i really dont think the cost is the same as the 4 book series you buy and take home and read. The 7 book series is meant to be read as "lecture notes" to the kaplan dvds. I annotated mine with stuff in the dvd that wasnt in the book and then read it later with my notes so it made sense. But you also get the dvd lectures with the 7 book set but i believe you watch them at the kaplan center
