Kaplan and Princeton Review are two of the most established names in test prep. Both have been preparing students for standardized tests for decades, and both offer comprehensive SAT programs. At $799 and $1,849 respectively, the price difference is significant. This comparison helps you understand what you get at each price point.
| Feature | Kaplan SAT | Princeton Review SAT 1400+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 | $1,849 |
| Practice Questions | 2,500+ | 2,000+ |
| Video Lessons | 200+ | 180+ |
| Live Class Hours | 30+ | 24 |
| Access Period | 6 months | 4 months |
| Score Guarantee | Higher score guarantee or money back | Score improvement guarantee |
Kaplan and Princeton Review are the legacy brands of test prep. Both have helped millions of students prepare for the SAT, and both have adapted their programs for the digital SAT era. The key question is whether Princeton Review's premium pricing delivers proportionally better results than Kaplan's more affordable option.
Kaplan SAT ($799) offers a structured curriculum with video lessons, practice materials, and access to live online sessions. Their teaching approach is methodical — you progress through content in a logical order, building skills systematically. Kaplan's instructors are well-trained and follow a proven curriculum.
Princeton Review SAT 1400+ ($1,849) provides a more intensive experience with extensive live instruction, smaller class sizes, and more personalized attention. Their program includes more hours of live teaching and more one-on-one support. Princeton Review's instructors are experienced and their strategies are well-refined.
Both courses provide comprehensive content covering all sections of the digital SAT. Kaplan offers multiple full-length practice tests, a large question bank, and detailed score reports. Princeton Review provides similar materials, plus additional strategy workshops and supplementary resources.
The quality of content is comparable between the two. Both companies have invested heavily in updating their materials for the digital SAT format, and both provide realistic practice experiences.
Kaplan offers a score improvement guarantee — your score goes up or you get your money back. Princeton Review guarantees a 1400+ score with their flagship program, which is a more specific and ambitious commitment.
The 1400+ guarantee from Princeton Review is compelling, but it comes with conditions — you need to complete the full program and follow their study plan. Kaplan's improvement guarantee is less specific but also less restrictive.
Both courses have updated their content for the digital SAT, including the adaptive format and the new question types. Kaplan and Princeton Review both offer digital practice tests that simulate the actual testing experience, including the adaptive difficulty adjustment.
Choose Kaplan SAT if: You want solid, comprehensive prep at a reasonable price, you're comfortable with a more independent study approach, or you're looking for good value without the premium price tag.
Choose Princeton Review SAT 1400+ if: You're targeting 1400+ and want a specific score guarantee, you prefer intensive live instruction, you want more personalized attention, and the premium price is within your budget.
Kaplan offers better value for most students. At less than half the price of Princeton Review, Kaplan delivers comprehensive, quality SAT preparation. Princeton Review's 1400+ guarantee and more intensive instruction justify the premium for students specifically targeting top scores, but for the majority of students, Kaplan provides everything needed for significant score improvement at a much more accessible price point.