Introduction

Students who have done their research on the MCAT prep courses frequently come to the conclusion that Kaplan and Princeton Review are the best options. Both test prep firms have good curriculums, a large amount of study material, and a track record of success. So, how do you pick the best course when they’re so similar in so many ways? This detailed study compares and contrasts them, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Kaplan MCAT Overview

Kaplan has been connected with exam preparation since 1938. It is one of the largest test preparation firms in the world, with operations in over 30 countries! Most pre-med students find it simple to access the courses, owing to the online platform.

Kaplan provides a variety of courses to suit various requirements and learning styles. They also offer a DIY MCAT course for students who wish to work at their own speed. It will cost you $1,799. The DIY course is available online and includes six months of access to practice exams, videos, and hours of recorded lessons.

A completely online MCAT course is also offered. It’s more structured and includes help from a team of experienced teachers for $2,499, and it’s more structured. When you need extra help, you may speak with teachers in a digital classroom environment or on-demand.

Kaplan provides classes in locations all over the world for in-person preparation. These courses are planned and delivered in a regular classroom environment by a trained teacher. For $2,699, you’ll get 12 three-hour lessons and six months of online access to all of the extra practice materials.

Advantages

Kaplan MCAT is popular among aspiring medical students for various reasons.

For starters, you’ll receive several bonuses to aid you in your preparation efforts. Every course provides six months of access to a variety of extra resources in addition to the main topics. More than 90 hours of recorded courses, 130 interactive scientific study videos, topic review books, and 16 full-length AAMC practice exams are included in this package.

The 16 practice tests are a significant benefit. They can help you become used to the format of the official MCAT exam and the kind of questions you’ll be asked. Kaplan also offers a Qbank of over 2,900 questions. The Qbank questions might help you figure out your strong and weak points.

Disadvantages

While Kaplan excels at building excellent test-taking methods, it also has one of the most obvious drawbacks.

Kaplan places a strong emphasis on test-taking preparation. Thousands of practice questions and multiple simulated tests demonstrate this.

Kaplan does not devote much time to content evaluation. Several course segments provide high-yield lessons on certain topics. However, the courses do not go into great length regarding the fundamental scientific and medical knowledge.

To pass the MCAT, you’ll require that in-depth material review. You’ll have to rely on Qbank questions and topic review books for extra content review. Even so, you may need to conduct some further studying.

Princeton Review MCAT Overview

The Princeton Review may not have been around as long as Kaplan, but it has built a solid reputation nonetheless. The firm, which was founded in 1981, operates across the United States and has foreign franchisees in 14 countries.

The Princeton Review MCAT, like Kaplan, provides a variety of course bundles to suit your needs. The Princeton Review provides discounts on a regular basis, so prices may be lower based on current specials.

The Self-Paced course is at the lower end of the pricing range. The Self-Paced course is available online for $1,699 regular price. It’s a versatile solution that gives you complete access to video tutorials, guided study sessions, practice exams, and more.

The 515+ Immersion course is the most demanding. The cost of this course is $6,999. It does, however, include over 860 hours of training, practice, and assistance. Live instruction from a trained teacher accounts for 169 of those hours.

Advantages

The Princeton Review MCAT classes provide a number of benefits.

Every course has extra benefits that might help you with your study. The Princeton Review, like Kaplan, offers 16 full-length AAMC practice examinations. You also gain access to ten MCAT books, as well as thousands of Qbank questions.

There’s also the MedFlix collection, which has over 500 instructive films on a variety of subjects. As you advance through the course, the Princeton Review MCAT offers diagnostic examinations and Study Manager assignments to help you identify and solve any deficiencies.

The most significant advantage of The Princeton Review MCAT courses is the subject review. The Princeton Review is more comprehensive than other MCAT prep courses.

Disadvantages

There are a few drawbacks to The Princeton Review that should be considered.

The price is the most noticeable. The Princeton Review is slightly more costly than Kaplan and other prep course providers. When you add in the optional extras, you might wind up spending a lot of money.

Fortunately, The Princeton Review compensates for this with periodic promotions. Furthermore, there are additional course alternatives. This helps you to spend your money wisely and get the most out of your trip.

Some students may be put off by the breadth of the material review. Despite the rigorous subject study provided by The Princeton Review MCAT courses, it may not be sufficient for everyone.

The Princeton Review MCAT has issues with CARS in particular. The Critical Analysis and Reasoning Section, or CARS, is often recognized as one of the most challenging sections. It’s not easy to get ready for.

Although the courses spend time on CARS, it is not as comprehensive as we would want. In addition, there is relatively little supplemental content. A CARS accelerated course is available from The Princeton Review.

Final Verdict

When it comes to preparing for the MCAT, both MCAT prep courses: Kaplan and Princeton Review are good alternatives. However, The Princeton MCAT will be declared the winner.

The depth of the content evaluation is the most significant feature to consider at the end of the day. You may discover sophisticated test-taking tactics and how to improve your performance. However, if you don’t comprehend the content, it won’t help you.

If you want to do your studies online, The Princeton Review’s platform is superior to Kaplan’s. It’s simple to use, browse, and there’s a wealth of other stuff to explore.

The Kaplan classes are nothing to be ashamed of. The Princeton Study MCAT courses, on the other hand, are a better alternative if you want a more in-depth material review and a better learning experience.