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How does the Higher Score Guarantee (HSG) work?

  1. As a first-time Kaplan student, you enroll in and complete an HSG-eligible program for which you have paid in full.
  2. You establish a baseline score either by completing a Kaplan proctored diagnostic or by providing a previous official test score from the test administrator.
  3. You take the official test after completing all requirements for your specific program.
  4. Within 60 days of your Kaplan program expiration date, log in to your Kaptest account and contact us via the Support tab or chat to provide us your official test score report.

Depending on your circumstances, we’ll help you determine which of the following options are available to you.

Option 1—Didn’t score higher than your baseline

If you complete the program, take the official test, and your score on test day doesn’t improve, you have 1 of 2 options:

  1. Free reactivation: you can contact Kaplan within 60 days of your Kaplan program expiration date and ask to continue your studies, and we’ll reactivate your access to your online resources (excluding live classes, coaching, and tutoring) for an additional 12 weeks, completely free or
  2. Money back: you can request your money back

If you choose free reactivation and you need more time after that, you can extend your access by purchasing more time.  

Note that if you choose free reactivation you are no longer eligible to receive your money back.

Option 2—Scored higher than baseline

If you complete the program, take the official test, and your score on test day is higher—but you’re not happy with the score and plan to test again:

  1. Free reactivation: you can contact Kaplan within 60 days of  your Kaplan program expiration date and ask to continue your studies, and we’ll reactivate your access to your online resources (excluding live classes, coaching, and tutoring) for an additional 12 weeks, completely free.

Note that there is no money-back option if your score was higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I know if my program is HSG-eligible?

    For a list of HSG-eligible programs, click here. Note: Any subscription based purchase is not eligible for HSG.

  • What if I’m not ready to take the official test?

    If you’re not ready to take the official test after fully completing your Kaplan program, you can reactivate your access to your online resources by purchasing more time.

    Discounted options:

    • If you need more time, you can extend or reactivate your access to online resources by purchasing more time at a discounted rate.
    • If you took an In Person or Live Online classroom course, you can repeat the class 1 time at a discounted rate. (Subject to availability)
    • If you were enrolled in a tutoring program with tutoring hours, in addition to reactivating your access to your online resources above, you may also qualify to purchase additional tutoring hours at a discounted rate, up to a max number of hours. See “How does HSG work for tutoring programs” to find out more about special conditions.
  • How does Kaplan determine if I did or didn’t score higher?

    Before you begin your Kaplan program, you must establish a “baseline composite score” in 1 of 2 ways:

    1. By providing an official score issued by the test administrator for the same test you’re prepping for, or
    2. If you have never taken the test before, by taking a proctored Kaplan diagnostic. For certain programs, we allow you to take a Kaplan diagnostic online, under self-proctored conditions.

    Then, when determining if you did or didn’t score higher on your official test, Kaplan compares your baseline composite score with your overall official score on test day.

  • What’s required for a program to be considered “complete” for HSG eligibility?

    For programs with an In Person or Live Online classroom component, we require that you complete all required homework for your program, including all required practice tests, before your test date or course expiration date—whichever comes first.

    For tutoring packages 10 hours or more for SAT or ACT, DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, or PCAT, we require that you:

    • submit your baseline score to us by your second tutoring session and submit three (3) practice tests for scoring by the end of the program; and
    • complete all of the tutoring sessions purchased in your tutoring package

    See “How does HSG work for tutoring programs” to find out more about special conditions.

    If you’re an F-1 student with Kaplan International in the GRE or GMAT for International Students Programs, we require that:

    • in addition to the above, meet all of your course’s study requirements—with 100% attendance—in the United States
    • speak directly with your KI Academic Manager or School Director to request any component of your Higher Score Guarantee and see if you qualify
  • How do I get my money back?

    To qualify for the money-back option, we require that you:

    1. have completed all requirements for your specific program, as outlined above
    2. have paid Kaplan in full for your program
    3. have taken the official test for which you prepped within 60 days of completing the program
    4. have not scored higher on that official test
    5. call 1-800-KAPTEST to inform Kaplan of your official score within 60 days of completing your Kaplan program
    6. accompany all claims for refund with an official test score report from a test taken within 60 days of completing your Kaplan program
    7. return all course materials when you request your money back

    If you meet all of these qualifications, you will receive a refund of tuition paid to Kaplan, excluding any applicable shipping, handling, or processing fees.

    If you choose the money-back option, you will not be eligible for any free or discounted reactivation options.

    Note if your Program Fees were paid by a third party you are not eligible for an HSG money back refund.

  • How does HSG work for tutoring programs?

    As of April 1, 2019, the following tutoring packages are covered by the HSG:

    • tutoring packages of 10 hours or more for SAT or ACT
    • tutoring packages of 10 hours or more for DAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, OAT, or PCAT

    Option 1 for tutoring—Didn’t score higher than baseline on the official test.

    If you completed the program, take the official test, and your score on test day doesn’t improve, you have 1 of 2 options:

    • Free repeat of hours: you can ask to repeat your tutoring hours, up to the number of hours you originally purchased, for free, or
    • Money back: you can request your money back

    Option 2 for tutoring—Scored higher than baseline on the official test.

    If you completed the program, take the official test, and your score on test day is higher—but you’re not happy with the score and plan to test again:

    • Free reactivation: you can contact Kaplan within 60 days of  your Kaplan program expiration date and ask to continue your studies, and we’ll reactivate your access to your online resources (excluding live classes, coaching, and tutoring) for an additional 12 weeks, completely free.

    Note that there is no free repeat or money-back option if your score was higher.

  • What if I want more tutoring hours?

    As of April 1, 2019, you may purchase more tutoring hours at a discounted rate of $125/hour up to the number of hours in your original tutoring package or 20 hours (whichever is less).

  • What if I’m not ready to take the official test after fully completing the tutoring program?

    If you’re not ready to take the official test after fully completing the tutoring program, you can:

    As of April 1, 2019, purchase additional tutoring hours at a discounted rate of $125/hour up to the number of hours in your original tutoring package or 20 hours (whichever is less)

  • How does HSG work for International Students Programs?

    If you are an F-1 student in the GRE or GMAT for International Students Programs, you need to speak directly with your KI Academic Manager or School Director to request any component of your Higher Score Guarantee and see if you qualify.

    Then, when determining if you did or didn’t score higher on your official test, Kaplan compares your baseline composite score with your overall official score on test day.

DAT®

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GMAT®

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GRE®

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LSAT®

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MCAT®

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OAT®

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PCAT®

PCAT Tutoring — In Person

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PCAT Prep — In Person PLUS

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SAT®

SAT Tutoring — In Person

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Live Online Essentials