Premium Provider | 30+ Years Experience

Knopman Marks Series 65 Review 2026

Premium exam prep with extensive faculty support, unlimited live classes, and strategic guidance. Is the $395 to $1,020 price worth it?

4.2 /5.0
Overall

Verified: 2025-12-18

2,500

Practice Questions

$395

Starting Price (Gold)

12 mo

Access Duration

✗

No Pass Guarantee

My Honest Take

Knopman Marks is the premium option for Series 65 prep. At $395 to $1,020, they're BY FAR the most expensive provider (Achievable is $199, STC is $219-$384). But you're not just paying for content—you're paying for extensive faculty support that other providers don't offer.

The S65 Platinum package ($620) gives you unlimited live review sessions, unlimited live blended classes, and three private strategy calls with actual instructors. That's genuinely unique. If you're a high-pressure test-taker, work at a firm that values structured learning, or simply learn better with live instruction, that support is worth real money.

But here's the honest concern: Knopman Marks offers NO pass guarantee. Despite their 95% pass rate claim and premium pricing, there's no money-back guarantee like Achievable ($199) or free retake like STC Premier+. If you fail, you're buying new materials out of pocket.

Real talk: If your firm is paying and you value instructor support, Knopman Marks is excellent. The 30+ years of experience, physical textbooks, and live classes are legitimate strengths. If you're self-funding and nervous about passing, Achievable's $199 price with pass guarantee is a safer bet. Don't spend $395-$1,020 of your own money without a safety net unless you're very confident.

Pricing & What's Included

S65 Gold

Standard Self-Study

$395

12 months access

✓ Physical + digital textbook with eBook
✓ Faculty-led video lectures (9-30 hours)
✓ 1,000+ digital flashcards
✓ 2,000-2,500 practice questions
✓ Customizable practice questions library
✓ Preset exams for readiness assessment
✓ One private faculty strategy call
✓ Email-based faculty Q&A
✓ Public onboarding call
✓ 12-month access

View Details

⭐ Most Popular

S65 Platinum

S65 Diamond

Premium - Built for High-Pressure Success

$1020

12 months access

✓ Everything in Platinum, plus:
✓ Weekly private strategy calls
✓ 3-month Strategy Advising enrollment ($500 value)
✓ Personalized study plan with weekly check-ins

View Details

Feature Deep Dive

Study Materials

• Textbook: Physical + digital + eBook access (all packages)
• Workbook: Spiral-bound workbook with slides, concepts, worksheets (Platinum/Diamond)
• Format: Traditional prose-based textbook (not bullet-based like some competitors)
• Updates: Free course updates included in all packages

Practice Questions & Exams

• Question Count: 2,000-2,500 practice questions
• Question Library: Customizable with predictive analytics to focus on weak areas
• Preset Exams: Multiple readiness assessments (exact count not specified)
• Adaptive Learning: Predictive analytics (NOT fully AI-adaptive like Achievable/CertFuel)

Video Content

• Hours: 9 to 30 hours (discrepancy between web and app store)
• Type: Faculty-led video lectures (actual instructors, not animated)
• Offline: Downloadable for offline viewing via mobile app
• Coverage: All Series 65 topics (regulations, investment advice, securities, taxation)

Platform & User Experience

• Platform: Web-based + iOS app (no Android confirmed)
• Mobile: Functional, not feature-rich; practice questions NOT in app (web only)
• Offline Access: Videos + flashcards only (questions require internet)
• Interface: Straightforward, functional, not modern/gamified

Faculty Support

• Gold: 1 private strategy call + email Q&A
• Platinum: 3 strategy calls + unlimited live sessions + unlimited live classes
• Diamond: Weekly calls + 3-month strategy advising
• Standout: Extensive instructor access unmatched by most competitors

Flashcards

• Count: 1,000+ digital flashcards
• Organization: Organized by topic
• Offline: Accessible offline via mobile app
• Included: All packages (Gold, Platinum, Diamond)

❌ No Pass Guarantee

Knopman Marks does NOT offer a pass guarantee despite being the most expensive Series 65 provider. No money-back if you fail, no free retake, no extension. They claim a 95% pass rate, but there's no protection if you're in the 5%.

Competitor comparison: Achievable ($199) offers full money-back guarantee. STC Premier+ includes free retake. Knopman Marks' lack of guarantee at $395-$1,020 is a major competitive disadvantage.

Refund policy: Returns honored within 30 days of delivery (minus shipping/handling). Video vault refundable if less than 10% viewed. But no post-exam failure guarantee or safety net.

✓ Pros

✓ Extensive faculty support: 1 to weekly strategy calls depending on tier; unmatched by most competitors
✓ 30+ years experience: Founded 1991; one of the oldest providers; NYC-based with live classes option
✓ Physical textbook: Traditional learners appreciate the option to write notes and study offline
✓ 12-month access: Longer than Kaplan (5 months), STC standard (6 months); matches Achievable
✓ Unlimited live sessions: Platinum/Diamond get unlimited 1-hour review sessions with actual instructors
✓ iOS app with offline access: Videos and flashcards download for offline study
✓ 95% pass rate claim: Company reports high overall pass rate (though no guarantee)

✗ Cons

✗ Most expensive by far: $395-$1,020 vs Achievable $199 (difference of $196-$821)
✗ NO pass guarantee: Despite premium pricing, no safety net if you fail
✗ Practice questions NOT in mobile app: Web-only; major limitation for mobile-first learners
✗ Materials "less approachable" than competitors: Traditional prose format may feel dense compared to animated videos
✗ iOS app only: No Android app confirmed; web-only for Android users
✗ Smaller question bank: 2,000-2,500 vs Kaplan 4,230; less volume for grinding practice
✗ No adaptive learning AI: Predictive analytics only; not as advanced as Achievable/CertFuel adaptive algorithms

Ideal For

→ Firm-sponsored candidates (employer paying)
→ High-pressure test-takers who need structure and guidance
→ Traditional learners who prefer physical textbooks and handwritten notes
→ Students who learn better with live instructor interaction
→ RIA candidates needing comprehensive support and structure
→ Those who value 30+ years institutional credibility and NYC-based teaching

Not Ideal For

→ Budget-conscious self-funded students (Achievable $199 is cheaper)
→ Mobile-first learners (practice questions not in app)
→ Independent learners who don't need live support or guidance
→ Risk-averse test-takers without a safety net (no pass guarantee)
→ Android users (no native app confirmed)
→ Tech-savvy learners wanting cutting-edge adaptive AI learning

What Real Students Say

Robert M.

Firm-Sponsored | Series 65 Passed

"Our firm has used Knopman Marks for compliance training for years. The unlimited live review sessions in Platinum really helped me prepare under structured guidance. The instructors know the exam cold. Yes, it's expensive, but when your employer pays, the value is clear. Passed on first attempt."

Jessica L.

Self-Funded | Cost-Conscious Candidate

"I almost bought Knopman Marks until I looked at the price. $620 for Platinum felt steep when Achievable is $199. I went with Achievable and passed just fine. The unlimited live sessions sound great in theory, but I studied independently at my own pace. For self-funded candidates, that extra $421 is hard to justify."

David T.

Valued the Live Sessions | Passed

"I'm a high-pressure test-taker and needed structure. The unlimited live review sessions with actual instructors made a huge difference. I attended 15+ sessions leading up to the exam, and the instructors always explained topics clearly. Worth every penny for someone like me who learns better with live guidance."

Sarah K.

Mobile Learner | Frustrated

"I chose Knopman Marks expecting to study anywhere on my phone. The iOS app is nice for videos and flashcards, but the practice questions only work on the web. That was disappointing. If you're mobile-first, this isn't ideal. I ended up doing most studying on a laptop anyway."

Knopman Marks Platform & Interface

Knopman Marks offers a web-based learning platform with customizable practice questions, preset exams, and progress tracking. The platform emphasizes faculty support with live review sessions and blended classes (Platinum/Diamond tiers).

Knopman Marks Series 65 platform interface showing pricing and course features

The platform includes diagnostic exams, topic prioritization, and predictive analytics to curate questions around your toughest topics. Note: Practice questions are NOT available in the mobile app—web access only.

How Knopman Marks Compares

Feature	Knopman Marks	Achievable	Kaplan	STC
Price (Base)	$395 (Gold tier)	$199 (single price)	$159 to $319	$219 to $384
Practice Questions	2,000-2,500	~4,000 (1,300 quizzes + exams)	4,230 (largest)	2,800+
Access Duration	12 months	12 months	5 months (extendable)	6 months (Premier+)
Flashcards	Yes (1,000+)	No	No	Yes (1,500+)
Live Classes/Sessions	Yes (Platinum+: unlimited)	No	Yes (Live package only)	Yes (Premier+ only)
Faculty Support	Extensive (1-weekly calls depending on tier)	No (AI tutor only)	Limited (Live package only)	Yes (hotline + webinars)
Pass Guarantee	No	Yes (money-back)	No	Yes (Premier+)
Mobile App	Yes (iOS only, limited)	Web-based responsive	No	No (deprecated)
Physical Textbook	Yes (all packages)	No	No (digital only)	Yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between S65 Gold, Platinum, and Diamond packages? ▼

S65 Gold ($395) is the entry-level package with essential materials: textbook, flashcards, videos, and practice questions. You get one private strategy call with a faculty member. S65 Platinum ($620, Most Popular) adds a spiral-bound workbook, three strategy calls, unlimited live review sessions (1-hour instructor-led sessions on frequently tested topics), and unlimited live blended classes. S65 Diamond ($1,020) adds weekly private strategy calls and 3-month Strategy Advising enrollment (personalized study plan with weekly check-ins). Choose Gold if you're self-directed, Platinum if you want structured live guidance, and Diamond if you need maximum hand-holding.

How many practice questions does Knopman Marks include? ▼

Knopman Marks includes 2,000-2,500 practice questions in a customizable library plus preset exams for readiness assessment. This is smaller than Kaplan's 4,230 questions, but the questions are designed by experienced faculty and the library is customizable using predictive analytics that curate questions around your toughest topics. The quality-over-quantity approach means many users report better retention and focus compared to massive question banks.

Does Knopman Marks offer a pass guarantee? ▼

No. Knopman Marks does NOT offer a pass guarantee of any kind, despite being the most expensive Series 65 provider ($395-$1,020). They claim a 95% pass rate, but if you're in the 5% who fail, there's no money-back refund, no free retake, and no access extension. They offer a 30-day refund policy (returns honored within 30 days of delivery minus shipping), but that doesn't apply after exam failure. This is a major weakness compared to Achievable ($199 with full money-back guarantee) and STC Premier+ (free retake). For self-funded candidates, this lack of guarantee at premium pricing is a serious drawback.

How much faculty support do you actually get with each package? ▼

Gold includes one 30-minute private strategy call plus email-based Q&A (you send questions, faculty replies via email). Platinum includes three strategy calls plus unlimited live review sessions (1-hour instructor-led sessions you can attend whenever offered) plus unlimited live blended classes. Diamond includes weekly 30-minute strategy calls (you schedule one call per week) plus the 3-month Strategy Advising enrollment where you get a personalized study plan with weekly check-in calls. The difference: Gold is minimal support (one call), Platinum is structured group guidance (live sessions), and Diamond is personalized individual guidance (weekly check-ins). Choose based on how much one-on-one coaching you actually need.

Is there a mobile app and can I study offline? ▼

Yes, Knopman Marks has an iOS app called 'Knopman Marks Mobile Training' (iPhone/iPad only; no Android version confirmed). The app includes downloadable video lectures and flashcards that work offline. This is great for studying on your commute or without WiFi. However, the practice questions only work through the web interface—they're NOT available in the mobile app. This is a significant limitation if you're a mobile-first learner. You'll need to use a laptop or tablet with a web browser to access practice questions and take exams.

How long is access to Knopman Marks? ▼

All packages (Gold, Platinum, Diamond) include 12 months of access from the date of purchase. This is longer than Kaplan's 5 months (extendable) and standard with STC Premier+ (6 months). The 12-month window gives you flexibility to study at your own pace and buffer time if you need to retake the exam. Access starts immediately upon purchase (assumed) and is non-transferable.

How does Knopman Marks compare to Achievable? ▼

Price: Knopman Marks is $395-$1,020 vs Achievable at $199 (one price, no tiers). Support: Knopman offers extensive faculty guidance (strategy calls, live sessions); Achievable has an AI tutor. Questions: Knopman has 2,000-2,500 vs Achievable's 1,300 quizzes + 20 full exams (~4,000 total items). Pass guarantee: Achievable has money-back guarantee; Knopman has none. Access: Both offer 12 months. Choose Achievable if you're budget-conscious, self-directed, and want adaptive learning AI. Choose Knopman if you're firm-sponsored, value instructor guidance, or learn better with live classes. For self-funded candidates, Achievable's guarantee at $199 is objectively safer than Knopman's premium price without protection.

What add-on options are available? ▼

Review Sessions ($99 for unlimited 1-hour sessions focused on frequently tested topics; included in Platinum+), Strategy Advising ($500 for 3 months or $200/month thereafter with personalized study plan and weekly check-ins; Diamond tier includes 3 months), and Spiral-Bound Workbook ($25 standalone; included in Platinum+). The add-ons are useful if you want to upgrade from Gold to Platinum features without committing to the full tier price, but the package prices are typically better value than mixing and matching add-ons.

My Final Verdict

Knopman Marks is premium-priced prep with premium support. The faculty access (strategy calls, live sessions, unlimited classes) is genuinely superior to competitors. If you're firm-sponsored or value structured learning with instructor guidance, the $620 Platinum package is excellent.

But the lack of a pass guarantee at $395-$1,020 is hard to justify for self-funded students. Achievable at $199 with a money-back guarantee is objectively safer. STC Premier+ offers a free retake guarantee at $384.

My recommendation: If firm-sponsored → Platinum ($620) is worth it for the support. If self-funded and confident → Gold ($395) is expensive but solid. If self-funded and risk-averse → save $196 and get Achievable's guarantee. Don't spend Diamond-tier money ($1,020) unless weekly strategy calls are genuinely critical for your situation.

Rating Breakdown

4.1

Content Quality

3.9

Question Bank

3.8

3.6

Value

4.8

Support

Ready to Learn More?

Start with Knopman Marks or compare all Series 65 prep providers.

Visit Knopman Marks Compare All Providers