Are you preparing only for the TAGE MAGE?
One applicant may need only calculation exercises; another may need to prepare for the test, provide proof of English proficiency, complete an application, and prepare for interviews. A broader offer may make sense for the second and offer little to the first. Start with your programs’ requirements, then list what you actually plan to outsource.
ASTPrep describes a platform, live classes, and a community. Its plans include TOEIC- and application-related services; interview preparation is explicitly highlighted in the annual plan. Check the details of the plan you select instead of inferring its access rights from the tabs shown on the site.
The Upsilar prep reviewed here describes topic-based TAGE MAGE study with lessons, practice sets, and tests. We do not attribute human application review or interview coaching to it. Keep this scope distinct when comparing costs.
What should you compare on an equivalent basis?
There is no “best” box in this grid. Each row helps you check whether an offer meets a constraint in your preparation.
| Need | Upsilar | ASTPrep |
|---|---|---|
| Individual practice | Topic-based lessons and practice sets | Exercises, lessons, and practice tests listed |
| Interaction with an instructor | Independent practice as described here | Live classes and community listed |
| Other AST application steps | No application-review or interview service described here | Scope depends on the plan |
| Duration and access | Gradual access to the Free plan, with quotas. As of October 15, 2026, Upsilar’s paid plans are listed in the catalog, but purchases are not open. | Different durations by package |
When can live classes make a difference?
A live session may help if explaining your reasoning to someone else helps you understand it. Prepare a specific question: where did you hesitate, what assumption did you add, which answer did you eliminate? A focused discussion can check your understanding instead of having you passively watch another solution.
Before choosing an offer for its classes, compare the schedule with your calendar. Ask how questions are handled, whether recordings are available, and what happens if you miss a class. An advertised number of weekly hours is useful only if you can make use of them.
Conversely, if you already keep to a study schedule and understand worked solutions on your own, you may prefer a self-guided resource. In that case, focus on how easy it is to choose your next exercise and the quality of the explanations. Group support is not necessary for every applicant.
The pitfall
Reducing an admissions package to its listed monthly price
Two monthly prices are not comparable if one comes from a multi-month package and the other is a renewable monthly plan. Note the total amount, end date, and included services. Also ask what happens if your application schedule changes.
We do not use question counts to rank the products: the figures shown in different sections of the ASTPrep page are not consistent. Ask for a description of the access you are purchasing. This caveat concerns the comparison of published information; it is not a conclusion about product quality.
Which option fits your situation?
ASTPrep may be a good option if your priority is scheduled sessions and a group structure, subject to checking the package. Consider Upsilar if you want to work independently with a topic-based structure. Our application interface is in English; our public guides and practice sheets are available in the site’s selected language.
As of October 15, 2026, Upsilar’s paid plans are listed in the catalog, but purchases are not open. Their availability and terms should be confirmed when you make your choice.
To decide, map out your week with the classes you are considering, independent study, and other application commitments. If it does not all fit, reduce the scope of what you buy or choose a more flexible format. The most comprehensive plan is useful only if you have time to use it.
Key takeaways
- Distinguish TAGE MAGE prep alone from support for a full AST application.
- Choose live classes when you have a concrete need and the schedule works for you.
- Compare access rights and the total cost of the specific plan.