Best SAT Courses

Best SAT Prep Courses of 2026

The best way to attend the college of your dreams is to obtain an impressively high SAT score. But with classes, a job, sports, extracurricular activities, and volunteer obligations, finding the time to study for the SAT can feel impossible. How do you find the right SAT prep for your specific learning and test-taking needs when every test prep company promises to help you earn a higher score by working with experienced and high-scoring instructors? Preparing for the SAT is stressful enough without also worrying about which test prep professional to work with. We’ve taken all the guesswork out of finding the best SAT prep course of 2026 and created a guide highlighting courses for different score goals, budgets, study timelines, and learning styles. With our expert and carefully curated information, you can find the perfect SAT prep option to ensure you obtain your highest score.

Testive

Testive was founded in 2011 by two former test prep tutors who had a desire to combine advanced technology with human-led coaching. The company specializes in personalized SAT and ACT preparation, and since being founded, it has grown into a respected and recommended test prep provider. Testive offers two SAT prep course options:

  • SAT Self-Guided Study ($399): this option includes access to Testive’s online practice platform with hundreds of practice questions, 12 full-length practice tests, and one virtual session with an expert educator to review progress.
  • SAT Prep Class ($950): this option includes 8 online classes with an expert instructor, access to Testive’s online practice platform with hundreds of practice questions, 4 full-length practice tests, detailed score reports for each test indicating areas in need of improvement, and a free 30-minute college advising consultation.

In reviews, students described their instructors as knowledgeable and experienced at providing personalized learning. Students appreciated how their online classes focused on both test content and test-taking strategies, which helped boost their confidence on the day of their exam. Students appreciated the detailed score reports, as well as the extensive practice questions. Parents credited their child’s score improvement to the dedication of the prep course instructors in combination with the practice questions.

In some reviews, students expressed a desire for a “core” curriculum or prep books to supplement the classes and practice questions. A few reviews noted that the prep course was better as a review than a comprehensive learning program. Students also noted that a larger video library would be helpful.

Best for: students seeking on-demand learning or those seeking live instruction targeted to their particular needs rather than being generally comprehensive.

Not the best for: students seeking a prep course with a structured core curriculum or those who want to increase an already strong score.

Manhattan Review

Manhattan Review is one of the most established and recognizable names in the test preparation industry. The company was founded in 1999 by Joern Meissner, who was then a professor at Columbia Business School. At the suggestion of his students, he consolidated his score-raising techniques into a formal prep course. Over the years, Manhattan Review has grown from a boutique test prep provider to an educational services company providing high-quality prep courses, private tutoring, admissions consulting, and more to students around the world. Manhattan Review offers four different SAT prep course options:

  • SAT Classic Course Online ($990): this option includes 28 hours of live, online instruction.
  • SAT Classic Course Online Private ($1,590): this option includes 12 hours of live, one-on-one, online instruction, and sessions are scheduled based on the student’s preference.
  • SAT Classic Course In-Person ($1,590): this option includes 28 hours of live, in-person instruction in cities both in the United States and around the world.
  • SAT Classic Course Private ($1,590): this option includes 12 hours of live, one-on-one in-person instruction in cities both in the United States and around the world, and sessions are scheduled based on the student’s preference.

Manhattan Review has developed an impressive reputation for their experienced instructors. Because of their rigorous hiring process, instructors are not only high-scoring test-takers but also skilled educators with a passion for teaching. Reviews consistently mentioned the company’s commitment to quality, and students described their instructors as knowledgeable, patient, and gifted at breaking down complex material. Students and parents appreciated the in-person learning options, as well as the personalized learning approaches. The homework was described as targeted and helpful in building both general confidence and specific skills. Students also shared that learning to think like a test maker was far better at improving scores than simply memorizing rote test-taking strategies. The “Turbocharge Your Prep” four book SAT series was described as featuring realistic questions that not only provided an offline Qbank, but also effectively mimicked the questions on the real SAT.

In some reviews, it was suggested that including additional practice questions would be helpful, and some students expressed a desire for on-demand video lessons. According to several parents, the course is likely to be more effective for students who are active learners rather than students seeking to learn just enough to achieve a decent score.

Best for: students seeking comprehensive, live in-person or online instruction that can be personalized to individual learning needs.

Not the best for: users who learn best through video lessons or those who prefer a self-paced prep program.

Compass Prep

Compass Prep was founded in 2004 by educators seeking to provide students with high quality test prep and academic support through private tutoring and affordable small group classes. The company offers online learning options around the world and in-person learning options in select US cities. Over the years, Compass Prep has become a trusted and reliable source for standardized test preparation, and they offer three SAT prep course options:

  • Bootcamp ($625): this option includes 10 hours of live online instruction.
  • Prep Class ($1,045): this option includes 20 hours of live online instruction.
  • In-Person Prep Class ($1,295): this option includes 20 hours of live in-person instruction in select cities.

Each course includes materials mailed to you before the first class, 3 digital adaptive practice tests, access to class recordings, access to instructor notes, and access to instructor-led online study halls. Students are assigned two hours of homework per class.

In reviews, students described their instructors as kind, supportive, and passionate about teaching. They credited their instructors with helping them feel more confident about their test-related knowledge, as well as their test-taking skills, which helped them perform at their best on the day of their exam. Parents described instructors has helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. Students appreciated the detailed performance analytics, as well as how the practice tests mimicked the real SAT. Homework was described as both challenging and helpful, and most students reported that they benefitted from the highly structured nature of the course, as it helped them prioritize their preparation.

Some parents did not feel the prep class was worth the price and noted that their child could have learned much of the same material through free resources. Other parents described their child as benefitting more from the structure of the prep course than the content.

Best for: motivated students seeking structured and comprehensive instruction who don’t mind additional homework and have time to devote to rigorous preparation.

Not the best for: students who do not learn best through or have time for additional homework, those on a budget, or those who prefer to learn at their own pace.

Kaplan

Kaplan was founded in 1938 by Stanley Kaplan as a small tutoring service. Over time, the company has grown into a global provider of educational services, including prep courses, private tutoring, and other student support services. Kaplan offers three SAT prep course options:

  • On Demand Prep Course ($199): this option includes 6 months of access to more than 30 instructional videos, 4 practice exams, a Qbank of 500+ questions, and quizzes.
  • Live Online ($799): this option includes 18 hours of live online instruction, 2 or more instructors per class, 4 practice exams, a Qbank of more than 500 questions, and a digital performance dashboard.
  • Bootcamp ($799): this option allows students to prepare for the SAT in 2-3 weeks and includes 18 hours of live instruction, 1-on-1 question and answer session with instructors, 4 practice exams, a Qbank of more than 500 questions, and a digital performance dashboard.

In reviews, students described the instructors as knowledgeable and experienced. Many students enjoyed having two or more instructors per class, as hearing from different perspectives through different teaching styles reportedly helped them better comprehend complex information. Students appreciated the Qbank and described the short video lessons as energetic and engaging. Parents appreciated the focused live instruction and felt that it helped their child prioritize SAT prep.

In some reviews, students noted that the quality of the course depended heavily on the quality of the instructor, which was reported to vary between individuals. Some students did not enjoy having two or more instructors per class and found the back-and-forth teaching style to be confusing. A few reviews also mentioned that the math focused on in the prep course was not exactly the same math that was presented on the real SAT.

Best for: students seeking comprehensive live instruction that is not overly rigorous.

Not the best for: motivated students seeking to earn an especially high score or those who learn best through personalized instruction.

Test Innovators

Test Innovators was founded in 2012 as an education technology company specializing in personalized and web-based test preparation. Over the years, the company has established itself as an effective and frequently recommended provider of test preparation services. Test Innovators offers several SAT prep course options:

  • On-Demand Reading & Writing ($45): this option includes 5 hours of video instruction and 68 practice questions.
  • On-Demand Math ($45): this option includes 4 hours of video instruction and 81 practice questions.
  • On-Demand Reading & Writing + Math ($75): this option includes 9 hours of video instruction and 149 practice questions.
  • Scholar Access ($79): this option was described as best for targeting specific areas in need of improvement and includes 1 full-length adaptive test, 1,700 practice questions, full answer explanations for all questions, interactive diagnostics, and a personalized prep plan.
  • Valedictorian Access ($249): this option was described as a complete solution for high-achieving students and includes 12 full-length adaptive tests, 1,700 practice questions, full answer explanations for all questions, interactive diagnostics, and a personalized prep plan.
  • Summer SAT Prep Course ($1,199): this option includes 20 hours of live online instruction across 5 days, classes of no more than 8 students, and 12 months of access to the SAT practice platform featuring 12 full-length digital SAT practice tests and more than 1,700 practice questions.
  • Inside the SAT Prep Course ($1,299): this option includes 6 weeks of live online instruction through twice weekly sessions, classes of no more than 8 students, 20 hours on instruction, and 12 months of access to the SAT practice platform featuring 12 full-length digital SAT practice tests and more than 1,700 practice questions.

In reviews, students described their instructors as knowledgeable and helpful. The content of the prep courses was noted to be engaging, and students appreciated being able to learn at their own pace or in a group course with others. The interactive diagnostics were noted to be most useful for targeting and improving specific areas of weakness. Students also reportedly found the practice questions to be helpful in reviewing content they already knew, as well as learning content that was new to them. Parents praised the effectiveness of both the course content and the instructors, crediting their child’s high score or score improvement to the thorough preparation they received.

In some reviews, students reported that the practice tests were more challenging than the real SAT. While parents were almost always satisfied with the score their child ultimately achieved, they did share that the cost of some prep options were more expensive than they would have liked.

Best for: students who want to target specific areas of weakness, those who want to improve an already high score, or those seeking live instruction that can be supplemented with on-demand videos.

Not the best for: students seeking live online instruction on a budget.

College Prep Genius

College Prep Genius was founded in 2004 by Jean Burk to help students improve their college entrance exam scores and obtain scholarships. Over the years, the company has developed a strong base of enthusiastic users and is highly recommended for SAT preparation. College Prep Genius offers four SAT prep course options:

  • Self-Paced Bootcamp ($289): this option includes one-year access to 12 online lessons, daily homework, recap videos, quizzes, practice tests, a checklist for success, appendices of math terms and Latin terms, as well as SAT essay templates.
  • Master the SAT Live Virtual Bootcamp 3-Days ($395): this option includes three days of live online instruction, a workbook, access to class recordings, recap videos, quizzes, practice tests, a checklist for success, and a score tracker.
  • Master the SAT Live Virtual Bootcamp 8 Weeks ($395): this option includes everything in the 3-Day course option but is spread over 8 weeks.
  • Host an In-Person Bootcamp: with this option, if parents can gather 10 children and secure a location, their child will attend the bootcamp for free. In addition to live, in-person instruction, students receive comprehensive class workbooks and study guides, as well as access to the Self-Paced Bootcamp.

In reviews, students praised the prep courses for focusing on learning to “outsmart” the SAT by emphasizing test-taking techniques, in addition to test content. Instructors and on-demand learning emphasized shortcuts, time-saving tips, and methods for spotting patterns. Many students reported that this was more effective in boosting their score than focusing strictly on reviewing content. Parents appreciated the affordable prices, as well as the option to host an in-person bootcamp led by a professional instructor. Students described their instructors as personable and knowledgeable, as well as patient in explaining complicated material or problem-solving techniques.

Some students reported that this learning option worked better as a supplement combined with College Board practice tests than as a sole source of SAT preparation.

Best for: students who already possess a strong foundation of test-related knowledge seeking to improve test-taking strategies or those on a budget.

Not the best for: students who need to focus more on test content than mastering test-taking or score-raising strategies.

Conclusion

Before you choose an SAT prep course, it’s helpful to know your budget, score goals, the amount of time you have to study, and how you best learn and remember complicated information. There isn’t one prep course that will be right for everyone, so the clearer you are about what you want and can realistically commit to, the easier finding the right course will be. The prices listed in this guide were accurate at the time of writing, but we encourage interested families to visit the provided websites, as companies frequently offer seasonal discounts or sales. We hope that the information provided in this guide empowers you to take charge of your test preparation, and we wish you all the best in mastering the SAT and enrolling in your dream college or university.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

I know a lot of colleges stopped requiring applicants to submit SAT scores during COVID-19 and for several years after. Are most colleges still test optional?

It’s true that most colleges and universities paused their requirement on submitting standardized test scores during and shortly after COVID-19. But as of 2026, the majority of those colleges are back to requiring either the SAT or ACT. It's important (and easy) to do a quick search and see if the colleges you’re planning on applying to require a standardized test score, because once you know this, you can plan and prepare accordingly.

A few colleges I’m applying to are still test optional, but I can submit an SAT score if I want. What should I do?

SAT scores often have value beyond simply helping you get accepted into the college of your dreams—many financial aid awards and scholarships are related to your SAT score, which means if you submit a good score, you have a chance of receiving financial assistance you don’t have to pay back. And even when a college is test optional, SAT scores may still be considered and could be a deciding factor in whether or not to make an offer of admission. Taking the SAT (especially if you don’t have to) shows you’re treating the college application process as a priority and that you’re capable of devoting time and attention to mastering a challenging test. Those are great traits to demonstrate, so it never hurts to take the SAT and submit your score even if you aren’t required to.

I’d love to have help paying for college—if my main reason for taking the SAT is to earn scholarships, what’s the best prep course in this guide to take?

If earning big scholarships is your goal, we’d recommend preparing for the SAT with College Prep Genius. The company was founded with the specific goal of helping students earn scholarships to reduce the financial burden of attending college. It’s helpful to have some SAT-related knowledge prior to taking the course, but it’s not a requirement, and the course is structured to focus on not only content but also test-taking strategies and tips to help you better manage your time, solve challenging questions, and improve your overall score.

What’s the difference between an on-demand prep course and a prep course with live instruction?

An on-demand prep course features text- or video-based lessons but the instructor isn’t online or in front of you teaching live...everything has been prerecorded from an earlier time. The great thing about on-demand learning is that you can study whenever it’s convenient for you. You can study for 10 minutes or 3 hours, depending on your schedule for a given day, which makes this type of learning ideal for students with frequently changing schedules. Students who are self-motivated and organized tend to do best with these courses, and they’re usually cheaper than live instruction.

Live instruction is exactly what it sounds like—you’re learning from someone teaching in-the-moment either in-person or online. You attend a class or classes at a certain time each week, and you can ask your instructor questions and receive real-time feedback. Since this type of prep course requires the presence of an instructor each class sessions, live instruction is more expensive than on-demand learning but also provides built-in structure and accountability, which many students find very helpful.

I definitely want to take a prep course with live instruction so I can prioritize my studying. Which course in this guide offers the best live instruction?

If you’re searching for the most experienced and engaging prep course instructors, we’d recommend Manhattan Review. Based on our research, their biggest priority is live instruction, both in-person and online. They offer in-person SAT prep courses in cities around the world, and they’re known for their rigorous instructor hiring process. Manhattan Review instructors aren’t just good test-takers or high-scoring individuals...they’re trained teachers who can help you understand complex material in ways that make sense to you.

What if I start a prep course and my schedule changes or I don’t like the instructor?

It’s important to read all prep course policies before signing a contract or making a payment. Some test prep companies will provide you a full refund if it’s requested by a certain date while others offer only a partial refund. Some companies don’t offer refunds but might be able to switch you to a different course at a different time or with a different instructor, depending on circumstances. It’s important to know what you’re signing up for and how the company you ultimately choose handles issues like this. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for on their website, you can always call and talk to a customer service representative who should be able to answer your questions (and if they can’t, that’s a red flag to pay attention to).

How many times can I take the SAT?

There are no limits to how many times you can take the SAT. That being said, test prep experts generally recommend taking it no more than 2-3 times. This is partly because the SAT isn’t cheap and you have to pay fees each time you take the test. Also, scores don’t usually change much after three attempts, which means you’re not likely to suddenly earn a higher score on your fifth or eighth try. This is why it’s important to be as prepared as possible when you take the exam, and one of the best ways to do that is through a prep course designed to help you master the exam and earn your highest score, ideally on your first or second try.