Of all the securities exams, the Series 7 is considered the most difficult. That’s as it should be because it measures a person’s readiness to sell complex financial products to investors who rely on their registered representatives’ competence and integrity. It’s also why just 65% pass the test on their first attempt.1
The learning experience of Series 7 exam prep courses varies from provider to provider, which is why doing your due diligence to see which ones stand out is vital. We saved you some time by reviewing 15 of the top Series 7 prep courses, on factors like cost and money-back guarantees, pass rates, operating history, and mobile apps. See the best Series 7 exam prep courses below.
The 6 Best Series 7 Exam Prep Courses of 2023
- Best Overall: Securities Training Corporation
- Best Value: Securities Institute of America
- Most Comprehensive Offerings: ExamFX
- Best Budget Premium Package: Kaplan Financial Education
- Best Mobile Learning Experience: Achievable
- Best User Experience: Knopman Marks
Best Series Exam Prep Courses
- Our Top Picks
- Securities Training Corporation
- Securities Institute Of America
- ExamFX
- Kaplan Financial Education
- Achievable
- Knopman Marks
- See More (3)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Methodology
BEST OVERALLSecurities Training Corporation
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Securities_Training_Corporation-31848fc12cc84c4e830bfff09441c827.jpg)
The combination of a high-quality study package for every need and budget, a responsive instructor hotline, and a money-back guarantee makes Securities Training Corporation our choice as the best overall exam prep provider.
Pros
- Long track record
- Impressive passing rate
- Money-back guarantee
- Responsive instructor support
Cons
- No mobile app
- Top package is a little pricey
Securities Training Corporation (STC) was one of the first companies to offer exam prep courses back when securities exams were first introduced in 1969.2 Since then, it has strived to be the industry leader. By adding a money-back guarantee to its offering of high-quality study packages, along with responsive instructor support, STC makes our list as the best overall exam prep provider.3
Starting at $323.95, STC’s base study package, SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Standard, is as fully loaded as some other providers’ premium packages. The enrollment, valid for six months, includes both online and printed study manuals, access to an instructor hotline, 24/7 tech support, and final exams. It also features Crunch Time Facts, which summarize the study manual’s “must-know” facts by chapter.
With the next package tier, the $485.93 SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Premiere, students can add on-demand lectures and online flash cards. The flash cards, which can be organized by course, chapter, or FINRA exam sections, allow students to test their knowledge and focus on areas of weakness. This package also comes with the pass guarantee and additional exams.
Finally, for $559.08, students can add live virtual or in-person classes with the SIE/Series 7 Top-Off Premier Plus package. The package also includes weekly instructor-led question-and-answer sessions.
STC boasts a self-published 95% pass rate.4 Between a high pass rate and its money-back guarantee, STC’s exam prep course offers students a great return on investment.
BEST VALUESecurities Institute of America
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/The_Securities_Institute_of_America-ec672d0eb79c441fbd25ef97b16d7b45.jpg)
With the backing of leading financial publisher John Wiley & Sons, the Securities Institute of America (SIA) not only produces high-quality courses, but it also creates the best value, with a lineup of reasonably priced courses that cater to any learning style.5
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- Reasonably priced course package for any learning style or budget
- Live chat and phone support
- Backed by renowned financial publisher John Wiley & Sons
Cons
- Question bank may not be the biggest
- No live content
With its lineup of reasonably priced, high-quality course packages offered with a money-back guarantee, Securities Institute of America is the best value among exam prep providers. With a proven record of exam prepping going back to 1996, renowned financial publisher John Wiley & Sons thought highly enough of SIA to acquire them in 2013.6 That gives SIA the industry heft needed to provide high-quality products at reasonable prices.
The best study package SIA offers is its Series 7 Complete Self Study Solution for $289. The package includes the popular Wiley Series 7 exam textbook, a 2,200-question practice exam bank, 20 hours of online video classes, and an e-book. The videos and test bank are available for six months.7
If you don’t need the online video course, you can pay $194.95 for the Series 7 Textbook and Exam Prep Software with unlimited access to the test bank for six months. The software allows you to take practice exams anytime and anywhere using any browser on PC and Mac as well as on mobile devices.
If you pass the Greenlight Exam within five days of your exam date, SIA will guarantee you pass the Series 7 exam, issuing a refund on course materials if you don’t.
SIA doesn’t publish a passing rate for its Series 7 students, but with a money-back guarantee, it must be very confident its students will pass the test.
MOST COMPREHENSIVE OFFERINGSExamFX
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Exam_FX-9cbe1db735cc4ad1b30f7be23bc07698.jpg)
With three reasonably priced, full-featured study packages that appeal to multiple learning styles, ExamFX has the most comprehensive offerings.
Pros
- Comprehensive offering of study packages to match learning styles
- Reasonably priced, full-featured packages
- Simulated exams
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Course access limited to 90 days
Founded in 1996, ExamFX is a division of Ascend Learning, one of the top technology-based learning solutions providers in the country.89 ExamFX has combined leading-edge technology with proven adaptive learning methods in three full-featured study packages to create the most comprehensive offering at a reasonable price.
ExamFX appeals to multiple learning styles by offering a self-study package ($149.95), a video study package ($199.95), and a live online package ($249.95). All packages include an interactive learning portal, online exam simulations, a readiness exam, instructor support, and a guarantee exam that qualifies users for ExamFX’s money-back guarantee.
The video study package adds on-demand video lectures and online flash cards. The live online package includes all the features of the lower-priced packages but adds live online training.
ExamFX’s best feature is the simulated online exams, which give students many opportunities to make sure they are prepared. The packages give an unlimited number of practice exams.
Students who take and pass ExamFX’s guarantee exam within three days of the exam date are eligible for a money-back guarantee if they don’t pass the actual exam.10 Although ExamFX doesn’t publish a Series 7 exam pass rate, it points to its money-back guarantee as evidence its students are well-prepared for the exam.
BEST BUDGET PREMIUM PACKAGEKaplan Financial Education
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/kaplan-cf25de619dea4af0a0110af61fbe9c38.jpg)
Though all of Kaplan’s study packages are stacked with features, its Premium Instruction Package is the most complete package for the price.
Pros
- Comprehensive list of offerings for any learning style and budget
- Robust question bank and practice tests
- Course access for five months with a five-month extension for $49
- Personalized instructor support for premium packages
Cons
- No money-back guarantee
- Instructor support only available on premium package
- No mobile app platform
Founded in 1938 as a financial education company, Kaplan is one of the more established exam prep providers.11 With that level of experience, Kaplan knows what students want in a high-end Series 7 study course, and they have the scale to deliver it at a reasonable price.
At $139, its Basic Self-Study Package is perfect for budget-minded self-starters. Its primary study tool is an extensive license exam manual, which is backed by Kaplan’s highly acclaimed SecuritiesPro™ QBank. QBank provides access to unlimited exam attempts that help users zero in on weaknesses. The exams, which students can download for offline use, are customizable according to students’ study progress. The basic package also includes a performance tracker and study calendar to help students stay on track with their study goals.
For $189, students can add checkpoint exams, a video library, and a midterm exam. Kaplan offers its premium package in two formats that include all the features of the lower-cost options and add either live online instruction for $309 or on-demand instruction for $279. The most noteworthy feature of the premium package is InstructorLink™, offering personal assistance anytime as students prepare for the exam.
Kaplan does not offer a money-back guarantee, but its 85% Series 7 exam passing rate is indicative of its success in preparing students for the exam.12
BEST MOBILE LEARNING EXPERIENCEAchievable
:fill(white):max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Achievable-3a0d14a890094845859f8f9bacf68f03.jpg)
As a fairly recent startup based in San Francisco, Achievable has taken a high-tech approach to delivering an exam prep course by creating a best-in-class mobile learning experience.
Pros
- Excellent mobile learning experience
- Low-cost study package
- Mobile practice exam app
- Free sample materials
Cons
- Limited offerings
- No online virtual learning
- Limited instructor support
San Francisco-based Achievable was founded in 2016, which is relatively recent compared to its competitors.13 What Achievable lacks in actual video or audio content (one of its main drawbacks), it makes up with its mobile-first platform that allows for on-the-go studying. For students who prefer to study wherever and whenever—during a commute, during lunch, while in bed, etc.—Achievable is your best option.
Achievable offers just one Series 7 exam prep course that includes an online textbook, flash cards, review questions, and full-length mock exams for only $149 and is good for one year. Their practice exams are randomized, pulling from a question bank so large you can take 20+ exams without seeing a duplicate question.14 Though it doesn’t offer a video course, Achievable does sprinkle videos throughout its textbook material to reinforce key concepts or provide a visual explanation of complicated topics.
Achievable applies learning science using algorithms to optimize students’ study schedules by focusing on problem areas while pushing students further to learn new concepts. Students are quizzed continuously, making it easier to remember information while keeping them motivated as they see their performance improve.
You can even take Achievable exam prep for a test drive. Students can have free access to the platform with the first few textbook chapters and practice exams.
Achievable does not offer any online or video courses, and it doesn’t have formal instructor support, but it does boast a 98.2% success rate for all exams, which it is willing to back up with a money-back guarantee.15
