Next Step Test Prep

What Next Step Test Prep does

Next Step Test Prep, operating commercially as Blueprint MCAT (legal entity Blueprint Test Preparation LLC, Delaware), is a US-based direct-to-consumer test preparation platform founded in 2005 and headquartered in Chicago. The company builds an online MCAT prep portfolio structured around four core offerings: a $1,099 Self-Paced Course (160 learning modules), a $1,899 Live Online Course (40+ hours of live instruction), a $2,399 515+ intensive program for top-score aspirants, and $3,419 one-on-one MCAT tutoring, supported by a $99/month Practice Tests & Qbank subscription, MCAT books, an AI-driven personal CARS tutor bundled as a $1,500-value bonus, and ancillary admissions and residency consulting services.

Underlying technology consists of an online learning platform with adaptive study planning that rebalances around schedule and practice-exam performance, advanced practice-exam analytics, an auto-pivoting 5,000+ question bank, and an AI-driven CARS tutor. Course content was authored by 524+ scoring instructors, and the company reports an independently verified 15-point average MCAT score increase for both Self-Paced and Live Course students, with 500,000+ lifetime students and 5,520 customer reviews at a 5-star average.

The business model is predominantly transactional and consumer-direct: one-time course licenses account for the bulk of revenue, supplemented by a recurring Qbank subscription and ancillary professional services. Distribution is omnichannel digital with a multi-channel acquisition stack (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, organic blog, free trials, live webinars, phone/chat inside sales) and a global self-serve website funnel. The company is PE-backed following a 2018 growth-equity round from New Harbor Capital, operates 51-100 employees, and has expanded beyond MCAT into LSAT, Nursing (NCLEX/CEN), Physician Assistant (PANCE/PANRE) and medical-school admissions verticals under the Blueprint brand.

Name

Next Step Test Prep

Legal name

Blueprint Test Preparation LLC

Website

https://nextsteptestprep.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Blueprint MCAT (formerly Next Step Test Prep) is a US direct-to-consumer online test-prep platform serving pre-med students with self-paced, live, intensive and 1:1 MCAT courses, an adaptive Qbank and AI-driven CARS tutoring.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test Preparation Services

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH), Certification & Exam Prep Course Marketplaces (EDAFAIAJ), Test-Taking Strategy, Diagnostics & Score Improvement Coaching (cross-exam) (EDANABAJ)

Keywords

• MCAT test preparation
• Online test prep
• Admissions consulting
• Tutoring services
• Practice test platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Self-Paced Course: One-time purchase access to 160 learning modules with engaging video content and score increase guarantee; includes free CARS Mastery Course
2. Live Online Courses: Structured live classes with expert instructors offering 40+ hours of instruction with full access to Self-Paced Course
3. 515+ Course: Intensive program for students targeting 515+ with 80+ hours of live instruction and personalized coaching with score guarantee
4. Practice Tests & Qbank: Monthly subscription for 6 MCAT practice tests, 5,000+ question bank with explanations, and in-depth exam analytics
5. MCAT Tutoring: One-on-one coaching with best tutors, personalized study plans, and optional 515 score guarantee
6. Admissions Consulting: Medical school admissions consulting services to strengthen applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Next Step Test Prep (rebranded as Blueprint MCAT) delivers online test preparation, tutoring, and admissions consulting for the MCAT, with adjacent offerings for the LSAT, Nursing, and Physician Assistant exams. Its core commercial products are self-paced and live-online MCAT prep courses, a 515+ score-guarantee course, one-on-one MCAT tutoring, a question bank and full-length practice test suite, MCAT prep books, and a CARS Mastery course, all targeted at individual pre-medical students. The portfolio is rounded out by medical school admissions consulting, residency consulting, and a free-resource funnel used to acquire customers.

Product overview

Next Step Test Prep (now Blueprint MCAT Test Prep) offers a comprehensive platform of MCAT preparation products and services designed for students at all levels. The core portfolio consists of four main offerings: Self-Paced Course (DIY prep with 160 modules and adaptive video content), Live Online Course (structured instructor-led classes with 40+ hours of instruction), 515+ Course (intensive program for top-score targets with 80+ hours and 515 guarantee), and MCAT Tutoring (one-on-one personalized coaching). These are supported by Practice Tests & Qbank (6 practice exams, 5,000+ questions with AI-driven adaptive learning), MCAT Books, and the complementary CARS Mastery Course (free bonus). Extended services include Medical School Admissions Consulting, Med School Tutoring, and Residency Consulting. The platform also offers free resources including practice bundles, flashcards, study schedules, and diagnostic tests. The company previously operated as Next Step Test Prep and has expanded to additional test prep verticals including LSAT, Nursing (NCLEX/CEN), and Physician Assistant (PANCE/PANRE) programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Self-Paced MCAT Course
• Live Online MCAT Course
• 515+ Score Guarantee Course
• MCAT Tutoring
• Practice Tests and Question Bank (Qbank)
• MCAT Prep Books
• CARS Mastery Course
• Medical School Admissions Consulting
• Residency Consulting
• LSAT / Nursing / PA Test Prep Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• 15-point average score increase (Self-Paced Course students)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe AAMC administers the official MCAT exam. Blueprint MCAT uses AAMC practice exams as a cornerstone of effective MCAT preparation and prepares students for the official test format. Blueprint regularly updates materials to ensure representativeness of official exams.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Achievable: Modern MCAT prep platform using adaptive learning and content-engineering techniques, competing in the Self-Paced and Qbank categories. Tech-forward positioning and lower pricing threaten Blueprint's mid-tier courses among younger, mobile-first pre-med students.
• AdaptPrep: MCAT-specific prep platform focused on adaptive learning and Qbank-driven study, positioned as a more affordable alternative to Blueprint and Kaplan. Emerging niche player in the adaptive MCAT prep category with comparable feature set.

Direct peers

• Varsity Tutors: Operates an online tutoring and test prep marketplace with MCAT prep courses and one-on-one tutoring, competing most directly with Blueprint's MCAT Tutoring ($3,419) tier. Broader test prep and subject tutoring catalog gives them cross-vertical reach similar to Blueprint's LSAT/Nursing/PA expansion.
• Magoosh: Online test prep platform offering MCAT prep courses, practice questions, and study schedules at lower price points. Competes in the Self-Paced segment and the Practice Tests & Qbank subscription category with a similar content-led, online delivery model.
• Kaplan Test Prep: Largest incumbent MCAT prep provider offering self-paced, live, and tutoring formats with similar price tiers and the same AAMC-aligned content positioning. Directly competes across all four Blueprint product tiers and is the most direct large-scale competitor.
• The Princeton Review: Major test prep incumbent offering MCAT self-paced, live online, and tutoring courses with score guarantees at comparable price points. Competes for the same pre-med student demographic using similar multi-format delivery and admissions consulting extensions.
• UWorld: Strongly regarded for MCAT Qbank and practice exams, directly competing with Blueprint's Practice Tests & Qbank ($99/month subscription). Known for high-quality, AAMC-representative practice questions and frequently considered a must-have supplementary resource.
• Wyzant: Online tutoring marketplace where students can find private MCAT tutors, competing with Blueprint's one-on-one Tutoring tier through a lower-cost, variable-quality marketplace model. Particularly relevant for price-sensitive students shopping the Tutoring category.

Broad incumbents

• Khan Academy (MCAT Prep): Official free MCAT prep content partner of the AAMC, covering all MCAT sections with video lessons and practice questions. Compresses the addressable market for low-end paid prep by serving price-sensitive students and is the structural threat to the Self-Paced Course tier.

Regional players

• Prep101: Canadian-based MCAT prep company offering live online and on-demand courses primarily serving Canadian pre-med students. Geographic focus differs from Blueprint's North America-wide delivery but product format and customer persona are highly comparable.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/NextStepTestPrep
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-step-test-preparation-llc
• Instagraminstagram.com/blueprintmcatprep
• Xx.com/Nextsteplsat
• Facebookfacebook.com/240554317976

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Next Step Test Prep