Kaplan MCAT Prep Course Review 2023: [Expert Analysis]
Our Rating
Highlights
The Kaplan MCAT books, resources, and learning tools more than makeup for the steep price and overwhelming course outlines of the prep course.
Course Effectiveness
The Kaplan MCAT prep program hosts lessons that are comprehensive and offers mulitple learning channels for all types of students. Their in-person course is one of the best programs to apply for.
Price
Kaplan’s pricing might seem steep to many but the multiple assessments, adaptive tools, and instructor guidance back up the steep deal.
Ease of Use
The Kaplan MCAT is a great linear learning experience with many advantages. For newcomers, the course organization and outline of the Kaplan MCAT course can be overwhelming.
Student Reviews
As a popular choice among med students and a great way to learn the fundamentals, Kaplan MCAT prep creates a solid community impact.
The Kaplan MCAT prep course is a far more costly MCAT prep option; however, with their comprehensive review materials and various resources such as the Qbank, Kaplan is a leading prep program any medical student will surely benefit from.
If you’re looking for a solid review on your pre-med basics and fundamentals, the Kaplan review will give you both solid fundamental knowledge and instructor support worth paying for.
About Kaplan and Its MCAT Prep Course?
Kaplan creates a good balance between self-teaching and structure. Overall, it’s perfect if you want a full basic review along with strong teacher navigation
How does it compare with existing test prep programs? Is Kaplan MCAT a better choice or does it reign supreme for all the years students have undergone this program? This is where you’ll find out.
Everything you see and know about Kaplan started in a basement. Founder Stanley Kaplan began his journey in 1938 with the belief that the right preparations could make more than a difference in a student’s potential (1).
The Kaplan MCAT prep course helps students succeed in their med school admissions using interactive resources, such as live online classes, in-person prep courses, review books, flashcards, and various review materials necessary to achieve a solid MCAT score.
What Makes This Prep Course Unique?
Kaplan aims to transform the lives of its students through a number of approaches that we’ll be discussing below. The Kaplan MCAT tutor program, for example, is one of Kaplan’s key strengths and is taught by 90th percentile instructors.
On the surface, the Kaplan MCAT class sessions qualify as an industry standard, but a closer look will tell us it’s much more than that.
Adaptive QBank
The Kaplan MCAT question bank is one of many reasons the program stands out.
Using the Kaplan adaptive Qbank, you can customize your own quiz and identify your strengths and weaknesses to improve your understanding of each lesson along the way.
Once you’ve completed the customization process, the test will look like this:
The adaptive Qbank is considered as a Kaplan MCAT practice test that offers guidance and detailed explanations on every topic and subject you choose.
MCAT Channel
One of the best aspects of the Kaplan review program is the MCAT channel, which gives you access to live videos by MCAT teachers 6 days a week and pre-recorded videos 24/7.
So if you missed the live video, you can always access it in the ‘Recorded’ tab. In addition, you can filter out the lessons, videos, and instructors you want to watch.
Curriculum Overview & Effectiveness
Before heading over to do a Kaplan MCAT sign in, let’s run down the options you can choose before locking yourself fully into the program.
The curriculum offers three courses: Self-paced, Live online, and In-person. Each course starts with a Kaplan MCAT diagnostic test and, in case you aren’t sure, there’s also the Kaplan free MCAT practice test to give you a better feel of what you’re in for.
Self-Paced
Course Overview:
The left column is the basic course overview plan and features while the right column shows a Basic Plus program, which you pay extra for.
Effectiveness:
If you proceed with the Self-paced online MCAT prep course, you’re on your own, but you have the flexibility to study whenever you want and adjust your schedule how you see fit.
The most effective approach through the Kaplan self-paced MCAT is by making the most out of the tools provided in this program.
Choose Self-Paced if:
You have a hectic schedule and need the flexibility to set your own time schedule of when, where, and how you want to study.
If you’re also confident enough to stick to your own study schedule, this is a great option for you.
Live Online
Course Overview:
The live online program is primarily done through your computer. Your MCAT teacher/instructor will guide you on-screen.
Effectiveness:
The most effective approach is to find a balance between self-study and instructor guidance. You’ll receive a lot of feedback, so leverage it to improve yourself.
There are pre-scheduled class sessions that you won’t have any control over, but the advantage is having them in the comforts of your home.
Choose Live Online if:
You want the guidance of an instructor to help you navigate through each subject but don’t have time for a physical class.
In-person
Course Overview:
The In-person program follows a traditional learning experience. This means going to class with students in a classroom setting.
Effectiveness:
The Kaplan MCAT study schedule in the In-person course follows the traditional learning model but feels more like a focus group.
The highlight of this course is being able to share your thoughts, test-taking strategies, and concerns/feedback in person.
Choose In-person if:
You enjoy group discussions and in-person feedback from an instructor inside & outside class, this is the perfect choice for you.
Course Pricing Options
- Self-Paced This is the most affordable option at $1799 with access to a full-on demand course for 5 months along with instructor support & the MCAT channel.
- Live Online
Priced at $2499, your live online classes give you full access to the course, MCAT channel, and you can ask questions from a whole team of teachers. - In-person
Priced at $2499, this is a traditional classroom experience with face-to-face interaction with your instructor and fellow students. Currently, the classes are held online in a Zoom classroom.
Platform’s Ease Of Use
The platform is overwhelming at first. It is recommended that you familiarize the platform’s tools and tabs, such as the MCAT channel, QBank, Study plan, and resources.
There isn’t a tutorial on how to use the platform, which could have been helpful throughout the process.
Nevertheless, the platform carries various comprehensive tools that you can use in your study.
Is Kaplan MCAT Prep Course A Reputable Online Prep Course? (Not A Scam)
Given the 80+ years, Kaplan has continued to educate students globally, it’s fair to say Kaplan is a reputable and reliable force.
Due to how large it has grown, Kaplan has also become a popular option for many students.
Kaplan MCAT Prep Course Real Unbiased Text And Video Testimonials:
This video will show a testimony of a student who took the Kaplan MCAT program along with her honest take on how it helped her throughout her study period.
— Jamiliah (trustpilot.com) 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊
— Marie (trustpilot.com) 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊
Final Verdict & Recommendation
I give the Kaplan MCAT test prep course a score of 4.25/5.
Kaplan deserves its reputation for being an industry leader in over 80+ years of educating students.
Kaplan carries a few shortcomings, such as how overwhelming the review material can be and the repetitive questions in the practice exams.
Most of all, Kaplan can be a little strong on the traditional side where most of the classes follow a rigid structure of a “normal college setting.” This may be beneficial for some, but because students vary in the learning process, not all students learn best with a one-size-fits-all mentality.
In spite of these drawbacks, Kaplan offers solid value when it comes to fundamentals and reviewing the basics. The guidance and support system offered by the teachers are fantastic along with Kaplan’s multiple resources & tools.
Once you get a better grip of the review materials, tools, and resources at your disposal, everything is smooth sailing from then on out. I highly recommend Kaplan for the value it brings to the table.
