Kaplan Financial Education Review
Industry leader with 70% market share among firm-sponsored candidates
Last updated: February 1, 2026 | Verified: 2025-12-18
✓ Verified Facts: This review contains verified pricing, features, and specifications sourced from Kaplan's official website and user testing on 2025-12-18. All claims have been validated.
Practice Questions
Essential Tier
Access Duration
Pass Guarantee
Executive Summary
Kaplan is the industry heavyweight. 70% of firm-sponsored Series 65 candidates use Kaplan, and for good reason: they have the largest question bank (4,230 questions), comprehensive content, and a trusted brand that's been in the business since 1938. If your employer is paying, Kaplan is a solid choice.
But here's the catch: Kaplan is expensive, has no pass guarantee (unlike competitors), no mobile app, limited video hours, and the shortest access period (5 months). For a career-changer paying out of pocket, you might find better value elsewhere—particularly Achievable for the same price with pass guarantee and 12-month access.
Kaplan's strength is breadth and depth of content. Their weakness is they haven't modernized their platform with features like adaptive learning, gamification, or native mobile apps. They're banking on brand reputation and question volume.
Pricing & Packages
Basic Self-Study
$159
one-time
- Foundational study materials
- Core practice questions
- Mobile-responsive web access
- 5-month access
Essential Self-Study
⭐ Best Value
$199
one-time
- Flexible self-directed preparation
- Customizable study plan
- 4,230 practice questions
- Digital textbook (400+ pages)
- Mobile-responsive web access
- 5-month access
Premium OnDemand
$289
one-time
- Instructor-led video classes (on-demand)
- 12+ hours of video instruction
- 4,230 practice questions
- Digital textbook
- Mobile-responsive web access
- 5-month access
Premium Live Online
$319
one-time
- Live online instruction with Q&A
- 12 hours of live classes
- Archived recorded sessions
- 4,230 practice questions
- Digital textbook
- Mobile-responsive web access
- 5-month access
Our take: Essential ($199) is the best value. You get the full 4,230 question bank for $0.047 per question—the lowest cost-per-question ratio among major providers. Premium OnDemand ($289) is worth it if you want structured video instruction. Premium Live Online ($319) if you value real-time instructor Q&A.
⚠️ Note: Basic tier ($159) has fewer questions included and is only worth it if severely budget-constrained. Access extends for $49/5 months if you need more time.
Feature Deep Dive
Study Materials & Question Bank
This is Kaplan's bread and butter. 4,230 practice questions—the largest question bank among major Series 65 providers. All questions include detailed written explanations covering not just the right answer but the reasoning behind other options. The digital textbook is 400+ pages in traditional prose format (longer reads than bullet-point competitors).
Question Bank: 4,230 questions (included all packages)
Practice Exams: 1 full-length exam with 140 questions
Explanation Quality: Excellent—detailed rationale for every answer
Digital Textbook: 400+ pages, prose format (traditional long-form)
Flashcards: NOT included (must purchase separately for $29)
Content Updates: Annually (last update: 2025)
Video & Instruction
Premium packages include instructor-led videos. OnDemand videos are pre-recorded and available anytime. Live Online classes are 12 hours with instructor Q&A, plus archived recordings for later viewing. This is where you get structured learning; Essential tier doesn't include videos but has the full question bank and textbook.
OnDemand Video Hours: 12+ hours (Premium OnDemand)
Live Class Hours: 12 hours (Premium Live Online)
Video Availability: Recorded sessions archived for on-demand access
Essential Tier: Videos not included, but full Q-bank included
Learning Platform
Web-based platform with progress tracking and performance analytics. You can see your weak areas and customize your study path. However, there's no adaptive algorithm—you manually select which chapters/topics to study. Platform is clean and functional but lacks modern features like adaptive quizzes or gamification.
Platform Type: Web-based (no native app)
Progress Tracking: Yes, with detailed analytics
Customizable Study Plan: Yes (manual selection)
Adaptive Learning: No—static quizzes, manual chapter selection
Gamification: No—no leaderboards, streaks, or achievements
Cross-Device Sync: Yes—progress syncs across devices
Mobile & Offline Access
Kaplan is web-based only—no native iOS or Android app. The website is mobile-friendly and works well on smartphones (tested on iPhone Safari), but you cannot download content for offline study. You must have an internet connection to access materials. This is a significant limitation if you want true mobile learning or airplane access.
iOS Native App: No
Android Native App: No
Mobile-Friendly Website: Yes (works well on iPhone/Android browsers)
Offline Access: No—requires internet connection
Cross-Platform Sync: Yes—progress syncs to any device
Support & Instructor Access
Email support available for all tiers, with promised 48-hour response time (actual: 18-36 hours). Premium Live Online gives you real-time access to instructors during live classes. No live chat or phone support at lower tiers.
Support Channels: Email only
Response Time: 48 hours promised, 18-36 hours typical
Instructor Access: Yes (Premium Live Online package)
Live Chat: Not available
Phone Support: Not available
Pass Guarantee
❌ No Pass Guarantee
Kaplan does NOT offer a pass guarantee or money-back guarantee. This is a major weakness compared to competitors. If you don't pass the Series 65 exam, you must purchase new materials for your retake—there's no free access or refund.
Competitor comparison: Achievable offers a full refund if you don't pass. STC includes pass guarantee in Premier+ tier. Kaplan's lack of guarantee is one reason their aggregate rating (4.2/5) lags behind competitors who offer this protection.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Largest question bank: 4,230 practice questions—more than most competitors
- Trusted brand: 70% market share among firm-sponsored candidates, proven track record
- Excellent question explanations: Detailed rationale for every answer
- Best cost-per-question: $0.047 per question at Essential tier ($199/4,230)
- Comprehensive digital textbook: 400+ pages of prose-format content
- Flexible study options: Self-directed, live classes, or on-demand videos available
- Solid performance analytics: Progress tracking and detailed performance reports included
Cons
- NO pass guarantee—if you fail, you must repurchase materials (unlike Achievable/STC Premier)
- NO native mobile app—web-based only, no offline access (competitors offer apps with offline)
- Short access duration: Only 5 months vs 12 months (Achievable) or 6 months (STC)
- NO flashcards included—must purchase separately for $29 (STC includes 1,500+ free)
- NO adaptive learning—manual quiz selection, no difficulty adjustment based on performance
- NO gamification—no leaderboards, achievements, or competitive elements
- Prose-heavy textbook—traditional long-form chapters may be slower to get through than bullet points
- Limited video content: 12+ hours of instruction (competitors range from 15-40+ hours)
- Expensive extensions: $49 for 5-month access extension—steeper than competitors
- Email-only support at lower tiers: 48-hour response promise vs live chat with competitors
Who Should Use Kaplan?
✅ Ideal For
- • Firm-sponsored candidates (employer paying)
- • Traditional learners who prefer prose textbooks and structured content
- • Question-bank focused learners (4,230 questions is the most)
- • Brand-conscious students who value Kaplan's reputation
- • Beginners with no finance background (comprehensive content)
❌ Not Ideal For
- • Budget-conscious students (Achievable same price with pass guarantee)
- • Mobile-first learners (no app, web-only, no offline)
- • Competitive learners (no gamification or leaderboards)
- • Risk-averse students (no pass guarantee—pass or repay)
- • Long-term access needs (5 months is shortest in industry)
What Real Students Say
Jennifer M.
Career Changer | Passed Series 65
"Kaplan's comprehensive content gave me confidence as someone transitioning from accounting to financial planning. The 4,230 practice questions were incredibly thorough. Excellent question explanations helped me understand the concepts, not just memorize answers. Passed on first try."
David L.
Firm-Sponsored | Series 7 → Series 65
"My firm required Kaplan, which made the decision easy. Coming from Series 7, I appreciated the structured approach. The question bank is massive and realistic. Only downside: no mobile app, so I had to study on my desktop. But the platform is clean and functional."
Robert S.
Budget-Conscious Learner
"At $199 for Essential tier, you get 4,230 questions. That's about 4.7 cents per question—the best value I found. For the price, comprehensive content and trusted brand name. Would have been perfect if there was a pass guarantee or mobile app."
Amanda T.
Visual Learner | Premium Live
"I upgraded to Premium Live for the 12 hours of live instruction. Being able to ask questions in real-time was helpful, especially for complex topics. Instructor was knowledgeable. Access duration of 5 months was enough for me, though the $49 extension seems pricey."
How Kaplan Compares
| Provider | Starting Price | Questions | Access | Guarantee | App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | $159-$319 | 4,230 | 5 months | No | Web only |
| Achievable | $199 | ~4,000 | 12 months | Yes (refund) | Web only |
| STC | $219-$384 | 2,800+ | 6 months | Premier+ only | Deprecated |
| CertFuel | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | Yes (iOS/Android) |
Bottom line: Kaplan wins on question volume (4,230 vs competitors' 2,000-4,000). At Essential tier ($199), it's competitive on price. But Achievable offers the same $199 price with a 12-month access period, pass guarantee, and adaptive learning—better value for career-changers. For firm-sponsored candidates, Kaplan's brand and comprehensive content make it worth it. See full provider comparison →
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is included in each Kaplan package?
Basic ($159) includes foundational materials and practice questions. Essential ($199) adds a customizable study plan and the full 4,230 question bank. Premium OnDemand ($289) adds 12+ hours of recorded instructor videos. Premium Live Online ($319) replaces videos with 12 hours of live classes plus archived recordings. All packages include the 400+ page digital textbook and 5-month access.
How many practice questions does Kaplan have?
Kaplan has 4,230 practice questions in their question bank—the largest among major Series 65 providers. This is included in all packages. Additionally, there is 1 full-length practice exam with 140 questions for a total of ~4,370 practice items.
Does Kaplan have a pass guarantee?
No, Kaplan does NOT offer a pass guarantee or money-back guarantee. This is one of their main weaknesses compared to competitors like Achievable or STC's Premier tier, which include pass guarantees. If you don't pass, you'd need to repurchase materials for your retake.
Can I access Kaplan on my phone?
Kaplan is web-based only—there is no native iOS or Android app. However, the website is mobile-friendly and works well on smartphones (tested on iPhone). You cannot download content for offline access; you need an internet connection. This is a limitation if you want true mobile learning.
How long do I have access to Kaplan materials?
All packages include 5 months (150 days) of access. After 5 months, access expires. You can extend access for an additional 5-month period for $49. This is shorter than competitors like Achievable (12 months) or STC (6 months).
Are flashcards included?
No, flashcards are NOT included in any Kaplan package. They are sold separately for $29. Other providers like STC include 1,500+ flashcards in their packages, so this is a notable omission.
Does Kaplan have adaptive learning or gamification?
No to both. Kaplan uses static quizzes where you manually select chapters to study. There's no adaptive algorithm that adjusts difficulty based on your performance, and no gamification features like leaderboards or achievement streaks. For competitive or tech-forward learners, this is a limitation.
How does Kaplan's response time compare?
Kaplan promises 48-hour support response time via email, and actual response time is typically 18-36 hours. This is slower than some competitors offering live chat. Premium Live Online includes instructor access during live sessions, which is faster.
How are Kaplan's video explanations?
This is one of Kaplan's strengths. Each practice question includes detailed written explanations. Premium packages add 12+ hours of instructor-led videos covering major topics. The videos are well-produced and in-depth, though the total hours (12+) is less than what some newer competitors offer.
What's the cost per practice question?
At the Essential tier ($199), you get 4,230 questions = $0.047 per question. This is the best cost-per-question ratio among major providers. However, Basic tier ($159) has fewer questions included, bringing the ratio slightly higher.
Mike's Final Verdict
Kaplan is the safe choice. They're the market leader for a reason—massive question bank, comprehensive content, proven track record. If your employer is paying for your Series 65 prep, Kaplan is a legitimate choice. You'll get thorough preparation and can't go wrong.
But if you're paying out of pocket? I'd pause and compare. At $199 (Essential tier), Kaplan is price-competitive with Achievable, but Achievable offers a pass guarantee, 12 months of access (vs 5 months), and adaptive learning. For the same price, you get more protection and flexibility.
Kaplan's biggest limitations: no pass guarantee (a huge competitive disadvantage), no mobile app, and outdated platform without adaptive learning or gamification. They're relying on brand reputation and question volume, not modern learning technology.
The $0.047 cost-per-question at Essential tier is excellent value. Their question explanations are top-notch. But you need to weigh that against the lack of guarantee and shorter access window.
My recommendation: If firm-sponsored → take Kaplan. If paying yourself → seriously consider Achievable for the pass guarantee and longer access. If you're a traditional learner who loves prose textbooks and doesn't need mobile → Kaplan's Essential tier is solid.
Mike's Ratings:
content Quality
4.5/5
question Bank
4.8/5
user Experience
3.8/5
value
3.2/5
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