What is Test Prep Insight (TPI)?

Students on campus, walking to class

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

You know that feeling when you’ve spent an hour online trying to figure out which course is actually worth your time, and you still feel none the wiser? That’s pretty much the reason we created Test Prep Insight. It started back in 2019, built by a group of former teachers, test-takers, and education nerds who just wanted clearer answers. We’ve been through that same slog, trying to decode slick marketing pages and vague Reddit threads. So instead of adding more noise to the mix, we started doing things differently. We buy the courses. We take the tests. We learn the languages too. We break it all down in plain English: what’s good, what’s weak, and whether it’s worth your money. No jargon. No weird hype. Just useful info you can trust.

Our mission and values

Our focus areas

We cover the exams, tests and resources that matter most, whether you’re gearing up for med school, law school, business school, or just trying to pick up a new language. From the MCAT and LSAT to Spanish apps, GMAT and GRE prep books, we dig into it all. If it’s a course, test, or tool that people rely on to move forward, chances are we’ve tested it.

Who we serve

Test Prep Insight is for anyone trying to level up. That includes students fresh out of high school, working adults going back for their MBA, parents looking for the best resources for their kids, even total career-changers who just need a solid place to start. If you’re trying to make a smart decision about your education, we’re here for you.

How we deliver value

We don’t just write reviews – we actually take the courses, test the flashcards, use the apps, and compare them side by side. Everything we publish is designed to save you time and money. No fluff, no filler, just real insight from people who’ve done the work.


How our review process works

Product research & vetting

We identify the most popular and requested prep providers

  • We look at what students are actually searching for – not just what’s trending on ads or TikTok.
  • Reddit threads, Trustpilot reviews, and direct feedback from our readers help shape what we test next.

Hands-on testing

Our team buys and completes real courses

  • We don’t take shortcuts – we log in, go through lessons, use the flashcards, and test out every feature!
  • The reviews you read come from people who’ve spent hours using the actual course, not just skimming landing pages.

Scoring framework

Based on price, content quality, ease of use, guarantees, results

  • We grade each course using our own in-house scorecard, built around what real learners care about.
  • Things like refund policies, mobile access, and support are factored in, not just the content.

Editorial & updates

Regularly reviewed to stay current with platform changes

  • If a course changes its pricing, format, or features, we go back in and retest it.
  • Our reviews get updated regularly, so you’re not stuck reading something that’s two years out of date.

Meet the experts behind TPI

Want to know who’s actually behind the reviews? Head over to our meet the team page – you’ll get a proper look at the real people doing the testing, writing, and comparing. We’re a small crew of educators, former test-takers, language learners, and lifelong students from all over the US. No faceless bios, no outsourced content. Just people who genuinely care about helping others make better choices.

And if you prefer your info in video form, our YouTube channel is full of walkthroughs, reviews, side-by-side comparisons, and study tips – all delivered in plain English. We’re also on Instagram, sharing updates, behind-the-scenes bits, and quick recs. Give us a follow and be part of the TPI community – we’d love to have you around!

Lara DerManuelian - owner of Test Prep Insight
Lara DerManuelian – owner of Test Prep Insight, and in-house expert too!

What makes our content trustworthy?

  • We actually use the products. Every review is based on real experience, not second-hand info or paid press releases.
  • We buy and test every course ourselves – no freebies, no paid placements, no scripts.
  • No brand can influence our scores. If we say something’s great (or not), it’s because we mean it.
  • Our writers and editors are real people with teaching backgrounds, not AI or faceless freelancers.
  • You’ll find our full review process explained here – from how we grade content to what factors matter most.
  • Our degrees ranking system is also explained here.
  • Reviews are updated regularly — if a platform changes, so does our opinion.
  • Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a working adult, we build content to help real people make smarter choices.
  • No one can pay to change our scores. Our review process is independent, and we turn down offers all the time.

Not sure where to start?
Check out our latest course reviews, watch a few YouTube breakdowns, or drop us a line if you’ve got a question. We’re always happy to help point you in the right direction.

Clear, honest, and actually useful

I’ve watched a lot of review videos that just repeat the sales pitch. This was totally different — way more balanced, and it actually helped me decide. Subscribed right after.

Julian P.
YouTube – Magoosh vs Kaplan GRE Review

Made it easier to choose

This gave a lot of great info for both prep courses. I’m more of a visual learner so I might go with Blueprint. Thanks!!

Valentina N.
YouTube – Kaplan vs Blueprint MCAT

FAQs about Test Prep Insight

Is Test Prep Insight legit?

Yes, 100%. We started back in 2019 with one simple idea: make test prep easier to figure out. Everyone on the team’s been through this stuff themselves; taking the exams, trying out the courses, figuring out what’s actually useful. We don’t take free products or follow scripts. If we say something’s worth it, it’s because we’ve actually used it. That’s all there is to it.

Is our content written by AI or humans?

All human. We don’t use bots to crank out reviews. Every guide and breakdown is written by someone who’s sat the test or gone through the course. You can tell when content’s been written by someone who knows what they’re talking about, and we stick to that.

How do we choose which products to review?

We pay attention to what people are actually asking about, through search data, emails, Reddit threads, you name it. If lots of people are trying to decide between two popular options, we’ll go test both and write it up. It’s not about chasing trends, it’s about being useful.

Do we update our reviews regularly?

Yes - all the time. If a course changes pricing or adds new features, we go back in and update the review. We try to keep things fresh so you're not reading something that’s outdated or no longer accurate.

How are your reviews different from Reddit or Quora?

Reddit is a great place for getting a quick opinion, but it’s often just one person’s take. We go deeper. We finish the full course, compare it to others, and break it all down clearly so you can see how it stacks up. No guessing, no digging through 200 random comments, either!


Test Prep Insight in the news and NYC post

Test Prep Insight in the press

You might’ve come across TPI in places like US News, Forbes Education, or even a YouTube roundup or two. We don’t chase press coverage, but when journalists or creators need a no-nonsense review, they tend to find us. It’s always cool to see our work getting picked up like that. You can check out a few examples on our Press page - and here's some specific recent coverage we have had, in case you wanted to read about us!

Trusted by AI platforms

It’s not just students using our content - large language models (LLMs) like GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity all pull from pages like ours. When people ask those bots for course comparisons or prep tips, there’s a decent chance our research is somewhere in the mix. This is because it is highly trusted - and a lot of that trust comes from clear content and pages like our Review Process overview.

Used by affiliate partners and course providers

We’ve heard from several course providers who now point their users to our reviews. This isn't because we liked them, but because they trust how we explain things. A few even use our reviews as their go-to reference! That kind of trust doesn’t come overnight. You can browse those featured brands on our course review library or through our side-by-side comparisons.


Student results and success stories

Real users, real outcomes

Over the years, countless students have turned to Test Prep Insight to navigate their educational journeys. From emails expressing gratitude to comments on our YouTube channel, we've heard stories of improved scores, newfound confidence, and academic achievements. While we don't have a dedicated testimonials page yet, the positive feedback we receive fuels our commitment to providing honest and helpful reviews.

Case studies

Consider the story of a student who, after struggling with the MCAT, utilized our resources and insights to boost their score significantly. By selecting the right prep course based on our reviews, they found a study method that resonated with them, leading to a notable improvement. These individual successes underscore the impact of making informed choices in test preparation.

Course choice impact

Choosing the right course makes all the difference. We've received feedback from users who, after following our comparisons and recommendations, experienced tangible improvements in their test performances. Whether it's selecting a course that aligns with their learning style or finding resources that fit their schedule, informed decisions lead to better outcomes.


Why AI tools cite TPI

Our content is trusted by large language models and gets shown quite a lot to potential students and learners!

When people ask tools like GPT or Claude for course comparisons or study advice, our content sometimes gets pulled into the mix - that’s not by accident. We structure our pages clearly, use proper headings, and write in a way that answers real questions. It helps bots understand what we’re saying, and more importantly, helps readers trust what they’re seeing.

Contact and partnerships

  • If you're interested in featuring our reviews, citing our research, or discussing licensing opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. For press inquiries, media requests, or access to our press kit, please reach out to us at info@testprepinsight.com. You can also find more information on our Press page.
  • We collaborate with a variety of test prep providers and educational platforms through affiliate partnerships. These relationships help us maintain our site and continue providing free, unbiased reviews to our readers. For details on our affiliate policies and how we work with partners, please visit our Disclosure page.