The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review

app

Everyone, 2023, Education

WISE
62%

WISE Score

1.4

App Store

Test prep that does exactly what it says on the tin—no frills, no fun, just SAT/ACT/AP drills to boost your kid's scores.

Screenwise Verdict

Look, nobody downloads a test prep app because they're excited about it. This is medicine, not candy—functional, effective, and about as fun as a root canal.

That said, if your teen needs to boost their SAT, ACT, or AP scores, this app delivers what it promises: practice tests, strategy videos, and drills from a reputable company. It's safe, ad-free, and straightforward. The six full SAT practice tests alone are worth having, and the analytical score reports actually help students figure out where they're weak.

The WISE score reflects reality: it's enriching in a narrow, instrumental way (you learn test strategies, you improve your score), but there's zero imagination or broader intellectual growth here. It's wholesome enough—no toxicity, no manipulation—but it's also just deeply, profoundly boring. Which is fine. Sometimes boring is what you need.

If your kid is self-motivated and targeting competitive colleges, this is a useful tool. If they're already anxious about testing, proceed with caution—more drilling isn't always the answer.

Age Fit

This is squarely for high school students (typically 14-18) preparing for college entrance exams and AP tests. Younger kids have no use for it, and adults aren't taking these tests. It's a tool for a specific life stage, not entertainment.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Straightforward test prep app with no social features, ads, or manipulative elements. The content is emotionally neutral—focused purely on academic preparation. It's not particularly warm or engaging, but it's professional and supportive in tone. No concerning content or stressors beyond the inherent pressure of standardized testing itself.

Imaginative
35

This is pure test prep—drills, practice exams, video lessons, and flashcards. There's zero creative expression, exploration, or original thinking involved. It's about learning strategies to crack standardized tests, not about curiosity or discovery. The flashcard creation feature offers minimal personalization but doesn't change the fundamentally rote nature of the content.

Safe
88

No ads, no social features, no chat, no monetization pressure beyond the initial purchase. Kids mode is available. The app is purely functional educational content with no privacy concerns or manipulative mechanics. The only safety consideration is the stress that test prep can induce in already-anxious teens, but that's inherent to the category, not the app itself.

Enriching
72

Provides legitimate skill-building for high-stakes tests that matter for college admissions. The practice tests with analytical score reports help students identify weaknesses. Video lessons teach actual test-taking strategies. For students who need to boost their scores, this offers real value. However, it's purely instrumental learning—no broader intellectual growth, critical thinking, or meaningful insights beyond 'how to score higher on this specific test format.'

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Free access to 6 full SAT practice tests with detailed score reports—that's actually valuable for identifying weak spots
  • Video lessons teach test-taking strategies from Princeton Review experts, which can genuinely help students crack the format
  • Covers SAT, ACT, and six popular AP exams in one app, so it's a one-stop shop for high school test prep
  • No ads, no social features, no distractions—just pure focused practice for students who need to grind
  • Custom flashcard creation lets students personalize their study approach
⚠

What to Watch For

  • This is relentlessly boring by design—it's test prep, not entertainment, so don't expect engagement or motivation to come from the app itself
  • Can amplify test anxiety for already-stressed students; some kids do better with less intensive prep or different approaches
  • Only covers specific tests—if your kid isn't taking SAT/ACT/AP exams, this has zero value
  • Requires self-discipline and motivation; won't magically make an unmotivated student suddenly love studying

Conversation Starters

  • "How are you feeling about the SAT/ACT? Do you think practicing on the app is helping, or does it stress you out more?"
  • "What's one test-taking strategy you learned that actually seems useful?"
  • "Do you feel like these practice tests are harder or easier than you expected? What surprised you?"
  • "How much time do you think you should spend on test prep versus just learning the actual material in your classes?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic