Princeton Review SAT (2025): Is the 1400+ Guarantee Real?
Best for: Best Overall Updated 11/29/2025Price: from 649 USD/course
Pros
- Industry-leading 1400+ and 1500+ score guarantees
- Comprehensive curriculum covering every aspect of the Digital SAT
- High-quality video lessons and drills
- LiveOnline options provide excellent accountability
- Detailed score reports pinpoint weaknesses
Cons
- One of the most expensive options on the market ($649+)
- Can be overwhelming: 3,200+ questions and 3 textbooks is a lot
- Refund policy for guarantees has strict requirements
The Verdict: You Get What You Pay For
The Princeton Review (TPR) has built its reputation on one thing: Results. They are so confident in their method that they offer some of the most aggressive guarantees in the industry, including a 1400+ and even a 1500+ score guarantee for their top-tier courses.
If you are aiming for the Ivy League or top-tier universities and need a massive score boost, TPR is the “premium” choice. It’s expensive, yes, but for many families, the return on investment (in the form of college acceptance and scholarships) is worth it.
The “1400+” Guarantee: How It Works
This is the main selling point. If you take their 1400+ Course and don’t score at least a 1400 (or improve by a certain amount if you start lower), you get your money back or a free repeat.
The Catch: You have to do the work. The guarantee requires you to attend all classes, complete all homework, and take all practice tests. This is actually a good thing—it forces you to be disciplined. If you follow their program to the letter, it is statistically very likely you will hit the target score.
Digital SAT Readiness
TPR was quick to adapt to the new Digital SAT format.
- Interface: Their practice platform mimics the College Board’s Bluebook app, so you get used to the tools (calculator, highlighter, etc.).
- Adaptive Drills: The course uses AI to serve you questions that match your difficulty level, mirroring the adaptive nature of the real exam.
The Curriculum: Strategy Over Everything
Unlike Khan Academy, which focuses on content, Princeton Review focuses heavily on Strategy.
- POOD (Personal Order of Difficulty): They teach you to identify which questions to skip and which to attack first.
- Letter of the Day: Simple but effective guessing strategies.
- Trap Answers: They are masters at teaching you how to spot the “distractor” answers that look right but are wrong.
Live vs. Self-Paced
- Self-Paced: Good if you are disciplined. You get access to the videos and drills but no live teacher.
- LiveOnline: The sweet spot. You attend scheduled classes via Zoom. The instructors are generally high-energy and very knowledgeable.
- 1500+ Tutoring: The ultra-premium option. You get private tutoring and a guarantee of a 1500+ score (top 1% territory).
Final Thoughts
Princeton Review is the “safe” bet for high achievers. It provides a structured, rigorous environment that virtually guarantees improvement if you put in the work. If you have the budget, it is the most comprehensive prep package available.
Our Recommendation:
- Aiming for 1500+? Take the 1500+ Tutoring or Course.
- Need a solid 1400? The 1400+ LiveOnline course is the best balance of price and value.
- On a budget? Look at Magoosh or UWorld instead.