Choosing an MCAT prep course is one of the most important decisions in your medical school journey. Blueprint and Kaplan are two of the biggest names in MCAT preparation, and both offer a wide range of products including books, self-paced courses, live classes, and private tutoring.
Understanding the differences between Blueprint and Kaplan helps you make an informed choice based on your learning style, budget, and preparation needs. The reality is that both companies have strengths and weaknesses, and the “better” option depends entirely on what type of product you’re considering and what works for your specific situation.
This comparison breaks down how Blueprint and Kaplan stack up across different product categories. We’ll examine their books, practice tests, courses, tutoring options, and score guarantees to help you decide which company, if either, deserves your investment.
Overview of Blueprint and Kaplan MCAT Prep
Before diving into specific comparisons, understanding what each company offers provides helpful context.
Blueprint
Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep before rebranding) focuses heavily on MCAT preparation as a core part of their business. They offer comprehensive prep courses, extensive practice materials, and various learning formats from self-paced to live instruction.
Blueprint provides multiple course options at different price points, ranging from a few hundred dollars for basic materials to several thousand for comprehensive courses with extensive support. Their approach emphasizes practice testing and detailed score analysis.
Kaplan
Kaplan is one of the oldest and largest test prep companies in the world. They prepare students for dozens of different exams, with MCAT prep being one of their major offerings. This broader focus means significant resources but also means MCAT isn’t their only priority.
Kaplan offers similar product tiers to Blueprint, from books and self-paced options through comprehensive courses with extensive resources. Their price points are comparable to Blueprint, with courses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on what’s included.
Both companies have been in the MCAT prep business for years and have helped thousands of students. Neither has a monopoly on success, and students achieve high scores using materials from both companies.
Books and Study Materials Comparison
When it comes to content review books, Kaplan holds a clear advantage over Blueprint and most other MCAT prep companies.
Kaplan MCAT Books
Kaplan’s seven-book set is widely considered the gold standard for MCAT content review. These books provide comprehensive, thorough coverage of all MCAT topics across biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, psychology, sociology, and critical analysis.
The organization is logical and easy to follow. Concepts build on each other systematically. The explanations are clear without being overly simplified. Practice questions at the end of each chapter help reinforce learning.
Many students who don’t use any other Kaplan products still buy the Kaplan books because they’re simply excellent content review materials. Medical students often keep these books as references during their first year because the content is so well presented.
Blueprint MCAT Books
Blueprint also offers content review books, but they don’t quite match Kaplan’s quality and comprehensiveness. The material is adequate and covers what you need to know, but the explanations aren’t always as clear and the organization isn’t quite as intuitive.
Students who use Blueprint books generally find them acceptable but not exceptional. They’ll get you through content review, but most MCAT tutors and high scorers recommend Kaplan books over Blueprint books when choosing between the two.
Winner: Kaplan
For books and content review materials specifically, Kaplan is the better choice. If you’re only buying one thing for MCAT prep and it’s going to be books, get the Kaplan set. They’re worth the investment and provide the most thorough, well-organized content review available from commercial prep companies.
Practice Tests and Questions Comparison
While Kaplan wins on books, Blueprint takes the lead when it comes to practice tests and questions.
Blueprint Practice Tests
Blueprint’s practice tests are generally considered more representative of the actual MCAT than Kaplan’s tests. The question style, difficulty level, and passage structure more closely mimic what you’ll see on test day.
Blueprint provides detailed explanations for both correct and incorrect answers. Their score analysis tools help you identify specific weaknesses across different topics and question types. The number of practice tests included varies by package, but Blueprint typically offers substantial practice testing opportunities.
Students report that Blueprint passages feel more similar to AAMC passages in terms of complexity and the way information is presented. This makes Blueprint practice tests valuable for building the skills you’ll need on the actual exam.
Kaplan Practice Tests
Kaplan also offers numerous practice tests, and they’re certainly useful for practice. However, many students find that Kaplan tests don’t quite capture the feel of the real MCAT. Questions can be more straightforward or occasionally more convoluted than actual MCAT questions.
That doesn’t make Kaplan tests worthless. Any practice testing helps you build stamina, time management skills, and content knowledge. But if you’re choosing between Blueprint and Kaplan specifically for practice tests, Blueprint edges ahead.
Winner: Blueprint
For practice tests and question banks, Blueprint provides materials that better approximate the actual MCAT experience. Their tests help you prepare for the specific question styles and difficulty you’ll encounter on test day.
The Most Important Practice Materials
Regardless of whether you choose Blueprint or Kaplan, the most critical practice materials are the official AAMC materials and UWorld. AAMC publishes official practice tests, question packs, and other materials created by the same people who write the actual MCAT. Nothing replicates the real test better than AAMC’s own materials.
UWorld has also become essential for serious MCAT prep. Their questions are extremely high quality, thorough explanations teach you the material deeply, and many students credit UWorld with significant score improvements.
Blueprint and Kaplan practice materials should supplement AAMC and UWorld, not replace them. Budget for official AAMC materials and UWorld before spending thousands on third-party courses.
Self-Paced Course Comparison
Both Blueprint and Kaplan offer self-paced course options that include video lessons, study schedules, practice materials, and various online resources. These courses typically cost significantly less than live classes but more than just buying books.
What Self-Paced Courses Include
Self-paced courses from both companies provide on-demand video lessons covering all MCAT content. You get access to practice questions, tests, and usually some kind of study planning tool or recommended schedule. The materials are available online whenever you want to use them.
Blueprint and Kaplan both structure their self-paced courses similarly. You follow along with videos, do practice problems, take periodic tests, and work through the material at your own speed.
Are Self-Paced Courses Worth It?
Here’s an honest assessment: self-paced courses from either Blueprint or Kaplan are usually not worth the money for most students. You can find similar or even better video content free online through resources like Khan Academy. The books are available much cheaper when purchased separately than as part of a self-paced package.
What you’re really paying for with self-paced courses is convenience and organization. Everything is in one place with a recommended schedule. For some students, that structure and convenience justifies the cost. For most students, the premium isn’t worth it when free and cheaper alternatives exist.
If you’re considering a self-paced course, seriously evaluate whether you need it or if you could achieve the same results buying books separately and using free video resources. The thousands of dollars saved could go toward more valuable resources like UWorld or even private tutoring.
When Self-Paced Might Make Sense
Self-paced courses work best for students who want all materials in one organized place and who study well independently with minimal external accountability. If you’re self-motivated, can stick to a study schedule without external pressure, and value convenience over cost, self-paced might work.
But be honest with yourself. If you struggle with self-discipline or need accountability, a self-paced course won’t magically fix that. You’ll have spent a lot of money on materials you don’t fully use.
Live Online and In-Person Class Comparison
Live classes from Blueprint and Kaplan involve scheduled sessions with an instructor, either online or in person. These courses provide structure, instruction, and some level of accountability.
Blueprint Classes
Blueprint offers live online classes that meet on regular schedules over several weeks or months. Class sizes vary, but you’ll typically be in a group with other students working through the material together.
One notable feature of some Blueprint classes is that they include breakdowns of AAMC materials. Having an instructor walk through official AAMC passages and questions can be extremely valuable since these are the most representative materials available. Not all Blueprint packages include this, so check specifically what’s offered.
Blueprint instructors vary in quality, as is true with any large test prep company. Some are excellent, engaging teachers who explain concepts clearly and motivate students. Others are adequate but not exceptional. The instructor you get significantly impacts your experience.
Kaplan Classes
Kaplan similarly offers live online and in-person classes on set schedules. The structure resembles Blueprint’s approach with regular class meetings covering content systematically.
Kaplan’s teaching approach is professional and organized. Like Blueprint, instructor quality varies considerably. You might get an outstanding teacher who makes difficult concepts clear and keeps class engaging. You might get someone who’s fine but not inspiring.
Whether Kaplan classes include detailed AAMC breakdowns varies by course package. This is worth asking about specifically since working through official materials with guidance provides significant value.
The Instructor Factor
Here’s the reality about both Blueprint and Kaplan classes: the quality of your specific instructor matters far more than which company you choose. Both companies employ some excellent instructors and some mediocre ones. You won’t necessarily know which you’re getting until class starts.
If you have a great instructor, group classes can be valuable regardless of whether it’s Blueprint or Kaplan. If you get a mediocre instructor, you’ll likely feel you overpaid regardless of the company.
When Group Classes Make Sense
Live classes work well for certain students in specific situations. If you have a solid foundation in the prerequisite content but need help organizing your studying and staying accountable, a class provides structure. If you learn well in classroom environments and benefit from asking questions in real time, classes can be effective.
Classes also work for students who need moderate help but not intensive intervention. You’re keeping up with the material generally but want expert guidance on strategy and difficult concepts.
When to Skip Group Classes
If you need extensive help with content or are significantly behind in your understanding, group classes often move too fast. The instructor can’t slow down for individual students when covering material on a schedule.
Highly self-motivated students who study effectively independently often don’t get enough additional value from classes to justify the cost. If you’d stick to a study schedule anyway and can learn from books and videos, save the money.
Budget-conscious students should carefully evaluate whether a class is worth thousands of dollars when cheaper alternatives exist. The structure and accountability come at a premium price.
One-on-One Tutoring Comparison
Both Blueprint and Kaplan offer private tutoring at their highest price points. Tutoring provides personalized attention, customized study plans, and one-on-one instruction.
Blueprint Tutoring
Blueprint’s tutoring packages include regular sessions with a dedicated tutor who works with you individually. The tutor assesses your strengths and weaknesses, creates a personalized study plan, and provides targeted help on difficult concepts.
Pricing varies based on the number of hours purchased, but expect to pay premium rates for private attention. Blueprint tutors generally have strong MCAT scores themselves and experience teaching the material.
Kaplan Tutoring
Kaplan similarly offers private tutoring with personalized study plans and individual instruction. Their tutors are also typically high scorers with teaching experience.
Kaplan’s tutoring structure resembles Blueprint’s, with regular sessions focused on your specific needs. Pricing is comparable to Blueprint at the higher end of MCAT prep costs.
When Private Tutoring Is Worth It
One-on-one tutoring makes sense when you need significant personalized help. If you’re struggling substantially with content, have specific weaknesses that need targeted attention, or need accountability and motivation, tutoring provides value that group classes can’t match.
Students who have tried self-studying or classes without success often benefit from the customization tutoring provides. A good tutor identifies exactly where you’re struggling and addresses those specific issues rather than covering material you already know.
The key phrase is “a good tutor.” Quality varies significantly among tutors at both Blueprint and Kaplan. Both companies have excellent tutors and less effective ones. With private tutoring’s high cost, finding the right tutor becomes crucial.
Finding the Best Fit
When considering private tutoring, look beyond just Blueprint and Kaplan. Specialized companies that focus exclusively on MCAT tutoring often provide more customized, flexible approaches. For example, at PremedExperts we work only with MCAT students, allowing them to develop deep expertise in exactly what works for this specific test.
The advantage of MCAT-only tutoring companies is that they’re not locked into using specific resources from their own company. A tutor can recommend Kaplan books if those are best, Blueprint practice tests if those help most, plus AAMC materials and UWorld. The study plan becomes truly customized to what works for you rather than following a cookie-cutter approach using only one company’s materials.
Score Guarantee Programs
Both Blueprint and Kaplan offer score guarantee programs with their higher-tier packages. Understanding what these guarantees actually mean helps you evaluate their value.
What Score Guarantees Actually Mean
Score guarantees sound appealing. The company promises a certain score or your money back. However, the fine print reveals that these guarantees are really accountability and commitment tools rather than actual score guarantees.
To qualify for a refund under most guarantee programs, you must attend every single class, complete every assignment, take every practice test, and follow all recommendations perfectly. If you miss even one session or skip one assignment, you void the guarantee.
Most students don’t end up qualifying for refunds even if they don’t hit their target score because they didn’t meet every single requirement. The companies design guarantees this way intentionally. They’re not actually guaranteeing your score so much as forcing you to do everything required and then betting you won’t actually complete everything.
Blueprint and Kaplan Guarantees
Both companies structure their guarantees similarly with extensive requirements to qualify. Read the fine print carefully before assuming a guarantee provides real protection.
That said, guarantees can provide value even if you never use them. The strict requirements force you to take your studying seriously and complete all work. For students who need external accountability to stay on track, the guarantee structure might be worth it even knowing you probably won’t get a refund.
Alternative Approaches to Guarantees
Some tutoring companies take different approaches to guarantees that focus on readiness rather than arbitrary completion requirements. For instance, we base our guarantee on demonstrated competency and appropriate test date selection. They won’t let you take the test until you’re actually ready if you want the guarantee. This helps students avoid testing prematurely, which is often the real problem rather than the quality of preparation materials.
This readiness-based approach helps you get out of your own way. Many students test before they’re ready because of external pressure or unrealistic timelines. A guarantee that requires demonstrated readiness before testing provides real protection rather than just creating hoops to jump through.
Overall Recommendation
After comparing these companies across multiple product types, here’s the bottom line:
If you want books: Choose Kaplan. Their content review books are superior to Blueprint’s and represent the best available from commercial prep companies.
If you want practice tests: Choose Blueprint. Their tests better approximate the actual MCAT experience and provide more realistic practice.
If you want a comprehensive course: Blueprint has a slight edge for more robust MCAT-specific offerings. Their focus on MCAT preparation shows in the quality and comprehensiveness of their course packages.
Most Important Considerations
The choice between Blueprint and Kaplan matters less than these factors:
Your learning style determines which format works best. Self-paced, classes, and tutoring all work for different types of students. Choose the format that matches how you learn best.
Your budget significantly impacts what you can afford. Don’t go into debt for MCAT prep when cheaper alternatives exist. Sometimes the best choice is neither Blueprint nor Kaplan but rather self-study with books and free resources.
Your current MCAT knowledge level matters. Students starting from scratch need different resources than students who already have strong content knowledge but need practice and strategy help.
For classes specifically, the quality of your individual instructor trumps which company you choose. Both have good and mediocre instructors, and you won’t know which you’ll get.
Don’t Forget the Essentials
Regardless of whether you choose Blueprint, Kaplan, or something else entirely, invest in AAMC official materials and UWorld. These resources are essential for serious MCAT preparation and should be part of your study plan no matter what else you use.
Third-party prep companies like Blueprint and Kaplan supplement these critical resources. They don’t replace them. Budget for AAMC and UWorld first, then decide what additional support you need.
Alternatives to Consider
Before committing thousands of dollars to either Blueprint or Kaplan, consider whether you need a comprehensive course at all.
Self-Study Approach
Many successful MCAT students prepare entirely through self-study. Buy the Kaplan books for content review. Use Khan Academy videos for free video instruction. Invest in AAMC materials and UWorld for practice. This approach costs a fraction of what courses cost and works well for self-motivated students.
Self-study requires discipline and good time management. You need to create your own study schedule and stick to it without external accountability. But if you can manage this, you’ll save thousands of dollars while potentially achieving the same or better results.
Specialized MCAT Tutoring
If you need personalized help but want more flexibility than Blueprint or Kaplan courses provide, consider specialized MCAT tutoring companies. These companies focus exclusively on MCAT preparation, developing deep expertise in what actually works for this specific test.
The advantage of specialized tutoring is complete customization. Your tutor isn’t locked into using materials from their own company, so they can pick and choose the best resources for your specific needs. Maybe that’s Kaplan books, Blueprint practice tests, AAMC materials, and UWorld all together. The study plan becomes truly personalized rather than following a predetermined course structure.
This flexibility often produces better results than cookie-cutter course approaches because the preparation addresses your actual needs rather than covering material generically.
