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Kaplan vs Knopman Marks for Series 65 (2026)
Industry standard vs premium boutique. Kaplan offers the largest question bank and lowest prices. Knopman Marks provides extensive faculty coaching and longer access at premium rates. Two traditional providers, very different approaches. Neither has a pass guarantee.
Quick Verdict
Kaplan
7.1/10Price: $159-$319
Best for: Budget-conscious learners who want the largest question bank and industry-standard brand recognition
View KaplanNo pass guarantee
Knopman Marks
8/10Price: $395-$1,020
Best for: Learners who need extensive instructor support, physical textbooks, and longer access time
View Knopman Marks30-day refund policy (no pass guarantee)
Bottom Line:
Choose Kaplan if you want the largest question bank (4,230), lowest prices, and you're a self-directed learner who doesn't need hand-holding. Choose Knopman Marks if your firm is paying and you need weekly faculty coaching, longer access (12 months), and included physical materials. Neither has a pass guarantee, so consider Achievable or STC if that matters.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Kaplan 7.1/10 | Knopman Marks 8/10 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | ✓ $159 (Basic) | $395 (Gold) | Kaplan |
| Question Bank | ✓ 4,230 | 2,000-2,500 | Kaplan |
| Access Duration | 5 months | ✓ 12 months | Knopman |
| Flashcards | $29 extra | ✓ 1,000+ included | Knopman |
| Instructor Support | Email only (48hr) | ✓ Weekly faculty calls | Knopman |
| Video Content | 12+ hours (Premium) | ✓ 9-30 hours | Knopman |
| Physical Materials | $74.50 extra | ✓ Textbook + workbook included | Knopman |
| Pass Guarantee | No | No | Tie |
| Overall Score | 7.1/10 | 8/10 | Knopman |
Show detailed specifications (8 more categories)
| Practice Exams | 1 full exam (140 Qs) | ✓ Multiple preset exams | Knopman |
| Live Classes | Yes (Premium Live $319) | ✓ Yes (Platinum+, unlimited) | Knopman |
| Adaptive Learning | No | ✓ Predictive analytics | Knopman |
| Mobile App | No (web only) | ✓ iOS only (limited) | Knopman |
| Offline Access | No | ✓ Yes (videos + flashcards) | Knopman |
| Company History | ✓ Founded 1938 (80+ years) | Founded 1991 (30+ years) | Kaplan |
| Market Share | ✓ 70% (industry standard) | Niche premium provider | Kaplan |
| Content Format | Prose (digital textbook) | Prose (physical + digital) | Tie |
Ready to choose?
Affiliate links. Both tested anonymously at full price.
Pricing Breakdown
Prices verified: January 2026
Kaplan Pricing
- Basic Self-Study $159
- Essential Self-Study $199
- Premium OnDemand $289
- Premium Live Online $319
Access: 5 months (all tiers)
Extensions: $49 per 5 months
Flashcards: $29 (separate purchase)
Physical textbook: $74.50 (separate)
Knopman Marks Pricing
- Gold (Self-Study) $395
- Platinum (Most Popular) $620
- Diamond (Premium) $1,020
Access: 12 months (all tiers)
Flashcards: 1,000+ (all tiers, included)
Physical textbook: Included (all tiers)
Workbook: Included (Platinum/Diamond)
Pricing Verdict:
Kaplan is significantly cheaper at every tier. Even Kaplan's Premium Live Online ($319) costs less than Knopman's base Gold ($395). However, when you add Kaplan's extras (flashcards $29, textbook $74.50, extension $49), the gap narrows. Knopman's 12-month access eliminates extension fees. For pure self-study on a budget, Kaplan wins. For comprehensive included materials with longer access, Knopman may justify the premium.
Question Bank Comparison
Kaplan
4,230 questions
- ✓ Largest question bank among all providers
- ✓ Best cost-per-question ($0.047 at Essential)
- ✓ Excellent question explanations
- ✗ Only 1 full practice exam (140 questions)
Knopman Marks
2,000-2,500 questions
- ✓ Customizable practice question library
- ✓ Multiple preset readiness exams
- ✓ Predictive analytics for weak areas
- • Fewer total questions than Kaplan
Question Bank Verdict:
Kaplan wins decisively with 4,230 questions vs Knopman's 2,000-2,500. If you believe more questions = better prep, Kaplan is the clear choice. Knopman compensates with predictive analytics and 1,000+ flashcards for supplemental drilling. Both use traditional (non-adaptive) quiz formats.
Features Comparison
Instructor Support Knopman wins
Kaplan: Email support with 48-hour response time. Live instructor access only in Premium Live Online ($319). No strategy calls or personalized coaching.
Knopman Marks: Private strategy calls (1 in Gold, 3 in Platinum, weekly in Diamond), email faculty Q&A, unlimited live review sessions (Platinum+), and live blended classes. Extensive hands-on support.
Access Duration Knopman wins
Kaplan: 5 months access for all packages. Extensions cost $49 for another 5 months. If you need 12 months, you'd pay an extra $49-$98.
Knopman Marks: 12 months access included in all packages. More than double Kaplan's access time without extra fees.
Flashcards Knopman wins
Kaplan: Flashcards sold separately for $29. Not included in any package. Count not specified.
Knopman Marks: 1,000+ flashcards included in all packages, even Gold ($395). Available offline in mobile app.
Pass Guarantee Neither
Kaplan: No pass guarantee offered at any tier. Unusual for the industry leader.
Knopman Marks: No pass guarantee despite premium pricing ($395-$1,020). They claim 95% pass rate but offer no protection if you fail.
Note: If pass guarantee matters, consider Achievable ($199) or STC Premier ($247) instead.
Who Should Choose Kaplan
Kaplan is the better choice if you:
- Want the largest question bank (4,230 questions)
- Are paying out of pocket and budget matters
- Are a self-directed learner who doesn't need coaching
- Your firm requires or prefers Kaplan (70% market share)
- Can complete your study within 5 months
Who Should Choose Knopman Marks
Knopman Marks is the better choice if you:
- Your firm is paying and cost is not a concern
- Need weekly faculty coaching and accountability
- Need 12 months of access (longer study timeline)
- Want flashcards and physical textbooks included
- Prefer unlimited live review sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaplan or Knopman Marks better for Series 65?
It depends on your needs and budget. Kaplan (7.1/10) offers the largest question bank (4,230) and lowest prices ($159-$319). Knopman Marks (8.0/10) provides extensive instructor support, longer access (12 months), and included flashcards at premium prices ($395-$1,020). Neither has a pass guarantee.
Why is Knopman Marks so much more expensive than Kaplan?
Knopman Marks charges premium prices ($395-$1,020) for extensive faculty support including weekly strategy calls, unlimited live review sessions, and live blended classes. They also include physical textbooks, workbooks, and 1,000+ flashcards. Kaplan charges extra for flashcards ($29) and physical textbooks ($74.50).
Which has more practice questions, Kaplan or Knopman Marks?
Kaplan has significantly more questions: 4,230 vs Knopman's 2,000-2,500. At $199 (Essential), Kaplan offers the best cost-per-question in the industry at about $0.047 per question. If raw question volume is your priority, Kaplan wins decisively.
Does Kaplan or Knopman Marks have a pass guarantee?
Neither Kaplan nor Knopman Marks offers a pass guarantee. This is unusual for Knopman given their premium pricing. If you want a pass guarantee, consider Achievable ($199) or STC Premier ($247) instead.
Should I choose Kaplan or Knopman if my firm is paying?
If your firm is covering the cost, Knopman Marks is likely the better choice. You'll get weekly faculty coaching (Diamond), unlimited live sessions (Platinum+), 12 months of access, and included physical materials. However, if you're a self-directed learner who just wants to drill questions, Kaplan's 4,230-question bank may be sufficient even with firm sponsorship.
Final Verdict
Kaplan
7.1/10
Best for budget-conscious, self-directed learners who want the largest question bank
View KaplanNo pass guarantee
Knopman Marks
8/10
Best for firm-sponsored learners who need extensive instructor support
View Knopman MarksNo pass guarantee
Our Recommendation:
This comparison depends heavily on your situation. Kaplan wins on price ($159-$319) and question volume (4,230), making it ideal for budget-conscious, self-directed learners. Knopman Marks wins on instructor support, access duration (12 months), and included materials, making it better when your firm is paying. Neither has a pass guarantee, which is disappointing for both. If pass guarantee matters, consider Achievable ($199) or STC Premier ($247) as alternatives.
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FTC Disclosure:
We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. We purchased both Kaplan and Knopman Marks anonymously at full price to ensure unbiased reviews. Our rankings are merit-based and not influenced by commission rates. See our full affiliate disclosure.