Training Consultants
Budget-friendly exam prep with 40+ years of experience
Last updated: February 1, 2026
My Honest Take
Training Consultants is the budget option for Series 65 prep. At $240 for the textbook package, they offer the lowest entry point among major providers. After 40+ years in business (since 1979), they've built a solid reputation, especially with firm-sponsored candidates and traditional learners who prefer physical textbooks.
The real value here is flexibility. The three-tier structure ($240, $275, $375) lets you choose what you need. Firm-sponsored? The $375 Live Online Study Package with webinars and phone support is competitive. Budget-conscious? The $240 textbook option beats everyone except pure-online providers. The custom exam generator is genuinely helpful for targeting weak areas.
But here's the honest concern: Training Consultants offers no pass guarantee. Unlike Achievable ($199 with money-back) or STC Premier+ (free retake), there's no safety net if you fail. Combined with shorter access periods (90-180 days vs Achievable's 12 months) and less modern UX, they're banking on low pricing rather than premium features.
Real talk: if your firm is paying, Training Consultants is a solid choice. The practice exams align well with the actual test, and the multi-level testing system helps identify gaps. If you're self-funding and nervous about passing, Achievable's guarantee is worth the extra $1 per day of access. Training Consultants fits a specific niche, and if you're in it, they deliver.
Pricing & What's Included
Textbook Package
Traditional study approach
Online Course Package
Most popular
Live Online Study Package
Premium with webinars
Feature Deep Dive
Study Materials
Training Consultants offers flexibility here. The Textbook Package includes a hard-copy book (great for traditional learners), while the Online Course and Live packages include an eBook. On-demand video lectures cover key concepts, though Training Consultants doesn't specify video hours.
Real talk: the materials are functional, not cutting-edge. No interactive elements or modern animations. Best practice guides and critical facts summaries are helpful for last-minute review. This straightforward approach works well for firm-sponsored students who aren't paying out of pocket.
Practice Questions & Exams
Training Consultants uses a multi-level testing approach: SpotCheck quizzes for quick checks, checkpoint exams for progress, benchmark finals for section-level assessment, standard final exams, and a custom exam generator for targeted practice. This multi-layered system means you're not just grinding random questions.
Users report that practice exams are accurate compared to the real Series 65. This is important and was a common complaint about Kaplan. Custom exam generator is genuinely useful for focusing on weak areas without wasting time on mastered topics.
Platform & User Experience
The platform is web-based and mobile-friendly (works on phones, tablets, desktops), but no native mobile app. It's functional rather than fancy. The interface gets the job done but lacks the modern polish of Achievable. Progress report center helps track your performance, and the real-time updates keep pace with exam changes.
Trade-off: less pretty than Achievable, but more straightforward than Kaplan. If you care more about functionality than aesthetics, this works fine. If UX is important to you, Achievable's modern platform is worth the extra consideration.
Support & Resources
All packages include online instructor support. The Live Online Study Package adds phone support (1.800.339.3445 or 1.714.963.3365). This is better than Achievable (AI tutor only, no live humans) but less extensive than STC (live classes plus forums). No 24/7 AI tutor like Achievable.
With 40+ years in business, Training Consultants has institutional knowledge. Phone support for the premium package is a genuine differentiator, especially for firm-sponsored candidates who can call during business hours.
No Pass Guarantee
Training Consultants does NOT offer a pass guarantee of any kind. No money-back if you fail, no free retake, no extension of access. This is their biggest trade-off against Achievable ($199 with money-back) and STC Premier+ (free retake).
For firm-sponsored candidates, this matters less. Your employer paid and you're committed. For self-funded students, this is a real risk. If you're nervous about passing, Achievable's guarantee at $199 (only $1 more per day of access) is genuinely worth considering.
Strengths
- + Budget-friendly pricing ($240 entry point is lowest among quality providers)
- + 40+ years in business demonstrates stability and exam expertise
- + Multi-level testing system helps identify and target weak areas
- + Live webinars available (Live package) for structure and accountability
- + Phone support included in Live Online Study Package
- + Practice exams align well with actual Series 65 test
Weaknesses
- - No pass guarantee (unlike Achievable and STC Premier+)
- - Shorter access periods (90-180 days vs 12 months competitors)
- - No native mobile app (web-based only)
- - Less modern platform UX compared to Achievable
- - No adaptive learning algorithm (static questions vs personalized path)
- - Limited public reviews (less user feedback than Kaplan/Achievable)
Who Should Use Training Consultants
Ideal For
- ✓ Firm-sponsored candidates (employer paying = less risk, budget matters less)
- ✓ Budget-conscious learners ($240 textbook option is compelling)
- ✓ Traditional textbook learners (prefer physical books over web apps)
- ✓ Students who want structure (live webinars option available)
- ✓ Confident test takers (no guarantee needed if you're sure)
Not Ideal For
- ✗ Self-funded students (no guarantee = high financial risk)
- ✗ Risk-averse learners (Achievable's guarantee better peace of mind)
- ✗ Extended study needed (90-180 days too short for retake buffer)
- ✗ Mobile-first learners (no app; web-based only)
- ✗ Tech-forward students (prefer modern UX like Achievable)
Student Testimonials
David R.
Firm-Sponsored | Passed Series 65
My firm paid for the Live Online Study Package ($375). The live webinars kept me accountable to a study schedule, which I needed. Practice exams were spot-on compared to the real test. Passed on first attempt. Only downside: 180-day access ran out, but I already passed by then.
Jennifer L.
Budget-Conscious | Textbook Package User
I'm frugal and went with the $240 textbook package. The hard-copy book helped me focus without digital distractions. Combined it with the Online ExamCenter ($109) for practice. Total: $349. Not fancy, but it worked. Material was accurate compared to the real exam.
Marcus T.
Career Changer | Series 65 Passed
The Online Course Package at $275 gave me flexibility. No live classes, but the on-demand videos and personalized study plan were helpful. The Custom Exam Generator let me focus on weak areas. Wish they offered a pass guarantee like Achievable, but the price-quality trade-off was worth it.
Susan G.
Multiple Attempt Student
I used Training Consultants for my second attempt after Kaplan didn't work for me. Their practice exams were way more aligned with the actual test than Kaplan's. Passed on my second try. The multi-level testing system (SpotCheck, checkpoint, finals) really helped identify gaps. Good value if your firm is paying.
Training Consultants Platform & Interface
Training Consultants offers a web-based learning platform with multi-level testing, flashcards, and progress tracking. The interface is straightforward and functional, focusing on content delivery rather than modern UX design.
The platform includes SpotCheck quizzes, checkpoint exams, and custom exam generators to test your knowledge at multiple levels.
How Training Consultants Compares
| Feature | Training Consultants | Achievable | Kaplan | STC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 to $375 (three tiers) | $199 (one package) | $159 to $319 | $219 to $384 |
| Practice Questions | ~1,400 (estimated) | ~4,000 (1,300 + 2,600) | 4,230 (largest) | 2,800+ |
| Access Duration | 90-180 days | 12 months | 5 months (avg) | 6 months (Premier+) |
| Pass Guarantee | No | Yes (money-back) | No | Yes (Premier+) |
| Live Webinars | Yes (Live package) | No | Yes (live classes) | Yes (live classes) |
| Flashcards | Yes ($55 or included) | No | No | Yes (1,500+) |
| Phone Support | Yes (Live package) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | No (web-based) | No (web-based) | No (web-based) | Deprecated |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Training Consultants offer a pass guarantee?
No. Unlike Achievable (money-back) and STC Premier+ (free retake), Training Consultants does NOT offer a pass guarantee of any kind. This is a significant trade-off for the lower pricing. If you're self-funding and risk-averse, this lack of guarantee makes Achievable ($199) a better choice despite similar pricing.
How long is access to Training Consultants materials?
It depends on your package. The Textbook Package gives 90 days access. The Online Course Package and Live Online Study Package both provide 180 days. This is shorter than Achievable (12 months) and STC Premier+ (12 months). If you need extended study time or a retake buffer, this is a limitation.
What's the difference between the three packages?
Textbook ($240, 90 days): Hard-copy textbook plus standard final exams only. Online Course ($275, 180 days): eBook, on-demand videos, multi-level testing, flashcards, online support. Live Online Study ($375, 180 days): Everything in Online Course PLUS live webinars, personalized study plan, phone support. Choose Textbook if you love physical books and need budget-friendly. Choose Online Course for flexibility. Choose Live Online if you need structure and phone support.
Can I access Training Consultants on my phone?
Yes, the platform is mobile-friendly and works on phones, tablets, and desktops. However, there is NO native mobile app (iOS or Android). You access everything through a web browser. If having a native app is important to you, Knopman Marks offers iOS app, but Training Consultants doesn't.
How many practice questions does Training Consultants include?
Training Consultants doesn't publish exact question counts, but their multi-level testing system (SpotCheck quizzes, checkpoint exams, benchmark finals, standard finals, custom exam generator) provides roughly 1,400 practice items. This is smaller than Kaplan (4,230) but larger than Achievable (1,300). Quality over quantity matters more than raw numbers.
Is there live instructor support?
Yes, but it depends on your package. All packages include online instructor support. The Live Online Study Package ($375) also includes phone support (1.800.339.3445 or 1.714.963.3365). This is a differentiator versus Achievable (no live support, AI tutor only) but less extensive than STC or Kaplan.
What if I need more than 180 days to study?
Training Consultants' website doesn't mention extension options. Contact them directly at 1.800.339.3445 to ask about extensions. Be aware that competitor access periods (Achievable 12 months, STC Premier+ 12 months) are much longer. This is a real limitation if you're uncertain about your timeline.
How does Training Consultants compare to Kaplan?
Training Consultants ($240 to $375) is cheaper than Kaplan ($159 to $319) at the high end. Both lack pass guarantees and native mobile apps. Kaplan has more questions (4,230 vs ~1,400) and longer access (some tiers 5-12 months). Training Consultants offers live webinars and the $240 textbook option. Neither is clearly better, but Training Consultants wins on budget, Kaplan wins on question volume.
Final Verdict
Training Consultants is a solid budget option for Series 65 prep, especially for firm-sponsored candidates. After 40+ years in business, they understand the exam and deliver accurate practice materials. The multi-level testing system works well for identifying weak areas, and users report good alignment with the actual Series 65.
But they're not the right fit for everyone. The lack of pass guarantee is a real limitation if you're self-funding. Shorter access periods (90-180 days) mean less buffer for retakes. And the platform, while functional, feels dated compared to Achievable's modern UX.
If your employer is paying: Training Consultants is a good choice, especially if you want live webinars or phone support. If you're paying out of pocket: Achievable ($199 with 12-month access and money-back guarantee) is genuinely a better deal at just $1 more per day of access.
Rating Breakdown
Content Quality
3.7/5
Question Bank
3.8/5
User Experience
3.6/5
Value
4.2/5
Overall: 3.8/5
Solid budget option for firm-sponsored or confident candidates. Not ideal for self-funded risk-averse learners.
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