All the number information about these companies and their offerings is contained below! For more a brief descriptions of the companies and what they are proud of - please see the Descriptions page.

Please don't forget to enter BESTFIT if you sign up for program!! You will get a $50 discount!!!

Chart Legend:

1. Gray lines - the chart is divided into categories by which companies are compared. For example, "Main Class" compares the most popular basic classes the companies offer and "More Expensive Option" compare the more expensive classes or class add-ons that you can buy.
2. Links to other websites - The first row links to the company websites! The links of offering names (e.g. Princeton's Ultimate Class) link to the page of that class!
3. Links followed by a * - such links will send you to more detailed information about that particular answer. For example, if there is a program guarantee, you can clik on the "yes*" link to see what the details of that guarantee are.

	Revolution Prep		Ivy   Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
General
real SAT tests	no		yes	---		no		yes
free events	yes*		yes*	yes*		yes*		yes*
BEST FIT    discount	$50		$50	no		no		$50
other dicounts	no		no	yes*		yes*		yes*
improvement    guarantee	yes*		yes*	yes*		yes*		yes*
Main Class	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
name	Group Course		Elite	Complete SAT Prep		Class- room Course		Class- room Course
comments			no writing prep			for modest improv- ment
cost	$499		varies*	$499		$599*		$749*
average score    improvement	200		173.3	---		200		---
hours of    instruction    (not    counting       tests)	18		41	18		18		30
number of    meetings	11		11	10		---		16
average class    size	15		6.8	no info		---		12 to 15
max class size	---		15	no info		25		no max
number of tests	5		2	4		4		4
online    supplements    (more than     just progress     tracking)	yes*		---	yes*		---		---
other    supplements	---		yes*	---		---		yes*
More Expensive Class Option	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
name	Hybrid Class		Elite plus Writing	College Prep Advant- age		SAT Ultimate		Platinum Exam Club
comments	yes*		yes*	(PSAT, SAT, and ACT)*		yes*		yes*
cost	$799		varies*	$799		$999		$948
average score    improvement	300		no info	---		no info		---
extra class time	---		9 hours	18 hours		12 hours		---
extra practice    tests	---		---	4 more		---		as many as you want
tutoring	4 hours		---	---		---		---
extra online    class	---		---	yes (PSAT, SAT, and ACT)		---		---
extra essay    reviews	---		up to 6	---		---		---
free extra help    sessions	---		---	---		---		yes*
better    improvement    guarantee	---		---	---		yes*		---
AP/SATII    study guides	---		---	yes		---		---
more online    practice tools	---		---	---		yes*		---
discounts on    further    programs	---		---	---		---		yes*
Tutoring	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
tests	5
average    score    improvement	300
comments			yes*			yes*
package name	Express Plan		with veteran instructor	SAT Review		SAT Premier Level		at your home
cost/hour	$125		$272.5	$134.95		$325		$90
length	8		20	20		24
package name	Multi Subject Express Plan		with senior instructor	SAT Honors		SAT Master Level		at Fremont location
cost/hour	$95		$182.5	$126.88		$215		$60
length	20		20	26		24		over phone
package name	Standard Plan		with junior instructor	SAT Masters		SAT Private Level		$60
cost/hour	$97		$112.5	$121.84		$135
length	30		20	32		24
package name	Compre- hensive Plan
cost/hour	$92
length	40
Online Classes	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
name	Online Self- Study Course	Live On- line Group Course	Live Online Class	SAT on Demand	Comp- lete SAT Prep Class- room Any- where	On- line Course	SAT Live On- Line	Excel Test Online SAT & PSAT Course
comments	---	same as in- class course	reading and math only	---	same as basic course; free trial!
cost	$299	$499	$1500	$299	$599	$169	$599	$699
live online	no	yes	yes	no	yes	no	yes	no
hours of    video	0	18	35	---	18	0	18	30
tests	5	5	---	2	4	4	4	4
persona-     lization     of course     plan	yes	no	no	yes	---	---	---	---
additional    services	yes*	booster*	---	---	---	no	no	yes*
Other Offerings	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
small group    tutoring	no		yes	yes		yes		no
refresher     course	no		no	no		no		yes
other	no		cheaper classes*	no		no		no
Teacher Qualifications	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
educational    background	bachelor's degree		high school degree	bachelor's degree		high school degree		bachelor's degree
minimum    SAT score	97%		99%	---		95%		100% in section they teach
average SAT    score	99%		---	---		---		---
Financial Aid	Revolution Prep		Ivy Bound	Kaplan		Princeton		Excel
scholarships    given to what    percent of    askers	100% but amount depends on need		95%	---		---		see details*
scholarships    up to what    percent of    tuition	100% of a $499 class		85%	---		50%
payment in    installments     available	no		---	yes*		---

Comments to the Chart

On each company, you will see a briefl blurb of what the company is proud of followed by details on various information in the chart.

There is no need to read all of this text - just click on the links in the chart when you want to see a particular part!

Revolution Prep

"We started Revolution Prep with a vision to transform education and provide the highest quality instruction to all students, regardless of their ability to pay. In building a team of smart people who are dedicated to this vision, we have developed innovative methods and curricula to help students achieve their test score potential and become better learners for the future. Revolution also has a social mission. We are committed to make positive differences in our communities through our generous scholarship program, company service days, and partnership programs.

We know it is wrong to expect yesterday's technology and techniques to work for today's students. Revolution Prep has embraced the use of online resources to personalize learning, and our instructors are trained to infuse energy into every class, keeping students focused and engaged. At Revolution, we are passionate about what we do and you will see this passion in everything we do."


Free Events: In most areas, Revolution Prep hosts a variety of free events including free practice tests, score back nights (getting practice test results back), wring workshops, and SAT vs. ACT seminars. If you visit the Revolution Prep website and enter your local zip code, you can see the different events in your area!
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Program Guarantee: There are several parts to the Revolution prep guarantee:

1. money back: if your score does not improve in a course or tutoring program, Revolution Prep will refund your money!
   
   
2. repeat the class for free: If you are not satisfied with your course or just do not feel ready to take the test, you can retake your class free of charge.
   
   
3. switch instructors: If you do not like a class instructor, you can switch to a different class. If you do not like your tutoring instructor, Revolution Prep will assign a different instructor and let you retake the first tutoring session for free.

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Online Supplementary Service:

1. Booster Classes: With any Revolution Prep class, you also receive two free six hour online classes taught by an expert instructor. You can choose from classes covering "multiple subjects, incuding AP Exams, SAT Subject Tests, SAT and ACT add-ons  ... and more." With each class, you receive a "practice test [...] graded online and assigned homework." The online classes use "audio, video, chat, and message boards" for teaching. The booster classes are live, so there are specific meeting times. The booster classes never expire, which means you can sign up for them years after your Revolution class.
2. Online Study Sessions: With the course, an instructor can schedule online study sessions, during which students go over further practice problems or discuss strategies.

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More Expensive Class Option - Hybrid Class: If you enroll in a hybrid class, you attend lectures and tests together with regular students. However, in addition to those lectures and tests, you receive four hours of in person tutoring for the extra $300 you pay. This rate of $75/hour is relatively cheap by SAT in person tutoring standards.
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Online Class Additional Services: For $299, Revolution Prep gives you access to all the materials you need for a self study style course. With this class, you also get

1. Review after Practice Tests: After each test, the students can see the problems they missed. Moreover, they will get help figuring out what they missed and advice on how to improve in the future. This service is not life.
   
   
2. The Revolution Prep textbook and Workbook

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Financial Aid: Revolution Prep prides itself on never turning away a student becasue of financial need, and it offers need based scholarships. To apply for a scholarship, a student's family must provide certain income information and the student needs to write a 2-3 page essay "on his or her college and career goals." MORE THAN AVAILABLE
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Ivy Bound

From Ivy Bound:
      "Ivy Bound has helped propell over 5,000 students to prestigous colleges.
      Ivy Bound offers the most flexible offerings for SAT and ACT prep, including private tutoring, semi-private tutoring, classes, and skype sessions for international students.
       Our teachers are top 1% scorers who teach with clarity, empathy, enthusiasm, and high test knowledge"

Ivy Bound prides itself on providing a maximum of flexibility. They will do whatever it takes to fit your needs and your schedule: organize a class in your area, find a small group tutoring option, or get private tutoring. To accomodate busy schedules, most Ivy Bound classes meet on weekends.

Ivy Bound allows you to choose between four types of classes and four classes of instructors! This makes picking an Ivy Bound class a little bit more complicated, but these classes are also more customized.

Ivy Bound does their best to adjust their offerings for you! This means that the information in the chart is the general case - there may be exceptions! Please contact Ivy Bound directly if you find the information here lacking, as the answers will depend largely on your particular needs. They are a small company, and the founder is still the head instructor!

Free Event:

1. In person seminars: Ivy Bound offers free hour long seminars at YOUR location, if you can find 20 or more interested families. It also consistently offers seminars at many schools. These seminars cover topics relating to the SAT, College Admissions, and Ivy Bound classes (only the last 10 minutes).
   
   
2. Phone seminars: On the first Sunday of each month, Ivy Bound provides seminars with the same information over the phone! If you e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions you have about the SAT, they will also be addressed in the seminar!

To sign up for either seminar, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For the telephone seminar, include your name, location, child's graduation year, and your desired time to participate in the conference call in the e-mail.
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Improvement Guarantee: 100 point improvement or half your money back for diligent students! To qualify for this guarantee, a student must attend 90% of the classes, do 90% of the homework, and complete at least three practice tests.
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Cost: The cost of an Ivy Bound class is never set in stone and depends on a large set of criteria, including (but perhaps not limited to) the number of students in the class, the type of instructor (see below), the type of class, and the number of practice tests. A very cheap version of the class would cost $292/student for an 18 hour course, and the most expensive possibibility would cost $6,640/student for an 41 hour class with ten practice tests. To see how much the class you are interested in creating would cost, please see the Ivy Bound price calculator.
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Free supplements:

1. Test Strategy Conference Calls: On Sunday and Monday night before each SAT, Ivy Bound offers a conference call with test day strategies.
   
   
2. Help Line: Twice a week, instructors host a phone-in at which they cover math, verbal, and vocubalury topics. They also cover lesson and practice test problems, allowing students to ask questions anonymously.
   
   
3. Vocabulary List and Quizzes: The list contains all the words tested on the SAT since 1994, except for those in the "easy" category! The quizzes work to reinforce that vocubulary.
   
   
4. Explanations to SAT Blue Book Questions!  These are explanations to the 10 tests in the Official Guide to the SAT (the second edition, which has ten tests)

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More Expensive and Cheaper Classes: Ivy Bound offers 4 different types of classes, depending on what you want!

1. Elite: This is the "Basic Class" for Ivy Bound: a 33 hour-of-instruction class for Math and Critical Reading only.
2. Elite plus Writing: This is a 42 hours-of-instruction class, which includes all the elements of the essentials class as well as 9 hours of writing instruction and 6 essay evaluations for each student.
   
   
3. Essentials: This is an 18 hour class covering only Math and Critical Reading.  This is the cheapest option and very rarely used.
   
   
4. Essentials plus Writing: This is a 24 hour class, which includes all the elements of the essentials class as well as 6 hours of writing instruction and 3 essay evaluations for each student.

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Tutoring and Class Instructors: For both classes and tutoring, there are four types of instructors at Ivy Bound and better instructors cost more. The rank of the instructor depends on how many customers they have had so far. They are listed here from cheapest to most expensive.

1. Junior Instructor: fewer than 20 customers
2. Seasoned Instructor: between 20 and 40 customers
3. Senior Instructor: between 40 and 60 customers
4. Veteran Instructor: more than 60 customers

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Online Class: The Ivy Bound clas only covers critical reading and math. However, you can get writing prep as well! The writing add on costs around least $300 and gives you 6-10 additional class hours and several essay evaluations. The details are customizable, so you have to contact Ivy Bound for further details.

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Kaplan

Kaplan an old and well established SAT company that provides itself on providing individualized prep. They do a lot to make their prep unique to you: customized course plans, special progress tracking software, classes based on student performance, and much more!


Free Events: Kaplan offers free online seminars on a variety of topics including "How to Lower Your Child's College Tuition," "How Can I Help My Child GGet Into College," "Free Lesson: SAT Classroom Anywhere," and "What Juniors Ned to Know Right Now." By attending these seminars, you can both learn about Kaplan and experience the Classroom Anywhere software used for the online class.
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Additional Discount: You can get $200 off your Kaplan prep if you sign up by January 31st! This discount does NOT apply to the basic complete SAT prep class, but it does apply to "College Prep Advantage, SAT Premier Tutoring, PSAT/SAT Premier Tutoring, SAT Subject Test Tutoring, SAT Small Group Tutoring, ACT Premier Tutoring, PSAT/ACT Premier Tutoring, and ACT Small Group Tutoring."
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Program Guarantee: There are two parts to the Kaplan program guarantee

1. Money back: If your score does not improve, you will get your money back!
   
   
2. Free repeat: If you do not feel prepared or are unsatisfied for any reason, you can repeat the course for free!

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Supplementary Online Services: When you take a Kaplan class, you can both track your progress and study more online!

1. tracking progress: both the student and the parent can track their scores on homework assignments and tests as well as "analyze your strengths and weaknesses by topic area, question type, and more."
   
   
2. extra studying: Kaplan provides "a customized study plan, videos, and 1,000+ practice questions" in various workshops and quizzes.

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More Expensive Class: If you want to prepare for both the SAT and the ACT, Kaplan offers a great solution - College Prep Advantage. For $799, you have access to all of the following from the time you order and until June of your Senior year:

1. A nine hour online course for the PSAT complete with 2 full length practice tests, video instruction, practice quizzes, and student and parent reports.
2. Both the Standard SAT class and the ACT class (see basic class description)
3. The online SAT and ACT classes
4. Online study guides for APs and SAT subject tests

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Kaplan Online Classes: Kaplan offers two online classes - SAT on Demand and Classroom AnywhereTM.

1. SAT on Demand - This is a cheaper class ($299) that provides videos of classes, a customized study plan,  and practice problems.
2. Classroom Anywhere-tm - this class is essentially identical to the basic kaplan Complete Prep class except that it is offered online! Please note that you can try the Classroom Anywhere software and teaching style for free before signing up (click here to see more details).

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Pay in Installments: With Kaplan, you can pay for any course or offering in three installments.
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Princeton Review

Princeton Review is an established SAT prep company.

Free Events: Princeton offers a variety of free events:

1. Strategy Sessions: a general overview of PSAT, SAT, and SAT IIs and their role college admissions. There, Princeton Review representatives also talk about test taking strategies, how to search for colleges, and how to apply for financial aid.
   
   
2. Practice Tests: take a practice test and receive a personalized score report!
   
   
3. Free Classes: You can attend a free sample class to see Princeton Review strategies and instructors at work.
   
   
4. Parent Info Session: A seminar for parents about standardized tests, "the critical factors in college admissions,  and how to help your child prepare."

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Program Guarrantee: You have three options with the Princeton Review guarantee, but you can only use one of them:

1. Readiness Guarrantee - Repeat (or get an online refresher) for $200: If you do not feel ready to take the test at the end of your Standard Classroom course (the basic class in the chart), you can retake the classroom course for $200. If you have taken the Ultimate Classroom Course, you can take an online refresher for $200.
   
   
2. Satisfaction Guarrantee - Repeat for free if you take the official SAT within 30 days of your Princeton Progam: If you are not satisfied with your classroom course, you can retake it for free! For other programs, you will get a free online course or refresher course, dependig on the program. To be eligible for this retake, you have to fulfill all course requirements: attend all classes, take all assigned practice tests, and do all homework on time.
   
   
3. Money Back Guarrantee if you take the official SAT within 30 days of your Princeton Program and your test score does not improve: For several Kaplan programs (not including the basic course), you can receive a full refund if you fullfill all course requirements: attend all classes, take all assigned practice tests, and do all homework on time. These programs are: SAT and ACT Ultimate  courses (the SAT one has more complex rules), small group instruction, the LiveOnline Course, or a tutoring program of at least 24 hours.
   
   There is further fine print associated with the three guarrantees. If you decide on a Princeton course, click here to see all the guarantee details.

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Cost: Please note that cost may increase slightly depending on your location. Classes may increase up to $100 depending on where you are, and tutoring prices may grow even more than that.
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Main Class Comments - How to choose between cheaper and more expensive classes: If you are considering a course with Princeton Review, they offer some very salient advice on how to choose between their basic Classroom Course (in the chart) and ultimate classes. Princeton Review recommends that you NOT take the basic course if "you're chasing 2100+ or need to substantially boost your score." The basic course focuses more on test taking strategy than on content and also requires the student to be comfortable working independently. The SAT Ultimate course, described next, provides more intensity and will likely lead to a larger score improvement!
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More Expensive Course: The Princeton SAT Ultimate course provides 12 more hours of instruction than the basic course and several useful extra features:

1. 150 point money back guarantee: If you take the official SAT test after your Ultimate SAT class, and your score does not rise by 150 points - you can take a LiveOnline Refresher Course. If after taking this refresher and then taking the official SAT again, your score still does not improve 150 points - you will receive a full refund for your SAT Ultimate class.
2. Access to video lessons on every topic covered in class!
3. More online practice tools! Students get additional drills and lessons to help them all the way till their actual SAT as well as access to old princeton SAT practice tests.

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Tutoring Instructors: The price of the  princeton tutoring package varies by the how good the instructor is! The qualification and cost of the tutor varies by how much tutoring they have done.

1. Private Tutors: fewer than 500 hours of tutoring. To become a Princeton Review Private Tutor, a teacher must first have been an excellent classroom instructor, positively reviewed by students and staff.
2. Master Tutors: between 500  and 1,000 hours of tutoring. They receive the promotion for "remarkable score improvements, impressive communication skills, dedication, adaptability, and efficiency." They are great at working with students with different learning needs and academic goals.
3. Premier Tutors: over 1,000 hours of tutoring. These are the best! They "consistently achieve phenomenal results for their students." Often, these are the instructors who write the Princeton Review books and train other teachers.

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Excel (Bay Area only)

Excel prides itself on providing the best long term preparation. They advertise themselves as the company to go with if you are taking the class as Sophomore or Junior. It offers free practice tests for six months after course completion, cheap refresher courses, and, for Platinum Exacm Club members, many other long term services.

Free Events: You can take the first two classes of any excel course for free to try out the program! Note, though, that if you want to sign up for a class you "tried," signing up less than a week prior to the beginning of a class costs $799. There are occasionally other free events as well.
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Discounts:

1. Compare SAT Prep's discount: Enter BESTFIT when signing up for a $50 discount! This is a special discount that Excel offers students who come through this website!
   
   
2. Group discounts: If you register as a group, you will qualify for a per person discount. A group of 3, gets $25 off a person. A group of 5 - $50/person off. A group of 10 - $100/person off!
   
   
3. Post-course: If you score a perfect 2400 on the SAT, you will receive a $1000 scholarship from Excel!

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Program Guarantee: If your score does not improve by 200 points, Excel "will continue to work with you until it does." You will set up a visit with an excel counselor, and they will recommend you to either take a specific "score improvement class" or attend private tutoring. Either option will be entirely free, and you will continue receiving classes or tutoring until your score increases by 200 points. To be entitled for this guarantee, a student must "attend every classe, do all the homework, AND attend weekly sessions of the Regular Exam Club for the full six-month period."
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Cost: If you sign up more than a week in advance, the class costs $749! If you sign up with less time left or after the class starts, it costs $799.
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Other Supplement

1. Regular Exam Club: For six months after you finish the class, you can come and take as many practice tests as you want at the Fremont location!
2. Free college counseling! You can meet with a college counselor for free at the Fremont location.
3. Three tutorials: a teacher leads an extra 2 hour session for each one of the three sections!

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More Expensive Class Option - Platinum Exam Club: For an extra $199 at course enrollment time or $299 at any later point, you can get access to several other useful services:

1. Access to Excel Test prep resources for two years! These include a huge supply of SAT I, SAT II, ACT, and PSAT tests!
2. 6 FREE extra help sessions at the Fremont location. Instructors lead additional practice sessions, where students focus on applying the strategies they learn in class
3. $50 discount on SAT & PSAT tutoring at the Fremont location
4. Enrollment in the Mini Refresher Course for only $25

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Online Class Additional Services: With the Excel Online class, you get several perks in addition to the class videos themselves:

1. Free online grading for practice SAT essays!
2. A copy of the Official Guide to the SAT with 10 practice tests!
3. Detailed solutions to the tests in the Official Guide (not in the book itself)
4. An option to set up paid phone tutoring sessions!
5. Access to all of these resources for 4 months after sign up!

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Mini Refresher Course: Students who have already taken an excel course, can take an refresher class for $99 (or $25 if they are Platinum Exam Club members). This class has 6 hours in 2 sessions, three hours each. It meets at Excel's Fremont location.
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Financial Aid: Excel works with those in need of financial aid on a case by case basis. If you are looking for financial aid with Excel, please contact them directly.
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