TL;DR

Choose Kaplan if you want a nationally recognized brand with flexible live-class scheduling and a large on-demand video library. Choose Princeton Review if you prefer smaller class sizes and a more personalized, tutor-driven teaching style. Both companies license official LSAT PrepTests from LSAC. Current pricing and guarantee terms vary by package and should be confirmed with each provider.

Kaplan vs Princeton Review: which is better for the LSAT?

Neither Kaplan nor Princeton Review is universally better for the LSAT; the right choice depends on your budget, learning style, and need for structure. Kaplan tends to suit self-directed students who want a big-brand curriculum with many live-class time slots. Princeton Review tends to suit students who want smaller cohorts and closer instructor contact. Both are LSAC-adjacent, decades-old test-prep companies, not fly-by-night operators.

Both companies have had to rebuild parts of their curriculum around the current LSAT format. As of August 2024, the LSAT removed the Logic Games (Analytical Reasoning) section entirely. The exam now has two scored Logical Reasoning sections and one scored Reading Comprehension section, is fully digital, and is scored on the 120–180 scale. If you're comparing older reviews of either course, discount anything that talks about Logic Games strategy — it no longer applies to the current test.

Beyond format, the practical difference between the two brands is mostly about class size, instructor access, and how much you're willing to pay for either. Kaplan generally markets itself on scale and flexibility: more live section times, more locations historically, and a large self-paced video library. Princeton Review generally markets itself on a more boutique, tutor-centered classroom feel. Neither claim is something we can verify with hard numbers here, so treat both as starting hypotheses to test against each company's current course descriptions and any recent student reviews you can find.

Kaplan vs Princeton Review at a glance

Kaplan and Princeton Review both offer self-paced on-demand courses, live online classes, and private tutoring tiers for the LSAT. Exact prices, course lengths, and guarantee terms change every enrollment cycle for both companies. The table below outlines what to compare when choosing between them. For a broader comparison across every major provider, see our full ranking of the best LSAT courses.

FeatureKaplanPrinceton ReviewStarting priceFormat optionsSelf-paced on-demand, live online, private tutoringSelf-paced on-demand, live online, private tutoringCourse lengthPractice materialsLicensed official LSAC PrepTests plus proprietary drillsLicensed official LSAC PrepTests plus proprietary drillsScore guaranteeLive class size

Use this table as a checklist, not a final verdict. The features that matter most — actual class size, refund windows, and how many hours of live instructor time you get — are the ones most likely to have changed since the last time either company published them publicly.

Pricing compared (real current numbers)

We do not have independently verified current pricing for either Kaplan's or Princeton Review's LSAT courses, so we won't guess at dollar figures here. What's structurally consistent across both companies, and across the test-prep industry generally, is the pricing tier logic: self-paced courses are priced lowest, live-class courses sit in the middle, and one-on-one private tutoring is priced highest.

When you're comparing quoted prices from either provider, ask about the same four things every time:

• Per-hour cost of live instruction, not just the sticker price of the package.
• Refund or cancellation window if the course format doesn't work for you.
• What counts toward the score guarantee (a specific retake policy, a partial refund, or free access to a future course).
• Whether official LSAC PrepTests are included or sold separately, since these are the only fully realistic practice material for the digital LSAT.

Both companies also periodically run seasonal discounts and bundle promotions, which means the list price you see on a given day is not always the price you'll actually pay. Call or use live chat with each provider and ask directly what current promotions apply before you commit.

Curriculum, materials & score results compared

Both Kaplan and Princeton Review build their LSAT curricula around official LSAC-released PrepTests, supplemented with proprietary video lessons, drills, and full-length practice exams. Neither company has published independently verified, third-party score-improvement data that we can cite here. Both companies updated their material after the LSAT's August 2024 format change, which removed Logic Games and left two scored Logical Reasoning sections plus one Reading Comprehension section.

On teaching approach, the two brands are generally positioned differently, based on how each markets its own courses. Kaplan has historically leaned on a large, standardized lesson sequence delivered by many instructors across many time zones, which gives you more scheduling flexibility but less guaranteed consistency in instructor quality from section to section. Princeton Review has historically leaned on smaller live sections and more individualized instructor feedback, which can mean more attention per student but fewer schedule options to choose from. Treat both of those as directional tendencies to confirm with current student reviews, not settled facts, since instructor rosters and class structures change.

Neither company publishes a transparent, methodology-disclosed average score increase the way some smaller, data-driven prep companies do. If a specific score-improvement number matters to your decision, ask each company directly how that number was calculated (self-reported survey vs. verified diagnostic-to-final score data) before you rely on it.

Who should choose Kaplan?

Choose Kaplan if you want a large, established test-prep brand with broad live-class scheduling and an extensive on-demand video library. Kaplan tends to work well for students who prefer structured, sequential lessons over a more freeform tutoring relationship. It also suits students who want the flexibility to move between different live sections or time zones without losing their place in the curriculum.

Kaplan is a reasonable default if:

• You want brand recognition and a long operating history in test prep.
• Your schedule is unpredictable and you need multiple live-class time slots to choose from.
• You're comfortable with a more standardized, less individualized teaching style.
• You plan to lean heavily on self-paced video content between live sessions.

Who should choose Princeton Review?

Choose Princeton Review if you want smaller class sizes and a more personalized, tutor-driven teaching relationship. Princeton Review tends to suit students who learn better through discussion and individualized feedback than through large standardized lectures. It's also a reasonable pick if you specifically want the option to move quickly into a private-tutoring track without switching providers.

Princeton Review is a reasonable default if:

• You want more direct instructor access inside a live-class setting.
• You've struggled in the past with large-lecture formats and want a smaller cohort.
• You're open to paying more per hour of instruction in exchange for more attention.
• You want a single provider that offers both classes and one-on-one tutoring under one enrollment.

How Lovare approaches LSAT course selection

We don't sell an in-house Kaplan- or Princeton Review-style live class, and we're not going to pretend one of them is objectively "better" without verified data to back that up. What Lovare does differently is treat the LSAT as one stage in a longer applicant journey — prep, applications, and eventually 1L skill-building — rather than a standalone product. If you want a structured way to compare Kaplan, Princeton Review, and every other major provider against the same criteria, see our full ranking of the best LSAT courses before you enroll anywhere.

FAQ

Is Kaplan or Princeton Review better for a first-time LSAT taker?

Both work reasonably well for first-time takers, since both build their courses around official LSAC PrepTests and foundational skill-building. A first-time taker who wants maximum schedule flexibility may lean toward Kaplan. A first-time taker who wants more individualized feedback early on may lean toward Princeton Review.

Do Kaplan and Princeton Review use real LSAT questions?

Yes, both companies license official, previously administered LSAT PrepTests from LSAC as core practice material. They supplement these real questions with their own proprietary drills, video lessons, and simulated practice exams. Always confirm how many official PrepTests are included in a given package before enrolling.

Which is cheaper, Kaplan or Princeton Review?

We don't have independently verified, current pricing for either company's LSAT courses, so we can't state a definitive cheaper option here. Check each provider's official site directly, since both companies adjust pricing and run promotions throughout the year.

Do Kaplan or Princeton Review offer score guarantees?

Both companies have historically offered some form of score-related guarantee or retake policy on select course tiers. The exact terms — what score threshold qualifies, and what you get if you don't hit it — vary by package and change over time.

Are Kaplan and Princeton Review courses updated for the digital LSAT?

Yes. As of August 2024, the LSAT removed the Logic Games section and now consists of two scored Logical Reasoning sections plus one scored Reading Comprehension section, delivered fully digitally on a 120–180 scale. Both companies have updated their curricula to reflect this current format.

Can I switch from Kaplan to Princeton Review mid-prep?

You can, but it usually means losing progress inside that provider's specific lesson sequencing and starting over on diagnostics. It's more efficient to pick one provider after comparing formats and class sizes upfront, rather than switching once you've already invested weeks into a curriculum.