Revolution Prep Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing, Offerings
Revolution Prep is an online tutoring and test-prep company founded in 2002. It serves mainly U.S. students, offering personalized 1:1 tutoring and SAT/ACT prep. This article provides insights for students and parents comparing tutoring platforms. We cover Revolution Prep’s reviews, pricing, and offerings, so families can make informed choices.
Revolution Prep Reviews and Testimonials
Trustpilot (Online Review Aggregator) – 769 reviews, avg. 4.6/5. Most reviewers praise Revolution Prep’s tutors and results. For example, one parent wrote that tutoring was “one of the greatest contributions you can make to [a child’s] education and long term success”. Common positives: experienced tutors, improved test scores, personalized attention. Some negative mentions: high cost or scheduling difficulties (few reviewers complain it is overpriced or inflexible).
Indeed (Employee Reviews) – 67 reviews, avg. 3.1/5. These reflect tutor/employee opinions. Tutors like Revolution Prep’s flexibility and support. They often mention “Remote work, flexible schedule” and note enjoying a variety of students. However, many tutors dislike the sales pressure and unstable policies. Reviews report “immense pressure to sell hours” and frequent changes in management or structure. Pay is also cited as modest; one tutor noted the company ‘punishes you as you advance’ with fewer hours.
Official Website (Company Claims) – Revolution Prep’s own site does not display student ratings. Instead, the site highlights its accomplishments: helping “over 100,000 families” and partnering with 700+ schools. They advertise professional full-time tutors, growth-mindset teaching, and a money-back guarantee. There is no place for parents/students to post ratings directly. The site emphasizes research-based methods and success stories, but user feedback must be gathered from external reviews.
Is Revolution Prep Legit? Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Revolution Prep is an established company with many years of service. Its Trustpilot and other reviews are mostly positive, and its policies (like a 30-day satisfaction guarantee) are transparent. We found no evidence of fraud or major scams. Based on its long track record and customer feedback, Revolution Prep appears to be a legitimate tutoring service.
Summary: Overall, parent/student reviews of Revolution Prep are favorable on trust sites. Users report solid improvements in grades and confidence under its tutors. Criticisms tend to focus on pricing and administrative issues. Employee (tutor) reviews praise the flexibility but note a demanding work culture. In summary, Revolution Prep is generally well-regarded for quality, but it comes at a premium.
Revolution Prep Pricing
Pricing Range
Revolution Prep sells tutoring in multi-hour packages. For academic tutoring, a 12-hour package costs about $948, 24 hours costs $1,896, and 36 hours costs $2,844 (these are the “Advanced” tutor tier rates). This works out to roughly $79/hour. For test prep tutoring, a 12-hour package is $1,579 (this includes a $199 enrollment fee), about $132/hour. There are cheaper options for group classes: e.g., 12 hours group SAT prep for $499 (about $42/hr). (Higher-tier tutors, labeled “Distinguished” or “Premium,” charge more but exact rates aren’t posted.) Check their pricing page for complete details.
Revolution Prep’s fees are in US dollars. There is no extra hidden “commission” taken from tutors – the company pays fixed rates to its tutors (see below). In summary, private tutoring runs roughly $80–$130/hour depending on program, with group classes much lower per hour.
What Students Say About Pricing
Many reviewers feel Revolution Prep is expensive. Industry research notes tutors on Revolution Prep average about $116/hour for private sessions, which is higher than many other tutoring sites ($30–$60/hr typical). The company argues its rates are still lower than big-name competitors, but users often cite the high price as a drawback. Some say it’s justified by tutor expertise and the guarantee; others feel they pay for underused time. In general, Revolution Prep is on the higher end of the market.
Hidden Costs
The main extra fee we found is a one-time enrollment fee: $199 for test-prep programs (added to the first payment). Otherwise, all charges are up-front. We saw no undisclosed “registration fee,” exam fee, or required materials cost beyond the stated package price. There are no cancellation or scheduling fees mentioned. In short, aside from the $199 enrollment charge, no other hidden fees were found in their pricing.
How Revolution Prep’s Pricing Works
Clients pay for sessions in advance by the package. Revolution Prep accepts credit cards and PayPal for payments. There’s no “subscribe and cancel anytime” plan – you purchase a tutoring bundle and use the hours. They do not have subscription plans or monthly memberships. We saw no special discounts (e.g. student, military, or income-based discounts) advertised on the site. Occasionally they run promotions (for example, summer programs sometimes come with $250 off) but no standard coupon codes or group discounts were listed. Essentially, families pay the full package price at enrollment.
Free Trial
Revolution Prep does not offer a free trial session. Instead, they rely on a satisfaction guarantee. If a student is unsatisfied with tutoring, they will refund your money within the first 30 days or 6 hours of sessions. In other words, there’s no free “trial lesson,” but a risk-free period (up to one month or six hours of tutoring) where you can cancel and get all fees back.
Refund Policy
Their official policy states: if you or your child are unsatisfied for any reason in the first 30 days (or first 6 tutoring hours), Revolution Prep will refund your fees. We found this clearly documented on their website. In practice, we saw no widespread complaints about denied refunds. Some parents report that the company honored the guarantee without hassle. There are no reports of deceptive charges or automatic renewals – once you cancel within the guarantee period, you get a full refund. We also found no evidence of extra refund “loopholes” or severe restrictions.
Revolution Prep Alternatives
Students often look for alternatives to Revolution Prep due to price, subject focus, or teaching style. Below are some popular options (including My Engineering Buddy, a tutoring service we also review):
Wyzant – A large U.S. tutoring marketplace. Wyzant has 65,000+ tutors covering 300+ subjects. Tutors set their own rates (ranging roughly $10–$600/hr; average ~$35–$65/hr). It offers both in-person and online tutoring. Compared to Revolution Prep, Wyzant provides much greater choice and flexibility: you can filter tutors by price, specialty, and rating. However, quality varies greatly since tutors are independent (Revolution Prep vetting is stricter). Wyzant guarantees your first session (“good-fit” policy) but otherwise has less structure. Wyzant’s model is pay-as-you-go, with no set packages.
Varsity Tutors – A comprehensive tutoring service (now part of the Nerdy family). It offers 400+ subjects including K–12, college, and test prep. Sessions can be 1-on-1 or small-group, online or in-person. Its rates are similar or slightly higher ($81–$99/hr for 1:1). Like Revolution Prep, Varsity uses trained tutors and custom learning plans. Varsity is known for test-prep (SAT/ACT) and on-campus partnerships. The main difference: Varsity offers more formats (summer camps, in-person clinics) and charge by the hour, but also requires minimum commitments. It does not provide a free trial (only tutor reassignment if unhappy).
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) – An online tutoring service focused on engineering and STEM. MEB’s tutors specialize in advanced subjects (calculus, physics, circuits, etc). Generally, MEB is more affordable than Revolution Prep, with many STEM tutors available for well under $50/hr. Because MEB is niche, they excel at college-level technical homework help that larger services might not cover in depth. Our own user feedback highlights MEB’s personalized, patient teaching style and 24/7 availability. Unlike the large corporations, MEB is smaller and can match you quickly with a dedicated tutor. For advanced engineering or math courses, MEB often provides better value and expertise, though it has fewer tutors for non-technical subjects.
Chegg – A popular study platform (formerly Chegg Tutors) best known for homework help and textbook Q&A. Chegg Study costs $15.95–$19.95/month for unlimited questions. It does not offer live tutoring or one-on-one teaching anymore (its live tutoring service was discontinued in 2022). Instead, students post homework questions and “Chegg Experts” answer them. Chegg covers many subjects and is very affordable. The trade-offs: answers come within hours (not real-time teaching) and experts are anonymous. There is no personal tutor or progress tracking. Compared to Revolution Prep, Chegg is good for quick answers and practice, but it lacks the tailored instruction and accountability of live tutors.
How it Works?
For Students
Students or parents sign up online or call Revolution Prep to discuss needs. Typically, you complete a short assessment or contact an Academic Advisor. The advisor guides you, understands your goals, and designs a tutoring plan. Revolution Prep then matches you with a qualified tutor. Scheduling is flexible: you choose convenient times and usually keep the same tutor each session for consistency. Tutoring happens via a live video platform. Sessions are pre-planned (tutors prepare materials) and interactive (whiteboard, exercises). After each session, parents often get progress updates. Payment is made by purchasing a tutoring package in advance (no pay-later option).
For Tutors
Prospective tutors must apply through the Revolution Prep Careers site. Tutors are hired as full-time employees rather than contractors. Applicants typically have relevant degrees (often college graduates or higher in their subject area) and teaching/tutoring experience. Hired tutors complete a rigorous training program (over 100 hours) before leading sessions. Once approved, tutors log into the platform to conduct lessons. They work with students in 1:1 online sessions, following the company’s “Revolution Method” (focusing on growth mindset and study skills). To get started, tutors should visit the careers page and apply for an open tutoring role.
FAQs About Revolution Prep
Q: Can tutors set their own fees or are rates fixed?
A: Tutors do not set their hourly rates. All tutoring pay is determined by the company. For example, a current job listing shows “Online Tutor – $25.00/hr”. Tutors earn a fixed wage based on experience and location.
Q: How much can a tutor earn per hour?
A: Tutors at Revolution Prep earn roughly $20–$30 per hour in most cases. (For instance, a recent posting listed $25/hrrevolution-prep.breezy.hr.) Pay varies by role and is paid as wages, not commission. Top-tier positions or local in-person roles may pay higher in some regions.
Q: How many tutoring hours can I expect per month?
A: This varies with student demand. During busy seasons (like SAT/ACT prep periods), tutors often have many sessions. One review noted long days: “sometimes you get scheduled back to back and end up tutoring nonstop for 6 hours”. However, in slower times you may only get a few bookings weekly. There is no guaranteed minimum; tutors must also work to retain and upsell clients.
Q: Is it easy to get students on Revolution Prep?
A: Tutors are matched with students by the company. While leads are given, tutors also help promote sessions. Many tutors report pressure to sell more hours to families. In practice, work depends on both the company’s marketing and the tutor’s initiative. You don’t have a personal bidding marketplace; instead, you get students assigned and are encouraged to expand each account.
Q: Tips to get more students at Revolution Prep:
A: Focus on high-demand subjects (such as SAT prep or STEM topics) and maintain a flexible, responsive schedule. Communicate well with students and parents. Since the company expects tutors to upsell, you can ask satisfied families if they want extra sessions or referrals. Keeping good reviews with your Academic Advisor and showing results also helps. (Ultimately, the company’s enrollment team drives many new student matches, so stay engaged with them and follow their guidance.)
Q: What do tutors like about Revolution Prep?
A: Tutors appreciate the flexibility and support. Many mention the ability to work remotely with their own schedule. They also enjoy the variety of students (different grades and goals) and the feeling of making an impact. For example, one tutor said co-workers were “friendly, helpful” and that it’s “a good company to be” with. Tutoring via a polished online platform and having a consistent coaching approach are also positives.
Q: What don’t tutors like about Revolution Prep?
A: Common complaints involve the sales-driven environment and company instability. Tutors report “immense pressure to sell hours”, meaning you may feel pushy upselling more sessions. Many mention frequent policy changes and management shifts: “constant change in policies, metrics, bonus structure” can be frustrating. Some also cite relatively low pay and unpredictable hours as downsides. Overall, the culture can be high-pressure and fast-paced, which isn’t a fit for everyone.
Q: What grades/subjects does Revolution Prep cover?
A: They tutor students from elementary school up to college level. All core subjects (math, science, English, social studies, languages) are offered, as well as specialized courses. Revolution Prep explicitly covers “over 100 academic subjects including most AP and IB courses”. Test prep is a focus: SAT, ACT, PSAT, plus AP exam prep. They even have courses for GRE and other exams. So K–12 and college students in most academic areas can find tutors here.
Q: Can I try out a tutor before committing?
A: There is no free trial lesson. However, Revolution Prep offers a full money-back guarantee. If you cancel within the first 30 days (or first 6 hours of sessions) for any reason, they will refund your fees. So you can effectively test the service risk-free during that period.
Q: Who teaches at Revolution Prep?
A: Tutors are typically well-educated specialists. Revolution Prep hires only full-time tutors (no contractors). Most have college or advanced degrees in their subject area, plus teaching/tutoring experience. Tutors also undergo company training. You can view their job openings on the careers site. In short, expect professional, trained instructors rather than casual peer tutors.
Q: Does Revolution Prep offer scholarships or financial aid?
A: The company has historically provided some scholarships. Early on, they even offered scholarships to students who couldn’t afford tutoring. There is no regular advertised financial aid program, but they sometimes partner with schools (in low-income areas) to offer free or reduced-price tutoring. Occasional promotions (like gift-card discounts) are also run, but no ongoing scholarship fund is detailed on the website.
Q: Is Revolution Prep worth the cost?
A: Opinions vary. Reviews suggest that many families find the tutoring effective (“students get results” in grades/test scores). If a family values experienced tutors, structured curriculum, and the guarantee, they may feel the higher price is justified. However, if budget is a concern, there are cheaper options. Overall, Revolution Prep offers high-quality service at a premium rate.
Conclusion
Revolution Prep’s strengths include highly trained tutors, broad subject coverage, and proven methods. Its weaknesses are high cost and a sales-driven approach, which some families and tutors may find off-putting. Overall, it’s a legitimate, well-reviewed tutoring service but at a premium price. As an alternative, My Engineering Buddy provides similarly personalized tutoring with more focus on advanced STEM. MEB often has lower rates and around-the-clock support for technical subjects. For students needing expert help in calculus, engineering, or programming (and wanting more affordable pricing), My Engineering Buddy can be a better choice than Revolution Prep. In short, Revolution Prep is a solid option for test prep and general tutoring, but MEB excels for complex engineering coursework and budget-conscious customers.
