It’s no secret that financial risk managers make a lot of money—well over $150,000 on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The tricky part is passing the FRM® certification exam (and choosing the right prep course to do it).
As a professional course reviewer and finance industry veteran, I’m here to help. Kaplan FRM® Review is one of the most popular FRM® prep courses on the market, so I personally dissected their study materials, from practice questions to video lessons (and much, much more).
Here’s what you need to know.
Should You Use Kaplan for Your FRM® Review?
- If you’re a visual learner, then Kaplan’s high-quality video lessons will help you break down even the densest FRM® topics with ease.
- If structure keeps you on track, then the built-in study schedules and weekly activity feeds will make staying consistent feel effortless.
- If you want expert support, then InstructorLink gives you direct access to instructors who can guide you through tough concepts.
- If you’re looking for practice that mirrors the exam, then Kaplan’s realistic question bank will give you the confidence you need on test day.
- If you need unlimited mock exam attempts, then Kaplan’s limited exam retakes may feel restrictive when drilling under pressure.
Kaplan Schweser FRM®: The Fundamentals
Kaplan Schweser offers two unique packages for each level of the FRM® exam, for a total of four options. What draws most students to Kaplan is their longstanding reputation across various exam types, but reputation alone isn’t what keeps aspiring financial risk managers coming into the pipeline. That’s attributed to their quality practice materials, helpful video lessons, gamified interface, and excellent support.
Before we cover the course features in depth, here’s a brief look at the pros and cons worth considering if Kaplan Schweser has your eye.
“Extremely satisfied. Was able to complete two extremely difficult certifications of CFA and FRM successfully in first attempt due to the excellent training of Kaplan Schweser.”
Trustpilot Review
Pros
- Get personalized study help from an expert instructor through InstructorLink
- Get a free study package if you fail the FRM® exam (following the terms)
- Weekly activity feed tasks help gamify your experience and keep your studies interesting
- Exam-quality practice questions mirror the real thing, so exam day feels familiar
- Outstanding reputation at a price comparable to Bionic Turtle
Cons
- Pass guarantee is more of a course extension than a money-back refund promise
- Mock and practice exams have limited attempts
Kaplan
Kaplan FRM® Course Package Options
Kaplan Schweser FRM® Premium
If you want the highest possible chances to pass, the Premium package is your best bet. Unlike the Essential Package, Premium gives buyers a 15-session on-demand video class, 7+ hour-long on-demand review class, Schweser’s Secret Sauce® study notes, and InstructorLink for getting your questions answered by an expert.
🧩 Best Fit: Students who have a little more wiggle room in their budget and love video content
Kaplan Schweser FRM® Essential
The Essential package has less support, no FRM-specific video lessons, and lacks a copy of the Schweser’s Secret Sauce® booklet. However, the reduced price still has a lot to offer, like PassProtection™, study notes, mock and checkpoint exams, QuickSheets topic outlines, and a video resource library catering to test-taking skills.
🧩 Best Fit: Students wanting a wallet-friendly prep approach who don’t need videos to learn
Course Package Comparison
| Feature | Premium Package | Essential Package |
|---|---|---|
| Schweser’s PassProtection™ |  | |
| SchweserNotes™ | | |
| Question bank | | |
| Two online mock exams | | |
| Two checkpoint practice exams | | |
| Weekly study tasks in activity feed | | |
| Concept summaries through QuickSheets | | |
| Community forum and resource library | | |
| On-demand class with 15 sessions | |  |
| 7+ hour on-demand review class | | |
| Schweser’s Secret Sauce® study notes | | |
| InstructorLink Q&A messages | | |
| Price | $849/level | $449/level |
| Get Started | GET PREMIUM | GET ESSENTIAL |
Kaplan Schweser Discount Codes
Save 15% on Kaplan Schweser’s FRM® exam prep course materials to get the education you need to earn your certification at a discounted price with Kaplan.
Kaplan Schweser FRM® Study Materials Deep Dive
How the Course is Set Up
One of the best parts of Kaplan Schweser’s FRM® designation prep courses is the mix of materials, particularly in the Premium Package. This allows you to vary your study sessions, switching between reading, video-watching, note-taking, visualizing, and listening to keep your brain fired up and engaged.
I don’t know about you, but doing the same thing repeatedly isn’t comforting for me; it can make me feel restless, making it more difficult to focus. I crave novelty and change. As a result, that “material mix” was such a welcome inclusion. However, the course is still highly structured: they told me exactly what to do and when, but they kept engagement at the forefront, thinking of ways to make the process feel fresh and intriguing (even when the topics got dense and drudgery-inducing).
Let’s Talk About the Video Lectures
Kaplan delivers video content in a number of unique ways, including:
- 15 in-depth sessions dissecting core concepts in the FRM® exam syllabus
- 7+ hours of FRM® review and exam-taking strategies
- A resource library of videos to guide you through your study journey
They’re all formatted and presented a bit differently; naturally, the topics are individual to the respective “series” as well. However, the common thread I experienced is quality: a high production level with crystal clear audio and display, simplified note-taking thanks to succinct slide design, and a good use of real-world examples to help ideas stick in your head. I looked forward to videos the most as I moved through the course; I’m not even a die-hard video-driven learner, but Kaplan’s really did it for me: short enough to hold my attention and relatively entertaining for topics that aren’t always riveting.
“I also only used Schweser for the exam, the premium version though, with the video explanations/courses. I think it makes a difference for people who prefer studying that way. It contains really interesting review videos for people with less experience in finance, risk, etc. I got 1,1,1,1 in part I and 1,1,1,2,2,1 in part II.”
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Covering Customer Service and Support
Kaplan’s customer support team can be accessed through chat, email, and phone. I tested the speed of these services both during and outside of work hours, and the team responded typically between 2-4 hours within their “office hours” and fewer than 24 hours outside of them. Further, the team was helpful and patient—no notes.
Next, both packages feature a discussion forum: a community available just to Kaplan Schweser’s FRM® candidates. The community wasn’t exploding with activity, but a good number of students and experts seemed to interact regularly, for connection and motivation in addition to study tips and concept clarity.
I’ve reviewed a lot of courses, and students frequently report that the value of this style of community isn’t in getting help and support, but in being part of a group where everyone is tackling the same challenge and feeling a little less alone.
Finally, InstructorLink is a big perk for Premium Package purchasers. Some people are just gifted: pro-level autodidacts who can teach themselves anything with just their phone. However, most of us need a little more hand-holding, particularly for intellectually demanding finance themes. InstructorLink operates at the same speed as the standard customer service, and these instructors go above and beyond to answer your questions and make sure you reach that “a-ha” moment.
I really appreciated how they not only asked what I wasn’t getting, but why I wasn’t getting it, and continued to check in and make sure each new bit of info was turning the cogs in my brain.
Weighing Price vs. Value
Kaplan Schweser’s FRM® courses are priced roughly the same as respective “package tiers” from providers like Bionic Turtle, and significantly more expensive than AnalystPrep. However, there’s a lot of value Kaplan shares that their competitors may not. For example, neither AnalystPrep nor Bionic Turtle presents a pass guarantee, nor do they have practice questions at Kaplan’s quality level.
I don’t know that they’re the most valuable FRM® prep course on the market, but if getting more bang for your buck matters to you, Kaplan Schweser is a safe choice.
Choosing the Best Fit: Kaplan FRM® vs. Competitors
Kaplan Schweser vs. AnalystPrep
Kaplan is a veteran in the FRM® space, known for its structured curriculum, high-end polish, and robust print and digital materials. It’s ideal for learners who want a guided, comprehensive approach with live instruction options and a clear study timeline. AnalystPrep, on the other hand, offers a budget-friendly alternative with lifetime access, solid question banks, and surprisingly strong video instruction for the price. While AnalystPrep lacks Kaplan’s formal structure and name recognition, it shines for self-paced learners who want flexibility without compromising content quality.
➡️ Choose Kaplan Schweser if you want a time-tested, all-in-one study plan with live support and polished materials.
➡️ Choose AnalystPrep if you’re cost-conscious and prefer a flexible, self-guided learning experience. Save more with an AnalystPrep discount.
Kaplan Schweser vs. Bionic Turtle
Kaplan Schweser delivers a polished, end-to-end FRM® prep experience with accurate practice questions, structured study plans, and engaging video lessons that actually hold your attention. It’s ideal for candidates who want high-quality materials they can trust, without second-guessing what to study or how to structure their time. Bionic Turtle does offer live classes and has a loyal following, especially among forum users, but its platform feels dated, and its FRM® exam questions have a reputation for being less consistent and occasionally off-mark. In testing, Kaplan’s content was just more reliable—and a lot easier to follow.
➡️ Choose Kaplan Schweser if you want reliable content, a seamless study experience, and materials that mirror the real exam.
➡️ Choose Bionic Turtle if live classes are a must-have and you’re okay sacrificing some polish and content consistency.
Still not sure? Compare Kaplan in more detail to other top FRM® prep courses.
Final Verdict: Is Kaplan Schweser FRM® Worth It?
If you’re an aspiring risk professional who puts a lot of stock in reputation, clean and clear video lessons, and a pass guarantee, Kaplan Schweser FRM® may be the right fit for your needs. They’re not a budget option, but the upside is, they certainly don’t feel like one. If you’re after professional and polished, no other competitors come close.
Is Kaplan Schweser your financial risk management partner in crime? Click below to learn more.
FAQs
The FRM® exam is tough due to its deep focus on quantitative concepts, real-world risk scenarios, and the breadth of topics covered, like operational risk, market risk measurement, and credit risk.
FRM® pass rates vary by year, but typically around 40–50% of candidates pass each part of the FRM® exam. Quantitative analysis tends to be a tough topic that may bring that rate down.
Yes, Kaplan Schweser alone can be enough if you follow the program consistently and take full advantage of all the included resources to improve your ability to assess financial risks.
There’s no fixed passing score, but GARP sets a curve-based cut score—generally, around 70% is considered a safe target.
