the amount of time student get access to the course. All of the courses offer more than 1750 SAT practice questions, 200 video lessons, video explanations for every question, and 3 SAT practice tests. Magoosh SAT is compatible with all computers, tablets, and smartphones. 

Magoosh SAT is completely online and self-paced. Magoosh offers study plans to their students so the course being self-paced should not worry students. The study plans are customized for each student and consider which areas students want/need to improve in. Magoosh uses a data-driven score predictor to give students an indicator for what they will score on their SAT based on their current knowledge. 

Magoosh SAT offers a free 7-day trial (with a no questions asked refund policy) and a course that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. There are a couple of different options for students looking for SAT test prep courses – the best offer is the 12-month course for $129. Magoosh also offers a 3-month course for $119 and a 1-month course for $100.  All of the courses come with the same features with the time frame being the only difference. 

Best Feature of Magoosh - Budget Friendly with Score Predictor

Rating:

T-G Choice (Best Value)

Bottom Line

For only $129, this course has it all. Good amount of practice questions, practice exams, and other cool features.

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The Princeton Review SAT Review

• Test-Guide Rating:  T-G Choice (Most Comprehensive)
• Price: Starting at $299
• Discounts: Available Here

Visit Princeton Review SAT

Princeton Review Feature Summary

Princeton Review Pros and Cons

Princeton Review Summary

The Princeton Review offers the most complete prep course on the market. For $299, students not only get access to the SAT prep course, but also the ACT prep course. Once signed up for the course, students get access to over 280 online videos and lessons. The course is 100% online and is available to students for 12 months. The course is self-paced but study plans are offered to help students stay on track. The course offers 15 SAT practice tests, 8 ACT practice tests, and 5 PSAT practice tests. 

This course is the perfect course for students who are not sure whether or not they want to take the SAT or ACT. Students have access to the course for 12 months, so if they do not do well on the ACT and want to try the SAT, they have the resources to begin studying. This course is also perfect for students who wish to take both the ACT and the SAT. However, Princeton Review offers just their SAT course for $199 if that is what you desire. 

While there is no free trial, they do offer a higher score guarantee. If you do not receive a higher score than before, you can either take the course again for free or get your money back. Students can also purchase 10 hours of on-demand tutoring for an additional $290. 

Best Princeton Review Feature - SAT & ACT bundled together for great price

Rating:

T-G Choice (Most Comprehensive)

Bottom Line

The most comprehensive SAT course we reviewed. Also includes an SAT/ACT bundle for students interested in taking both tests.

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PrepScholar SAT Prep Review

• Test-Guide Rating: 
• Price: Starting at $397
• Discounts: Available Here

Visit PrepScholar SAT

PrepScholar Feature Summary

PrepScholar Pros and Cons

PrepScholar Summary

PrepScholar offers their SAT prep course for $397. Students have access to the course for 12 months. The course includes 210+ hours of content, over 7100 practice questions, over 700 problem-solving videos, and 10 real SAT practice tests. PrepScholar’s SAT prep course covers all sections – math, reading, writing and essay. 

Every question offers a detailed answer explanation so students can learn from their mistakes. On top of that, PrepScholar has created custom diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge of various SAT topics. Students have the option of trying out the course, risk-free, for 5 days before purchasing the course. PrepScholar has a 160+ score improvement guarantee on their course. 

Best PrepScholar Features – Number of Practice Questions and Overall Content Provided

Rating:

 

Bottom Line

While this course is a little pricey, it is a complete course.

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Kaplan SAT Review

• Test-Guide Rating: 
• Price: Starting at $99
• Discounts: Available Here

Visit Kaplan SAT

Kaplan Feature Summary

Kaplan Pros and Cons

Kaplan Summary

The Kaplan SAT prep course is 100% online and self-paced. The course includes over 1000 SAT practice questions, 50 instructional videos on test content and strategies, and quizzes to make sure students are on track and learning the material. All videos are on-demand so students can watch anytime they want. The lessons are shorter so students can come and go in 30-minute increments if they want to. 

The course includes a 1-month free trial so students can test out the course before purchasing it. If students do decide to purchase the course, they will pay $99 and have access to the course for 6 months. All video lessons were prepared and taught by SAT experts who provide different strategies that students can implement to increase their SAT scores. 

While this course does not include any practice tests or essay feedback, it is a solid course. The course is designed very well and is easy to use. Students will learn from the video lessons and be able to apply certain strategies to the SAT when they take the test. 

Best Kaplan SAT Features – Budget Friendly and User Interface

Rating:

 

Bottom Line

While not having practice exams is a downfall, the content provided in the course will help students learn helpful strategies and content.

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ePrep SAT Review

• Test-Guide Rating: 
• Price: Starting at $299
• Discounts: Available Here

Visit ePrep SAT

ePrep Feature Summary

ePrep Pros and Cons

ePrep Summary

ePrep is an online test prep company. ePrep offers different options of SAT prep to their students – express, standard, and premium. We will focus on the premium option. Premium comes with 6 full-length practice tests, 28 practice quizzes, 112 video lessons, WordSmith vocab builder, and a 250-point improvement guarantee. Student get access to the premium course for 6 months. 

ePrep offers a free trial so students can run through the course and get a feel for how the course is set up. The suggested time to complete the premium course is 6-24 weeks. ePrep also offers annual passes so students can have access to the course for 12 months and can study at their own pace. There are a ton of options available so students should be able to find the right option for their unique situation. 

Best ePrep Features – Pricing Options and Score Improvement Guarantee

Rating:

 

Bottom Line

The high score improvement guarantee is impressive. Ton of different prep options available to students.

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Kranse SAT Review

• Test-Guide Rating: 
• Price: Starting at $499
• Discounts: Available Here

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Kranse Feature Summary

Kranse Pros and Cons

Kranse Summary

Kranse Institute raves about their students having an average score increase of 210 points. Students will be exposed to bite-sized videos that average 10 minutes long. Kranse Institute keeps the videos short so that students can stay as engaged as possible. The course was designed and taught by a former SAT perfect score student. 

The course has the feel of having a private tutor and offers unique strategies and approaches compared to traditional memorization. The course costs $499 and students will have access to the course for 18 consecutive months. The course is accessible on any digital device including computers, tablets, and smartphones. Kranse Institute also offers an app. 

Best Kranse Institute Feature – Experience of Founder Shaan Patel

Rating:

 

Bottom Line

The experience of founder Shaan Patel cannot be questioned. Layout and design of the course is unique.

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SAT Prep Courses FAQ

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Last update: 1/11/2021