Test Prep Options Compared: Free vs Paid vs Tutor

The test prep industry generates over $1.5 billion annually in the United States [1]IBISWorld, 2023. But does spending more money actually produce better scores? The data is more nuanced than the marketing suggests.

Option	Cost	SAT Gain	Hours	Best For
Khan Academy	$0	+60 pts	20–40	Self-motivated, budget
Magoosh	$100–$130	+50–100	30–60	Budget + structure
Princeton Review	$1K–$2K	+100–140	30–60	Classroom learners
Kaplan	$900–$1,800	+100+	30–60	Classroom learners
PrepScholar	$400–$900	+160	40+	Adaptive online prep
Private tutor	$80–$300/hr	+100–200+	10–30	Specific weaknesses
Self-study (books)	$30–$60	Varies	Flexible	Self-directed learners

[4]Test prep company websites, 2024

Khan Academy: The Free Option

Khan Academy's Official SAT Practice is built in partnership with the College Board and uses real SAT questions. It's the only free prep platform with this distinction.

What you get:

Full-length practice tests (8+ available)
Personalized practice based on PSAT/SAT scores or diagnostic
Video explanations for every concept
Thousands of practice questions
Progress tracking

The data: A 2017 College Board study of 250,000+ students found that 20 hours of practice on Khan Academy was associated with an average 115-point score increase on the SAT. Students who practiced for 6–8 hours saw roughly a 60-point gain [2]College Board, SAT Practice Study, 2017.

Caveats: This study was conducted on the old paper-based SAT, which was replaced by the Digital SAT in 2024. Score improvements may differ on the new format. Additionally, correlation isn't causation; students who voluntarily practice for 20+ hours are likely more motivated, which could inflate the numbers. Still, the platform is free, thorough, and uses official materials, a combination no paid service matches.

Verdict: If you're self-motivated and can stick to a study schedule, Khan Academy is genuinely competitive with paid options. Start here.

Magoosh

What you get:

Video lessons (200+)
Practice questions (1,300+ for SAT)
Score predictor
Study schedules
Email support

Strengths: Affordable, mobile-friendly, clear video explanations. Good for students who want more structured content than Khan Academy but can't afford a course.

Weaknesses: No live instruction. Practice questions are not from the College Board. Limited adaptive technology compared to more expensive platforms.

Verdict: A solid mid-tier option for students who want guidance but don't need a classroom.

Princeton Review

What you get (classroom course):

24–36 hours of live or online instruction
Practice tests (4–8 included)
Course materials and books
Score improvement guarantee (varies by program)
Access to online practice platform

The guarantee: Princeton Review offers a "higher score guaranteed or your money back" policy. The specifics vary, typically you must complete all assignments and attend all sessions. Read the fine print.

Strengths: Structured curriculum, experienced instructors, thorough materials. The classroom format provides accountability.

Weaknesses: Expensive. Class sizes can be 15–25 students, limiting personalization. Quality varies by instructor. The "guaranteed" score improvement often has conditions that make refunds rare.

Verdict: Worth it if you need external structure and accountability. Not worth it if you're paying primarily for the brand name.

Kaplan

What you get (classroom course):

Similar structure to Princeton Review
24–36 hours instruction
Practice tests and materials
Score guarantee
On-demand video library

Strengths and weaknesses are nearly identical to Princeton Review. The two companies are direct competitors with very similar offerings.

Key difference: Kaplan's online platform is generally rated slightly better for self-paced supplementary study. Princeton Review's in-person instruction is often rated slightly higher.

Verdict: Choose between Kaplan and Princeton Review based on schedule availability, instructor reviews in your area, and which interface you prefer. The outcomes are comparable.

Private Tutoring

Private tutoring is the most expensive option but potentially the most effective, if you find the right tutor.

Cost breakdown:

Tutor Type	Hourly Rate	Typical Package
College student / recent grad	$30–$60/hr	10–15 hrs ($300–$900)
Professional tutor (independent)	$80–$150/hr	10–20 hrs ($800–$3,000)
Premium prep company tutor	$150–$300/hr	15–30 hrs ($2,250–$9,000)
Elite boutique tutor (NYC/SF)	$300–$600/hr	20+ hrs ($6,000–$12,000+)

When tutoring is worth it:

You've plateaued after self-study
You have specific, identifiable weaknesses (e.g., geometry, reading inference questions)
You need accountability that a course can't provide
You're aiming for a top score (1500+/34+) and need targeted work

When tutoring isn't worth it:

You haven't tried free options first
You don't have specific weaknesses identified
You're starting from scratch (a course or self-study covers fundamentals more efficiently)

How to evaluate a tutor:

Ask for their own test scores (a qualified SAT tutor should score 1550+)
Ask about their diagnostic process
Request references from past students
Insist on a trial session before committing

Self-Study with Books

The budget option that works for disciplined students:

Book	Cost	Best For
Official SAT Study Guide (College Board)	~$25	Real practice tests (essential)
Erica Meltzer's Reading/Grammar books	~$30 each	Detailed reading/writing strategy
College Panda Math	~$25	Systematic math review
The Official ACT Prep Guide	~$25	Real ACT practice tests
For the Love of ACT Science	~$20	ACT science strategy

Total cost: $50–$130 for a full library.

The catch: You need to create your own study plan, track your own progress, and diagnose your own weaknesses. This works well for organized, self-aware students but poorly for those who need structure.

What the Research Says About Score Improvement

Independent research on test prep effectiveness paints a sobering picture:

A meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Virginia found that coached students scored, on average, 10–30 points higher on the SAT than uncoached students, far less than test prep companies claim [3]Briggs, 2009, 2009.
However, this study measured all forms of coaching. More intensive preparation (20+ hours) consistently shows larger gains.
The College Board's own data shows that practice testing is the single highest-impact activity, more than any specific curriculum or format [2]College Board, SAT Practice Study, 2017.

The honest answer: Expensive prep courses don't produce dramatically different results from free options for the average student. The biggest predictors of score improvement are:

Hours of focused practice (20–40 hours minimum for meaningful gains)
Using real test materials (official practice tests)
Targeted work on weaknesses (not just re-doing what you're already good at)
Taking and reviewing full practice tests under timed conditions

The Decision Framework

Your Situation	Recommended Path
Budget is tight	Khan Academy + Official Study Guide
Need some structure, moderate budget	Magoosh or self-study with scheduled practice tests
Need accountability, budget $1,000+	Princeton Review or Kaplan course
Plateaued after 40+ hours of self-study	5–10 hours of targeted private tutoring
Starting from far below target, budget unlimited	Course + supplemental tutoring

The Bottom Line

Start free. Use Khan Academy and official practice tests. Track your scores. If you plateau after 20–30 hours of quality practice, consider targeted tutoring for your specific weak areas. The correlation between money spent on prep and score improvement is far weaker than the test prep industry wants you to believe. What matters is how you practice, not how much you pay to practice.