Kaplan MCAT Review (2025): The Safe, Reliable Giant

There is a saying in the business world: “Nobody gets fired for buying IBM.”

In the pre-med world, the equivalent is: “Nobody fails because they bought Kaplan.”

Kaplan is the giant of the industry. They have the most students, the most books in bookstores, and the longest track record. While newer competitors like Blueprint are flashy with their animations and AI, Kaplan relies on a formula that has worked for decades: Solid content review + Strategy + Volume.

I’ve reviewed their 2025 curriculum, and here is why Kaplan remains a top-tier contender.

The Books: The Industry Standard

Let’s start with the physical box that arrives at your doorstep.

Even students who take other courses (or self-study) almost always buy the Kaplan 7-Book Subject Review set. Why?

• Clarity: They break down complex topics (like Electrostatics or Metabolic Pathways) into readable, logical chapters.
• Organization: The books are perfectly aligned with the AAMC guidelines.
• Concept Checks: Every chapter ends with discrete practice questions to ensure you actually understood what you just read.

”The Channel”: Live Instruction on Demand

Most live courses have a rigid schedule: “Class is Mon/Wed at 6 PM.”

Kaplan has that, but they also have The MCAT Channel. Think of it like a TV guide for MCAT prep.

• What is it? A schedule of live, drop-in workshops running almost every day.
• Topics: You might see “High-Yield Acid/Base Chemistry” at 4 PM, “CARS Inference Questions” at 6 PM, and “Physics: Optics” at 8 PM.
• Flexibility: You can filter by instructor (find one you like) or by topic (target your weak areas). If you miss a live session, they are all recorded.

This feature is fantastic for students who want more than just the standard curriculum. It allows you to “binge-watch” live instruction on your weak subjects.

The “Kaplan Method”

Kaplan is very big on strategy. They don’t just teach you science; they teach you how to take the test.

• Triaging: They teach you to quickly scan a passage and decide if it’s “Now,” “Later,” or “Never.”
• Outlining: They have a specific method for mapping out CARS passages to find the author’s main argument.

Some students find this rigid, but for others, it provides a much-needed safety net. When you are panicking on test day, having a step-by-step method to fall back on can save your score.

Practice Tests: Quantity Over Quality?

Kaplan gives you 17 full-length practice tests. This is more than Princeton Review (16) or Blueprint (15).

• The Good: You will never run out of practice.
• The “Kaplan Curve”: It is widely known that Kaplan’s practice tests are deflated. A 500 on a Kaplan test might translate to a 505 or 508 on the real AAMC exam.
• The Effect: This can be demoralizing if you don’t know about it, but it’s actually a good thing. It keeps you hungry and working hard. When you finally take the AAMC practice test, you’ll likely see a nice score bump.

Pricing & Value

Kaplan is a premium product.

• Self-Paced: ~$2,099
• Live Online: ~$2,699
• In-Person: ~$3,000+

Is it worth it? If you are the type of student who needs structure and wants the “safe” option, yes. You are paying for a massive infrastructure of support.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict: The Safe Bet

Kaplan is the Toyota Camry of MCAT prep.

It isn’t the flashiest (that’s Blueprint). It isn’t the most intense (that’s Princeton Review). But it is reliable, it works, and it will get you where you need to go.

If you want a course that balances solid content review, proven test-taking strategies, and a massive amount of practice material, Kaplan is a choice you won’t regret.

• Overall
  4.7
• Ease of Use
  4.5
• Features
  4.8
• Support
  4.6
• Value
  4.4

Scale 0-5. Ratings are our own weighted assessments.