Universities are increasingly paying for expensive graduate school and professional licensing test prep so students do not have to pay out of pocket. Through institutional partnerships, campuses offer free access to prep programs for major exams like the MCAT, LSAT, and NCLEX. This shift helps students who cannot afford thousands of dollars in commercial test prep.
What Happened
In June 2026, Kaplan’s All Access License was named "Test Prep Solution of the Year" by the EdTech Breakthrough Awards. The program launched in 2022. It allows colleges and universities to purchase campus-wide access to Kaplan's admissions and licensing prep courses. This model eliminates direct, out-of-pocket costs for students preparing for licensing and admissions exams.
According to company estimates, the license has saved students more than $75 million in out-of-pocket costs since its launch. The license covers preparation for exams including law school (LSAT), medical school (MCAT), business school (GMAT), nursing licensing (NCLEX-RN), and financial planning credentials (CFP).
The Bigger Picture
The rise of institutional test prep sponsorship shows an effort to eliminate financial barriers in higher education. Historically, wealthier students could easily afford private test prep courses, which often cost thousands of dollars per exam. By funding these resources, colleges want to make postgraduate careers more accessible.
Funding models for these programs vary. While some universities pay for the programs through general operating budgets, others use targeted grants. For example, a pilot program at Chicago's Malcolm X College was funded through a partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation and the State of Illinois. This single pilot generated an estimated $260,800 in test prep savings for students.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been early adopters of this approach. Alabama State University recently partnered with Kaplan to integrate test prep and professional skills courses. Similarly, South Carolina State University expanded access for undergraduate students and alumni, and offers free preparation for admissions exams and professional securities licenses. These schools join earlier adopters, including Cleveland State University and Xavier University of Louisiana, which also put this prep directly into their degree tracks.
As we previously reported, the way school systems buy technology and external resources matters. When universities purchase these licenses at scale, they use institutional bargaining power to lower the cost per student to a fraction of the retail price.
What This Means for Families
For parents and educators, university-sponsored test prep offers direct financial relief. The hidden costs of higher education, such as fees, textbooks, and prep courses, frequently catch families off guard. When a university provides these materials for free, it can save a family thousands of dollars per student.
Families should look closely at these programs. While eliminating upfront fees is a big help, free access does not automatically guarantee success. Currently, universities have shared very little objective data on student outcomes. For example, during Malcolm X College’s pilot, 940 student accounts were created, but only 472 students completed the enrollment process. None of the participating universities have released data showing whether these free prep licenses have led to higher test scores, better pass rates, or more graduate school admissions.
What You Can Do
First, ask university admissions and career services offices early if they offer campus-wide test prep licenses or partnerships that discount exam fees. If your student’s school does not offer these services, you can encourage student government representatives or parent-teacher organizations to petition university leaders to look into bulk licensing models. Finally, focus on engagement. Simply signing up for a free account is not enough, as engagement rates are historically lower for free programs than paid ones. Encourage your student to set a regular study schedule and finish the prep modules.