Knopman Marks vs Training Consultants: Which Series 65 Prep is Better?
Premium high-touch learning at $395 to $1,020 vs budget-friendly traditional at $240 to $375. Neither offers a pass guarantee.
Last updated: February 2, 2026 • Verified: 2026-02-02
Who Wins Each Category?
My Honest Take
This is a premium vs budget comparison for traditional learners. Knopman Marks charges $395 to $1,020 for high-touch instructor support and 12-month access. Training Consultants offers $240 to $375 for solid content with 90 to 180 days access. Neither offers a pass guarantee.
The elephant in the room: Neither provider offers a pass guarantee. At Knopman's premium prices, the lack of a guarantee is particularly surprising. Training Consultants is budget-friendly, so the missing guarantee stings less, but you still absorb all the risk if you fail.
Real talk: If your firm is paying, Knopman Marks provides superior content, more questions, longer access, and extensive faculty support. The extra $155 to $645 buys meaningful value. If you're paying out-of-pocket and confident you can pass within 90 to 180 days, Training Consultants gets the job done for less. Both are traditional providers with textbooks. Neither has adaptive AI learning or modern tech advantages.
Pricing & What's Included
Knopman Marks (3 Options + Add-ons)
- • Physical + digital textbook
- • Video lectures (9 to 30 hours)
- • 1,000+ digital flashcards
- • 2,000 to 2,500 practice questions
- • One faculty strategy call
- • Email-based faculty Q&A
- • 12-month access
- • ❌ NO guarantee
- • Everything in Gold
- • Spiral-bound workbook
- • Three faculty strategy calls
- • Unlimited live review sessions
- • Unlimited live blended classes
- • ❌ NO guarantee
- • Everything in Platinum
- • Weekly faculty strategy calls
- • Strategy Advising ($500 value)
- • ❌ NO guarantee
Training Consultants (3 Options + Add-ons)
- • Hard-copy textbook
- • Standard final exams
- • Glossary and acronyms
- • 90 days access
- • ❌ NO guarantee
- • eBook
- • On-demand video lectures
- • Multi-level testing (SpotCheck, checkpoint, finals)
- • Online flashcards
- • Online instructor support
- • 180 days access
- • ❌ NO guarantee
- • Everything in Online Course
- • Live focused webinars
- • Personalized study plan
- • Phone instructor support
- • 180 days access
- • ❌ NO guarantee
Price Gap Analysis: Training Consultants is $155 cheaper at entry ($240 vs $395). The gap widens at higher tiers: $345 cheaper for online course ($275 vs $620), $245 cheaper for live classes ($375 vs $620). Neither offers a pass guarantee at any tier.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Knopman Marks | Training Consultants | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | $395 (Gold) | $240 (Textbook) | Training |
| Full Online Price | $620 (Platinum) | $275 (Online Course) | Training |
| Live Class Price | $620 (Platinum) | $375 (Live Online) | Training |
| Pass Guarantee | ❌ No | ❌ No | Tie |
| Access Duration | 12 months | 90 to 180 days | Knopman |
| Practice Questions | 2,000 to 2,500 | ~1,400 | Knopman |
| Flashcards | ✅ 1,000+ | ✅ Yes | Tie |
| Video Lectures | 9 to 30 hours (faculty) | 10 to 15 hours (estimated) | Knopman |
| Live Instruction | ✅ Unlimited (Platinum+) | ✅ Webinars (Live package) | Knopman |
| Physical Textbook | ✅ Yes (all packages) | ✅ Yes (Textbook package) | Tie |
| Mobile App | ✅ iOS only | ❌ Web only | Knopman |
| Faculty Strategy Calls | ✅ 1 to weekly | ❌ No | Knopman |
| Phone Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (Live package) | Tie |
| Years in Business | 30+ (since 1991) | 40+ (since 1979) | Training |
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 | Knopman |
Platform Comparison
Knopman Marks Platform
Premium instructor-led platform with faculty strategy calls, live classes, and structured curriculum. 30+ years experience with 95% pass rate claim.
Training Consultants Platform
Budget-friendly traditional platform with multi-level testing, on-demand videos, and webinars. 40+ years in business (founded 1979).
Pass Guarantee & Access Showdown
❌ Knopman Marks: No Guarantee
- • Pass Guarantee: NO (despite 95% pass rate claim)
- • Access Duration: 12 months (full year)
- • Refund Policy: 30-day return policy only
- • Risk: You absorb full cost if you fail, but long access allows retakes
- • Price premium: $395 to $1,020 without guarantee
❌ Training Consultants: No Guarantee
- • Pass Guarantee: NO
- • Access Duration: Only 90 to 180 days
- • Refund Policy: Not specified
- • Risk: You absorb full cost AND have limited time
- • Price premium: $240 to $375 (cheaper, but still no safety net)
Winner on Access: Knopman Marks. 12 months vs 90 to 180 days is a massive difference. If you fail, Knopman's longer access lets you retake without repurchasing. Training Consultants' short windows are risky. But neither offers a pass guarantee, so you absorb all exam failure costs either way.
Learning Approach: Premium vs Budget
Knopman Marks: High-Touch Premium
- • Faculty strategy calls (1 to weekly)
- • Unlimited live review sessions (Platinum+)
- • Unlimited live blended classes (Platinum+)
- • Physical textbook + spiral-bound workbook
- • 2,000 to 2,500 customizable questions
- • iOS mobile app (offline videos + flashcards)
- • Predictive analytics for question curation
"Structured, data-driven methodology with extensive faculty guidance."
Training Consultants: Traditional Budget
- • Multi-level testing (SpotCheck, checkpoint, benchmark, finals)
- • Live focused webinars (Live package only)
- • On-demand video lectures
- • Physical or digital textbook
- • Progress report center
- • Custom exam generator
- • Online instructor support
"Traditional learning approach at budget-friendly prices."
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Knopman Marks Pros
- ✓ 12-month access (vs 90 to 180 days)
- ✓ 2,000 to 2,500 practice questions
- ✓ 1,000+ digital flashcards
- ✓ Faculty strategy calls (1 to weekly)
- ✓ Unlimited live sessions and classes (Platinum+)
- ✓ iOS mobile app with offline access
- ✓ Physical textbook + workbook
- ✓ Higher rating (4.2/5)
- ✓ Established since 1991
Knopman Marks Cons
- ✗ Most expensive option ($395 to $1,020)
- ✗ NO pass guarantee at any tier
- ✗ Practice questions not in mobile app
- ✗ No Android app
- ✗ Materials less approachable (per user feedback)
- ✗ Premium pricing may be overkill for confident test-takers
Training Consultants Pros
- ✓ Budget-friendly entry ($240 textbook)
- ✓ 40+ years experience (founded 1979)
- ✓ Pure textbook option available
- ✓ Live webinars ($375 package)
- ✓ Flashcards included in Online Course+
- ✓ Phone support (Live package)
- ✓ ExamFX family backing
Training Consultants Cons
- ✗ NO pass guarantee at any tier
- ✗ Very short access (90 to 180 days)
- ✗ Fewer practice questions (~1,400)
- ✗ No mobile app
- ✗ Lower rating (3.8/5)
- ✗ Less instructor support than Knopman
- ✗ Less modern platform UX
Final Recommendation
Choose Knopman Marks If:
- ✓ Your firm is paying (budget not the main concern)
- ✓ You need extensive instructor support and guidance
- ✓ You want the longest possible access (12 months)
- ✓ You prefer structured programs with faculty oversight
- ✓ You want an iOS app for offline study
- ✓ You value a proven premium brand
- ✓ You need physical textbook + workbook
Choose Training Consultants If:
- ✓ You're paying out-of-pocket and need budget-friendly
- ✓ You're a confident, self-directed learner
- ✓ You can pass within 90 to 180 days
- ✓ You want a pure textbook option at $240
- ✓ You prefer traditional learning without premium pricing
- ✓ Your firm has historically used Training Consultants
- ✓ You value 40+ years of industry experience
My Verdict
For firm-sponsored candidates → Knopman Marks Gold ($395). Worth the extra $155 over Training Consultants for 12-month access, more questions, and faculty support.
For budget-conscious self-study → Training Consultants Online Course ($275). Solid value with videos, flashcards, and testing. Just study efficiently within 180 days.
For textbook-only learners → Training Consultants Textbook ($240). Cheapest option at $240 for physical textbook.
For high-stakes situations → Knopman Marks Platinum ($620). Unlimited live sessions and faculty calls if you need maximum support.
Bottom line: Neither has a pass guarantee, which is disappointing. Knopman Marks offers better content and longer access but at much higher cost. Training Consultants is the budget play. If your firm is paying, go Knopman. If you're paying and confident, Training Consultants saves you $120 to $645.
Knopman Marks Ratings
Training Consultants Ratings
Ready to Choose?
Visit either provider to start your Series 65 prep, or explore all options on our comparison page.