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AD Banker vs Kaplan
See which securities exam prep course is best for you between Kaplan and AD Banker (SIE & Series 7, 63, 65, 66)
When preparing for securities licensing exams, choosing the right study materials is crucial for success. Kaplan and AD Banker, two popular prep course providers, offer comprehensive programs with unique features designed to help candidates pass their exams. This comparison will evaluate their course offerings, teaching methods, and overall effectiveness to help you make an informed decision.
To start, let’s discuss the strengths of the Kaplan securities licensing prep courses. That way, you can get a better idea of whether their courses are a good fit for your learning style and preferences.
Slightly Cheaper Than AD Banker
For teh SIE and Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and 66 exams, both Kaplan and AD Banker generally offer three different course options. In Kaplan’s case, you have your choice between Basic, Essential, and Premium. When it comes to AD Banker, it’s Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
Regardless of which course option you select, however, Kaplan typically ends up being the more affordable option.
For the Series 7, for example, Kaplan’s Premium course costs around $279, whereas the comparable Platinum course from AD Banker costs around $300.
All in all, you’re looking at around $20 to $40 in savings by opting to go with Kaplan for your securities exam prep needs. Plus, Kaplan often runs sales and special promotions, so you can likely save even more money come checkout.
Custom Study Plan
Kaplan’s tailored study plan adapts to each student’s individual needs, creating a customized schedule based on their strengths, weaknesses, and available study time.
Example study plan from Kaplan
This personalized approach ensures that students focus on the areas where they need the most improvement, helping them optimize their exam preparation.
By offering a clear roadmap, Kaplan’s study plan keeps students on track and maximizes their chances of passing their securities licensing exams.
Insightful Video Lessons
Kaplan’s on-demand video lessons stand out for their engaging delivery, capturing your attention far better than AD Banker’s more straightforward presentations.
Example video lesson from Kaplan
The instructors in Kaplan’s courses excel at breaking down complex topics in an easy-to-understand, dynamic way. Their deep expertise shines through, making the material not only more digestible but also more enjoyable to follow.
Compared to AD Banker, Kaplan’s videos provide a more interactive and compelling learning experience.
Realistic Practice Questions & Tests
Kaplan’s practice questions and simulated exams closely mirror the format and difficulty of actual securities exams, offering a more realistic test-taking experience compared to AD Banker’s (same story with Achievable).
Kaplan’s questions are crafted to challenge your understanding and reflect the nuances you’ll encounter on exam day. Their simulated exams provide a better gauge of your readiness by replicating the pressure, wording, and timing of the real exam.
In contrast, AD Banker’s practice tests, while useful, don’t capture the same level of depth or realism as Kaplan’s.
Customizable QBank
Kaplan’s SecuritiesPro QBank is an exceptional tool that allows students to create custom quizzes and practice question sets tailored to their specific needs. With this flexibility, you can focus on areas where you need the most improvement, reinforcing key concepts at your own pace.
Create custom quiz sets with Kaplan
The ability to adjust the difficulty and subject matter of the quizzes helps to build confidence and mastery in targeted topics. This personalized approach ensures you’re thoroughly prepared, making the QBank a highly effective resource for exam readiness.
Detailed Class Notes & Exam Manuals
Kaplan’s class notes and exam manuals provide a comprehensive, well-organized resource for traditional learners who prefer studying with hardcopy materials.
These manuals are packed with detailed explanations, examples, and key concepts, making them ideal for those who like to physically highlight key points and dog-ear pages for review at a later time.
The structured format of the notes complements Kaplan’s online resources, offering a reliable and thorough study aid for exam preparation.
Now that you have a good idea of what Kaplan brings to the table, let’s discuss a few reasons you may want to consider AD Banker to help you study for the SIE and/or Series 6, 7, 63, 65 and 66 exams.
Audio Enabled Lessons
AD Banker’s lessons are audio-enabled, offering a convenient and flexible study option for students who prefer to learn by listening.
Listen to lessons rather than read
This feature is particularly beneficial for auditory learners, as it allows them to absorb the material through repeated listening, whether at home or on-the-go.
The audio format also helps reinforce key concepts by making it easier to review lessons during downtime. For those who retain information better through hearing, AD Banker provides a valuable resource tailored to their learning style.
Note Taking Tool
AD Banker’s online note-taking tool allows students to conveniently capture key points and insights as they move through the course, all within the digital platform.
Take notes during lessons
This integrated tool helps keep your notes organized and easily accessible, making it simpler to review important concepts without needing to flip through pages of a notebook. The ability to take and save notes directly alongside the course material streamlines the study process, offering a seamless way to track progress and revisit critical information.
For securities exam prep, this feature ensures your notes are always at hand, providing an efficient alternative to traditional note-taking.
User-Friendly Digital Interface
AD Banker’s digital interface is incredibly user-friendly, offering a clean and intuitive layout that makes navigating through the course material a breeze (like with STC).
A look inside the AD Banker prep course
The drag-and-drop functionality allows students to easily organize different activities, such as quizzes, lessons, and practice exams, in a way that suits their study style. This smooth, customizable experience helps keep students engaged and on track without the frustration of a cluttered or confusing interface.
Overall, the platform enhances the efficiency of studying, allowing for a more focused and productive exam preparation process.
Verdict: Kaplan Or AD Banker For Securities Licensing Exam Prep?
Although AD Banker offers valuable features such as audio-enabled lessons and a user-friendly interface, Kaplan ultimately stands out as the superior choice for securities licensing exam prep.
Kaplan’s engaging video lessons, realistic practice exams, and highly customizable study tools provide a more comprehensive and effective learning experience. Their tailored study plans and in-depth materials give students a structured yet flexible approach to mastering the content.
While AD Banker may appeal to auditory learners and those seeking a streamlined interface, Kaplan’s well-rounded offerings cater to a wider range of learning styles. For students looking to maximize their chances of success, Kaplan delivers the stronger, more robust course overall.
Also, it’s worth reminding you that the Kaplan courses are more affordable, further pushing the scale in their favor.
Which is better for securities exam prep, Kaplan or AD Banker?
Our team found Kaplan to be the better option for securities exam prep due to its engaging video lessons, realistic practice exams, and highly customizable study tools. While AD Banker offers valuable features like audio-enabled lessons, Kaplan’s comprehensive resources and tailored study plans provide a more effective and well-rounded preparation experience.
Is AD Banker cheaper than Kaplan for securities licensing exam prep?
Kaplan is generally cheaper than AD Banker by an average of $20 to $40, making it a more budget-friendly option for many students. This cost advantage, combined with its comprehensive features, can offer a more attractive value proposition for those preparing for securities licensing exams.
