To help you pass the MCAT the first time, Kaplan offers one of the top prep courses on the market. They offer an awesome online course as well as robust live online and in-person programs that will give you the personalized attention you need to crush the MCAT on test day.
Is Kaplan MCAT a Good Test Prep Option?
Kaplan offers a wide variety of MCAT prep options. Even though Kaplan is a bit more expensive than some of its competition, you have the option of enrolling in their self-paced, live online (lecture or small class), in-person programs, and tutoring programs. If you just want to go through practice MCAT questions, you can simply get Kaplan’s Qbank that has nearly 3,000 practice questions you can use to build custom quizzes.
In this article, we will review all of the features that make Kaplan a review course that needs serious consideration as you shop for the MCAT prep course that’s the right fit for you.
About Kaplan
Kaplan has been a trusted name in test prep for 80 years. It all began in 1938 when founder Stanley Kaplan began tutoring students in the basement of his parent’s Brooklyn home. Today, Kaplan is one of the planet’s biggest educational services providers—with a staff of 12,000 educators employed in 28 countries worldwide.
Kaplan offers its MCAT test prep courses in several options that you can customize to suit your needs. One of Kaplan’s biggest selling points is its wide range of offerings, The MCAT Channel, and printed prep books.
You can also visit our full comparison of Kaplan vs Princeton Review MCAT here.
Kaplan MCAT Prep Pros and Cons
Pros
- 10,000+ practice questions and 16 full-length practice tests
- Live online and in-person classes
- Printed course materials
- Live and on-demand interactive lessons (The MCAT Channel)
- Higher score guarantee
Cons
- Pricier than competitors
- Course is only 5-months long
Things to Consider Before Buying Kaplan
Kaplan is one of the premier MCAT courses and consistently ranks near the top in head-to-head comparisons with other MCAT courses on the market. Kaplan offers a wide variety of prep packages and has earned a reputation as a trusted education services company. You will pay a bit more for their programs, but you can’t go wrong with their live online/in-person classes and strong tutoring programs. Their educators are MCAT gurus and will help you ace the MCAT.
You can see also our full breakdown of the Best MCAT Prep Courses here.
Features and Benefits
A Wide Choice of Course Options
All of Kaplan’s MCAT courses come complete with:
- Guidance from MCAT experts
- Up to 700 hours of instruction and practice
- 10,000 practice questions and a Qbank that adapts to your level and builds your base
- 16 full-length practice tests
- 8 of the best MCAT test prep books on the market
- All available official AAMC practice
Self-Paced
Kaplan’s five-month Self-Paced MCAT prep program starts at $1,799. You can work online from anywhere and have everything you need to succeed right at your fingertips. You’ll get 660 hours of on-demand instruction as well as 90+ teacher-led sessions on their MCAT Channel (live-streamed, or on-demand). The Self-Paced PLUS program ($2,299) gives you the bonus of 3 hours of one-on-one tutoring as well as $900 of additional materials like MCAT Foundations of Biochemistry and Behavioral Science modules, and med school admissions help.
Live Online Lecture and Small Class
Kaplan’s MCAT Live Online Lecture ($2,499) is an instructor-led online class where students can ask questions, just like an in-person classroom. In addition to all the practice questions and tests, you’ll get 12, 3-hour scheduled core sessions with your primary MCAT teacher and 700 total hours of instruction. The MCAT Live Online PLUS program ($2,999) gives you a bonus of three hours of one-on-one tutoring as well as the additional materials mentioned in the online class.
The MCAT Live Online Small Class ($2,699) gives you the feel of a real class via Zoom, where you can participate and engage with your instructor and your classmates. You’ll get 12, 3-hour scheduled core sessions with your primary MCAT teacher and 700 total hours of instruction and practice. The MCAT Live Online PLUS program ($3,199) gives you a bonus of three hours of one-on-one tutoring and access to the additional materials.
In-Person Classes
Kaplan’s In-Person Course ($2,699) places you in the room with your instructor—face-to-face. This program offers 12, 3-hour scheduled core sessions with your primary MCAT teacher and 700 total hours of instruction and practice. The In-Person PLUS program ($3,199) gives you a bonus of three hours of one-on-one tutoring and access to the additional materials.
*Currently, in-person classes are scheduled to begin in June and run through September. Make sure to check their schedule ahead of time. If you need to start sooner, check out their online prep courses.
MCAT Intensives
If you want a fully immersive MCAT experience, check out Kaplan’s MCAT Intensives ($6,999). You’ll get a 5-week Bootcamp-strict schedule with 250+ hours of structured prep using small-group review sessions, 100+ hours of curated sessions on their MCAT Channel, and 12 hours of one-on-one tutoring. You’ll also get all of the prep material that their other courses offer. The live online courses have a Summer II and a Winter session. For the ultimate MCAT experience, Kaplan offers in-person MCAT Intensive courses for 2021 at selected cities. This is the fastest way to get you ready for test day.
Awesome Tutoring Packages
Kaplan’s robust tutoring package gives you all of the features of the In-Person or Live Online course plus access to 10 – 40 hours of one-on-one online or in-person tutoring. Online tutoring runs from $3,699 – $6,899. In-person tutoring is available in person at select locations. Just call Kaplan at 1-800-KAP-TEST for price and availability.
The MCAT Channel
Kaplan’s MCAT Channel streams live or on-demand interactive lessons and instruction and is one of Kaplan’s trademark features. They offer more live and interactive instruction than any of their competitors. Episodes cover everything from fundamentals to advanced skills. You can choose the difficulty level and topics that you need to work on. The Live MCAT Channel is accessible to anyone enrolled in the Self-Paced, the Live Online, In-Person, and Intensive courses. The live episodes are archived so any Kaplan student can review them anytime, anywhere.
Kaplan’s MCAT Flashcards and App
If you want to get in extra practice on the go, check out Kaplan’s flashcards and app. You’ll get 1,000  flashcards to help you ace the MCAT on test day. This package is the definitive source to learn terms, definitions, and concepts on the MCAT.
Higher Score Guarantee
After you have completed the entire Kaplan course and you don’t get a higher MCAT score from your last attempt, Kaplan will give you a full refund. You’ll have to offer proof of your last test score to qualify for a refund. Additionally, if you aren’t happy with the MCAT course or your test results for any reason, you can retake the same course for free—no questions asked! You may also be eligible for a discount on tutoring if you need it during your course retake. For full details, check out Kaplan’s website.
Free Diagnostic Full-Length Practice Test
The best way to start on your journey to ace the MCAT is by taking Kaplan’s diagnostic exam. This way, you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and make a plan to attack the areas where you need to put in more effort. Knowing your baseline MCAT score will help you reach your goals.
Getting started can be the hardest part of MCAT prep, but taking this first step may jump-start your path to crushing the MCAT Experience their 5-hour, 45-minute practice exam with predictive scoring designed to match the AAMC changes. You can see how you might have scored on the test and you’ll get a detailed report of your strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also get two weeks of access to instructional videos and additional practice covering some of the most important topics on the MCAT.
Is Kaplan MCAT test prep any good?
The best way to find out the worth of any MCAT test prep course is to see what past students have said about their program. Here are just a few testimonials from past Kaplan learners who praise the merits of their MCAT course:
Conclusion
Overall, Kaplan is one of the best options for MCAT test prep. It offers a wide choice of course options from self-paced to live online and in-person classes and private tutoring. The programs come with plenty of practice questions and practice tests, and their print materials are a great compliment to their online resources.
The MCAT Channel is a great way to view lessons led by expert MCAT instructors. Their tutoring program is a great (but pricey) option with access to up to 40 hours of private one-on-one tutoring. Their score and money-back guarantees make sure that you are happy with your results. You can retake a course for free if you are not happy with your test results; or get a full refund if you don’t improve your MCAT score. Choose Kaplan MCAT prep and medical school is within your reach.
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