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Dalton vs Kaplan CFP
Head-to-head comparison of the CFP prep courses from Kaplan and Dalton Review
Preparing for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam is a critical step for aspiring financial advisors, and choosing the right prep course can make all the difference. Kaplan and Dalton Education are two of the most reputable providers in this space, each offering unique strengths and tailored approaches to help candidates succeed. This article will compare the CFP prep courses from Kaplan and Dalton Education, highlighting their key features, benefits, and differences to help you make an informed decision.
To kick this comparison off, let’s take a look at the major reasons you should consider using Kaplan to help you study for the CFP exam.
Course Options & Pricing
Kaplan offers two different CFP review courses: Essential and Premium.
The Essential package is a self-paced prep course that costs around $600, while the Premium course includes live classes and costs around $1,400.
Dalton also offers two different CFP review courses as well. The first (simply called The Dalton Review) costs around $1,500, and the second (called the The Dalton Review Guarantee to Pass) costs around $2,300.
Therefore, you’ll likely save anywhere from $100 to $800 by opting to go with Kaplan or your CFP prep needs. Plus, Kaplan seems to be more aggressive with sales and discounts as well so chances are you can save even more.
Clear Guidance & Study Plan
The Kaplan CFP prep course offers a comprehensive and adaptive learning experience through an extensive slate of coursework delivered via a step-by-step activity feed in your online student portal.
A look inside the Kaplan CFP course
This feed guides you through your studies, adapting to your performance by focusing on weaker areas. This structured and personalized approach ensures efficient use of study time, improving your chances of passing the CFP exam on the first attempt
Helpful Video Lessons
When you sign up for either Kaplan CFP review course, you’ll have access to over 25 high-quality prerecorded video lectures. These videos feature your instructor in the top left corner, delivering lessons via webcam while walking through PowerPoint slides and annotating with a red marker.
Example CFP lesson from Kaplan
This traditional, tried-and-true style benefits visual and auditory learners by combining visual slides, verbal explanations, and a face-to-face connection with the instructor. Though not as interactive as live classes, these engaging and informative lessons effectively enhance comprehension and retention.
Excellent Live Classes
In our team’s opinion, the classes are the core of this program, offering a more interactive and comprehensive learning experience compared to textbook study. Our team audited the live online class, which consisted of roughly 11 three-hour sessions led by expert instructors in a virtual classroom.
Our class featured two different instructors who were both highly experienced CFPs and had a deep understanding of the material. The classes focused on both content review and testing strategies, with a heavier emphasis on content review due to the CFP exam’s nature.
Overall, we found the live online classes to be excellent, with knowledgeable and approachable instructors and engaging, well-structured lessons.
Realistic Practice Work
In addition to class sessions, video lessons, and reading assignments, you’ll frequently complete practice question assignments (usually 25 to 75 questions at a time) using Kaplan’s “Analyze and Apply” Qbank.
CFP quiz from Kaplan
This tool lets you create custom practice sets by topic and number of questions, and we found the practice questions closely mimic real CFP exam questions in both content and style.
With over 2,500 practice questions available, they are thoughtfully written and test the material in diverse ways. Each question includes an answer explanation, detailing the rationale behind the correct answer.
Awesome Prep Books
Another key element of the Kaplan CFP coursework is the comprehensive set of review books. These content-rich books, available for standalone purchase, thoroughly cover all necessary CFP exam material in a clear and understandable manner.
Email Support
Last but not least, Kaplan’s CFP courses allow students to directly contact expert instructors with their questions. This feature provides personalized support and clarifies complex topics, enhancing the learning experience.
The Kaplan instructors are very helpful
It ensures that students can get timely assistance and in-depth explanations, which is crucial for mastering the material and succeeding on the CFP exam.
Now that you have a good feel for what Kaplan has to offer, let’s switch it up and talk about the advantages of going with Dalton to help you prepare for the CFP exam.
In-Person Classes Available
With Dalton’s CFP review courses, students have the option for in-person live classes, providing a traditional classroom experience (Kaplan does not offer this option).
Dalton offers in-person classes for students
This format allows for real-time interaction with instructors and peers, which can be particularly beneficial for students who thrive on immediate feedback and active participation.
In-person instruction also fosters a sense of community and accountability, motivating students to stay engaged and committed to their studies. For those who learn best through direct interaction and hands-on activities, live in-person classes offer a more effective and supportive learning environment.
Live Office Hours
Dalton’s CFP review courses include access to live office hours once per week, where students can ask questions and receive immediate feedback from expert instructors. This feature is beneficial as it provides personalized support, helping students clarify complex concepts and address specific challenges they face in their studies.
A look inside the Dalton CFP review course
Live office hours also offer an opportunity for interactive learning and deeper engagement with the material. This additional layer of support can be crucial for thorough exam preparation and boosting confidence before the CFP exam.
Guarantee To Pass
For students who opt for the company’s more expensive review course, it comes with a pass guarantee, meaning you will get 100% of your money back if you do not pass the CFP exam after completing their study materials. The only downside is that this package costs north of $2,000.
Kaplan, on the other hand, only offers what they call PassProtection, meaning if you fail to pass the CFP exam, Kaplan offers a complimentary Premium Review package valid for up to one year or three exam cycles. This guarantee ensures continued support and preparation until you achieve success.
While Dalton’s CFP review courses offer robust features like live in-person classes, live office hours, and a pass guarantee, our team ultimately recommends Kaplan. We think Kaplan’s courses are more robust and effective.
Kaplan’s approach combines interactive online classes with personalized study plans that cater to individual learning styles, making it ideal for diverse student needs. Their proven track record in CFP exam preparation, coupled with accessible instructor support and thorough review materials, ensures a solid foundation for success in the challenging CFP exam.
Bottom line, go with Kaplan. Plus, let’s not forget that Kaplan’s CFP courses are more affordable as well.
FAQ
Which CFP review course is better, Dalton or Kaplan?
Although our team likes the CFP courses from both companies, we ultimately think Kaplan offers the more robust and effective study materials. Kaplan’s CFP review course distinguishes itself through high-quality video lessons, interactive live classes, adaptive study plans, and strong instructor support, offering students an effective path to success in the CFP certification exam.
