If you’re looking for reviews, you probably want to know whether this is worth your study time. That’s a fair question.
I built Open Exam Prep, so I’m not an independent reviewer. But I can tell you what I’m trying to build, what I think is useful about it, and where I’d encourage you to be thoughtful.
01 / The reason this exists
Good preparation should be within reach.
I come from an engineering background, but I’ve also spent a lot of time on the learner’s side of exam prep. I’ve taken many exams myself. My experience with exams and professional training includes:
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Insurance: Life & Health and Medicare
- Enrolled Agent (EA)
- SIE, Series 6, Series 63, Series 65
- Long-term care (CLTC)
Across that journey, I often felt that the quality of the materials didn’t justify what they cost. Paying for exam prep didn’t necessarily mean getting the clear explanations and thoughtful content I was hoping for. That frustration stayed with me.
I wanted to use my engineering background to do something about it. My dream is for everyone preparing for an exam to have access to free, high-quality study materials, with free AI help when they have a question or need another explanation.
That’s why our YouTube videos, study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and cheat sheets are completely free. You don’t need to buy AI tools to use any of these materials.
If you study here and never spend a dollar, the website is doing what I built it to do.
This is personal to me. I want to build something that benefits everyone who comes here to learn, whatever their budget. We still have work to do, but that’s the dream I’m working toward.
02 / Available to you, completely free
A whole library to learn your way.
Some people learn by reading. Others need to hear an explanation, see it in a video, or work through questions themselves. I want you to have those choices without having to pay for each way of learning.
Here’s what you can use today. All of these resources are completely free.
YouTube channel
FreeWatch our exam-prep explanations and playlists on YouTube, whenever it suits you.
Visit our channelVideo library
FreeFind videos by exam and topic, with links to related study resources here on the site.
Explore videosStudy guides
FreeWork through concepts at your own pace. Return to a section whenever you need another look.
Find your study guidePractice questions
FreeTest what you know, read the answer explanations, and identify topics you want to revisit.
Try practice questionsFlashcards
FreeReview key terms and concepts in short study sessions, and practice recalling what you’ve learned.
Browse flashcardsCheat sheets
FreeBring key formulas, definitions, and quick-reference summaries together when it’s time to review.
Find a cheat sheet
Read, watch, practice, review. Use whichever combination helps you learn. None of these resources requires you to purchase AI credits, and you’re welcome to use them without ever buying anything from us.
03 / My honest assessment
Useful doesn’t mean perfect.
Here’s how I’d think about using the site if I were preparing for an exam today.
A useful place to start
You can explore a subject, work through practice questions, and revisit concepts without buying a course. I want that to be useful on its own.
A work in progress
We put real effort into the material, but mistakes and gaps can remain. Coverage and depth can vary by exam. AI-assisted creation and review do not make the content error-free.
One part of your preparation
Use your exam provider’s current outline and official resources as your reference. Our practice questions are independent study material, not official exam questions or a prediction of your result.
Room for other resources
I can’t honestly say we’re better than every alternative. A dedicated course, instructor, or specialist question bank may suit your exam or learning style better. There’s nothing wrong with using both.
I can’t promise a passing score or that we’ll be the best fit for everyone. I am committed to improving the material and taking reported problems seriously.
04 / A word about AI tools
You don’t need to buy them.
Free AI help is part of what I want to make available as you study. We currently offer 10 free AI interactions per day, so you can ask a question or get another explanation without buying credits.
We also offer optional additional AI usage and voice tutoring that can cost money. Those tools are separate from access to the free study materials.
Most learners don’t need to buy AI tools. You can use our study materials without them.
I’m not building Open Exam Prep to sell you AI tools. They’re there if you find them helpful; buying them is not the goal of your time here. Learning is.
05 / How this is funded
How do I make money, and how much?
Most of the money comes from the ads you see on this website. A smaller amount comes from affiliate marketing: if you buy something through certain links, I may earn a commission. You can read more in our affiliate disclosure.
Almost nobody buys AI credits.
In practical terms, the income is enough for me to keep developing Open Exam Prep as a side hustle, but it is not enough for me to hire anyone full-time.
Advertising and affiliate income help me keep this work going while keeping the study resources completely free for you.
06 / Decide for yourself
Try a little. See if it helps.
Pick your exam, read a section, and try a few questions. Compare the explanations with your official resources. You’ll get a better feel for whether the material works for you than any claim I could make here.
If you find an error, an unclear explanation, or something that could be better, please tell us. Include the page link and the question or passage so we can look into it. I welcome honest feedback, including criticism.
Thanks for giving something I’m building a place in your study routine.
Ran
Ran Chen · Founder, Open Exam Prep