The FINRA Series 65 licensing exam is one of the first steps in your journey to becoming an investment advisor. This test was designed by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and requires you to answer over 70% of all questions correctly to earn a passing grade. It might be hard to find your footing in the world of investment finance, and you wouldn’t be the first person to struggle with this very important step in your career.
Finding the best Series 65 exam prep course is a key component to success— so we’ve done all the research to save you time and money!
Each one of these Series 65 exam prep courses stand out for unique reasons that are ideal for different kinds of students. All you need to do is go through your options below to begin your career in financial advisory.
| RANKINGS | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIMA Prep Companies |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| PRICE | See Here | See Here | See Here | See Here | See Here | See Here |
| PRACTICE EXAMS | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| LIVE INSTRUCTION | YES | YES | NO | YES | YES | YES |
| STUDY MATERIALS | Live Content, Practice Exams, Textbook | Live Content, Practice Exams, Flashcards | Practice Exams, Textbook | Class Notes, Live Content, Study Calendar | Video Content, Flash Cards | Flashcards, Mobile application, Live Content |
| SUPPORT | Email, Phone, Forum | Email, Phone, Mail | Chat, Email | Phone, Mail, Email | Phone, Chat | Email, Phone |
| GET STARTED | Get Started | Get Started | Get Started | Get Started | Get Started | Get Started |
1. The Securities Institute of America Series 65 Exam Prep
The Securities Institute of America provides robust and price-effective options that fit well with any student looking to properly prepare for the series 65 exam. With the rare option of choice, you can tailor your Series 65 exam prep courses to fit your budget, taking out the need of compromising your study materials to fit a price point.
Features
- 500+ Page Study Textbook
- 1,900 Practice Questions
- 13 Hours of Video Content
- Greenlight Exams
- Pass Guarantee
- Live Instruction
Securities Institute of America Pros and Cons
- Greenlight Guarantee: The Securities Institute of America uses a unique application they call GreenLight Exams, created to ensure that you are prepared completely for the Series 65 Exams. These are designed to be as close to the real exam as possible, getting you familiar with the test itself and making sure you have all the knowledge you need to get through it without a hassle!
- Wallet-Friendly: For all the features included with the three different packages they offer to prepare for the Series 65 exam, you get a tremendous amount of high-quality content for a reasonable price. We recommend enrolling in the Complete Self-Study Solution— it has the most content and only costs $200!
- Extra Materials: While they do not offer anything in the form of extra supplementary study materials, you can rest assured that you’re getting everything you need as they offer a comprehensive package in the Series 65 Complete Self Study Solution.
Bottom Line: Securities Institute of America has a lot of great study materials that can easily help you prepare for the Series 65 exam— that’s why they can guarantee you’ll earn a passing score after using their resources to study!
Securities Institute of America Promo Codes & Discounts
2. Securities Training Corporation Series 65 Study Materials
Securities Training Corporation offers its own unique pricing structure with the option to buy each course individually. This is a great option to have, especially for students who might not be inclined to use flashcards or other peripheral study materials.
Features
- 6 Month Enrollment Period
- Digital Flashcards
- Wide Selection of Purchase Options
- Review Manuals
- Instructor Support
- Final Exam
- Pass Guarantee
Securities Training Corporation Pros and Cons
- Supplementary Materials: For those that are into the extras, Securities Training Corporation provides manuals for review with all their courses; this allows you to dive back into the materials without having to go through course subjects again.
- Instructor Feedback: In addition to the great study review, you will also have access to an instructor that you can reach for support to ensure that you understand what you’re learning. This way, you won’t be stuck solving problems on your own!
- Limited Budget Features: While Securities Training Corporation provides a plethora of options to choose from, the downside is that many of its stronger materials are blocked by Premier and Premier Plus memberships, which could be disheartening to those more budget-focused.
Bottom Line: Securities Training Corporation has a lot of great content to help you prepare for a career in the securities industry, but you should only consider enrolling in their Premier or Premier Plus packages.
3. Achievable Series 65 Exam Prep Course Review
Achievable is a big name among those working with financial institutions, and there’s a good reason for it! Commonly used as the learning resource for those with Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs, you can rest assured that the information you are soaking in is of top quality.
Features
- Comprehensive Textbook
- 15+ Full-Length Practice Exams
- Adaptive Learning technology
- 1 Year of Course Access
Achievable Pros and Cons
- Textbook: The textbook provided with Achievable’s program is comprehensive and accessible, breaking down core concepts and simplifying the learning method.
- Adaptive Learning: Like many other platforms, Achievable uses adaptive learning techniques to ensure that you’re working on your problem areas, covering any weaknesses you might have before hitting the big exam.
- Lecture Content: While its study materials are top-notch, Achievable doesn’t provide any sort of video or audio lectures, which may not fit with your individual learning style.
Bottom Line: Achievable provides active guidance through their powerful learning technology, which provides a powerful step-by-step plan to pass your exam!
GO TO ACHIEVABLE SERIES 65 REVIEW
4. Kaplan Financial Training Series 65 Course Materials
Kaplan is another name that comes up often when preparing to take financial sector exams, and there’s a good reason for that. A big name in the instruction business, Kaplan provides a rounded experience in Series 65 exam prep course. Paired with their already supportive product, Kaplan’s video library provides short review videos based on actual exam questions.
Features
- Interactive Question Test Bank
- Video Library
- Instructor Support
- Performance Tracker
- Study Calendar
- Regular Checkpoint Exams
Kaplan Pros and Cons
- Custom Exams: Using a unique platform in Qbank for their test bank, you can study for the Series 65 Exam with custom practice tests focused on your problem subjects. This ensures that your preparation is focused and dialed in for attendance at the actual exam.
- Offline Study Additionally, you have the option to print or take the exams with you while on the go through their online application. Now you won’t have to do all your studying on a screen with an internet connection!
- Instructor Support: Kaplan also provides direct instructor support. Ask any question, and you’ll usually receive responses within two business days.
- Comparatively Pricey: Although a great offering in all, Kaplan’s prices are not competitive and can get a bit up there in the price tier. Fortunately, they offer financing options if you want to pay in installments.
Bottom Line: If you can justify the expense, Kaplan is a great choice to prepare for the Series 65 exam. They offer a unique method of guided instruction that shows why they’re universally praised among students in many fields.
5. ExamFX Series 65 Review Course
ExamFX offers concise video lectures paired with comprehensive practice tests to get their information across. But where they truly shine is in their group discounts, making for a great resource if you run a small business.
Features
- Quality Video Content
- Flashcards
- Custom Practice Exams
- Instructor Support
- Pass Guarantee
- 3 Month Access Period
ExamFX Pros and Cons
- Group Training: ExamFX provides discounts to organizations that are putting their employees through training and preparing to take the Series 65 Exam. So, if you’re a part of a team with the aim of exam prep, this might be the choice for you.
- Guaranteed Results: ExamFX provides a pass guarantee, so it’s hard to go wrong in choosing this path. In the rare event that you’re unable to pass after studying with this course, you’ll be compensated for your time.
- Limited Live Instruction: While ExamFX’s video lectures are expansive and comprehensive, their live content can be lacking, with only four live online training sessions a month.
Bottom Line: ExamFX is a great choice for the group learning experience, but there are stronger offerings higher up on this list for the individual learner.
Save up to 20% on ExamFX Securities Review Courses
6. Knopman Marks Financial Training Series 65 Exam Prep Courses
Knopman Marks is a unique review course, as they have a primary focus on video lecture review. This can be very refreshing for those who are synchronous learners and find a lot of comfort in the availability of video lectures.
Features
- Large Video Library
- Digital Flashcards
- Physical Textbook
- Digital Study Hub
- Instructor Support
- Downloadable Materials
Knopman Marks Pros and Cons
- Video Lectures: With over 19 hours of video content, you will never find yourself lacking in that department. Knopman Marks also provides a textbook that seamlessly integrates their video curriculum.
- Offline Access: Like Kaplan, Knopman Marks also provides downloads of their materials. This makes it easier for you to find time to study— you can take your books on the go with you.
- Premium Packages: While the traditional learning options included with their All Access Pass are enticing, the live training courses add too much to the price. Compared to Securities Institute of America, this is a hard sell.
Bottom Line: For a video-focused securities test prep resource, Knopman Marks is very appealing. However, some of our top Series 65 exam prep courses offer similar curriculums for a better price, so you may want to shop around before you decide on this one.
FINRA Series 65 FAQs
What is the difference between Series 63 and 65?
Known as the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, the Series 63 consists of 60 questions and has a strict time limit of 75 minutes. The Series 65 Exam was created by NASAA to test the competency of agents who aim to sell investment advice. Since the year 2000, Series 65 has been a 130 question exam focused on proving competency with a strict time limit of 180 minutes. While this exam also includes questions about the USA and ethics, it also includes economics, investment vehicles, strategy, and analysis.
Do I need Series 65 if I have a CFP?
If you are an agent who currently has a valid CFP certification, or a similar CFA, ChFC, or PFS designation, most states will not require you to take the Series 65 exam as you have already proven competency.
Can I sell stocks with a Series 65?
While having a Series 65 license does allow you to give financial investment advice, it does NOT allow you to sell investment products or to buy or sell financial securities. If buying and selling securities is your aim, the Series 6 and Series 7 licenses are still required.
