Complete Guide to Series 65 Prep Course Costs
What you'll actually pay: $159 to $1,020. We break down every tier, hidden fee, and what you get for your money.
Last updated: February 2, 2026 by Mike Thompson
TL;DR: The Quick Summary
Key insight: Only 3 of 6 providers offer pass guarantees (Achievable, STC, Pass Perfect), and only at certain tiers. Without a guarantee, failing the exam costs you $175+ in additional exam fees plus potentially repurchasing your course.
The Complete Pricing Landscape
Every Series 65 prep course option from all 6 major providers, sorted by price from lowest to highest.
| Provider | Tier | Price | Access | Guarantee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan Financial Education | Basic Self-Study | $159 | 5 months | No | Core materials, practice questions |
| Kaplan Financial Education | Essential Self-Study Recommended | $199 | 5 months | No | 4,230 questions, digital textbook |
| Pass Perfect | Pass Plus | $199 | Extended | No | Study guide, AI tools, flashcards, quizzes |
| Achievable | Complete Recommended | $199 | 12 months | Yes | 1,300+ questions, 20+ exams, AI tutor, pass guarantee |
| STC (Securities Training Corp) | Standard | $219 | 6 months | No | Manual, quizzes, finals, instructor hotline |
| Training Consultants | Textbook Package | $240 | 90 days | No | Hard-copy textbook only |
| STC (Securities Training Corp) | Premier Recommended | $247 | 6 months | Yes | Everything above + video, 1,500+ flashcards, pass guarantee |
| Training Consultants | Online Course Recommended | $275 | 180 days | No | eBook, videos, flashcards, multi-level testing |
| Kaplan Financial Education | Premium OnDemand | $289 | 5 months | No | Everything above + 12 hours on-demand video |
| Pass Perfect | Pass Plus Pro | $289 | Extended | No | Everything above + on-demand video lectures |
| Kaplan Financial Education | Premium Live Online | $319 | 5 months | No | Everything above + 12 hours live classes |
| Pass Perfect | Pass Promise Recommended | $359 | Extended | Yes | Everything above + live class, pass guarantee |
| Training Consultants | Live Online Study | $375 | 180 days | No | Everything above + live webinars, phone support |
| STC (Securities Training Corp) | Premier Plus | $384 | 6 months | Yes | Everything above + live classes |
| Knopman Marks | S65 Gold | $395 | 12 months | No | Textbook, 2,000 to 2,500 questions, 1 strategy call |
| Knopman Marks | S65 Platinum Recommended | $620 | 12 months | No | Everything above + workbook, 3 calls, unlimited live sessions |
| Knopman Marks | S65 Diamond | $1020 | 12 months | No | Everything above + weekly calls, 3-month Strategy Advising |
Options by Budget
Under $200
- Kaplan Basic Self-Study $159
- Achievable Complete (Best Value) $199
- Pass Perfect Pass Plus $199
- Kaplan Essential Self-Study $199
My pick: Achievable at $199. Pass guarantee, 12-month access, and AI tutor included.
$200 to $300
- STC Standard $219
- Training Consultants Textbook $240
- STC Premier (Best Value) $247
- Training Consultants Online $275
- Kaplan Premium OnDemand $289
- Pass Perfect Pass Plus Pro $289
My pick: STC Premier at $247. Pass guarantee, video, and 1,500+ flashcards.
$300 to $400
- Kaplan Premium Live Online $319
- Pass Perfect Pass Promise (Best Value) $359
- Training Consultants Live Online $375
- STC Premier Plus $384
- Knopman Marks Gold $395
My pick: Pass Perfect Pass Promise at $359. Live class + pass guarantee.
$400+ Premium
- Knopman Marks Platinum (Best Value) $620
- Knopman Marks Diamond $1,020
My pick: Knopman Marks Platinum at $620 if your firm is paying. Unlimited live sessions and faculty support. Note: No pass guarantee.
What You Get at Each Price Point
$159: Entry Level
Basic study materials and practice questions. No video instruction, no flashcards, no pass guarantee. Kaplan Basic Self-Study is the only option here. Suitable only if you're extremely confident in your test-taking ability and just need a refresh.
$199: Sweet Spot for Self-Directed Learners
Full question banks, digital textbooks, and potentially a pass guarantee. Achievable stands out here with 12-month access, AI tutor, and money-back guarantee included. Pass Perfect Pass Plus offers comprehensive materials and flashcards. Kaplan Essential has the largest question bank (4,230) but no guarantee.
$247 to $289: Video + Flashcards + Possible Guarantee
On-demand video instruction becomes standard. STC Premier ($247) is the standout: pass guarantee, 1,500+ organized flashcards, and 12 hours of video for just $48 more than their Standard tier. Kaplan Premium OnDemand ($289) adds video but still no guarantee. Pass Perfect Pass Plus Pro ($289) adds video but requires Pass Promise tier for guarantee.
$319 to $395: Live Instruction Options
Live classes (virtual or in-person) become available. Pass Perfect Pass Promise ($359) is the best value here: live review class + pass guarantee. STC Premier Plus ($384) offers live classes + guarantee. Kaplan Premium Live Online ($319) has live classes but no guarantee. Knopman Gold ($395) starts premium tier with 12-month access but no guarantee.
$620+: Premium Support & Unlimited Access
Faculty strategy calls, unlimited live sessions, and personalized attention. Knopman Marks Platinum ($620) offers unlimited live review sessions, unlimited blended classes, and 3 private faculty strategy calls. Diamond ($1,020) adds weekly strategy calls and 3-month Strategy Advising. This tier makes sense for firm-sponsored candidates or high-stakes career changers. Note: Neither Knopman tier includes a pass guarantee.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Access Extensions
- Kaplan: $49 per 5 months
- STC: Not specified (may require repurchase)
- Others: Varies or requires repurchase
Flashcard Add-ons
- Kaplan: $29 (sold separately)
- Training Consultants: $55 (standalone)
- Others: Included or N/A
Workbook Add-ons
- Knopman Marks: $25 (if not included)
- Others: Typically included or N/A
Retake Costs (No Guarantee)
- Course repurchase: $159 to $395+
- Additional exam fee: ~$175
- Total potential loss: $334 to $570+
The Exam Fee Itself
- Series 65 exam: ~$175
- Paid to FINRA, not provider
- Required for each attempt
Premium Add-ons
- Knopman Review Sessions: $99
- Knopman Strategy Advising: $500/3mo
- Training Consultants ExamCenter: $109
Bottom line: Always budget for the exam fee (~$175) on top of your course cost. If your course doesn't include a pass guarantee, budget for a potential retake scenario: another $175 exam fee plus extension costs or course repurchase.
The Pass Guarantee Question
Only 3 of 6 major providers offer pass guarantees, and only at specific tiers. Here's what you need to know.
| Provider | Guarantee? | Minimum Tier | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievable | Yes | $199 (only tier) | Full money-back refund (conditions apply) |
| STC | Yes | $247 (Premier+) | Free retake course or money-back refund |
| Pass Perfect | Yes | $359 (Pass Promise) | Refund or free continued access until pass |
| Kaplan | No | N/A | No guarantee at any tier ($159 to $319) |
| Knopman Marks | No | N/A | No guarantee at any tier ($395 to $1,020) |
| Training Consultants | No | N/A | No guarantee at any tier ($240 to $375) |
What a Guarantee is Worth
If you fail without a pass guarantee, you're looking at:
- - Another exam fee: ~$175
- - Course extension or repurchase: $49 to $395+
- - Lost study time and momentum
- = Total potential cost: $224 to $570+ for one failure
My take: A pass guarantee is worth $50 to $160 more in course cost. The peace of mind and financial protection are worth it unless you're extremely confident in your ability to pass on the first try.
Access Duration Comparison
How long you keep access to your materials matters, especially if you need to retake the exam.
12 Months (Best)
- Achievable ($199)
- Knopman Marks ($395 to $1,020)
Full year of access means plenty of time to study at your pace, plus coverage for potential retakes.
6 Months
- STC ($219 to $384)
Solid duration for most study plans. Enough time for a retake if needed.
5 Months
- Kaplan ($159 to $319)
Tighter timeline. Extensions available for $49 per 5 months. Budget for extension if you're a slower studier.
180 Days (6 Months)
- Training Consultants Online ($275)
- Training Consultants Live ($375)
Standard duration, but extension policy unclear.
90 Days (Shortest)
- Training Consultants Textbook ($240)
Very tight. Only choose this if you're confident you can complete your study in under 3 months.
Extended (Unspecified)
- Pass Perfect ($199 to $359)
Pass Perfect doesn't specify exact duration. Verify before purchasing.
My Recommendations by Situation
Tight Budget (Under $200)
Go with Achievable at $199. You get a pass guarantee, 12-month access, AI tutor, and adaptive learning. It's the best value at this price point by a significant margin.
Read Achievable Review →Moderate Budget ($200 to $300)
Go with STC Premier at $247. Pass guarantee, 12 hours of video, 1,500+ organized flashcards, and 6-month access. Best combination of features and protection in this range.
Read STC Review →Want Live Classes ($300 to $400)
Go with Pass Perfect Pass Promise at $359. Live review class with an instructor, plus a pass guarantee. The only option in this range that gives you both live instruction and failure protection.
Read Pass Perfect Review →Firm is Paying (No Budget Limit)
Go with Knopman Marks Platinum at $620. Unlimited live review sessions, unlimited blended classes, 3 faculty strategy calls, 12-month access, and 2,000 to 2,500 practice questions. Premium support for high-stakes situations. Note: No pass guarantee.
Read Knopman Marks Review →Textbook-Only Learner
Go with Training Consultants Textbook at $240. Cheapest option for a physical textbook. But note: only 90 days access and no pass guarantee. Consider STC Standard ($219) if you want digital materials with a physical manual instead.
Read Training Consultants Review →Is a $1,000 Course Worth It vs a $200 Course?
The honest answer: It depends on who's paying and what you need.
What More Money Gets You
- ✓ More practice questions: 2,000 to 4,230 vs 1,300 to 1,400
- ✓ Live instruction: Interactive classes with Q&A vs self-paced only
- ✓ Faculty support: Strategy calls and personalized guidance vs email-only
- ✓ Physical materials: Textbooks and workbooks vs digital-only
- ✓ Longer access: 12 months vs 5 to 6 months
What More Money Doesn't Guarantee
- ✗ Pass guarantee: Knopman at $1,020 has no guarantee; Achievable at $199 does
- ✗ Better pass rates: No verified data proving premium courses have higher pass rates
- ✗ Modern technology: Achievable's AI at $199 is more advanced than most $500+ courses
- ✗ Self-discipline: No course can make you study; you still have to put in the work
My Honest Take
When premium makes sense: Your firm is paying, you're a career changer with high stakes, you struggle with self-direction and need accountability, or you've failed before and need more support.
When budget is fine: You're a confident self-directed learner, you have relevant finance background, you've passed similar exams before, or you're paying out-of-pocket and watching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I don't like the course?
Refund policies vary significantly. Kaplan offers no formal refund policy. STC and Achievable have pass guarantees that include refund options if you fail (with conditions). Most providers offer a short window (7 to 30 days) to request a refund for unused materials. Always check the specific provider's terms before purchasing.
Do prices include the actual Series 65 exam fee?
No. All prep course prices are separate from the Series 65 exam fee, which is approximately $175 paid directly to FINRA. Your total cost will be course price + exam fee. If you fail without a pass guarantee, add another $175 for each retake attempt.
Are there seasonal discounts or sales?
Yes, many providers run promotions. Common discount periods include: New Year (January), Black Friday (November), and end-of-quarter pushes. Kaplan and STC frequently offer 10% to 20% off. Achievable occasionally has promotional pricing. Knopman Marks rarely discounts. Sign up for email lists to get notified of sales.
Can I switch providers mid-study if one doesn't work for me?
Yes, but you'll likely lose your investment in the first course. Most providers don't offer refunds after the initial trial period. Some users report switching from Kaplan to Achievable or STC after finding the materials too dense. Budget for the possibility of switching if you're uncertain about fit.
Is it worth paying more for live classes?
It depends on your learning style. Live classes add $70 to $150 to your cost (comparing STC Standard vs Premier Plus, or Pass Perfect Pass Plus vs Pass Promise). Live instruction helps if you struggle with self-direction, need accountability, or learn better from interaction. Self-directed learners often do fine with on-demand video or text-only options.
What happens if I run out of access time before passing?
Without a pass guarantee, you'll need to purchase an extension or buy the course again. Kaplan extensions cost $49 per 5 months. Other providers may offer extensions at varying rates, or you may need to repurchase entirely. Achievable and Knopman Marks have 12-month access, reducing this risk significantly.
Can I share my course with someone else?
No. All providers prohibit sharing accounts in their terms of service. Courses are licensed to a single user, and sharing can result in account termination without refund. Some providers track login patterns and flag suspicious activity. Each person needs their own purchase.
Are there group or corporate discounts?
Yes, most providers offer corporate/group pricing for firms purchasing multiple seats. Kaplan, STC, and Knopman Marks have dedicated corporate sales teams. Discounts typically range from 10% to 30% depending on volume. Contact providers directly for quotes if your firm is sponsoring multiple candidates.
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