The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review
Name	The Princeton Review
Foundation	0 1981
Founder	John Katzman
Location	New York City, New York, U.S.
Industry	Education
Services	Test preparation, tutoring, admissions consulting, educational publishing
Parent	ST Unitas

The Princeton Review. It is a prominent American education services company known for its test preparation courses, tutoring, and college admissions resources. Founded in 1981, it has grown into a major provider of educational support, offering services for standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and various graduate school exams. The company is also widely recognized for its annual college rankings and guidebooks, which are distinct from those published by U.S. News & World Report.

History

The company was founded in 1981 in New York City by John Katzman, then a recent graduate of Princeton University; it has no affiliation with the Ivy League institution. Initially focused on preparing students for the SAT, it quickly gained a reputation for its effective, often irreverent, teaching methods. In 1988, it published its first "Best Colleges" guide, directly challenging the established rankings of U.S. News & World Report. The company expanded throughout the 1990s, adding preparation for exams like the LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. It was acquired by IAC in 2017 and later sold to the South Korean educational conglomerate ST Unitas in 2021, marking a significant shift in its corporate ownership.

Services

Its core offerings include live classroom and online instruction for a wide array of standardized tests administered by organizations like the College Board and ACT, Inc.. Beyond test prep, it provides one-on-one tutoring, admissions consulting for undergraduate and graduate programs, and homework help. The company operates a network of tutors and advisors across the United States and internationally. It also partners with schools and districts to deliver supplemental educational programs and has developed online platforms for skills practice and curriculum support.

Publications

The company publishes a vast library of bestselling guidebooks, which are frequently updated. Its flagship annual publications include *The Best 386 Colleges* and *The Complete Book of Colleges*. It also produces subject-specific test prep books for the SAT Subject Tests, AP Exams, and other assessments. Furthermore, it releases guides on career planning, financial aid, and scholarship searches. These publications are sold worldwide and are often considered essential resources for students navigating the college admissions in the United States.

Test preparation

Its test preparation methodology is a hallmark, emphasizing strategic test-taking techniques and content review. Courses are available for entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, and USMLE. The company famously developed the "Hit Parade," a vocabulary list focused on words frequently appearing on the SAT. Its materials and instructors often employ a conversational, student-friendly tone to demystify exams from the Law School Admission Council and the Graduate Management Admission Council. With the rise of digital learning, it has heavily invested in adaptive online practice tools and mobile applications.

Rankings and lists

Its annual college rankings are a major alternative to other systems, famously using student survey data about their own campus experiences. Lists like "Best College Library" or "Happiest Students" are derived from polls of hundreds of thousands of students at institutions across the United States. These rankings are featured prominently in its guidebooks and on its website, influencing prospective students' perceptions of schools like Stanford University and University of Michigan. The methodology intentionally avoids relying heavily on institutional reputation or input from university presidents, setting it apart from competitors.

Corporate affairs

Headquartered in New York City, it has undergone several ownership changes. After being a publicly traded company, it was taken private in 2014 by an investor group. The acquisition by IAC in 2017 placed it alongside other educational brands like Varsity Tutors. Its sale to ST Unitas in 2021 integrated it into a larger global education technology portfolio. The company has faced lawsuits over advertising claims, including a notable settlement with the Federal Trade Commission in the 1990s regarding SAT score improvement guarantees. It continues to operate in a competitive market alongside companies like Kaplan, Inc. and The College Board itself.

Category:Educational companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Manhattan Category:Test preparation organizations Category:Book publishing companies of the United States