The SAT is a standardised test used by colleges to determine if you are a good academic fit for their institution. A good SAT score is very helpful when applying to colleges. Particularly if you apply to a competitive college, a high SAT score is a good way to get attention.
The type of college prep that is best for you depends on your level of ambition, your motivation, your learning style, and, to a large extent, your budget. Some students do fine with self-paced programmes, but other students need a more structured, school-like environment. Generally, the more support and structure you need, the more expensive the programmes are.
Free and almost free college prep: There are many ways you can study for the SAT without paying much, and they can be quite effective. There are numerous free websites that provide excellent resources. However, to have a good outcome, you need to bring motivation and discipline to the table, and you need to organise how to use the free resources effectively. The same applies when you prepare a book. Many people do fine with a book, and the cost is low at about $30.
Budget Courses: Budget courses range between $100 and $500 and are generally online. They are self-paced and offer proven methodology and study aids such as videos, quizzes, practice questions, and full SAT practice tests.
Mid-Level Courses: Mid-level courses offer you everything that a budget course has with the addition of live online classes. The addition of live classes can improve your outcome dramatically, particularly if that learning style suits you. Mid-level courses range from $400 to $900.
High-End Courses: These courses offer everything a mid-level course does with the addition of generous personal tutoring and more generous use of live classes and resources.
Personal Tutors: This is the most expensive but possibly the most effective method at a cost of $40–$200 an hour.
Budget SAT Prep Courses
Budget SAT courses range between $100 and $500 and are generally online. They are self-paced and offer proven methodology and study aids such as videos, quizzes, practice questions, and full SAT practice tests. Budget courses are ideal for students who thrive in self-paced environments and who bring the necessary focus and motivation to utilise the resources being offered.
| Princeton Review Self Paced |
PrepScholar Self Paced |
Kaplan On Demand |
Magoosh Self Paced |
PrepExpert Self Paced |
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| Price | $499 | $397 | $199 | $129 | $699 |
| Score Guarantee | 160+ Points | 160+ Points | 1+ Points | 100+ Points | 1+ Points |
| Online Anytime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Online | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tutoring | $20/hour | - | Yes | - | - |
| Video Lessons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Practice Questions | 2000+ | 7,100+ | 1,000+ | 1,750+ | 1500+ |
| Practice Tests | 17 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 6 |
| Access Period | 1 Year | 1 Year | 6 Months | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 5 days | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days |
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Mid Level Sat Prep Courses
Mid-level courses offer you everything that budget courses do with the addition of live online classes. Live classes help students structure their time in a school-like environment and can improve their outcomes dramatically, particularly if that learning style suits them.
| Princeton Review Essentials |
PrepScholar Classes |
Kaplan Live Online |
Magoosh Guided Study |
PrepExpert 6-week Capstone |
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| Price | $549 | $895 | $525 | $399 | $999 |
| Score Guarantee | 160+ Points | 160+ Points | 1+ Points | 100+ Points | 200+ Points |
| Online Anytime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Online | 18 hours | 9 hours | 18 hours | 16 hours | 72 hours |
| Free help | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tutoring | $39.99/hour | - | - | - | $29/hour + |
| Video Lessons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Practice Questions | 2000+ | 7,100+ | 1,000+ | 1,750+ | 1,500+ |
| Practice Tests | 25+ | 10 | 8 | 3 | 6 |
| Access Period | 1 Year | 1 Year | 6 Months | 12 Months | Class Length + 60 Days |
| Comment | ACT Included | - | 4 Books | - | - |
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High-End SAT Preparation Courses
High-end SAT courses offer all the features of mid-level courses with the addition of extensive personal tutoring. Additionally, they offer more extensive use of the live classes.
| Princeton Review 1400 |
PrepScholar Tutoring |
Kaplan Unlimited Prep |
PrepExpert 8-week Capstone |
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| Price | $1,899 | $995 | $1,999 | $1,499 |
| Score Guarantee | 1400 | 160+ Points | 1+ Points | 200+ Points |
| Online Anytime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online Live | 36 hours | 9 hours | Unlimited | 96 hours |
| Free help | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Tutoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Video Lessons | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Practice Questions | 2000+ | 7,100+ | 1,000+ | 1,500+ |
| Practice Tests | 25+ | 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Unlimited Access | 1 Year | 1 Year | Yes | Class Length + 60 Days |
| Tests Included | SAT, ACT | - | ACT, SAT, PSAT | - |
| Books | - | - | 10 Hardcopy | - |
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