How we rank SAT and ACT prep
Last checked October 23, 2026 · Sources: College Board and ACT for test facts; providers’ own pages for prices and features, labeled as reported where we couldn’t confirm them.
This page explains how we rank SAT and ACT prep. Our picks are based on what each provider publishes: prices, plans, practice, live teaching and guarantees. We rate each course out of 5 with the same six-category rubric we use across the site. Ratings are our editorial assessment, not hands-on tests, and we explain which option suits which student.
What we look at
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Built for the current tests | The digital, adaptive SAT and the enhanced ACT (Science optional, four-choice math). |
| Official practice | Free official material from College Board and ACT is the baseline; paid prep should add to it. |
| Total cost | The price for the access you need, and bundles for students taking both tests. |
| Live teaching | Hours and format of live help. |
| Guarantees | We read the conditions, including minimum starting scores. |
| Transparency | Prices we could not confirm on a provider’s own page are labeled as reported. |
The rating rubric
| Category | Weight |
|---|---|
| Question bank | 25% |
| Practice exams | 20% |
| Lectures and materials | 15% |
| Platform and mobile | 15% |
| Support | 10% |
| Value for money | 15% |
The same weights across every exam on this site.
Current ratings
| Course | Rating | Strongest at |
|---|---|---|
| PrepScholar | 4.3 / 5 | Adaptive plan, six official exams, 160-point guarantee |
| UWorld | 4.2 / 5 | Question bank and explanations |
| Princeton Review | 4.2 / 5 | Live teaching and score-target guarantees |
| Kaplan | 4.1 / 5 | Affordable live classes |
| Khan Academy | 4.1 / 5 | Free official SAT practice |
| Magoosh | 3.8 / 5 | Lowest price for a full course |
October 2026. See each review for the breakdown.
What we don’t do
- We don’t claim hands-on testing we haven’t done; our ratings are editorial and say so.
- We don’t accept payment for picks; we currently earn no commission from any SAT or ACT provider.
- We don’t rely on one provider’s rankings of its rivals.
- We don’t let providers’ own score-gain claims count toward ratings.
Common questions about how we rank SAT and ACT prep
Do you test the courses yourselves?
No. Our ratings are editorial: we score what providers publish, and the consensus of third-party reviews, against the rubric above.
Do providers pay for their ranking?
No. We don’t currently earn commissions from SAT or ACT providers, and no one pays for placement.
Why is Khan Academy rated alongside paid courses?
It’s free and built with College Board, which scores 5.0 on value, but it covers the SAT only and offers no live help.