Kaplan ACT Prep Review (2025): The Official Partner Advantage
Best for: Best for Official Practice Updated 11/29/2025Price: from 179 USD/course
Pros
- Official partner of the ACT (access to real past exams)
- Kaplan College Advantage includes admissions advice
- Live Online classes are engaging and interactive
- Qbank with 2,000+ official questions
- Solid score improvement guarantees
Cons
- Can be expensive compared to self-paced options
- Some students find the strategies less 'hacky' than competitors
- Video lessons in self-paced course can be dry
The Verdict: The “Official” Choice
When it comes to standardized testing, getting as close to the source as possible is usually a winning strategy. Kaplan is the official partner of the ACT, which gives them a unique advantage: their practice materials are as authentic as it gets.
If you are a student who gets anxious about “surprises” on test day, Kaplan is the best antidote. You will see exactly what the test looks like, feels like, and sounds like before you ever walk into the exam room.
Course Options
Kaplan keeps it simple with three main tiers:
- On Demand (Self-Paced): For about $179, you get access to the videos, the Qbank, and the practice tests. It’s a great value if you are self-motivated.
- Live Online: This is their flagship. You get everything in the self-paced course plus live classes with expert teachers. The “Live Online Plus” version adds 3 hours of private tutoring.
- Tutoring: Premium 1-on-1 coaching for those who need specific attention.
The “Kaplan Method”
Kaplan teaches a very structured approach. They don’t just teach you math; they teach you how to take the ACT math section.
- Pacing: They are big on timing strategies, which is critical for the ACT (which is notoriously faster-paced than the SAT).
- Triaging: Learning which questions to do now, and which to save for later.
The Qbank
The Qbank is a highlight. You can build custom quizzes based on difficulty, subject, and question type. Because these are “official-style” questions, you won’t run into the issue of studying with questions that are harder (or easier) than the real thing.
Final Thoughts
Kaplan is the “IBM” of test prep—nobody ever got fired for hiring them. They are reliable, high-quality, and effective. While they might lack the “secret sauce” marketing of some boutique firms, their partnership with the ACT makes them the gold standard for realistic practice.