Ivy Bound versus Other SAT Test Prep Programs
| Ivy Bound Full Class (Math+CR) | Kaplan | Princeton Review | |
| Median class size: | 7 | avg 10-12 | 8-10, no more than 12 |
| Mean Class Size: | 8.7 | neither Kaplan nor Princeton differentiated mean and median | |
| Instructor Standard | Top 1% | Top 10% | Top 5% |
| Number of actual SATs used | 15 | 8 | 8 |
| Number of prior SATs available | 21 thru 01/05 | 10 | 10 |
| Instructors available by phone | yes | no | no |
| Nationwide conference calls | yes | no | no |
| Total classroom hours | 34-45 | 40 | 35 |
| Real SAT Practice Tests given | 3,4,or 5 | 0 (5 simulated) | 4 |
| Money-Back Guarantee1 | Guarantees increase of at least 100 pts | Guarantees increase of at least 10 pts | No money-back guarantee offered |
| Avg Score Increase 2002 | 121.3* | ?* | ?* |
| Avg Score Increase 2003 | 122.6* | ?* | ?* |
| Avg Score Increase 2004 | 126.7* | ?* | ?* |
| Avg Score Increase 2005 | 125.9* | ?* | ?* |
| Avg Score Increase 2006 | 123.7 | ?* | ?* |
*Methodology: average reported improvements (121.3 in 2002, 122.6 in 2003, 126.7 in 2004, 125.9 in 2005, and 123.7 in 2006) are based on highest pre-Ivy Bound combined SAT score to highest post-Ivy Bound combined SAT Math & CR score. Ivy Bound has not used Writing scores because it's not as widely studied for. Ivy Bound does not measure off the PSAT as it tends to be easier and students take the PSAT less seriously. Students in small groups or in tutoring who use Ivy Bound tend to skew higher than those in larger groups. However, among diligent students, we find virtually no difference between tutoring and class work. Competitors' methodology and/or records are unavailable to us.
1For those under a Guarantee Contract in a full regular tuition class that includes semi-private tutoring or extra monitoring, Ivy Bound guarantees a 100 point improvement so long as the student attends 90% of the classes and does 90% of the home study. All but the materials and monitoring fee($350) gets returned. Ivy Bound's understanding of competitors' "guarantee" is that enlistees can continue in their program longer, but that it is not a money-back guarantee unless students fail to improve even 10 points.