Preparing for graduate school or licensing exams has historically cost students thousands of dollars in private tutoring and materials. To remove this financial barrier, universities are increasingly purchasing institutional licenses to make professional test prep free for all enrolled students. This model recently earned national recognition. Kaplan’s All Access License was named "Test Prep Solution of the Year" at the 2026 EdTech Breakthrough Awards.
What Happened
This award points to a shift in how universities buy educational tools. Instead of expecting individual students to pay for expensive test preparation packages, schools are buying campus-wide licenses. Under Kaplan’s All Access License, colleges provide free access to study materials for exams like the GRE, MCAT, LSAT, NCLEX-RN, and the bar exam.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has saved students more than $75 million in out-of-pocket costs. Participating institutions include historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Xavier University of Louisiana and Alabama State University, alongside public schools like Cleveland State University. While institutional contracts can cause administrative friction, which we have seen in debates about leaving teachers out of edtech buying, buying test prep collectively reduces student debt.
The Bigger Picture
The biggest test of this model is unfolding in Illinois. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) contracted Kaplan to provide free exam preparation for all students across the state's 12 public universities.
Illinois has invested $9.9 million in taxpayer funds into the "Prepare for Illinois’ Future" program since its launch. Governor JB Pritzker also proposed allocating another $7 million in the state budget to keep the program running.
Early data shows how the program is closing equity gaps:
- Over 12,000 Illinois students enrolled in the free courses, saving an estimated $30 million.
- More than 60% of participants identify as students of color.
- Low-income students are using these test prep resources at five times the rate seen before the partnership.
- Nursing students achieved a 97% projected pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.
At the community college level, local pilots show similar results. At Malcolm X College in Chicago, 940 students signed up during the first year, which saved them nearly $261,000 in direct savings as they pursued professional credentials.
What This Means for Families
For parents and college-bound students, these partnerships provide direct financial relief. Standard commercial prep courses for exams like the MCAT or LSAT often cost $1,000 to $2,000. Under this model, students can study for these exams without taking on extra debt.
The approach also helps students from underrepresented backgrounds. When test preparation is locked behind a steep paywall, wealthier students hold an advantage in graduate admissions and hiring. Universal, school-paid access helps ensure that student determination, not household wealth, dictates test performance.
What You Can Do
- Ask college admissions offices if they provide free institutional access to professional exam preparation before you enroll.
- Use state financial aid resources like the ISAC portal if you live in Illinois to see if you can get free study programs.
- Advocate at the local level by asking university boards and state legislators to redirect student success funds toward bulk test-prep licensing.