Kaplan vs. Princeton Review MCAT (2025): The Heavyweights Compared
The Battle of the Giants
If you are taking the MCAT, you have almost certainly narrowed it down to Kaplan or The Princeton Review (TPR). They are the “Coke and Pepsi” of the industry.
Both offer live classes, massive question banks, and hardcopy books. But they have very different teaching philosophies.
- Kaplan focuses on strategy. They teach you how to take the test (triaging questions, outlining passages).
- Princeton Review focuses on content. They teach you the science in excruciating detail.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kaplan | Princeton Review |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Live Online) | ~$2,699 | ~$3,499 (515+ Course) |
| Instruction Style | Strategy-First | Content-First |
| Practice Tests | 17 Full-Length Exams | 16 Full-Length Exams |
| Live Hours | Flexible (“The Channel”) | Intensive (123+ Hours) |
| Books | Best for Foundation | Best for Detail |
| Score Guarantee | Higher Score | 515+ (on specific courses) |
Deep Dive: Kaplan
Kaplan is the “safe” choice. Their books are the industry standard for a reason—they are clear, concise, and easy to read.
- The MCAT Channel: This is Kaplan’s killer feature. It’s a schedule of live, drop-in workshops running daily. You can attend sessions on your weak areas (e.g., “Acids and Bases” or “CARS Inference”) whenever you want.
- Strategy: Kaplan teaches a very specific method for every section. If you are a student who panics during exams, having a rigid step-by-step process can be a lifesaver.
Deep Dive: Princeton Review
Princeton Review is the “bootcamp” choice. Their 515+ Immersion course is famous for being grueling.
- Subject Specialists: Unlike Kaplan, where one teacher might cover multiple subjects, TPR uses specialists. You get a PhD in Physics to teach you Physics, and a PhD in Biology to teach you Biology.
- Rigor: TPR questions are known for being harder than the real MCAT. They believe in “training with heavy weights” so the real exam feels easy.
The Verdict
Choose Kaplan if:
- You want a flexible schedule (The Channel).
- You need to build a solid foundation from scratch.
- You want the best physical textbooks.
Choose Princeton Review if:
- You are aiming for a top score (515+) and are willing to work your butt off.
- You want deep, nitty-gritty science content.
- You prefer having subject-matter experts for each section.