PrepScholar was founded by Harvard graduates Allen Cheng and Fred Zhang, both of whom earned perfect SAT scores. They created PrepScholar as a smarter, more efficient way to prep for standardized tests. PrepScholar is best known for its online SAT and ACT prep programs which use algorithms to create custom study plans for each student. Their products are fully online and include video lessons, practice questions, and progress tracking. For students who want additional help, one-on-one tutoring and admissions consulting packages are also available.

The company has also expanded into college admissions consulting. Several years ago, PrepScholar’s article on developing a “spike” for college admissions went viral and helped showcase the company’s deep knowledge of college admission trends. Their advisors use this knowledge, such as building a passion/talent “spike,” creating an application that tells a powerful and cohesive story, and strengthening academics and test scores, to help students achieve admissions results. And it’s worked well: compared to national averages, students who use their services are 6 times more likely to get accepted into Ivy League Schools and over 7 times more likely to get accepted into Top 10 colleges.

Compared to many elite admissions firms, PrepScholar is a more accessible and scalable option, offering lower-cost plans that still provide expert guidance.