What Nova Press does

Nova Press is a privately-held test preparation publisher founded in 1994 and headquartered in West Hollywood, California. The company develops study materials for major standardized exams including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, TOEFL, and U.S. Postal Service exams, delivered across four product formats: print books (typically 600+ pages per program), downloadable software, online courses via its StudyDesk platform, and mobile applications distributed through a partnership with Mobifusion. Its products are priced at $11.97–$24.95 for books, $29.95 for software, and $19.95–$49.95 for online courses — positioning the catalog materially below incumbent test prep publishers.

The company operates a primarily direct-to-consumer go-to-market via its own e-commerce site, augmented by three institutional channels: a Licensing Program that permits partner institutions to modify and rebrand Nova Press content, a Branding Program offering turnkey co-branded products, and a volume discount program for schools. Named institutional customers include BYU, Drexel, Creighton, and the University of Delaware. Mobile app distribution is handled through a Core-tier partnership with Mobifusion, and the company has launched an "Ascent" branded app series as part of its mobile expansion.

Nova Press is founder-owned and bootstrapped with no external funding history. Reported employee count is 51–100. Strategic emphasis in recent years has been on multi-format platform expansion (books → software → online → mobile) and on monetizing its 30-year content library through B2B licensing arrangements. The StudyDesk platform includes adaptive learning functionality and peer performance comparison, though underlying AI/ML depth is not publicly detailed.

Name

Nova Press

Legal name

Nova Press

Website

https://novapress.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nova Press is a privately held test preparation publisher founded in 1994 in West Hollywood, California, producing books, software, online courses, and mobile apps for standardized exams including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, TOEFL, and Postal Exams, sold direct-to-consumer and licensed to institutional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Test Preparation Publishing

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Admissions & Placement Exam Prep (GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT) (EDAGADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Assessment, Testing & Exam Prep Publishing (MPAJABAF)

Keywords

• Test preparation
• Educational publishing
• Standardized exam prep
• Study guide books
• Online test prep

Headquarters

HQ city

West Hollywood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Test Prep Books: Physical and digital books for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, TOEFL, and Postal Exams sold as one-time purchases with retail prices ranging from $11.97 to $24.95
2. Software Products: Computer software programs for test preparation sold with retail pricing at $29.95 per unit, with site license options available
3. Online Courses: Internet-accessible online courses providing comprehensive test prep with expert interaction, priced at $19.95 retail with significant volume discounts for bulk purchases
4. Mobile Apps: Phone and tablet applications for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, and MCAT sold through app stores in partnership with Mobifusion
5. Licensing Programs: Licensing agreements allowing test prep companies and publishing companies to modify and rebrand Nova Press materials with their company name

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nova Press is a test preparation publisher that creates, produces, and sells comprehensive study materials for standardized exams including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, TOEFL, and U.S. Postal exams. The company distributes its proprietary content across multiple formats—printed books, computer software, online courses via its StudyDesk learning platform, and mobile applications on iOS and Android.

Product overview

Nova Press is a test preparation publisher offering comprehensive materials across multiple standardized tests including GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, TOEFL, and Postal Exams. The company provides its content through multiple delivery formats: books (physical and digital), computer software, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and online courses. Each test has dedicated products: books for thorough content review, software for self-paced study with Mentor/Test modes, mobile apps (branded as 'Ascent' series) for on-the-go preparation, and online courses featuring live expert chat and progress monitoring. Specialized add-on products target specific sections (e.g., Math Ascent apps for quantitative focus, Data Sufficiency books for GMAT). The company also offers licensing and branding programs for institutional partners. All products emphasize comprehensive content coverage with practice questions, detailed explanations, and strategic approaches to test-taking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nova Press GRE Test Prep Books Comprehensive paperback study guides for the GRE covering all test sections including verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing; typically 500+ pages each.
• Nova Press GRE Prep Course Software Interactive computer software that simulates the GRE, with full-length practice tests, adaptive learning, and the proprietary StudyDesk learning platform.
• Nova Press GRE Online Course Subscription-based online test prep course delivered through the StudyDesk learning platform with adaptive learning technology and full-length practice tests.
• Nova Press GMAT Prep Course Books Printed and downloadable study guides for the GMAT covering math, verbal, and analytical writing sections with hundreds of practice questions.
• Nova Press GMAT Prep Course Software & Online Course Computer software and online subscription course for the GMAT with practice tests, adaptive learning, and StudyDesk platform features.
• Nova Press LSAT Prep Course Books, Software, and Online Course Multi-format LSAT test preparation including printed books (Logical Reasoning, Logic Games, Reading Comprehension), interactive software, and online course with practice tests.
• Nova Press SAT Prep Course Books, Software, and Online Course Multi-format SAT test preparation covering math, critical reading, and writing with printed study guides, practice software, and online course.
• Nova Press MCAT Subject-Specific Prep Books Subject-specific MCAT study guides covering Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Verbal Reasoning, each typically 400+ pages with comprehensive content reviews and practice problems.
• Nova Press MCAT Online Course Subscription-based online MCAT prep course delivered through StudyDesk with practice exams and subject-specific review.
• Nova Press TOEFL Prep Course Books and Online Course TOEFL test prep materials covering reading, listening, speaking, and writing in printed study guide format and online subscription course via StudyDesk.
• Nova Press 473/473-C U.S. Postal Exam Book and Online Course Study materials for the U.S. Postal Service 473 and 473-C exams including a printed study guide and online course with practice tests and address-checking exercises.
• Master the LSAT (Nova Press LSAT Logic Puzzle Book) A standalone LSAT logic games / logic puzzles practice book designed to be used as a companion to the full LSAT prep course.
• Nova Press Mobile Test Prep Apps (iOS and Android) Native mobile applications for the GRE, GRE Math, GMAT, GMAT Math, LSAT, SAT, SAT Math, ACT Verbal, ACT Math, MCAT Physics, MCAT Chemistry, MCAT Biology, MCAT Verbal, and Law School Basics, developed in partnership with Mobifusion and distributed via the iOS App Store and Google Play.
• Nova Press Licensing Program White-label licensing program that allows companies, tutors, and educational organizations to license and resell Nova Press test prep content under their own brand.
• Nova Press Branding Program Custom branding program that allows institutions to rebrand Nova Press test prep materials with their own corporate identity and logo.
• Institutional Volume Discount Program Bulk pricing program offering 40% discounts on book orders of 25+ units for institutions such as colleges, universities, training programs, and corporate buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students using Nova Press software have achieved significant LSAT score improvements (e.g., 151 to 160)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MobifusioncoreTechnology or IntegrationIn partnership with Mobifusion, Nova Press publishes the #1 best selling brand of phone and tablet test prep apps. Mobifusion provides cutting-edge mobile technology while Nova Press contributes rigorous test prep content. Apps are available for iOS and Android covering GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, and TOEFL.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Examkrackers: Publisher of MCAT prep books and courses covering biology, chemistry, physics, and verbal reasoning. Directly comparable for Nova Press's MCAT product line.
• Manhattan Prep: Test prep provider for GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and TOEFL via courses, books, and online instruction. Directly comparable in test coverage and product format mix.
• CrackVerbal: Online GMAT and GRE prep provider with self-paced courses, live classes, and study plans. Overlapping product offering and target customer with Nova Press's GRE/GMAT online courses.
• Magoosh: Online test prep platform offering GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL prep via video lessons, practice questions, and score guarantees. Direct competitor with overlapping test coverage and online-first delivery model.
• E2Language: Online prep provider focused on English proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE). Directly comparable to Nova Press's TOEFL product line.
• Target Test Prep: Online GMAT prep provider with self-study courses and practice platforms. Comparable GMAT-specific product focus with online delivery.
• Barron's Test Prep: Long-running book publisher of test prep and study guides for SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, AP, and more. Closely comparable print-based test prep content model.

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan Test Prep: Major incumbent publisher and course provider covering GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, USMLE, and other exams. Similar multi-format product strategy at much larger scale.
• Princeton Review: Large incumbent test prep brand offering books, courses, tutoring, and admissions services across GRE, GMAT, LSAT, SAT, ACT, MCAT, and more. Overlaps broadly with Nova Press's test coverage and book-based content.

Emerging players

• PrepScholar: Online test prep platform using adaptive learning technology for SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT. Comparable target audience and adaptive/digital approach, though newer and more tech-focused than Nova Press.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/novapresstestprep
• Xx.com/novapresstest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Nova Press