



Key Takeaways
- UWorld’s outdated content and poor reviews raise concerns for serious SAT prep.
- EdisonOS offers real-time tutoring and accurate digital test simulation.
- Alternatives like Magoosh and Princeton Review vary in price, structure, and personalization.
The test-prep journey of a highschool student is stressful in its own way, and the wide number of choices out there don’t exactly help. Choosing the right tutoring solution is a challenge parents and students need to address right at the start.
And even before we begin discussing the main UWorld alternatives, it’s important to point out one thing. As a student, your choice of a tutoring company significantly impacts your SAT scores - and thereby your career too.
That is precisely why you should analyse all the alternatives before you zero down on one.
But why should you look for UWorld alternatives in the first place?
Here’s a good reason to start: Trustpilot ratings of just 2.3 on 5, which is equivalent to ‘Poor’ as you can see.

For students and parents, it’s serious. There might be a number of reasons why a number of people rated UWorld so low. Understanding those reasons will clearly tell you if UWorld is a good fit for you.
But first, a quick word about UWorld.
What is UWorld and what does it do
UWorld is a test prep company. Founded in 2003 to tutor students for the USMLE, today it covers a wide range of exams as diverse as the CPA, CFA, LLM, SAT, NCLEX RN, USMLE - accounting, finance, college entrance, legal, medical, and nursing exams basically. Because of the unique nature of each exam, each test-prep course has a different module.
For the SAT, for instance, UWorld has a question bank and a study guide, in addition to a full course. In addition to this, you’ll find other resources like a mobile app, videos, mock tests, books, and detailed reports on test performance.
Why look for UWorld alternatives, if everything is okay?
In many ways, that’s the answer: it’s just going barely okay and no better. When things are just okay or worse, chances are you won’t be any better off with the test prep course. The material may not be well-structured or engaging. For instance, the new digital SAT needs to be carefully curated and designed - that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
As a result, your scores may hardly change even after you take the SAT test prep course.
1. Material isn’t updated
A recent review mentioned the UWorld courses aren’t updated.

The SAT is fully digital and adaptive and has transformed considerably. Even the ACT is offering a digital version: take a practice digital ACT to see for yourself. If your test prep course isn’t updated to reflect and address these changes, your actual test scores will take a big hit.
2. Not enough practice questions
Unless you’ve already scored 1570 in your previous SAT attempt, you needs lots of practice questions. And it’s not only the number of questions, even the quality of questions should fully reflect the actual test. It takes a lot of expertise and efforts to create high-quality questions. For instance, at EdisonOS, here’s how we created the most accurate SAT practice tests ever.

3. Customer support falls short
Test-prep is challenging, because you’re juggling so many things while you prepare. So you don’t want to chase the customer support repeatedly for the same questions. Apparently UWorld users are rather dissatisfied with the customer support team there. And if that’s the status of your flagship course (UWorld started with the USMLE exams, remember?), well, it doesn’t do much good to the rest of the courses.

4. The mobile app is ‘buggy’
Students today learn on the move. So if you do have an app, it needs to be smooth and user-friendly. One of the reasons to actively look for UWorld alternatives is that its app is buggy. It not only ruins the user experience, but - more importantly - it impedes the student’s ability to learn and score higher.

5. Too wide a focus
While it may sound commendable that a single test-prep company caters to such a wide array of tests, the reality may be slightly different. By covering tests as diverse as pharmacy, college entrance, and accounting, UWorld may have spread itself too thin. We aren’t sure if they built any specialties, but chances are the test-prep help is average at best.

5 UWorld alternatives for 2025
Now you know why it was important to look for UWorld alternatives. We found the top five UWorld alternatives and analysed each of them. We checked everything from features and question quality to their prices and tests.
Based on our study, here is the list of the best UWorld alternatives for 2025, each one with notes on their strengths, limitations, and suitability for specific needs.
1. Review of EdisonOS: Smart testing, smarter tutoring
EdisonOS isn’t just another test prep tool - it’s a comprehensive ecosystem for tutors and institutions to create, manage, and deliver assessments with unmatched speed, control, and insight. While others focus on only one part of the assessment process, EdisonOS builds a bridge between testing, teaching, and tracking outcomes - all under one roof.
EdisonOS features:
Build Your Own Tests (BYOT)
Tutors can create assessments in under 15 minutes using EdisonOS’s 5,000+ question library or upload their own in just 60 minutes - a task that would typically take 150–300 hours/month.
- Save up to 90% of time on test creation
- Customize with timer settings, scoring, and report visibility
- You can upload a virtually unlimited number of questions through Excel spreadsheets.
Tutor mode
EdisonOS enables real-time explanations when a student gets an answer wrong - students say it’s like having the tutor sitting beside them during practice.
- Reduces need for separate doubt-clearing sessions
- Improves retention because the student learns in real-time
Offline and public assessments
- Allow paper-based testing with automatic digital scoring via bubble sheet input
- Tutoring companies can use the public links for lead generation, school outreach, or diagnostic tests
Authentic digital interface
This is important. EdisonOS mimics official test platforms screen-by-screen, complete with calculators, highlighters, timers, break buttons, and more.
- Reduces test-day anxiety with a realistic experience
- Ideal for standardized tests like SAT, ACT, etc.

Study plan and practice formats
Drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, interactive charts - EdisonOS supports emerging question formats that match the digital shift in exams.

Live sessions made seamless
Tutors can schedule and conduct Zoom-style live sessions directly on the platform for weekly 1:1 sessions or group classes.
- No third-party tools needed
- Centralizes tutoring + testing in one platform
Powerful reporting with detailed summary and progress tracking
Students can see what kind of questions they got wrong, how much did they score in each section, and a note on why a particular answer choice was wrong. Naturally they will see a detailed explanation on what made a certain choice the correct answer.



After every test, EdisonOS provides a breakdown of:
- Scaled scores (with a raw-to-scale algorithm)
- Time spent per question
- Section and skill analysis
- Session logs (including off-tab tracking)
- Parent-friendly reports via auto-email
Tutors can use this to fine-tune their lesson plans and help students focus on their weakest areas with precision.
Question analytics
You can see how a student performed on each question compared to peers. This is especially important for group classes, healthy competition, and motivation.
- See accuracy %, time taken, and difficulty ratings
- Encourage goal-oriented practice
Verdict: EdisonOS vs others: A clear advantage
Where most platforms either lack customization, have limited reporting, or don’t support offline workflows, EdisonOS gives you the full stack - from creation to deep performance analytics, all built with tutors in mind. Add to that AI tools, public assessment sharing, and real-time learning aids, and it’s clear:
2. Review of The Princeton Review: Structured but pricey
The Princeton Review is a well-known name in standardized test prep, and its ACT/SAT prep offerings are no exception. With a range of options - self-paced courses, structured classes, and one-on-one tutoring - the platform tries to cater to diverse student needs. Let’s examine it.
The Princeton Review features:
- Self-paced course: Access to video lessons, practice quizzes, and drills
- Score guarantees:
- ACT: A structured, two-month course promising a score of 31 or higher.
- SAT: 1400+ and 1500+ courses
- Multiple tutoring package: 10- and 18-hour tutoring, starting at $2,000
- SAT/ACT Summer Camp: Intensive two-week online prep
- SAT/ACT Essentials: Structured course for students at all levels
- Access: 365 days access to material
Other features:
- LiveOnline classes sessions and on-demand tutoring
- 9 full-length SAT practice tests
- 14-day free trial; no credit card required
Limitations of The Princeton Review
1. High costs
- Private tutoring can cost up to $175 per hour, making it one of the priciest options on the market.
- Live sessions starting at $1,799, extending to upto $6,460
2. Inconsistent user experience
- Navigation in some parts of the platform (like practice quizzes) isn’t intuitive.
While the dashboard is clear, there’s a learning curve with certain tools.

3. Shallow answer explanations
- Many explanations for practice test questions are brief and text-based.
- The Princeton Review doesn’t consistently offer video explanations, which can hinder deeper understanding.

4. Limited innovation
- Although you get decent personalization in the self-paced course, the platform largely follows a traditional model.
5. No custom pathways
- The course doesn’t adapt in real time based on student performance beyond basic module suggestions.
- For students needing a fully personalized learning journey, the options feel rigid.
Verdict
The Princeton Review is a fair choice for students who prefer structure and are willing to pay a premium for brand recognition and live support. However, if you're looking for an affordable, flexible, and tech-driven alternative that still guarantees results, there are better options available.
3. Kaplan review: Good, but not without shortcomings
Kaplan is a recognized name in the test prep industry. They have a partnership with the official ACT organization. While Kaplan offers several benefits, it also has a few key limitations that students and parents should be aware of before committing.
Kaplan features
1. Real ACT practice questions
Thanks to Kaplan’s official partnership, you get access to over 2,000 real ACT questions and many full-length practice tests. That is valuable for students who want an authentic test experience.
2. Multiple learning formats
Kaplan caters to different learning styles. For instance, for the SAT exam, you have:
- Bootcamp: Prepare for the SAT in 2-3 weeks
- Live online: 18 hours of scheduled virtual classes with experienced instructors
- Tutoring + course: 10,20,30, or 40 hours of tutoring
- Unlimited prep: Multiple test-prep courses available under this option
3. Engaging lesson format
The video lessons feature real instructors (not just voiceovers), keeping the sessions more personal and engaging. Each lesson includes:
- A short video (5–10 minutes)
- Guided practice
- Independent drills
4. Quiz Customization Tools
For the ACT, for instance, Kaplan allows students to build quizzes from a 2,000+ question bank. You can filter by topic, difficulty, or question history. This can help for focused practice.
Limitations of Kaplan courses
1. Unclear score guarantee
It offers a score improvement guarantee. Unlike some competitors, however, it’s not clearly mentioned how much you can expect your scores to improve.
As a result, even a 10-point increase on the SAT will be classified as improved scores and the guarantee fails to compensate you. Take a free digital SAT practice test and you’ll see a 10-point improvement is hardly a challenge.
2. Issues with navigation
If you were to register for a free test, you’d expect the Take a Free Test button to be clearly visible. Instead, there’s no button - just a link that’s hidden behind other material and easy to miss.

3. Incomplete tutor mode
While tutor mode is meant to offer in-test support, its answer explanations are often minimal. They will just state the correct answer without context.
Also, explanations aren’t well thought out for student’s convenience. Check the screenshot below.

4. Limited support in self-paced mode
If you choose the more affordable self-paced course, don’t expect one-on-one support. We couldn’t see live help or instructor Q&A access. This can be frustrating for students who need occasional clarification.
Verdict
Kaplan’s prep courses are a fair option to consider for students who want authentic practice questions, flexibility, and video-led instruction. However, its lack of a clear score guarantee and limited student support make it less appealing for those seeking more hand-holding or assurance of results.
If you’re looking for a better-rounded option with greater support, mobile convenience, and impactful outcomes, you’ll need to keep looking.
4. Review of Magoosh test prep: Budget-friendly, but not for everyone
If you’re looking for an affordable SAT/ACT prep course that’s accessible anytime, anywhere, Magoosh might catch your attention.
With a price tag of $129 (occasionally drops to $90) for the self-paced plan, it’s one of the most budget-friendly options available. But while it offers strong value, it’s not the perfect fit for every student.
Magoosh features
- Video lessons: 200-250 videos that cover all sections with beginner, intermediate, and advanced content.
- 7-Day moneyback guarantee: It’s a risk-free guarantee to check out their course.
- Practice questions: 1300 to 1750 questions, with detailed explanations.
- Practice tests: You get 3 to 4 full-length practice tests.
- Score guarantee: It comes with a guarantee of raising your scores by at least 100 points on the SAT and 4 points on the ACT, subject to conditions.
- Email assistance: Their tutors will be available to answer your questions over email.
- Mobile app: We weren’t able to test it, but the fact there’s an app sounds like a good idea.
Guided study plan:
In addition to the self-paced option, you also get a guided study plan option for your test-prep.
- 12 months validity
- Priced about 3x the self-paced option ($399)
- 16 hours of tutoring
- They come with assignments that you need to complete.
Both, the self-paced plan and the guided plan, have a validity of 12 months.
Magoosh is best suited for:
- Busy schedules: The app could make it easy to squeeze in prep between activities.
- Video-based learners: Students who like short, engaging video explanations.
- Self-motivated students: Those who can follow a self-paced curriculum without live guidance.
Not ideal for:
- Structured learners: No fixed class times.
- Personalized instruction seekers: Lessons are not tailored based on your diagnostic test results.
- Paper-and-pen fans: There are no physical textbooks or printed worksheets included.
Limitations of Magoosh
While Magoosh offers good baseline value, it does have a few downsides:
1. Different test interface: We took the free trial offer, and the test interface looked like this:
Sc

2. Limited number of full-length practice tests: Surprisingly, the number of their full-length tests are nearly one-third or one-fourth of competitors. That is a major limitation.
3. Explanations can be better: We might be generalizing from a limited number of explanations, but some of them show you nothing more than what an average textbook would do. That extra attention to detail or student’s pain points is missing.

4. No paper-based resources: If you plan to take the paper-based ACT, remember that Magoosh doesn’t offer you paper-based resources. It is prepared only for the digital ACT for now.
5. No personalized learning path: They have some diagnostic testing available, but we couldn’t find any personalized learning path. There are some study schedules available, though the extent of personalization is limited, at best.
6. No in-person options: There is an option to avail on-demand classes - basically recordings of previous sessions. There’s no in-person or even live option.
Verdict
Magoosh is an excellent option for budget-conscious, independent learners who want flexible, video-rich content. But if your child needs structure, better explanations, personalization, or blended formats, it might fall short.
5. PrepScholar prep review: A mixed bag
PrepScholar is a popular ACT /SAT test prep platform known for its adaptive learning system. It offers a score-improvement guarantee. With a combination of text and video-based lessons, it appeals mainly to students who are comfortable learning at their own pace. But while there are things to like, PrepScholar is far from perfect.
PrepScholar features
Adaptive Learning Algorithm
PrepScholar’s claims to use an algorithm to create customized study plans. Students take a diagnostic test, and the system adapts lessons based on strengths and weaknesses.
Practice materials
- 4,300+ practice questions
- 20+ hours of content (including both video and text-based lessons)
- 6 full-length SAT/ACT practice tests
Multiple study options
- Self-paced online course
- Live small-group classes (capped at 9 students)
- Tutoring add-ons
- Dual SAT + ACT program available
- 5-day free trial
Course contents
- 90 skill lessons
- 6 CollegeBoard tests
- 1 year access
Tutoring option
The starting 4-hour tutoring plans costs you $995. It includes 40+ hours of online test prep practice.

Quiz generator
If you wish to have more practice in a particular area, you can generate a quiz specifically from that area.
Study programs
Get personalized study programs based on your skills and weaknesses.
Score guarantee
The SAT courses come with a 160-point increase guarantee while the ACT courses come with a 4+ point increase guarantee - competitive with what other leading platforms offer.
Limitations of PrepScholar
- High price tag
- $397 for self-paced access is on the higher end. For instance, it’s 3 times as expensive as the Magoosh standard course.
- Families looking for budget-friendly prep options may want to look elsewhere.
- Free trial needs a card
Even if you wish to check out their free trial, you would need to submit your credit card details to register. While we can understand their wish to prevent fake users, it certainly stops genuine students from having a look before they pay up.
- No mobile app
Not exactly a world-changing but a mobile app is a welcome feature today. In a mobile-first world, PrepScholar's lack of a companion app is a drawback. Competitors like Magoosh robust mobile experiences for on-the-go studying.
- Pacing Restrictions
The course limits how quickly students can move through lessons each week. To access future content faster, students need to contact support - an inconvenient barrier for fast learners.
- Limited engagement in video lessons
While some videos are helpful, most are voiceover slides with minimal interactivity. Strategy lessons, in particular, are entirely text-based.
- Not ideal for students who need support
Self-paced learners who need real-time help or ongoing feedback may feel stranded. On-demand support is minimal unless you pay for tutoring.
Verdict:
PrepScholar is a solid option for disciplined, independent learners who prefer structured study plans and don’t need much hand-holding. But if you're looking for more flexibility, better interactivity, or budget-friendly pricing, it might not check all your boxes.

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