Pricing Guide
Hidden Fees to Watch Out For When Buying Series Exam Prep
The advertised price is rarely the full story. Before you commit to a Series exam prep course, understand the hidden costs that can add $50 to $200+ to your total investment.
Last updated: February 2, 2026
Key Takeaways
- • Extension fees can add $49+ if you need more study time (Kaplan charges $49 per 5-month extension)
- • Flashcard add-ons cost $29 to $55 extra at some providers (Kaplan, Training Consultants)
- • Pass guarantee upsells can add $28 to $160 to get the safety net you actually want
- • Short access periods (90 days to 6 months) may force you to pay for extensions
- • Best transparent pricing: Achievable ($199 includes everything, 12 months, pass guarantee)
Potential Hidden Costs by Provider
| Provider | Base Price | Potential Add-Ons | Access Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | $159 to $319 | +$29 flashcards +$49 per extension | 5 months |
| STC | $219 to $384 | +$28 for pass guarantee (upgrade to Premier) | 6 months |
| Pass Perfect | $199 to $359 | +$160 for pass guarantee (upgrade to Pass Promise) | Not specified |
| Achievable | $199 | None (all-inclusive) | 12 months |
| Knopman Marks | $395 to $1,020 | +$200/month coaching (no pass guarantee at any tier) | 12 months |
| Training Consultants | $240 to $375 | +$55 flashcards (no pass guarantee) | 90 to 180 days |
1. Extension Fees
If you need more time to study (and many people do), you may face extension fees. This is especially relevant for providers with short access periods.
Kaplan: $49 per 5-month extension
With only 5 months of initial access (the shortest in the industry), many students need at least one extension. That $199 Essential course can quickly become $248 or more.
Other Providers: Undisclosed
STC, Pass Perfect, Training Consultants, and Knopman Marks do not publicly disclose extension pricing. You must contact them directly, which makes comparison shopping harder.
Pro tip: If you have a busy schedule or limited study time, prioritize providers with 12-month access (Achievable, Knopman Marks) to avoid extension fees entirely.
2. Flashcard Add-Ons
Flashcards are a popular study tool, but not all providers include them. Some charge extra, and some do not offer them at all.
Kaplan: +$29
Flashcards are not included in any Kaplan package. You must purchase them separately.
Training Consultants: +$55
Flashcards may be sold separately or included only in higher-tier packages.
STC: Premier+ only
1,500+ flashcards are included in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384) tiers, but not in the $219 Standard tier.
Included: Pass Perfect, Knopman Marks
Both providers include digital flashcards in all tiers at no extra cost.
Achievable: Not available
Achievable does not offer flashcards. Their adaptive learning system is designed to replace traditional flashcard memorization with spaced repetition built into the platform.
3. Pass Guarantee Upsells
A pass guarantee provides peace of mind: if you fail the exam after meeting study requirements, you get a refund or free continued access. But not all base packages include this protection.
Pass Perfect: +$160 for Pass Promise
The base Pass Plus tier ($199) has no guarantee. To get the Pass Promise guarantee, you must upgrade to $359, an 80% price increase. You must also complete the study program and pass 3 practice finals at 75%+ to qualify.
STC: +$28 for Premier tier
The Standard tier ($219) has no pass guarantee. Upgrading to Premier ($247) adds the guarantee for $28 more, which is reasonable. However, Premier Plus ($384) includes additional features you may not need.
No guarantee available: Kaplan, Knopman Marks, Training Consultants
These providers offer no pass guarantee at any price point. If you fail, you must repurchase materials or pay for an extension. Knopman Marks is especially notable, charging $395 to $1,020 without any guarantee.
Achievable: Guarantee included at $199
Achievable includes a money-back pass guarantee in their single $199 tier. If you pass at least one practice exam and then fail the real exam, you get a full refund or free continued access for one year.
4. Short Access Periods (The Hidden Extension Trap)
Access period length directly impacts whether you will need to pay for extensions. If you are a working professional, a career changer with family responsibilities, or someone who needs a slower study pace, short access windows are a hidden cost waiting to happen.
Why this matters: The average candidate studies 4 to 8 weeks for the Series 65 exam. But life happens. Work emergencies, family obligations, or rescheduled exam dates can push your timeline. With only 5 months of access, one delay could cost you $49 or more in extension fees.
5. Feature-Gated Tiers
Many providers advertise a low starting price, but the features you actually want are locked behind higher-priced tiers. Here is what gets feature-gated:
| Feature | Kaplan | STC | Pass Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video lectures | Premium tiers only ($289+) | Premier+ only ($384) | Pro+ tiers ($289+) |
| Flashcards | Not included (add $29) | Premier+ only ($247+) | All tiers |
| Live classes | Premium Live ($319) | Premier+ only ($384) | Pass Promise only ($359) |
| Pass guarantee | Not available | Premier+ only ($247+) | Pass Promise only ($359) |
6. Premium Pricing Without Guarantees
One of the most surprising findings in our research: the most expensive provider offers no pass guarantee at any tier.
Knopman Marks: $395 to $1,020 with no pass guarantee
Despite charging 2 to 5 times more than competitors, Knopman Marks offers no money-back guarantee if you fail. They do offer a 30-day refund policy (minus shipping), but that only applies before you take the exam.
Additional coaching add-ons:
- Strategy Advising: $200/month or $500 for 3 months
- Review sessions: $99 each (included in Platinum+ tiers)
To be fair: Knopman Marks targets a different audience, primarily firm-sponsored candidates and professionals who value live faculty support over self-study. If your employer is paying, the premium may be justified. But if you are paying out of pocket, the lack of a pass guarantee at these prices is a significant concern.
7. Retake Costs (What Happens If You Fail)
Nobody plans to fail, but the Series 65 pass rate is around 72%. If you are in the 28% who do not pass on the first attempt, your costs depend entirely on whether you have a pass guarantee.
Without a pass guarantee
- • Repurchase the course ($159 to $1,020)
- • Or pay for access extension ($49+)
- • Plus the $175 exam retake fee
- • Potential total: $383 to $1,195+ additional
With a pass guarantee
- • Free continued course access, or
- • Full refund of course cost
- • You only pay the $175 exam retake fee
- • Note: Must meet study requirements (varies by provider)
Our Recommendations
Achievable
$199 includes everything: 12-month access, pass guarantee, AI tutor, and 4,000+ practice items. No upsells, no add-ons, no surprises.
Read full review →STC Premier
For just $28 more than Standard ($247 vs $219), you get the pass guarantee plus 1,500+ flashcards. Solid value for traditional learners.
Read full review →Hidden Cost Red Flags
- • Access under 6 months
- • No pass guarantee listed
- • Flashcards sold separately
- • Undisclosed extension pricing
Compare All Providers Side-by-Side
See pricing, features, pass guarantees, and honest reviews for all Series 65 prep courses.