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ExamFX vs Kaplan
See which securities exam prep package is better for you between Kaplan and ExamFX (SIE & Series 7, 63, 65, 66)
When preparing for crucial securities licensing exams like the SIE, Series 7, 63, 65, and 66, choosing the right exam prep provider can significantly impact your success. Kaplan and ExamFX are two of the most well-known options, each offering comprehensive study materials tailored to help aspiring financial professionals pass their exams. In this article, we’ll compare the key features, pricing, and effectiveness of both Kaplan and ExamFX to help you decide which course best fits your needs.
To kick this comparison off, let’s discuss the strengths of the Kaplan prep courses so you have a better understanding of whether their study packages are a good fit to help you prepare for the SIE and/or Series exams.
Kaplan Is More Affordable
Kaplan generally offers three prep packages for consumers to choose from per exam (Basic, Essential, and Premium). ExamFX, on the other hand, typically offers just two prep options (textbook or online).
A look at the different Kaplan offerings
Regardless of which package you go with though, Kaplan typically ends up being the cheaper option. Even a few of their Premium courses are more affordable than ExamFX, which is quite surprising. Let’s take a closer look by exam.
SIE: Kaplan $99 (Basic) vs ExamFX $149 (Online)
Series 6: Kaplan $129 (Premium) vs ExamFX $169 (Online)
Series 7: Kaplan $279 (Premium) vs ExamFX $349 (Online)
Series 63: Kaplan $99 (Essential) vs ExamFX $115 (Online)
Series 65: Kaplan $199 (Essential) vs ExamFX $275 (Online)
Series 66: Kaplan $189 (Essential) vs ExamFX $225 (Online)
Therefore, expect to save anywhere between $15 to $175 by opting to go with Kaplan over ExamFX. Plus, Kaplan seems to more aggressive with sales and discounts as well so there is a chance you’ll be able to save even more.
Tailored Study Plan
Kaplan’s customizable study plan tool offers significant benefits for those preparing for the SIE and Series 6, 7, 63, 65, and 66 exams. By scheduling daily tasks based on your specific study time frame and exam date, the tool ensures efficient time management and keeps you on track.
Example study plan from Kaplan
It adapts to your progress, allowing you to focus on areas where you need improvement. This personalized approach helps reduce overwhelm by breaking down the material into manageable tasks, ensuring a more organized and less stressful study experience.
Additionally, it accommodates various schedules, making it ideal for busy professionals.
Engaging Video Lessons
Kaplan’s on-demand video lessons are a great resource for students preparing for their securities licensing exams. Featuring knowledgeable instructors on-screen, these lessons provide clear and insightful explanations of complex topics.
Example video lesson from Kaplan
The instructors do a fantastic job of holding your attention by using engaging visuals like graphics, pictures, and text to break down the material. This dynamic approach keeps the learning experience interactive and helps reinforce key concepts, making it easier to retain important information (similar to Pass Perfect).
Access To Expert Instructors
Kaplan’s InstructorLink provides students with direct access to experienced instructors, offering personalized support throughout their securities licensing exam preparation.
This feature allows students to ask questions and receive detailed explanations, helping to clarify difficult concepts and ensure better understanding. With InstructorLink, students can get targeted feedback and guidance, improving their study efficiency and focusing on areas that need attention.
Overall, it enhances the learning experience by providing expert help, making the path to passing exams more manageable.
Customizable QBank
Kaplan’s customizable QBank is a powerful tool for students preparing for securities licensing exams. It allows students to create personalized practice quizzes tailored to specific topics or difficulty levels, ensuring a focused study experience.
Kaplan allows you to create your own custom quizzes
The QBank also provides detailed explanations for each question, helping students understand both correct and incorrect answers. By simulating real exam conditions, it boosts confidence and reinforces knowledge, making it an essential resource for effective exam preparation.
Live Class Options
Kaplan’s live classes offer students a dynamic and interactive way to prepare for securities licensing exams, providing real-time instruction from expert teachers. This format is ideal for learners who thrive on direct engagement, asking questions, and getting immediate feedback, making complex topics easier to grasp.
Unlike many other exam prep companies, such as ExamFX, Kaplan stands out by offering live classes, giving students a more personalized and guided learning experience. These live sessions are perfect for those who benefit from structure and enjoy the accountability of a scheduled class.
Now that you have a better understanding of what Kaplan brings to the table, let’s turn the tables and discuss the strengths of the ExamFX study materials.
Hardcopy Prep Books
ExamFX’s hardcopy prep books are a solid resource for students studying for the SIE, and Series 6, 7, 63, 65, and 66 exams. These books offer clear, concise explanations and are perfect for those who prefer reading and studying from physical materials.
Detailed hardcopy prep books
Hardcopy prep books are especially useful for traditional learners who like to highlight, take notes, and flip through pages for easy review. They’re a great option for students who want to supplement their online study tools with a tangible, on-the-go resource.
Multi-Level Testing
ExamFX’s multi-level testing approach offers a structured way for students to prepare for their securities licensing exams by gradually building their knowledge and test-taking skills (similar to AD Banker).
Example quiz question from ExamFX
It includes competency exams, spot check quizzes, checkpoint exams, and benchmark exams. This tiered approach helps students reinforce their understanding while progressively improving their confidence and readiness. By mimicking the format and difficulty of the actual exam, ExamFX ensures students are well-prepared to succeed on test day.
Instructor Support via Phone
ExamFX offers instructor support via phone, allowing students to directly connect with knowledgeable instructors for personalized guidance. This one-on-one support helps clarify difficult concepts and ensures students fully understand the material.
Having access to real-time assistance boosts confidence and enhances the overall learning experience, making it easier to stay on track during exam preparation. For the record, Kaplan only provides instructor support via email so having access by phone is a big advantage.
Longer Content Access Period
Lastly, ExamFX offers a longer content access period than Kaplan for their securities exam prep packages, giving students 180 days of access compared to Kaplan’s five months.
A look inside the ExamFX course
This extended time allows students more flexibility to pace their studies and review material at their convenience. For those balancing busy schedules or needing additional preparation time, the longer access period provides an extra layer of comfort and support.
To be fair, you can purchase a five month extension with Kaplan for a one-time fee of $49 if you need additional time to study for your exam.
After a thorough comparison of the securities exam prep courses from Kaplan and ExamFX, our team found both to have valuable features.
While ExamFX offers a longer content access period and convenient instructor support via phone, Kaplan stands out overall due to its comprehensive live classes, engaging on-demand video lessons, and customizable study tools.
Kaplan’s structured approach and interactive resources provide a more immersive learning experience that many students find beneficial. Ultimately, for its well-rounded offerings and robust support, our team prefers Kaplan for securities exam preparation.
Plus, let’s not forget that the Kaplan prep packages are more affordable than ExamFX’s as well.
Is Kaplan better than ExamFX for securities license exams?
Kaplan is our team’s preferred choice for securities exam prep due to its comprehensive live classes, engaging on-demand video lessons, and customizable study tools. These features offer a more interactive and immersive learning experience than what ExamFX offers.
How long should you study for your Series exam?
The ideal study duration for your Series exam varies by individual and exam, but a common recommendation is to allocate 8 to 12 weeks of consistent study time. This allows you to thoroughly cover the material and reinforce your understanding while also building confidence before the exam.
