Kaplan vs Training Consultants: Series 65 Comparison 2026
Industry leader vs established budget-friendly alternative. Head-to-head comparison of pricing, questions, study materials, and features.
Last updated: February 2, 2026 • Verified: 2026-02-01
Who Wins Each Category?
My Honest Take
This is a comparison between the industry standard (Kaplan) and an established budget-friendly alternative (Training Consultants). Kaplan dominates with a massive question bank (4,230 vs ~1,400) and lower starting price ($159 vs $240). Training Consultants brings 40+ years of experience and unique features like a physical textbook option and custom exam generator.
The question bank difference is significant: Kaplan offers 3x more questions. If practice volume is your priority, Kaplan is the clear winner. However, if you prefer traditional textbook learning with a physical book, Training Consultants is the only one offering that at $240.
Real talk: Neither provider offers a pass guarantee, which means you're taking on the risk either way. Given that reality, Kaplan's larger question bank provides more practice safety. But if your firm already uses Training Consultants or you strongly prefer physical textbooks, it's still a solid choice with 40+ years of proven results.
My recommendation: For most self-directed learners, go with Kaplan Essential ($199). For traditional learners who want a physical textbook, Training Consultants Textbook Package ($240) is a reasonable choice.
Pricing & What's Included
Kaplan Tiers
- • Core practice questions
- • Foundational materials
- • 5-month access
- • 4,230 practice questions
- • Digital textbook
- • Customizable study plan
- • 5-month access
- • 12+ hours video lectures
- • 4,230 practice questions
- • Digital textbook
- • 5-month access
- • Live online classes
- • 12+ hours video content
- • 4,230 practice questions
- • 5-month access
Training Consultants Tiers
- • Hard-copy textbook
- • Standard final exams
- • Glossary and acronyms
- • 90-day access
- • eBook
- • On-demand video lectures
- • Multi-level testing system
- • Custom exam generator
- • Online flashcards
- • 180-day access
- • Live focused webinars
- • Personalized study plan
- • On-demand video lectures
- • Phone + online support
- • All Online Course features
- • 180-day access
Price Comparison Analysis
Kaplan is $56 to $81 cheaper across all tiers with 3x more questions
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kaplan | Training Consultants | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Questions | 4,230 | ~1,400 (estimated) | Kaplan |
| Practice Exams | 1 full exam (140 Q) | Multi-level system | Kaplan |
| Video Content | 12+ hrs (Premium) | 10-15 hrs (estimated) | Tie |
| Flashcards | Not included ($29 extra) | Included (Online+) | TC |
| Physical Textbook | No ($74.50 extra) | Yes ($240 package) | TC |
| Access Duration | 5 months | 90 to 180 days | Tie |
| Extension Cost | $49/5mo | Not specified | Kaplan |
| Pass Guarantee | No | No | Neither |
| Mobile App | Web only | Web only | Neither |
| Offline Access | No | No | Neither |
| Live Classes | Yes ($319) | Yes ($375) | Kaplan |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes (Live package) | Tie |
| Custom Exam Generator | No | Yes | TC |
| Adaptive Learning | No | No | Neither |
| Cost Per Question | $0.047 (Essential) | $0.20 (Online Course) | Kaplan |
| Years in Business | 20+ | 40+ | TC |
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 | Kaplan |
Platform Comparison
Kaplan Financial Education
Modern web-based platform with structured study plans and 4,230 practice questions.
Training Consultants
Established platform with 40+ years experience, physical textbook option, and custom exam generator.
Study Materials Showdown
A key differentiator: Kaplan is digital-first, while Training Consultants offers a physical textbook option for traditional learners.
Kaplan: Digital-First
Best for: Digital learners who value question volume
Training Consultants: Traditional Option
Best for: Traditional learners who prefer physical textbooks
Pros & Cons
Kaplan Financial Education
Pros
- + Largest question bank (4,230)
- + Lower prices ($159 to $319)
- + Higher rating (4.2/5)
- + 70% market share (industry leader)
- + Best cost per question ($0.047)
- + Customizable study plans
- + More pricing tiers (4 options)
Cons
- - NO pass guarantee at any tier
- - NO flashcards included ($29 extra)
- - NO physical textbook included ($74.50 extra)
- - NO mobile app (web only)
- - NO offline access
- - NO custom exam generator
Training Consultants
Pros
- + Physical textbook included ($240 package)
- + Flashcards included (Online Course+)
- + 40+ years in business (founded 1979)
- + Custom exam generator
- + Multi-level testing system
- + Live webinars available ($375)
- + Phone support (Live package)
Cons
- - Smaller question bank (~1,400 estimated)
- - NO pass guarantee
- - Lower rating (3.8/5 estimated)
- - Less modern platform UX
- - NO mobile app (web only)
- - NO offline access
- - Shorter access (90 days) for Textbook package
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Kaplan If...
- ✓ Question volume is your priority (3x more questions)
- ✓ You want the industry standard (70% market share)
- ✓ You prefer digital-only learning
- ✓ You want the lowest entry price ($159 vs $240)
- ✓ Cost per question matters ($0.047 vs $0.20)
Choose Training Consultants If...
- ✓ You prefer physical textbooks for studying
- ✓ You want flashcards included (not $29 extra)
- ✓ You value 40+ years of business stability
- ✓ You want a custom exam generator
- ✓ Your firm already uses Training Consultants
- ✓ You prefer multi-level testing over a single question bank
My Verdict
For most self-directed learners: Kaplan Essential ($199). You get 3x more questions at a lower price, and that practice volume is critical for exam success.
For traditional textbook learners: Training Consultants Textbook Package ($240). It's the only option with a physical hard-copy book included, and the company has 40+ years of experience.
For live class seekers: Kaplan Premium Live ($319) edges out TC Live ($375) at $56 cheaper with more questions.
Important note: Neither provider offers a pass guarantee. Given that reality, Kaplan's larger question bank (4,230 vs ~1,400) provides more practice safety.
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