Preparing for the ACT is not like any other standardized test. It’s critical to get lots and lots of practice, and it certainly doesn’t hurt to learn a handful of effective test prep and exam taking strategies.

So what is it about the Princeton Review that makes it such a popular ACT test prep company for high school students?

Just like Kaplan, Princeton Review offers a variety of different course packages that vary in price. You can pick the perfect package for you depending on what you are looking for in a ACT prep course and ensure you get the approval of any college board to attend your dream university.

Let’s dive in to see everything that’s included in this prep guide!

Overview of Princeton Review ACT Prep

Princeton Review offers a base level course starting at $299 and an Ultimate course for $849. With the extra investment, you will receive another 25 hours of live instruction, 140 more video lessons, and hours of one-on-one instruction via private tutoring.

What’s included in the Ultimate course? Here’s a course snapshot:

  • 18 hours of focused class time
  • 140+ video lessons
  • Unlimited access to ACT Advantage Live Online sessions
  • 4-5 practice tests
  • One-on-one instruction with varsity tutors
  • Score increase guarantee

What’s Included With Princeton Review

More Than 140 Video Lessons

If you want to sneak in a quick study session, you can have access to 140+ short videos that teach you test-taking strategies and concept review. This quick videos are engaging and simple, so you will be able to remember the information. Many students enjoy the freedom of jumping around these videos since it allows them to effectively identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Effective Varsity Tutors

You can use the “Chat with a Teacher” feature with all available course packages, including the most basic one for $299. This is perfect for those that want a one-on-one instruction format for a inexpensive price. All you have to do is click on the blue chat button and you will find answer explanations for any questions or issues you run into.

But what if you have a course package with 3 hours of tutoring and you want more time?

All you need to do is pay $50 for an extra hour of personal help. If you are a student that already knows their strengths and weaknesses and just needs to fine tune your math or science knowledge, Princeton Review would be a great option for you.

Progress Reports

Your Princeton Review ACT course will provide you with updated reports that pinpoint the places that need improvement. By tracking your progress of your practice tests, you will be provided with the perfect road map for your ACT prep and well on your way to impressing any college admissions board with your high exam score.

Check out this sample report for a better look:

Practice Tests

With over 1,200 practice questions, you will become very familiar with the test. This is probably one of the best study tool in this review course, especially with the included answer explanations. And with the assistance of performance tracking, you will get to spend most of your time studying topics that are bringing your score down, like math or science, instead of wasting time on material you already know.

Princeton Review Pricing

There are three different course options you can pick: Self-Paced Plus ($299), Live Online ($899), In-Person ($899). Check out my table to see what you get with each course package.

Keep a lookout for discounts, because Princeton Review has a lot of them. As a matter of fact, right now the Live Online and In-Person course packages are $300 off!

Pros & Cons

So what are the strengths and weaknesses of Princeton Review’s ACT courses? Here’s what you need to know:

  • Pro – Personalized Study Plan

Enrolled students will have unique homework assignments that are tailored to their needs in addition to a personalized study plan with plenty of practice questions.

  • Pro – Expert Instructors

Your Princeton Review ACT prep course will be led by quality instructors. Not only are they masters of the core concepts of the ACT, but also in general test-taking strategies and answer explanations.

  • Pro – The Princeton Review Guarantee

It’s simple: if your test day score does not improve after using Princeton Review, you will receive a full refund. So there really isn’t much to lose when you pick Princeton Review; just make sure to double check the fine print of the guarantee because you must complete the full course in order to qualify.

  • Con – Out of Date Dashboard

Compared to other official ACT prep companies, Princeton Review’s dashboard is quite sparse. It lacks certain helpful tools that other courses provide like a detailed performance report on each practice question.


Ideal Customer

If you are still trying to pinpoint if this course is for you, ask yourself some of these questions:

  • Do you want to chat with a teacher through your entire ACT prep course? This is the course for you.
  • Do you want a personalized study plan made just for you? This is the course for you.
  • Do you want to focus on basic ACT studying with prep books and physical materials? This isn’t the course for you.

Final Recommendation

So why would you chose Princeton Review? Because you want a reputable test prep company that delivers results. It’s the same reason people buy reliable brand cars over others. The college admissions process is highly competitive and Princeton Review knows it. There have been several decades of work behind the design of this official ACT prep course, creating a real ACT prep guide that is both dependable and user-friendly.

Have you decided that The Princeton Review is the course for you? If so, now’s the best time to start studying!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I qualify for the money back guarantee?

A: First, you must attend all of your classes/tutoring sessions and take all assignments. This includes all homework and at least 4 practice tests. To get the refund, your ACT test day must be 90 days after your Princeton Review class ends.

Q: How many times can I use my Princeton Review course?

A: As many times as you want! But you are only eligible for the refund on your first use. And if you choose to repeat your course and you need updated prep books, you will only have to pay a $25 fee.

Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.

Ken has gained a wealth of business experience through his previous employment as a CPA, Auditor, Tax Preparer and College Professor. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher.