Securities Training Corporation Review
50+ years of exam prep experience with comprehensive materials and instructor support
Last updated: February 1, 2026
Verified: 2025-12-18
Overall Rating
3.8/5
Price Range
$219–$384
Question Bank
2,800+
Pass Guarantee
Yes*
Premier+ only
Quick Summary
Securities Training Corporation (STC) is an established exam prep provider with 50+ years of experience training over 1 million candidates across multiple FINRA exams. For Series 65 specifically, they offer a traditional, structured approach with strong instructor support and comprehensive flashcard sets.
What sets STC apart is their combination of 1,500+ organized flashcards, Green Light diagnostic exams that pinpoint weak areas, and instructor hotline support available in all packages. They're also one of the few providers offering live in-person classes in major cities (NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston).
However, STC has trade-offs: their 6-month access period is shorter than Achievable's 12 months, user reviews note the textbook chapters are lengthy, and their deprecated mobile app means web-only access. Also important: the pass guarantee is only available in Premier tier and higher, not the budget Standard option.
Best for: Traditional learners who prefer structured materials, candidates with access to live classes, those who value instructor support and diagnostics, and learners with 6+ months to prepare.
Pricing & Packages
Standard
$219
- ✓ Study manual (online + printed)
- ✓ Chapter quizzes
- ✓ Final exams with custom options
- ✓ Instructor hotline access
- ✓ 24/7 tech support
- ✓ Free course updates
- ✓ 6-month access
Premier
★ Recommended for most learners
$247
- ✓ Everything in Standard, plus:
- ✓ Progress exams
- ✓ 2 × 140-question Green Light diagnostics
- ✓ 12 hours of on-demand video
- ✓ 1,500+ organized flashcards
- ✓ STC Pass Guarantee
- ✓ 6-month access
Premier Plus
$384
- ✓ Everything in Premier, plus:
- ✓ Live virtual or in-person classes
- ✓ Recorded access to live sessions
- ✓ Instructor-led instruction
- ✓ STC Pass Guarantee
- ✓ 6-month access
Pass Guarantee Details: Standard ($219) has NO guarantee. Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384) include free course repeat or money-back refund if you don't pass after meeting study requirements.
Feature Deep Dive
Study Materials & Textbook
STC provides a comprehensive traditional textbook organized into 15 chapters following the FINRA content outline. The textbook is available in both online and printed formats (physical copy ships with orders). The material is prose-based rather than bullet-heavy, which some learners love for understanding concepts and others find dense and time-consuming.
- ✓ 15 chapters covering all Series 65 topics
- ✓ Available online (web) and printed (shipped)
- ✓ Downloadable for offline review
- ✓ Free updates included in all packages
- ✓ Study notes and chapter outlines included
- ⚠️ Chapters are lengthy—some users report 40+ pages per chapter
Practice Questions & Exams
All packages include chapter quizzes and final exams with custom options. The Standard package has access to general practice questions. Premier tier adds the Green Light diagnostic exams—two 140-question exams (10 questions above the actual 130-question Series 65 exam) that identify exactly which topics you're weakest on.
- ✓ 1,000+ practice questions in question bank
- ✓ Chapter quizzes (all packages)
- ✓ Final exams with custom options (all packages)
- ✓ 2 × 140-question Green Light diagnostics (Premier+)
- ✓ Realistic exam-format questions
- ✓ Progress exams to track improvement
- ⚠️ Total ~2,800 questions—less than Kaplan's 4,230
Video Instruction & Live Classes
Premier tier includes 12 hours of on-demand video lectures recorded by STC instructors. Premier Plus adds the option of live virtual or in-person classes in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston. Users praise the content quality but note that instructors sometimes pivot frequently, making videos harder to follow.
- ✓ 12 hours on-demand video (Premier+)
- ✓ Professionally recorded classroom lectures
- ✓ Downloadable lecture notes
- ✓ Live virtual classes option (Premier Plus)
- ✓ In-person classes in 4 major cities (Premier Plus)
- ✓ Recorded access to live sessions
- ⚠️ Some users report instructors pivot frequently
Flashcards & Study Tools
Premier tier and higher include 1,500+ digital flashcards, a standout feature for STC. Flashcards are organized by course, chapter, and FINRA exam sections. Created by securities markets experts in plain English. Standard package ($219) does NOT include flashcards—this is a notable gap for that tier.
- ✓ 1,500+ organized digital flashcards (Premier+)
- ✓ 44th edition (2025 updates)
- ✓ Organized by chapter and exam section
- ✓ Mobile-friendly flashcard interface
- ✓ Plain English, concise format
- ✓ Online access with sync across devices
- ✗ NO adaptive algorithm (standard quizzes)
- ✗ NO gamification features
Platform & Mobile Access
STC is web-based with mobile-friendly design. The native iOS app ("Exam Prep by STC") is no longer supported as of 2025, though you can still download study materials for offline review. Real-time sync with your STC account tracks scores and exam history across devices.
- ✓ Web-based platform (all devices)
- ✓ Mobile-friendly website (iPhone, Android browsers)
- ✓ Downloadable study manual & lecture notes
- ✓ Real-time sync across devices
- ✓ Progress tracking and analytics
- ⚠️ iOS app no longer supported (deprecated)
- ✗ NO Android native app
- ✗ NO native mobile apps (web access only)
Support & Access Duration
All packages include instructor hotline support and 24/7 tech support. Access duration is 6 months (enrollment validity), longer than Kaplan but shorter than Achievable's 12 months. Extensions available for additional fees.
- ✓ Instructor hotline (all packages)
- ✓ 24/7 technical support
- ✓ Email support available
- ✓ Community forums for peer support
- ✓ 6-month access window (180+ days)
- ✓ Extensions available for flashcards & videos
- ⚠️ Support response time not formally specified
- ⚠️ 6 months is short for slow learners
Pass Guarantee: How It Works
What STC Guarantees
- ✓ Available in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384)
- ✓ NOT available in Standard ($219)
- ✓ Covers first-time exam failure
- ✓ Two options: Free course repeat OR money-back refund
- ✓ Refund equals course price minus applied discounts
- ✓ Excludes shipping and tax
What You Must Do
- • Complete required study materials
- • Meet minimum score thresholds on practice exams
- • Use materials for first exam attempt only
- • Must have purchased Premier or Premier Plus tier
- • Provide proof of exam failure
Honest Assessment: The STC pass guarantee is valuable, especially at the Premier tier price of $247. However, real value depends on whether you can meet their study requirements and pass-guarantee conditions. Read the fine print carefully—like all guarantees, there are conditions.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Strengths
- ✓ 1,500+ flashcards included (Premier tier and up)
- ✓ Green Light diagnostic exams identify weak areas precisely
- ✓ Instructor hotline available in all packages
- ✓ Pass guarantee in Premier and Premier Plus tiers
- ✓ Live in-person classes in major cities (Premier Plus)
- ✓ 50+ years in the exam prep business
Weaknesses
- ✗ Short 6-month access period (vs competitors with 12 months)
- ✗ Chapters are lengthy and dense for some learners
- ✗ Videos sometimes hard to follow per user feedback
- ✗ Mobile app no longer supported
- ✗ No adaptive learning algorithm
- ✗ Fewer questions than Kaplan (2,800 vs 4,230)
Who Should Use STC?
STC Is a Good Fit For:
- ✓ Traditional learners who prefer structured textbooks over flashy interfaces
- ✓ Flashcard enthusiasts—1,500+ flashcards are a major differentiator
- ✓ NYC/Chicago/SF/Boston residents interested in live in-person classes
- ✓ Instruction seekers who value hotline access and instructor support
- ✓ Test-takers with 6+ months to prepare—access window is tight
- ✓ Mid-budget candidates ($247 Premier tier balances cost and features)
STC May NOT Be Right For:
- ✗ Self-directed learners without instructor support structure
- ✗ Mobile-first learners—app is deprecated, web-only
- ✗ Adaptive learning seekers—no AI-powered personalization
- ✗ Gamification fans—no leaderboards or achievements
- ✗ Budget-conscious on Standard tier—no pass guarantee at $219
- ✗ Learners who need 12+ months—access is only 6 months
What Real Students Say
"I appreciate STC's structured approach and comprehensive textbook. The 1,500 flashcards were incredibly helpful, and they're organized by chapter which made review easy. The instructor hotline was responsive when I had questions. Passed on first try with the Premier package."
Marcus T.
Traditional Learner | Passed Series 65
"Chose STC specifically for their in-person classes in Manhattan. Being able to attend live sessions after work was perfect for my schedule. The Green Light diagnostics showed me exactly where I was weak. The 6-month access felt tight, but I passed before the deadline."
Sarah C.
NYC-Based | Premier Plus Student
"Started with Standard at $219, which was the cheapest option I found. The practice questions were comprehensive and realistic. Felt I needed more structure though, so upgraded to Premier ($247) for the diagnostics and flashcards. Good value overall, but the 6-month window was stressful."
Jason R.
Budget-Conscious Candidate
"Didn't pass on first attempt, but STC honored the pass guarantee. They gave me free access to retake materials. The explanations in the question bank really helped me understand concepts better the second time. Grateful for the guarantee—made the failure less painful."
Patricia M.
Career Changer | Pass Guarantee User
STC Platform & Interface
Here's what the STC Series 65 platform looks like. The interface is clean and functional, designed for traditional learners who appreciate straightforward organization over flashy gamification.
STC's course dashboard features organized chapter navigation, progress tracking, and access to practice questions and flashcards. The design prioritizes clarity and functionality over visual complexity.
How STC Compares to Competitors
| Provider | Price Range | Rating | Questions | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STC | $219–$384 | 3.8/5 | 2,800+ | Structured learners, in-person class option |
| Kaplan | $159–$319 | 4.2/5 | 4,230 | Firm-sponsored, comprehensive content |
| Achievable | $199 | 4.5/5 | 1,300+ | Adaptive learning, budget-conscious |
| Pass Perfect | $299–$499 | 4.1/5 | 2,500+ | Detailed explanations, serious test-takers |
Key Takeaway: STC fills the middle ground—more expensive than Achievable but cheaper than Knopman. The real advantage is the 1,500+ flashcards, pass guarantee (Premier+), and instructor support. Choose STC if those features matter to your learning style; choose Achievable for lower cost and adaptive learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between STC's three packages?
How many practice questions does STC have?
Does STC have a pass guarantee?
Can I access STC on my phone?
How long do I have access to STC materials?
Are flashcards included with STC?
Does STC offer live classes?
What do users say about STC for Series 65?
Final Verdict
STC is a solid choice if you value comprehensive study materials, instructor support, and diagnostic testing. The 1,500+ flashcards are genuinely valuable, and the Green Light diagnostics help you identify weak areas precisely. For structured learners who appreciate traditional textbooks over flashy interfaces—and especially if you're near a major city with in-person classes—STC delivers real value.
But here's the honesty: the 6-month access window is tight, and user reviews are mixed for Series 65 specifically (Reddit has warnings). The pass guarantee only comes in Premier tier ($247+), not their $219 Standard option—so if budget is your primary driver, you miss the guarantee at the lowest price.
Choose STC if you're a traditional learner with time to prepare and want instructor support. If you're budget-conscious and self-directed, Achievable ($199) is probably better. If your employer is paying and you want the most questions, Kaplan's 4,230 might be worth the extra cost.
Rating Breakdown
Compare STC with Other Providers
Interested in seeing how STC stacks up against specific competitors? We've created detailed head-to-head comparisons:
Ready to Get Started?
Visit STC's Series 65 page to explore pricing, take a free trial, or enroll today.
Read our about page to learn more about how we review these courses.