Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer
Last updated: September 2026
 Preparing for the MCAT? Find out if the Kaplan MCAT Prep Course can help you score high enough to get into the medical school you’re determined to enter.Â
If you’re readying yourself for the MCAT, you have to prepare for it seriously. Kaplan can help with that since the brand has been in the business of preparing review courses for standardized tests for about 80 years now. They offer a wide range of services, including an MCAT prep course.Â
Actually, they offer a wide range of MCAT prep courses. So, are they any good? Which of these courses best suits your needs?Â
Our verdict: 8.5/10 · #3 in our best MCAT prep courses ranking
| Practice material | 10/10 |
| Books and Anki fit | 9/10 |
| Live classes | 8/10 |
| Platform and tools | 8/10 |
| Value for money | 7/10 |
Best for: students who learn from books and flashcards; Kaplan has the most practice material of any course we compared (21 full-lengths, including 7 from the AAMC, and 12,000+ questions).
Not ideal for: students who want the lowest price, or who can’t keep up with a fast-moving live class.
Reviewer’s takeaway — Nathan M. (Medical student · Top-percentile MCAT scorer)
Use the books to understand concepts and connect topics, then check your understanding with questions. Flashcards can support recall, but they should not replace applying the material.
How to Find the Best MCAT Prep Course from Kaplan
When you get into the Kaplan MCAT prep course website, you immediately get a short filtering quiz to identify the MCAT prep course that may best suit your needs. You’re asked a series of questions, and your answers filter the list to arrive at the ideal solution.Â
Here are the possible results, depending on your responses.Â
| When are you taking the MCAT? | How much guidance do you need? | How much 1-on-1 time do you need with a teacher? | Recommended Kaplan MCAT Prep Course |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | Platinum Practice Bundle |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | On Demand + Tutoring |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | On Demand |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | On Demand + Tutoring |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | On Demand + Tutoring |
| Less than a month from now, which means it’s crunch time. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | Tutoring + Live Online |
| In 1 to 3 months. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | On Demand |
| In 1 to 3 months. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | On Demand + Tutoring |
| In 1 to 3 months. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | Live Online |
| In 1 to 3 months. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | Live Online + Tutoring |
| In 1 to 3 months. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | Live Online |
| In 1 to 3 months. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | Tutoring + Live Online |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | On Demand |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | Not much, since you’re used to studying solo and you just need the right tools | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | On Demand + Tutoring |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | Live Online |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | A decent amount, though you can use some support along the way. | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | Tutoring + Live Online |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Not much, really. Having a teacher to help is good, but it’s not really absolutely crucial. | Live Online |
| You have more than 3 months to prepare. | A lot, as you want structure and a person to keep you accountable | Yes, you need a lot. You do your best when you get the personal touch of 1-on-1 support. | Tutoring + Live Online |
- 12,000+ practice questions (with a good filter) with detailed solutions.
- High-quality video lessons with good graphics. In-person, On-demand, and live online courses options.
- You can have a practice exam-only option with Kaplan.
- Free 7-day trial. Price range from $1,599 to $7,299.
The Various Plans
Kaplan has restructured its MCAT course lineup since this review was first written. Here’s a look at the current tiers.
On Demand
Starting from $1,599, this is Kaplan’s self-paced tier — prerecorded video lessons, the 2,900+ question Qbank, and the full MCAT Subject Review book set, on your own schedule with no live class component.
Live Online
Starting from $2,699, this adds scheduled live classes with a Kaplan instructor on top of everything in the On Demand tier, for students who want more structure and the chance to ask questions in real time.
In Person
Starting from around $3,199, this swaps the live-online classroom for an in-person one at a local Kaplan center, where available.
515+ Course
Starting from around $3,599, this is aimed at students already scoring well who want to push toward a 515+, and it comes with Kaplan’s higher-score guarantee.
Private Tutoring + Live Online
Starting from around $3,599 and scaling up with more hours, this bundles 1-on-1 tutoring on top of the Live Online course.
Online Bootcamp
At the top of the range, around $7,299, the 5-week Online Bootcamp is Kaplan’s most intensive option, with a daily live class schedule instead of a spread-out multi-month timeline.
Across the lineup, Kaplan now includes 21 full-length practice tests in total (14 Kaplan-built exams plus all 7 official AAMC full-length exams) — a meaningful jump from the smaller practice-test counts Kaplan offered when this review was first written.
Kaplan Pros
Here are some reasons why Kaplan may be suitable for you.Â
- Kaplan has been around for a long time, and they’ve established a serious reputation for effectiveness.Â
- This offers several options, so you may find one option that matches your needs and preferences.Â
- You get lots of content, with thousands of practice questions, hundreds of lessons, and plenty of diagnostic practice tests.Â
Kaplan Cons
Is it perfect? Not quite.Â
- One reason why a few people don’t go with Kaplan is simply that it’s quite expensive.Â
- Another reason is that access to the study materials is limited to just 6 months.Â
Comparison with Princeton Review
The Princeton Review MCAT prep courses are just as highly regarded as the Kaplan offerings. This is why the 2 brands are often directly compared.Â
The main issue, at least from a definitive perspective, is that Princeton Review prices are lower. At the same time, Princeton Review also offers 12 months of access.Â
Some Kaplan fans do say that the Kaplan MCAT prep courses are slightly better. But this is an entirely subjective view, and it’s not exactly a unanimous opinion.Â
Editorial note: If you plan to use Anki with Kaplan’s books, check how your chosen deck organizes the topics. Before enrolling in live classes, make room for both the sessions and the work between them.
Before choosing a Kaplan course
Compare the weekly class and homework schedule with the time you have available. If you use Anki alongside the books, check how your chosen deck organizes topics rather than assuming it matches every chapter.
Conclusion
Kaplan is one of the more popular MCAT option. No one’s really denying that since the quality of their study materials and the expertise of their teachers are obvious. The brand has a terrific track record, and thousands of people have confirmed that their MCAT prep courses have worked for them.Â
It’s just that it’s expensive, and you may want a longer access period. You can check the discount page to get the best price.
Kaplan is one of several strong options. See how it stacks up against Blueprint, Princeton Review and others in our best MCAT prep courses comparison.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kaplan MCAT course cost?
Kaplan’s MCAT courses run from $1,599 for the self-paced On Demand tier up to $7,299 for the Bootcamp. Live Online starts around $2,699, In Person around $3,199, and the 515+ course and tutoring bundles start around $3,599.
Does Kaplan guarantee a higher MCAT score?
Yes. Kaplan’s standard guarantee is that you score higher than your previous MCAT, or you get your money back. The 515+ course attaches the guarantee to a target score instead. Both require you to complete the coursework the guarantee specifies.
How many practice tests does Kaplan include?
Twenty-one full-length exams in total — 14 Kaplan-built tests plus all 7 official AAMC exams. That is more full-length practice than most competitors include.
Is Kaplan better than Princeton Review for the MCAT?
Kaplan gives you more practice tests and cheaper tutoring at roughly $120 an hour. Princeton Review gives you far more live teaching and ties its guarantee to a specific score. Pick on which of those two you actually need.
