High Pass Education and Gerry Grossman Seminars (GGS) 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 GGS 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. GGS additionally offers programs for the National MFT Exam and for the ASWB (Social Work) Clinical Exam.
Pricing
High Pass Education offers significantly lower prices than GGS. As of November 26, 2025, High Pass Education offers Law & Ethics Exam prep programs at $139. GGS packages start at $279. For their California MFT Clinical Exam prep programs, High Pass Education charges $249 while GGS packages start at $329.
Format
High Pass Education primarily uses on-demand video to deliver course material. GGS primarily uses a study volume (textbook) available in print or digital format, alongside flash cards and some audio lectures. 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 GGS offer quizzes and practice tests within their exam prep programs, including multiple full-length practice tests. The GGS test banks offer more overall practice tests. High Pass Education offers robust exam results reporting, including detailed data and recommendations on your test-taking skills. 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. GGS does not advertise a specific success rate, but notes that they have had thousands of successful customers. It is reasonable to conclude that both companies’ programs produce strong results for customers who engage in and complete the programs.
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. GGS offers what they describe as a “Pass Guarantee,” where customers who submit proof of failing an actual exam attempt can repeat their program one time over the next 12 months at no additional charge. The terms of the GGS promise are more restrictive than those offered by High Pass Education.
Instructors
Gerry Grossman Seminars describes its courses as “Guided by Gerry Grossman’s decades of expertise,” though it is not clear what this means about Gerry Grossman’s current role in developing the company’s materials.
High Pass Education courses are led by Ben Caldwell, PsyD, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Both report extensive clinical and teaching experience. 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
Gerry Grossman Seminars says that it may use artificial intelligence (AI) in developing its programs, including AI-generated content and AI-generated practice questions. They note that they use AI with human oversight, but note that such content is not guaranteed to be accurate. High Pass Education says they do not use AI in the development of educational or practice test content.
Ownership
Gerry Grossman Seminars is owned by Triad Behavioral Health, which also owns AATBS as well as several other exam prep and therapy-related brands. High Pass Education is privately owned.
Summary
Both High Pass Education and Gerry Grossman Seminars offer popular licensing exam prep courses for mental health professionals. High Pass Education courses offer significantly lower prices, on-demand video, practice test features like in-exam coaching and feedback on test-taking skills, and a friendlier commitment to carrying users through to passing their exam. Gerry Grossman Seminars offer mixed media including a study volume (in print or digital format), some audio lectures, and flash cards, and more overall practice tests.
Ultimately, we believe that High Pass Education offers a meaningfully better overall value, with more features, human-generated content, and a stronger commitment to customers, all at a significantly lower price.
This information was collected in November 2025.
