How often does the name Magoosh cross your mind when thinking about the best online SAT prep? Are you even familiar with who they are? If you answered no to either one of these questions, that Is perfectly fine. This article will help you understand who Magoosh is, if they are the best SAT prep and if they are worth it.
The SATs are vastly approaching, and for a test which is more about how to take the exam, than what knowledge you already have, preparation is needed. If you have been looking for SAT online prep classes that are affordable, self-guided, and that work, you have come to the right place.
This Magoosh review will provide you with the information you need to make the best SAT option for you. That option doesn’t have to be Magoosh. There are several alternatives available to you. However, if you are looking to learn about how Magoosh makes SAT preparation available for all and easily accessible for you and your peers, keep reading.
If you prefer to just try Magoosh SAT prep out, get a free 7-day trial using this link here.
What’s the Story Behind Magoosh?
What’s the Story Behind Magoosh?Magoosh is a newer test prep company that was founded in 2009. It was created by a group of students from the Haas School of Business in Berkley, California, where it is headquartered. These students include Vikram Shenoy, Bhavin Parikh, Hansoo Lee, and Pejman Por-Moezzi. Magoosh’s name is a play on a Persian word that refers to a wise person. The company focuses on providing test preparation and counseling for studying abroad. They consider themselves to be “education nerds” who enjoy helping students.
Magoosh’s aim is to not only provide the best online ACT prep but to create products that give all students, regardless of location, access to enjoyable and helpful test prep. They Are considered the happiest company in education due to their core values and the mission they align themselves behind.
Magoosh considers themselves a never-ending work in progress as there is always something to be learned. They provide test preparation services for the ACT, SAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and many more. Magoosh also partners directly with schools.
Why Choose the Magoosh for Your SAT Prep Course?
Guaranteed 100 point increase: Magoosh offers a 100 point guarantee for users who have purchased the SAT review. To qualify, you must meet the baseline requirements for students who are eligible to obtain a refund if they do not increase by 100 points. If you have completed all the recommended steps necessary to do well on your ACT and you still didn’t manage to reach the point increase, the prep course is on Magoosh. You will find the rules for receiving a refund in the following sections.
Take your test prep wherever you go: If you are a busy person who is always on the go, Magoosh has the perfect options for you. Aside from their material being accessible via your mobile browser, Magoosh utilizes two mobile applications SAT Exam Prep & Practice as well as SAT Flashcards: Prep & Vocab. Both apps are intuitive to use and user-friendly. They can also be accessed right from your Apple or Android phone.
The flashcard application contains over 300 words picked by an SAT expert, which will be useful for the exam. The second application, SAT Exam Prep, focuses in on the items you would generally find on the Magoosh website for review. This includes engaging video lectures and explanations, various subject lessons, and a variety of practice questions.
Ace the new SAT with Magoosh. Sign up for a 7-day trial here
Never forget to study again: Magoosh allows users to set up text message reminders for when you need to study. You will never miss a study session again. These reminders can be configured when you begin setup on the website.
Monthly Study Plans: When first creating an account on Magoosh’s website, you start by setting your study schedule on the site. Based on the information you entered, the site will recommend how long you should study to get the best results.
After setting up your study schedule, reminders can also be set up to encourage you to study via text or email. Once complete, you will see your plan at a glance, and all other tracked performance.
The site will also guide you through the Magoosh activities and track as you complete lessons. You can use the monthly study plans to keep yourself on track. These study plans are divided based on the amount of time to the exam. This time includes one month, two months, and three-month schedules. These schedules have information for what should be completed each day to stay on schedule.
Detailed Review Summary & Helpful Dashboards: Your dashboard allows you to see how well you are doing within each subject. It also helps you get a feel for where you need to improve. However, your dashboard will only display data after you have begun answering practice questions. Your score streak can also be tracked from the dashboard.
Detailed reviews are also a helper for understanding your progress. After completing a module, each section will provide you with a summary of what you accomplished during that study session. It will include your percentage correct, your pace, and the average speed for other users.
In-depth explanations of all questions: Each question comes with a detailed video explanation of why the correct answer is correct. These videos not only come with a written explanation but are then guided on-screen using annotations.
If you still need extra help after the question has been explained, Magoosh’s tutors are here to help you. Though answers are not immediately answered, educated instructors will provide assistance with a quick turnaround. [email protected] is all you need.
Reward points for all: If providing a score guarantee wasn’t enough, Magoosh also aims to give students even more incentive to study for their exam. Magoosh allows students the chance to receive an Amazon gift card by simply studying. All you must do to earn points is to study for at least twenty minutes a day. Each day that you study for more than twenty minutes, you are awarded points. After earning at least 100 points, you can begin to redeem them.
One hundred points are equivalent to one dollar. You earn even more points when you study for consecutive days. Study for at least twenty minutes’ a day to earn 10 points.
Then on day two, after you study again, you will get 20 more points. On the third successive day, earn 30 more points. Each day of your streak, earn points equal to 10x the number of days in the streak.
Affordable Options: Unlike many other options you could choose for test prep, Magoosh prices are not only competitive but affordable. If having in-class courses is not a priority, Magoosh is the best online SAT prep for you.
Free SAT eBook: Though Magoosh already offers an abundance of resources, along with creating a Magoosh ACT book, they have also created a Magoosh SAT e-book. This e-book is free and will provide you with an overview of the exam, detailed explanation of the test’s structure and format as well as introducing you to the content on the exam. You also do not need to be a premium member to access the book.
The book also aims to teach students strategies to help them conquer the exam. This means using the test’s time, format, and schedule as an advantage. The study guide is also suitable for students at all levels and all variations of scores.
Crush the new SAT with Magoosh. Sign up for a 7-day trial here.
What Types of SAT Prep Does Magoosh Offer?
Much like the options which are offered for the ACT with Magoosh, the SAT follows the same pattern. Magoosh provides three options for use. These options all offer the same amenities but with different duration of access for each one.
Though the pricing for the SAT is a little higher than the ACT, Magoosh still possesses reasonable prices. However, nevertheless, the options being offered through Magoosh do not include any live instructors or classroom time. This is a significant reason why their prices may be lower than the competition.
Magoosh aims to provide the student with a system that is fun, easy to use, and will ultimately help them achieve their score goal. Each package includes a seven-day money-back guarantee, three practice exams, over 1500 practice questions, and even video explanations for each question. The SAT online prep classes also include email assistance from tutors and over 200 video lessons for students to learn from.
Which Magoosh SAT Prep Package Should You Get?
Being that all the features in each SAT package are the same, the main difference is the duration of access to the material. The date of your exam should determine the package that you should get. If your exam is approaching, we would recommend that you get a program that correlates to that date.
For instance, if your exam is one month away, buy the one month package. However, if you know that you plan to take one exam three months away and attempt another a few months after, aim for the 3-month program.
If you are a junior or someone who is looking to get a jump start on studying for the SAT, the 12-month option is your best bet. This option gives you time to prepare for the exam and have access to all the materials which Magoosh offers. You can go through lessons multiple times without the fear of losing any progress.
Does Magoosh offer a Score Guarantee or a Refund?
With every package that you purchase, Magoosh offers a 7-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied within the first few days of use or if the package is not what you thought it would be, you can return it for a full refund.
Magoosh also guarantees that you will increase your overall score by 100 points, or you will get your money back. This score guarantee is only available to students with a premium subscription. The guarantee is not available to students who are in the program through their school or an educational facility.
However, before requesting a refund, students must ensure that they have done everything in their power to ensure they pass the test. These guidelines have been determined by Magoosh, and it is at their discretion if they choose to refund you or not.
To ensure that users can get the money-back guarantee, you must meet the following requirements.
1. You must have previously taken the updated/redesigned version of the SAT. If you are a student who has not taken the newly redesigned version of the SAT, you will need to email Magoosh to receive an extension.
2. You must email your prior score to Magoosh after you sign up. It does not have to be an official copy and can be done using a screenshot.
3. Your old score cannot be more than five years old.
Unfortunately, if you have not taken the SAT before, you are not eligible for a score guarantee. Once you have determined that you have met and completed the criteria listed above, you will then be eligible for a refund. Yet it is recommended that before that refund can go back to you, Magoosh must verify that you have at least completed the following actions.
- You have watched all the videos regarding question types.
- You have completed all of the available Magoosh practice questions.
- You have reviewed all of the lessons which contain material that you have struggled with.
- Lastly, you have watched all of the video explanations for questions that you have answered incorrectly.
After all of these steps have been completed, and you still have not increased your score by the guaranteed 100 points, you can receive your money back by sending Magoosh a scanned copy of your new score.
Sign up for a free 7-day Magoosh SAT account here
Does Magoosh SAT Prep Get Results?
It would be easy for us to say the Magoosh prep course works, but where would the validity be in that. Instead, students just like you have vouched for the material and the services which they offer. There is an abundance of Magoosh SAT reviews that showcase how students feel about the material they have purchased, and most of them are glowing.
Magoosh doesn’t teach students how to memorize things or to regurgitate information. Instead, it teaches them how to think logical, how to assess the questions on the exam, and how to strengthen their test-taking skills. Many students commented that they learned how to handle each question type that was placed in front of them. Instead of being anxious or nervous about the question, they were confident.
One student even raised her score by 230 points within two months. She utilized the Magoosh SAT study plan to ensure that she stayed on track and was in line with everything she needed to succeed. She completed practice questions every day to ensure that she didn’t fall behind.
Ultimately, the results you receive on the ACT reflect how much effort you are willing to put in. Magoosh knows that the information is right in front of you. However, it is up to you what you do with it.
Is Magoosh SAT Prep Worth the Money?
Magoosh offers a wide variety of reviews from real students like you on their site that you can look at, at any time you please. Many students agree that Magoosh indeed helped them to do well on the exam and was instrumental in guiding them to success.
Many students say that Magoosh’s preparation materials helped them to understand better the question types and the techniques to answer each one. Though the program does not provide an in-class structure, many students found that the online setup provided structure for them. The Magoosh SAT study plan is a great help for keeping students in line with the exam.
Who Shouldn’t Get SAT Prep from Magoosh?
It is safe to say that Magoosh’s SAT prep is not for everyone. Some students require more personal attention or even the use of a textbook to succeed in getting a great score on the SAT. Though Magoosh may provide the best online SAT prep for some, it’s natural that it does not do the same for everyone.
Magoosh is heavily online based and does not follow a typical classroom structure. The use of the Magoosh SAT study plan is a central way for students to stay on track and focus. However, if you are not disciplined, self-starter will not sit well with you.
One thing that Magoosh does lack is the personal touch of an instructor. Though students have the option to email an instructor when they are having issues, they will not receive an immediate response. They also will not have someone to lean on when a lesson gets too difficult.
If you have more free time in your schedule and are looking for more proctored tests and class time, you should not purchase Magoosh. There are several options out there which can help you, but this one is not it. Magoosh is great for students who are too busy to go to a traditional classroom and for a family who do not want to break the bank paying for SAT prep.
Alternatives to Magoosh SAT Prep
It’s okay if Magoosh is not the best online SAT prep for you. There are several other options out there with a variety of different price points and features. Some of these options can be found below.
Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep is a well-known alternative for your standardized test needs. They have provided an abundance of online and print resources. Kaplan gives users the ability to work in a self-guided manner or with the use of an instructor.
There are four instructor-led options for students to take advantage of. These include the Live Online option, in-class prep near you, the unlimited option and one on one tutoring. Live Online and the in-class options are both instructor-led prep courses within a classroom setting. The unlimited option allows students to take as many classes as they would like until their senior year of high school, whereas the one on one option is a personal tutoring session.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review offers a variety of packages for SAT test prep. These packages include four different programs. These programs can be referred to as the 1400+, the Ultimate package, self-paced options, private tutoring, and the Cram course. Each of these provides different features and operates at a variety of different price points.
The 1400+ package guarantees that students will receive a score of 1400 or above. This package also features on-demand tutoring; the Princeton Review SAT practice books, a personalized study plan as well as access to the Self-Paced ACT and PSAT material. The Ultimate package is another option for SAT Prep that the Princeton Review offers. This innovative option includes both the ACT and SAT self-paced options. Ultimate Includes 18 hours of focused instruction and unlimited access to SAT Advantage Live Online Sessions.
Private tutoring is always an option for students through Princeton Review. Tutoring is the most personalized approach, and you will receive a tutor who has been specifically matched to your goals. Whereas, the self-paced programs allow users to practice for the SAT at their own pace. Lastly, the Cram Course gives students an added push before the actual exam. It is a 6-hour live online cram course.
Wrapping Things Up: Magoosh SAT Prep
Magoosh SAT Prep is an excellent alternative to some of the costlier SAT prep courses. Though they do not provide an in-class option, their content is still structured and useful. They also offer the bonus of providing students with mobile applications when they don’t have the bandwidth to sit at a computer.
The 100-point score increase is also a major incentive to do well on the exam though you don’t want to go through the option of asking for your money back, it’s always nice to know that the option is there. If you are worried that you won’t study as long as needed, Magoosh has even worked to help you with that. Through reminders and the Magoosh rewards, system students are encouraged to practice and study in hopes of getting an Amazon gift card.
If the Magoosh software isn’t your thing, there are several other options available for you to utilize. This includes the likes of Kaplan, Prep Scholar, the Princeton Review, and many more. The choice is yours, where you choose to spend your money as long as you are getting the best return on your investment.
Want to try Magoosh SAT prep for yourself? Sign up for your 7-day free trial here.
