EduReviewerPrinceton Review vs LSATMax: Detailed Comparison

Princeton Review vs LSATMax: Detailed Comparison

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Overview

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” – Chinese Proverb

Preparing for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is no small task, and the question of which LSAT prep option to go for always comes up. This is because it requires some strategies to be put in place.

In a bid to determine the best prep, I have considered Princeton Review vs LSAT Max, and these are the main differences between the two preparatory courses:

  • LSAT Max is just a little over a decade old, and Princeton Review has been operational for over 35 years.
  • LSAT Max is slightly cheaper than Princeton Review.
  • LSAT Max does not provide in-person lessons, whereas students can take live classes at Princeton Review.
  • While both have a mobile application, LSAT Max has a better functioning app as Princeton Review’s app contains only flashcards.
  • LSAT Max runs a subscription service that only expires when you enroll in a law school, or you are no longer preparing for LSAT; the maximum duration Princeton Review offers online is 270 days.

If you are looking for even more different courses, check Magoosh LSAT prep review on our website. Customers of this platform are pleased about their courses.

LSAT Max may seem similar to Princeton Review because they have the same goal: to help students prepare well for their exams. However, their learning strategies differ in some other important areas.

Here are the key differences between LSAT Max versus Princeton Review at a glance that helps to differentiate both learning programs.

PrincetonReview vs LSAT Max: Overall Comparison

Provider LSAT Max Princeton Review LSAT
Courses Offered – LSAT Max 60

– LSAT Max180

– LSAT Max365

– Princeton Review LSAT Online Course

– Princeton Review LSAT Fundamentals Course

– Princeton Review LSAT 165+

– Princeton Review LSAT Immersive 165+ Live Online

Price Starting from $600 Starting from $799
Video Classes Over 100 hours Over 150 hours
Live Classes None Up to 123 Hours
Practice Tests Over 90 Over 60
Practice Exams Yes Yes
Practice Questions Over 6,000 Over 8,000

LSAT Prep Features of Platforms

Some key features include:

  • Study Materials: there is an abundance of materials to help subscribers adequately prepare for the LSAT exam. Both platforms have dozens of mock tests and thousands of practice resources, including daily drills and games. There are hundreds of hours of recorded lessons for students to take advantage of. This is also the best way to learn a language if required.
  • Access Period: the duration a student has to access study materials. Typically, it ranges from weeks to months. During this period, you would have full access to books, flashcards, videos, and any other material used for your classes.
  • Score Increase Guarantee: What is the point of taking a preparatory course for a test if you do not get higher scores? It is not surprising that both programs guarantee better scores when you complete your course with them. The score guaranteed is often based on your best previous score.
  • Mobile application: LSAT Max and Princeton Review have a mobile application accessible on android and iOS devices. The goal of these applications is to make it possible to continue learning even when on the move.
  • Refund Policy: Should, for extenuating reasons, you are unable to begin your course with either of them, and you would like to have a refund, you would be able to request to have your subscription fee refunded. You can make refund requests by reaching out to their customer support. Note that each request is treated individually and may be approved or declined based on refund policies.

While both LSAT Max and Princeton Review help students prepare for their law school tests, they do this uniquely with independent learning strategies.

To give you a clear picture of what is obtainable in both programs, I have examined the key features of each and compared them to similar features available on the other platform. Let’s take a closer look at how they differ from one another.

LSAT Max: Why is it Better Than Princeton Review?

For a firm that opened its doors in 2011, its modernist approach to learning is not surprising. They have created a functional system of learning that works well for 21st-century students.

It has incorporated improvements in technology to design a flexible system of learning, where you learn when you want to, as opposed to the rigid system of strict schedules offered by Princeton Review.

the-princetown-review

Eliminating live lessons means students who choose LSAT Max can work around their schedules and have a personalized study time that is convenient.

Another way they utilized technology better than Princeton Review is in the area of their mobile application.

LSAT Max has a mobile application that leaves Princeton Reviews in the dust. This app gives students access to their study materials and videos, including games and daily drills that help cognitive learning.

princeton-success-story

Students also have access to message boards and communicate in real-time with others and practical analytics of their usage of the app and study data.

This and more is what they get on their app as opposed to Princeton Review, which only has flashcards on their app. They have spent the last couple of years improving their features and offerings.

Princeton Review: Why is it Better Than LSAT Max?

Not only does fine wine get better as time passes; Princeton Review, like wine, has aged well. They have put forward the benefits of the classical learning system, and tutees who are ready to put in the work get their results.

The paced system strategies of learning have given them a much-deserved edge. They have dedicated instructors that take scholars through over 100 hours of live classes.

princetown-review-label

Students can have their questions answered in real time. In the pre-recorded lessons on LSAT Max, if a student has questions that are not addressed by the tutor in the video, it creates a challenge.

This is not the case with Princeton Review, and that’s not all. Learners can access their instructors outside class hours and reach them for continuous learning.

The best part is that it provides additional videos you can walk through at your convenience and as often as you need to.

Lastly, Princeton Review has over 2000 practice resources, more than LSAT Max. This gives you the opportunity for wider and more thorough testing while learning before writing exams.

Pricing Comparison

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

Well, it always comes down to money when comparing the benefits of Princeton Review versus LSAT Max. Such valuable services are barely rendered for free.

Whether it is Princeton Review or LSAT Max, both platforms offer a free trial period where you can have a taste of what you stand to enjoy if you enroll. You can consider these as discounts.

However, if you are serious about getting results from these preparatory courses, you must pay a subscription fee.

LSAT Max Pricing

LSAT Max has three major learning packages and the fees have been structured to accommodate all pocket sizes and still get maximum benefits.

Students can choose from any of the following:

lsat-max-packages

  • LSAT Max 60: this is the cheapest subscription option.

It costs less than $600 and still delivers great value. The only downside to LSAT Max 60 is the access period is restricted to only 60 days.

Subscribing for this option means you are ready to have laser-focused attention for the next few weeks and glean the most you can from study materials.

  • LSAT Max 180: As the name suggests, you only get 180 days if you opt for this.

It costs less than $1,000 and provides the same value as the 60-day option. Six months of study can help get the desired results.

princetown-five-star-review

  • LSAT Max 365: this grants the longest learning duration.

If you decide to opt for this, you have access to study materials and an online community for a whole year. With the price of $1,495, it is still considerable in comparison to other platforms.

  • LSAT Max Lifetime: As the name suggests, this subscription bundle is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

Unlike the other options with a timeline that can elapse, the lifetime bundle is simply for a lifetime. The fee is $1,896, and subscribers have permanent access to the full study pack.

LSAT Max provides an array of private tutoring options to choose from. This starts from $1,476 for 5 hours with private instructors and 180 days content access period to $3,756 for 20 hours of private tutoring and 365 content access days.

Princeton Review Pricing

Princeton Review also has three major subscription packages, alongside the option of private instructors.

The major options are:

lsat-subscription-packages

  • Princeton Review LSAT Online Course (Self-Paced):

With $799, you get over 150 hours of pre-recorded LSAT prep courses, study materials and tools, practice resources, and a satisfaction guarantee.

  • Princeton Review LSAT Fundamentals Course:

This is 30-hour tutoring that has all the added benefits of the online course and a money-back guarantee. You may choose to have the tutoring in person for a fee of $1,099 or online with a fee of $899.

Students can also form a cluster of 4 (maximum) and get the fundamentals course with in-person tutor experts breaking down difficult topics at a charge of $1,799.

lsat-guarantee-course

  • Princeton Review LSAT 165+:

This course guarantees to put you in the top percentile and achieve a score of at least 165, which is the dream of every student who wants to study law. This is done through 84 hours of targeted live tutoring and access to every single study material available on the platform.

At $1,749, this is an expensive personal LSAT prep subscription, but this is not the most expensive Princeton Review has to offer.

  • Princeton Review LSAT Immersion 165+:

The charge for this and the learning process is not for the faint of heart. Prepare to whip out $3,499 for a learning experience of a lifetime. As the name suggests, this package is the most immersive LSAT prep you can imagine.

Immersive 165+ is the latest addition to the Princeton Review’s array of courses, and it is designed to be rigorous and intense. It offers over 144 hours of live teaching and practice, including additional lessons that can be considered discounts to this package.

There are also exclusive content workshops, in-depth analyses, and reviews of practice tests.

Asides from the above, Princeton Review offers personal instructors for price ranges between $135 – $325 an hour.

The final amount depends on the instructors’ geographical location and experience level. This has a higher score or money-back guarantee.

Quality of Learning (Value for Money)

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.” – John Ruskin

The purpose of getting an LSAT preparatory course is to ace the Law School Admissions Test. Princeton Review and LSAT Max would set you back almost a thousand dollars, if not more.

What is the value students get for studying at either of these platforms? Are they getting a value return for the money spent?

These were the things on my mind when evaluating the quality of learning on both platforms. Want to know what I found? Come along, let’s show you.

LSAT Max

To begin, I reviewed the quality and quantity of study materials made available. At the core of this are the recorded video lessons and thousands of practice resources.

The video lessons involve a digital whiteboard, and the teacher’s voice is heard as he explains and makes notes on the board.

lsat-max-class

LSAT Max class in progress

Students get to have a classroom feel, albeit pre-recorded. The notes on the board are sometimes color-coded to aid retention of the verbal lesson. This process of learning is a bit different from traditional LSAT preparatory programs like Princeton Review.

LSAT Max tutoring is quite suitable for those who are probably halfway around the world or have tight work schedules. Students also get to practice with official LSAT past questions.

Having access to thousands of past questions always goes a long way in preparing for any exam.

What’s better? Everyone has been solved, so if you find it difficult to take a question down, you can simply revert to the solutions and practice until you get it fully.

lsat-max-review

The reviews of thousands of students who have used this prep course successfully also speak volumes about the excellent quality of learning.

I foraged through a litany of real reviews, and evidently, learners are getting a nice value for their money here.

Princeton Review

The question of value for money reviews an important point, especially when you opt for a prep course with cheaper alternatives and budget-friendly alternatives. You want to be sure you are getting a just return.

Honestly, during my review, I realized students are getting a lot for their money.

The traditional nature of the school makes it seem like a typical physical school where everything is structured, and nothing is left to your feelings. You have specific times to attend classes; you have assignments to do and milestones to hit.

This is suitable for modern students who could easily get distracted or need to be poured into a mold to achieve the best results. The thousands of practice questions here are real-life past questions, and you get detailed answers.

With the quality of learning, you are guaranteed an increased score. If your LSAT score after taking a course with Princeton Review did not increase by a minimum of 7 and you had a prior score of 158 or less before you took the course, you are eligible for a refund.

Main Disadvantages of the Platforms

These preparatory courses are undoubtedly fabulous, but they are not without flaws.

In this review, I have gone under the hood and found a few areas they can improve on.

LSAT Max

Price starts from $59
Promo Code N/A
  • The foremost disadvantage of using LSAT Max in comparison to Princeton Review is the lack of live lessons.
  • The study content available via the free trial mode is quite restricted.
  • I reviewed their study materials extensively and found out their materials on reading comprehension help are a bit limited.
Students do not have resources for instructors so they can ask questions in real-time which would always affect their overall rating.

Also, I noticed that the mobile application of this platform has some issues syncing with the web version. Those who try to use the app and the desktop version of LSAT Max may have issues picking up where they left off.

A free trial typically suggests access to the premium service but only for a limited time to help the user decide to subscribe. This is not the case with the LSAT Max free trial. They do not allow students to access their full study materials for free, regardless of the short period.

The last area I noticed LSAT Max could do better is in the area of study materials on reading comprehension.

If you are a student who needs help in this area, you may have to seek out further study materials.
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Princeton Review

Price starts from $799
Promo Code N/A
  • In its bid to provide live or in-person classes, students do not always get an experienced teacher.
  • It is worthy of note that Princeton Review, compared to LSAT Max, does not come cheap.
  • Students cannot access study videos, drills or games via the app, making the desktop version the only learning platform.
While Princeton Review strives to make sure all its teachers are qualified, years of experience are something some of them do not possess.

Unfortunately, this is a determinant factor in ease of learning, and if you are stuck with a teacher with minimal experience, effective studying may be a problem.

Also, live classes sometimes get canceled for several reasons, and students could get a relatively short notification. This can seriously disrupt their schedules, and the timing for make-up lessons may not always be convenient.

This can be a huge drawdown, especially for students on a budget. Each of their subscription packages is slightly higher than the average for their competitors.

They have a mobile application that needs a lot of work. The functionality of the app is almost zero. It is only used to store flashcards.

Mobile compatibility is also another issue that needs to be fixed. To get maximum results, you might be forced to restrict your learning to your personal computer. This is because handheld devices may not leave you with the best experiences.
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Verdict

“You learn something every day if you pay attention.” – Ray LeBlond

Both LSAT Max and Princeton Review have amazing and reliable course outlines and learning processes students can depend on for excellent results in a self-paced manner.

Although both vary in different aspects, from their prices to lesson structures, they both have the same goal. Both aim to prepare scholars efficiently for their examinations towards excellent results.

They have conducive and accessible learning methods you can easily adapt to without much need for extra preparation.

If you need lessons for maximum results, you can pick either LSAT Max or Princeton Review confidently online anytime. They will surely meet your needs as a student above and beyond your expectations.

FAQs

Which is better, LSAT Max or Princeton Review?

Although both prep courses offer fantastic value, Ifind LSAT Max much better than Princeton Review. It is cheaper, and its approach to learning is 21st-century compliant.

Which is cheaper, Princeton Review or LSAT Max?

LSAT Max is substantially cheaper than Princeton Review. Students can expect lesser prices for their preparatory course with LSAT Max

By Alina Burakova
Updated on September 12, 2024
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