The CFP® exam pass rate is typically around the 60% mark, so nearly half of test-takers fail. Needless to say, the right exam prep review provider could make or break your chances of joining that 60%.
One of the most popular options is Kaplan CFP® review courses, so I did some digging.
I’ve worked through the practice questions, digital textbooks, live classes, on-demand video lessons, and bonus resources to deliver the truth: is Kaplan worth the price? And, more importantly, are they the right fit for you?
Let’s find out.
Is Kaplan the Right Pick for Your CFP® Exam Prep?
- If you prefer structure and accountability, Kaplan’s scheduled live classes and activity feed will help you stay on track.
- If you’re a fan of live interaction, Kaplan’s in-person workshops and real-time webinars will be a huge plus.
- If peace of mind matters to you, Kaplan’s PassProtection™ Guarantee will give you added confidence heading into the exam.
- If you like studying on your own schedule, Kaplan’s on-demand video library and downloadable podcasts offer great flexibility.
- If you want a lighter study load, Kaplan’s extensive content might feel overwhelming and too in-depth for your needs.
Kaplan CFP® at a Glance
Having served over 76,000 professionals, Kaplan’s in-person and live online classes are a popular choice for aspiring certified financial planners. There are two packages to choose from:
- The Essential Review Package includes the basics: digital textbooks, practice questions, financial calculator tutorials, a pre-study assessment, study checklists, an activity feed, performance tracking, and InstructorLink™ access.
- The Kaplan Premium Review Package includes those, but adds new review materials like review classes, a video library, podcasts, topic summaries, case studies, a mock exam, and Kaplan’s pass guarantee.
With both packages, Kaplan caters to a wide variety of students. Learn best in an in-person, onsite, workshop-style environment? Want live webinars for instructor interaction without the commute? Or do you just want the bare bones to take you from candidate to officially certified? Kaplan has every base covered.
Further, Kaplan’s premium package is surprisingly affordable compared to the industry average. Everything isn’t perfect, which we’ll dig into later, but Kaplan’s live classes, pass guarantee, and podcast content make them a solid choice for many aspiring financial professionals.
One student credits Kaplan for their success, explaining,
“I felt so prepared for the exam that there was not one item on my exam that I hadn’t previously read or discussed in a live class session. The actual exam felt much easier than any mock exam I took through Kaplan or the CFP. I got an 81/77 on my Kaplan mocks and a weighted average score of 77 on the CFP mock.
That’s not to say the exam was easy, I can understand why people fail, but Kaplan does a great job of drilling in the concepts. I’ve read that other exam providers just give you what you need to know to pass the exam. If you use Kaplan, you will actually increase your knowledge base as a financial planner, and everything on the actual exam feels doable.”
Pros
- More affordable than many top competitors like Dalton and Brett Danko
- 4-day in-person workshops available in Denver, CO; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX
- PassProtection™ Guarantee could give students peace of mind and better focus
- Activity feed and activity tracking help create a personalized learning experience
- Night and weekend options for live classes improve accessibility
Cons
- Kaplan’s huge content library can be overwhelming for straightforward learners
- The rigid structure can be restrictive for students who prefer more flexibility and freedom
Kaplan CFP® Review
Kaplan CFP® Promo Code
Save $549 on Kaplan’s courses with our CFP® discount code, and grab their in-person, on-demand, or live online classes for less.
Complete Kaplan CFP® Breakdown
Now that you have a grasp on the basics, join me on my odyssey through Kaplan’s CFP® exam prep review course to get the inside scoop on whether it’s the best pick for you.
Key Features
- 📚 Course Format: In-Person, Live Online, or On Demand
- 📝 Review Classes to cover what you’ve learned (in-person, live online, or on-demand options)
- 🔍 Number of Practice Questions: 2,500
- 🎥 Video Lectures: 30+ hours of expert-led video content, either live or on demand
- 🎙️ CFP® Podcasts in downloadable audio format for portable access
- 📊 Performance Tracker and activity feed with personalized study recommendations
- 📅 PassProtection™ Guarantee ensures a refund or product replacement if students fail
- 📧 InstructorLink™ Email Access to get your questions answered by a credentialed expert
- 🎁 Bonus Tools include a pre-study assessment, study checklists, topic summaries, etc.
“Kaplan was king for me. Probably a similar path with all the question banks and other review material they provided. The use of multiple question banks makes sure you really understand the material. When I got to the final exam, I was surprised how many times I could eliminate 3/4 easily vs 2/4 on Kaplan mock and question banks.”
BaysideTiger6
Live Classes and Video Lectures
Kaplan features roughly 30 hours of live online or on-demand video lessons, and if you’re an audiovisual learner, that’s a big deal. So, let’s talk about it.
First, I appreciated the versatility of the live classes, with weekend and night options. Further, many of them are three hours long, which I feel is an excellent length for cramming in a lot of information without getting too bored or “info-overloaded.”
The problem is, while this is more typical of a live class format, it’s pretty long for a video format, so it can be hard to sit through it when you’re not actually in the room, energized by your peers. However, the instructors do try their best to be engaging and interactive, and for the most part, I feel they did a great job. They used a lot of real-world examples to help concepts click in your mind, and they were patient with questions.
Overall, though the videos can be a little long, they get the job done in a particularly enjoyable way in the webinar format.
Support and Access
Many CFP® prep courses have a specific timeframe during which you can access the materials, usually between 6 and 24 months. However, Kaplan tweaks tradition and has students choose their exam month and year in advance, then grants access until the end of the exam month.
As for support, you’ll find most of it in their in-person classes and webinars, thanks to real-time Q&A. However, InstructorLink™ is also a helpful support resource, and the ability to email your instructor whenever a question arises is a massive perk, in my opinion. In my experience, their responses were quick: always under 48 hours and typically under 24.
Value and Pricing
Kaplan’s Premium and Essential review packages are priced lower than even the most affordable packages from comparable providers such as Dalton Education and Brett Danko Education by at least several hundred dollars. Further, that PassProtection™ Guarantee ensures you get every penny back if the course doesn’t fulfill its promise.
And, with the in-person and live online classes still available, Kaplan offers a lot of value. You’re getting a lot of the resources you’d get from more expensive packages, plus the money-back pass guarantee that competitors Zahn and Brett Danko lack.
Further, even their cheapest package pulls its weight, according to this student:
“I used Kaplan for SIE, S7, S66, and now I used it to pass CFP for the first time. I just bought their cheapest review. Really hammered the Qbank and passed. I went through it 6-7 times, 9- 10k questions. They give you review books as well, but I didn’t touch any other than the case study book. That was worthwhile.”
So, is Kaplan Worth It for CFP® Prep?
Long story short: yes.
Kaplan’s live and in-person classes, activity feed, performance tracker, affordable price point, and pass guarantee are all excellent resources for your exam preparation journey. While the video lessons can get a little long and the vast library of materials can be overwhelming for students who want a straightforward approach, this overpreparation strategy is brilliant for candidates who want to dig deep in a highly structured, highly supported environment.
Is Kaplan CFP Review right for you? Grab a Kaplan promo code and start studying.
FAQs
Yes, Kaplan offers comprehensive CFP® prep with flexible formats, expert instruction, and a pass guarantee, making it a top choice for the financial planner certification examination. If you need the required education, they offer CFP Board-registered programs as well.
Kaplan students have a first-time pass rate of 71%, which is higher than the national average.
Kaplan is more affordable and flexible, while Dalton is more intensive and high-touch. The best choice depends on your learning style and budget.
Yes, if you can commit to a full-time study schedule and hit the recommended 250+ hours recommended by the Certified Financial Planner Board, 3 months can be enough.
