High Pass Education and AATBS both offer popular self-study exam prep programs for mental health licensing exams. Here is some information on their similarities and differences. You may consider these factors and others in determining which program is best for your specific needs.
Exam Prep Courses Offered
Both High Pass Education and AATBS offer courses for the California MFT Clinical Exam, the California LCSW Law and Ethics Exam, the California LMFT Law and Ethics Exam, and the California LPCC Law and Ethics Exam. AATBS additionally offers programs for several other mental health and related professions.
Pricing
High Pass Education offers lower prices than AATBS. As of November 26, 2025, High Pass Education offers Law & Ethics Exam prep programs at $139. AATBS packages start at $169. For their California MFT Clinical Exam prep programs, High Pass Education charges $249 while AATBS offers packages starting at $289. Notably, AATBS’ lowest-cost package for the California MFT Clinical Exam does not appear to be eligible for extensions (see “Users Who Fail or Reschedule” below).
Format
High Pass Education primarily uses on-demand video to deliver course material. AATBS primarily uses a study volume (textbook) available in print or digital format, alongside flash cards and charts. Customers of both programs report liking the format of the program they chose, suggesting that the educational format may be a factor in purchasing decisions.
Quizzes and Practice Tests
Both High Pass Education and AATBS offer practice tests of various lengths within their exam prep programs, including multiple full-length practice tests. High Pass Education offers robust exam results reporting, including detailed data and recommendations on your test-taking skills.
The exact number of practice tests offered varies by program for both companies. For example, AATBS reports that its MFT Law & Ethics Exam Prep course provides three full-length exams, the same number offered by High Pass Education. Some High Pass Education practice tests offer automated in-exam coaching, where notes at the bottom of the screen aim to help users improve their test-taking skills in real time.
Success Rates
High Pass Education provides success rate data broken down by specific program and by scores on customers’ final mock exams. For example, High Pass notes that among customers who scored 80% or above on their first attempt at their final mock exam, 100% passed their real exam. This data, like any company’s reported success rate, may be impacted by sampling bias. AATBS does not report its customers’ pass rates on their actual exams.
Users Who Fail or Reschedule
Both companies express commitment to their customers’ exam process. High Pass Education says they are “With You Until You Pass,” meaning that no-cost extensions are available to those who reschedule or fail their actual exam. AATBS offers what they describe as a “Pass Guarantee,” where customers who meet specific conditions can receive a single, 3-month extension at no additional charge. This guarantee does not appear to apply to AATBS’ lowest-tier offering for the California MFT Clinical Exam, and instead is only available to those who pay for a six-month or greater package ($359 or more). The terms of the AATBS promise are more restrictive than those offered by High Pass Education.
Instructors
AATBS does not identify its program authors or instructors on its exam prep product pages. As noted below, AATBS reports that some program content may be created by artificial intelligence (AI), and while they report that it is used carefully and with human oversight, they specifically say it is not guaranteed to be accurate.
High Pass Education courses are led by Ben Caldwell, PsyD, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Dr. Caldwell has taught therapists at the graduate level for more than 20 years, and is the author of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, a textbook commonly used in graduate programs around the state.
Use of AI in Program Development
AATBS says that it may use artificial intelligence (AI) in developing its programs, including AI-generated content and AI-generated practice questions. They note that such content is not guaranteed to be accurate. High Pass Education says they do not use AI in the development of course or practice test content.
Ownership
AATBS is owned by Triad Behavioral Health, which also owns Gerry Grossman Seminars as well as several other exam prep and therapy-related brands. High Pass Education is privately owned.
Summary
Both High Pass Education and AATBS offer popular and effective licensing exam prep courses for mental health professionals. High Pass Education courses offer lower prices, on-demand video, data on pass rates, practice test features like in-exam coaching and feedback on test-taking skills, and a more robust “With You Until You Pass” commitment to customers. AATBS offers a range of prep packages to suit different needs, and optional live check-ins with exam coaches.
Ultimately, we believe that High Pass Education offers a meaningfully better overall value, with more features, entirely human-made content, and a stronger commitment to customers, all at a lower price.
This information was collected in November 2025.
