LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan: Detailed Comparison

Are you gearing up for the LSAT and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of prep courses available?

Well, LSAT Max and Kaplan really stand out. But which one is truly better suited to help you conquer this crucial exam?

In this LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan comparison, we’ll delve deep into these popular prep courses, comparing their features, methodologies, and pricing.

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which option aligns best with your LSAT aspirations. So, let’s jump in!

LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan Comparison Table

Let’s compare the basic option with 6-month access from both courses.

LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan Overview 

LSAT Max and Kaplan stand at the opposite ends of the LSAT prep spectrum.

LSAT Max was founded by a Harvard graduate, Mehran, who took his score from 148 to 174.

He was annoyed by the fact that most LSAT prep courses charge more for extra features. Mehran, on the other hand, believed that companies should offer the same value but charge for the duration of access.

Kaplan, in contrast, is an 80-year-old test prep company with a plethora of courses and an army of tutors.

But how do these both fare in LSAT prep?

Let’s find out in a detailed comparison.

LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan Detailed Comparison in 2023

Course Options

LSATMax offers multiple course options, which are primarily categorized into two groups:

1. LSATMax Course (3 options)
2. LSATMax + Tutoring (5 options)

LSATMax Course includes all the prep material like video lectures, practice tests, analytics, and one free tutoring hour.

They offer three courses with 1, 6, and 12 months of access.

LSATMax + Tutoring category includes five courses and features everything in LSATMax Courses plus additional private tutoring hours. You can buy courses with 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 hours of tutoring.

Contrarily, Kaplan has fewer (five) course options, but they all offer diverse features.

• Kaplan’s On-Demand Course serves as their self-paced course and offers video lectures, practice questions, simulated exams, analytics, and other features.
• The Live Online course features all of the On-Demand Course’s features but also boasts 32 hours of live learning in a virtual setting.
• If you want to take that experience to another level, you can opt for Kaplan’s Private Tutoring with Live classes.
• Or, if you prefer the old-school way, you can go for their In-Person classes and prepare for the LSAT in traditional classrooms where you can network with peers and tutors.
• Lastly, you can buy the LSAT Bootcamp – a rigorous 4-week study program with live lessons, tutoring, and dedicated support.

Our Thoughts

Content Structure & Curriculum 

LSATMax’s prep style is very well-structured.

It gives you two options on the home dashboard:

1) Study and 2) Practice

The study module contains prep lectures, diagnostic tests, and logic games. The practice module features real LSAT practice tests.

Their platform suggests that you take an initial diagnostic test and set a baseline for your score. Then, you can move on to the study module and cover different sections, such as logic games, arguments, quantifiers, etc., as per your strengths and weaknesses.

Each section features a video lecture with detailed explanations and a homework assignment to reinforce your learning. This guided approach makes your LSAT prep effective.

Similarly, Kaplan also offers a well-designed content structure and calls its curriculum the ‘Study Plan.’

It is carefully broken down into six core sessions, following the LSAT outline of three sections (Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension).

These core sessions include different prep materials like video lessons, practice problems, assignments, and plenty of other stuff based on what concept and problem type you study.

Our Thoughts

Video Lessons

Video lessons are one of the most important features of any LSAT online course. Let’s compare Kaplan’s with LSATMax.

So, LSATmax gets you over 1000 hours of top-quality video lessons featuring whiteboard-style lectures, where you hear the instructor speaking and adding notes or remarks with a digital pen to explain the concepts.

As you can see in the picture, LSATMax also gives you the option to jump to specific sections instead of watching the whole video.

Also, you can turn on subtitles and adjust the playback speed as per your preference.

In short, you get long hours, quality lessons, and control over the video content.

However, Kaplan also doesn’t disappoint with its video lessons.

Their video lessons also take the form of a digital whiteboard with an instructor in the bottom corner of the screen. As the instructor walks you through the lesson, the whiteboard behind them fills up with notes, highlights, and constantly changing graphics.

This makes for a truly engaging experience.

Plus, the content of their lessons and the delivery is exceptional. Their instructors go deep into practice problems to demonstrate their points, making it easy to understand underlying concepts.

Our Thoughts

Live Classes

LSATMax doesn’t specifically sell or promote its live lectures because they are not mandatory classes or part of the course. They call it Daily Office Hours.

What is it?

It’s much like an LSAT live class where the instructor talks about a certain topic. Students can join the live session and learn plenty of new stuff other than the on-demand lectures and video explanations.

The topics of these live videos range from tips and tricks to increase your score to detailed discussions on complex modules.

On the other hand, Kaplan’s Live Online Course is their flagship option, where students learn in a virtual class setting.

It’s a great choice for those who prefer a structured study schedule and learn better in a live environment. Plus, the online class allows students to interact, participate in live polls, and ask questions using the live chat option.

This format encourages participation and ensures that even introverted students can express their opinions and engage in discussions.

Our Thoughts

In-Person Classes

Like the majority of LSAT courses, LSATMax is an online LSAT prep course.

It doesn’t offer any in-person classes or physical learning experiences.

Kaplan, on the other side, has a complete package for physical classes.

Kaplan’s In-Person Live classes can prepare you for the LSAT in traditional classrooms where you can network with peers and tutors. This will obviously cost you more (around $1500), but it’s definitely worth the money.

However, only those in New York, LA, Boston, Houston, Miami, Phoenix, Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, and a few other cities can benefit from this.

Our Thoughts

Support

LSATMax boasts an excellent support system as paid subscribers can reach out to tutors via:

• Real-time chat
• Email
• Call

This kind of support is truly unique and allows students to get their questions answered promptly.

Plus, every video lesson has a message board where users can ask questions and engage with fellow LSATMax users.

Kaplan offers its subscribers exclusive access to the LSAT Channel, where users can join live review sessions almost every day and get their questions answered during those live calls.

Other than this, you can also reach out to their support team via email.

Our Thoughts

Printed Study Material

LSATMax doesn’t offer any printed study materials. You may get your study calendar printed to keep track of your progress and mark important dates or notes.

Kaplan LSAT provides a set of LSAT prep books to all students who buy at least four months of access.

This feature is truly useful for those LSAT aspirants who like to study the old-school way.

Having physical books allows students the flexibility to study anywhere without the need for an internet connection. This can be advantageous for those who prefer to study in different locations or during travel.

Our Thoughts

Plus, they serve as valuable reference materials, ensuring that students have a comprehensive resource at their fingertips throughout their LSAT preparation journey. 

However, the absence of prep books in LSATMax’s offerings doesn’t necessarily make it inferior; it simply reflects a different approach to LSAT preparation that prioritizes a digital-first strategy.

Private Tutoring

Each LSATMax course option comes with a free one hour of private tutoring, while LSATMax + Tutoring packages come with 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 hours, depending on the program you select.

Fortunately, these tutoring sessions are led by 99th percentile tutors, which means you study from the top 1% of instructors in the LSAT space.

If you don’t want to buy Tutoring courses, you can buy tutoring hours at $200 per hour with the regular LSATMax courses.

Similarly, Kaplan also offers two tutoring packages: Standard & Premium Tutoring.

You can choose from 10, 20, 30, or 40 hours of private, 1-on-1 tutoring in both packages. This will get you the regular course material plus personalized support from an LSAT expert.

However, if you want to learn from a 99th percentile tutor, you have to buy the Premium option.

Our Thoughts

Mobile App

LSATMax can be accessed both via computer and mobile app.

Mobile apps provide the convenience of portability, allowing you to carry your LSAT prep materials in your pocket. This means you can study at various locations, whether it’s a coffee shop, library, or the comfort of your home.

Unfortunately, Kaplan LSAT doesn’t offer a mobile app yet.

Our Thoughts

This dual-platform approach offers flexibility in your study schedule. You can seamlessly switch between your computer and mobile device, allowing you to fit study sessions into various parts of your day, such as commuting, breaks, or downtime.

High Score Guarantee

Apart from their basic monthly course, LSATMax offers a higher score guarantee that you will improve your LSAT score and offers a full refund if you fail to do so.

Kaplan also offers a higher LSAT score guarantee. However, their offer is a little different. If your LSAT score doesn’t increase after completing the Kaplan LSAT program, you get one of the two options:

1. Reactivate your program within 60 days
2. Request a tuition refund

This means both courses are safe to invest your time and money in.

Our Thoughts

Free Trial

LSATMax lets you take the course for a test drive with its free trial. You can access six video lectures, a mini practice test, and the study calendar without paying anything.

Plus, you can access all the recordings of their Daily Office Hours, which makes for hundreds of hours of content – all for free!

Contrarily, Kaplan offers very limited free stuff.

You don’t get a free account with Kaplan, but you can access a free LSAT practice test and a live workshop/class.

This sounds like much, but it’s actually way less than what other LSAT prep courses offer.

Our Thoughts

Verdict: Which One Is Better?

LSATMax and Kaplan might not be one of the best LSAT prep courses, but they’re definitely worth your time and money.

LSATMax offers a versatile range of courses, allowing students to choose options that best align with their learning preferences and goals.

The availability of private tutoring hours with 99th percentile instructors and Daily Office Hours ensure personalized support for those seeking additional guidance. Additionally, LSATMax’s higher score guarantee and free trial option reflect their commitment to students’ success and satisfaction.

LSATMax’s mobile app compatibility provides the flexibility to study anywhere, making it a convenient choice for those with busy schedules.

Kaplan’s long standing reputation in the test prep industry brings a sense of reliability and trustworthiness. Their extensive selection of course options, including live classes and in-person options in select cities, caters to diverse learning styles.

The inclusion of LSAT prep books for students purchasing four months of access is another valuable feature, particularly for those who prefer traditional study materials.

Lastly, Kaplan is a more economical option than LSATMax. So, from a price point of view, you might want to go with Kaplan. However, with its enormous benefits and features, LSATMax’s high pricing is also justified.

In conclusion, the choice between LSATMax and Kaplan ultimately hinges on individual preferences and priorities.

LSAT Max Vs. Kaplan FAQs

Is Kaplan better than LSAT Max?

No, LSAT Max is slightly better than Kaplan, as it offers way too many video hours plus a free tutoring hour in the same package. However, it comes at a higher price than Kaplan.

With that said, remember that the superiority of one over the other entirely depends on individual preferences, priorities, and learning styles. 

Which one has better video lessons: Kaplan or LSAT Max?

While this is a subjective question, many users rate Kaplan’s video lessons higher than LSATMax’s. (1) Also, the majority of LSATMax’s are available for free on YouTube. This can be an indication of not-so-great quality content.

Is LSAT Max’s score guarantee superior to Kaplan’s?

No. LSAT Max’s score guarantee is not superior to Kaplan’s. Both courses require you to set a baseline score before formally starting your preparation. If your score doesn’t improve, you can ask for a refund.

In fact, Kaplan’s guarantee is slightly superior to LSAT Max in a way that even if you score higher than your baseline score but aren’t satisfied with it, you can still ask for course reactivation. (2)