Best SAT & ACT Prep Courses of 2025
We evaluated the top SAT and ACT prep courses on score improvement data, teaching quality, adaptive technology, practice material volume, and value.
5 items ranked · Last reviewed January 2025
Khan Academy Official SAT Prep
Official College Board prep — free, adaptive, and proven
Khan Academy's official SAT partnership with College Board makes it uniquely valuable: the practice materials are literally from the test-maker. Research shows students who use it for 20+ hours average a 115-point improvement. As a free resource, nothing competes with this ROI.
PROS
- ✓Official College Board partnership — the most accurate practice materials available
- ✓Studies show 20+ hour users average 115-point score improvement
- ✓Fully adaptive to student's specific weak areas
CONS
- ✕No live instruction — entirely self-paced
- ✕Requires strong self-discipline to see results
Princeton Review SAT Prep
Score improvement guaranteed or your money back
The Princeton Review's score guarantee is the most powerful promise in test prep — if you don't improve by 150+ points on premium plans, you get your money back. Their structured curriculum and expert instructors deliver the most consistent score improvements of any paid service.
PROS
- ✓Score improvement guaranteed — 150+ point improvement promise on premium plans
- ✓Live expert instructors via interactive on-demand and live sessions
- ✓10 full-length practice tests with detailed explanations
CONS
- ✕Most effective plans cost $500+
- ✕Live courses require fixed schedule commitment
Kaplan SAT Prep
Expert-led live classes with 80 years of test prep experience
Kaplan's 80-year legacy in test prep translates into battle-tested teaching methods and expert instructor quality. Their live online classes are the best structured option for students who learn better in a classroom environment than working independently.
PROS
- ✓80+ years of test prep expertise — the most established brand
- ✓Live online classes with SAT-certified instructors
- ✓Higher Score Guarantee — or free repeat of the course
CONS
- ✕Less adaptive personalization than Khan Academy or PrepScholar
- ✕Schedule-dependent live courses not ideal for all students
PrepScholar SAT
The most personalized SAT prep program available
PrepScholar's AI-powered adaptive engine is genuinely smarter than traditional test prep. By identifying and drilling exactly the skill gaps holding each student back, it delivers more targeted practice than any one-size-fits-all curriculum — and the 160-point average improvement backs it up.
PROS
- ✓AI-driven diagnostic identifies and targets exact weak areas
- ✓PrepScholar claims average 160-point improvement for users who complete the program
- ✓Personalized study schedule adapts to student's timeline
CONS
- ✕More expensive than Khan Academy (obviously) and basic Kaplan plans
- ✕Less live instruction than Princeton Review or Kaplan
UWorld SAT Prep
The highest-quality practice questions in test prep
UWorld built its reputation in medical board prep on one principle: practice questions so thorough they explain not just why the right answer is right, but why each wrong answer is wrong. Applied to the SAT, this depth of explanation produces faster skill mastery than bulk repetition.
PROS
- ✓Best-in-class question explanations — each answer explained in depth
- ✓2,000+ SAT practice questions across all sections
- ✓Performance analytics show exactly where to improve
CONS
- ✕Less brand recognition than Princeton Review or Kaplan
- ✕Fewer full-length practice tests than competitors