One of the most trusted and experienced exam prep providers in the market, Kaplan Schweser has helped more than 500,000 candidates prepare for their CFA® exams.
With the largest team of expert instructors in the industry, proven study materials backed by time-tested learning science, and 30+ years of helping students pass their exams, Schweser is the clear choice for serious candidates.
Don’t spend your valuable time trying to decide which topics to study and when to study them. Schweser has laid that out for you, and its ever-evolving study programs provide a personalized learning experience that adapts to your schedule, measures your performance, and keeps you motivated throughout your preparation.
Whether you choose Kaplan Schweser to study for the CFA®, CAIA®, FRM®, ESG or FDP® exams, you’re not just choosing a prep provider—you’re choosing a partner who’s as invested in your success as you are.
Kaplan Schweser: Packages and Offers
What study packages are available for the CFA Program?
Kaplan Schweser has a few simple study packages depending on the level of support you would like for your CFA exam prep.
The Essential package covers all the basics for candidates that prefer to self-study with limited direct guidance from instructors. For those who prefer a bit more structure and instruction, the Premium and Ultimate package include online instruction, workbooks, instructor support and review programs as well.
Kaplan Schweser offers discounts, free resources and deals throughout the year for those looking to save some money. Here are the current deals, offers and discount codes for Kaplan Schweser’s CFA exam prep packages and study tools:
Discover why Kaplan Schweser is the most recommended name in CFA exam prep. Experience our industry-leading online platform, content style, and study materials in our no-obligation free trial.
Assess your knowledge of the CFA Level I curriculum. Comprised of 60 multiple-choice questions, this diagnostic exam includes answer explanations and a summary of your score versus other exam takers.
Ease into your CFA prep with free practice questions delivered to your inbox every day. We'll send a level-specific CFA practice question directly to your inbox each day until your exam day.
Kaplan Schweser: Review of CFA Exam Materials
Study and Review Materials
SchweserNotes: Kaplan Schweser’s study notes are clear, concise and comprehensive
Called SchweserNotes, the five-volume set is everything Schweser thinks candidates need to study for to pass the exam.
It’s important to know that the Schweser study notes intentionally do not cover everything in the CFA curriculum. Instead, the study notes are designed to be more concise, helping candidates better process the CFA Learning Outcome Statements (LOS).
There are also practice questions and self-tests at the end of each topic – although they are usually more to check that you’ve read everything, rather than testing you on the same difficulty level as the real exam.
SchweserNotes are available in print form, in ebook format, and even in audio format.
Review Notes: Kaplan’s Secret Sauce
Schweser’s Secret Sauce is a compact guide for candidates as exam day approaches. This smaller book is handy to bring around once you’ve completed the study notes.
It contains concise, readable explanations of the major parts of the CFA curriculum, along with tips, strategies, plans and analyses that help inform your exam-day performance. Also available in eBook format.
Question Banks: practice with thousands of questions online
Available as an online platform, the SchweserPro QBank has thousands of multiple-choice questions and allows you to customize your own exams by topic, difficulty and number of questions.
At last count, the number of questions available in Kaplan Schweser’s Qbank is:
CFA Level 1: 2,000+ questions
CFA Level 2: 2,000+ questions
CFA Level 3: 2,000+ questions
SchweserPro QBank questions reflect the difficulty of actual CFA exam questions and include full answer explanations, as well as useful performance metrics to focus your studies.
Kaplan Schweser offers an Online Mock Exam, which is timed and simulates the exact interface of the computer-based exam (Exam Sim mode). It also includes a Mock Exam Tutorial, which is a detailed, guided walkthrough of the mock exam questions and answers after you’ve taken the exam.
Classroom & Video Courses: Attend live online or OnDemand
Schweser’s Masterclasses consist of weekly online classes and OnDemand video lectures. It includes all the material you need, although you do need to be disciplined in attending classes and watching the OnDemand video lectures beforehand. These classes are designed to be taken after you’ve finished your learning assignments for a specific topic of the CFA Program curriculum to ensure you have a strong grasp on the topic.
Review Courses: Varying lengths and intensities to suit all needs
Schweser offers a range of review courses in varying duration and intensity.
1-Day Workshops focusing on one topic specific question types, such as Item Set questions for Level II or essays for Level III.
3-Day Workshops covers key topics for the entire exam, practice questions, instructor tips, and includes all the materials you need plus the Secret Sauce book.
Other Features: Flashcards, QuickSheets, PassProtection
Flashcards
Flashcards are really useful study tools to help retain information. It’s really best practice to make your own flashcards, but if you’d like a ready-made set that covers all topics, Schweser has one. The design is as we’d recommend:
paper cards color-coded by topic
Indexed by study session, reading, and LOS
All CFA LOS are covered
LOS printed on one side; complete answers on the other
Most of Kaplan Schweser’s CFA packages also include a QuickSheet, which is Schweser’s CFA formula sheet. This is 6 pages of key formulas, definitions and concepts in one laminated tri-fold card. Also available in eBook format.
Kaplan Schweser offers some guarantees for failing candidates which is called PassProtection™. This gets you the same exam prep package free for the next exam sitting if you fail.
With PassProtection™, candidates are also eligible to save 85%+ on study package upgrades.
WindsorWeek, if you can attend it, is the biggest game-changer you can give your pass chances…if budget is not a consideration. It’s expensive, my package cost US$2,699, not including travel costs.
It’s basically like corporate training, but for CFA. You travel to The University of Windsor (in Canada), stay for 7-days with other would-be candidates, and get to work. They test you at the start and at the end of the week to see how you’ve progressed.
You isolate yourself from your friends/family/city for 7-8 days together with like-minded candidates and just focus 100% on CFA. The instructors not only provide you with something like 60 hours of classes where you pore over the entire curriculum point by point, but they’re all CFA “insiders” that provide you with mnemonics, strategies and short cuts.
The food is catered and really good. There are 3 buffet meals a day, plus unlimited snacks and drinks all day.
★★★★☆Very Good Cassie Shevell • Level 3 Kaplan Schweser wasn’t as useful in L3 as it was in L2 and L1.
The main issue is that the material is very concepts-based, and I think the CFA Institute material works better. Kaplan’s summarizing is good if you have little time to study but when you need to look into deep detail to understand L3, you’ll need to refer to CFA Institute material.
I would still recommend Kaplan but you’ll need CFA Institute books at hand to refer in certain areas. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Arte Reedman • Level 1 The Kaplan Schweser course materials were very helpful in prepping for the CFA Level 1. However, the practice questions were not as difficult as the CFAI questions, so I used them in conjunction with CFA Institute questions. The online platform was very helpful, allowing me to see my average scores for each section. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Ezri Westwater • Level 1 A good broad section, but not all, of the curriculum is covered in the notes. I would suggest that more mock exams are provided to adequately simulate exam day questions. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Tammara Lamort • Level 1 The notes are quite crisp and to the point. However the level of difficulty for practice questions could be higher, at least at par with the actual CFA paper questions. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Heath Warcop • Level 1 Amazing customer support. Amazing free pass protection feature. I love Kaplan Schweser and their methodology. I highly recommend their books for Level 1, 2 and 3. I passed Level 1 on the first shot with the Essential package. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Barrett Oxenford • Level 2 Amazing customer support. Amazing free pass protection feature. I love Kaplan Schweser and their methodology. I highly recommend their books for Level 1, 2 and 3. I passed Level 2 on the first shot with the Essential package. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Shea Pitrollo • Level 1 The readings were summarised and contained all the important points necessary for the exam preparation. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent cb • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser worked great for me. The package I bought included printed books, Qbank and six mocks. The materials made the content easier to understand, the Qbank strengthened my understanding, and the mock exams were indicative of my score on the actual exam. I averaged a 74% on the six mock exams I took which was comparable to my estimated score on the actual exam of 73%. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Derick • Level 1 The Kaplan Schweser notes really prepared me extremely well for the exam. The material was easy to understand, followed a great natural flow and the end of topic practice questions assisted me greatly. The mock exams I felt were more difficult than the actual exam, which I felt meant that the material is great in preparing me for the real deal. Would recommend it to anyone. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Edmund Ho • Level 1 Helped me with the classes and mock exams. I also found the study notes and online portal helpful. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Techincal difficulties of the live course is a let down. Otherwise excellent Hilary • Level 1 The online weekly course was probably the weakest of the resources, but that, undoubtedly, was due to the “live” aspect. We had multiple instances of technical difficulties. I would definitely recommend an in-person class, if available, over an online class. If one were offered in my area, I would have selected that. Aside from the class, the review materials are extensive. Of course, there can always be more questions. If one couples the K-S questions with those in the CFA materials, all topics are more than covered. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Zacharias Papaminas • Level 1 Get the books and mocks, hit them hard, and pass. It’s L2 and L3 that you have to worry about. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Used effectively for a last-minute cram Ava Westhoff • Level 1
I used only the notes and read through a few of the mock exam questions and answers. Since 90% of my studies for level 1 happened in the last 10 days, the notes were concise for me to be able to absorb most of the syllabus (Note: Being a qualified chartered accountant with a background in most topics except economics and quantitative methods helped in the last minute studies!)
The mock test answers had explanations behind the answers, which was a bonus for me as I didn’t have the time to work out the exams and could only read through the questions and answers.
One thing I would prefer is more concept checker questions at the end of each reading.
I would also prefer if case studies for ethics were also included in the notes given its weightage. I had to read through case studies from the CFA institute module.
★★★★☆Very Good Calig • Level 1 Expensive but does a great job condensing the full CFAI curriculum into less than half its original size in pages. Write your own review>>
★★☆☆☆Fair Parminder Kumar • Level 1 I would recommend the official CFA curriculum. It is more than enough for CFA Level 1. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Hardy Marsden • Level 1 The material was a bit confusing given the time frame. But IFT videos helped a lot. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Stevana Snelson • Level 1 With the sheer amount of base level knowledge you are required to have on the Level 1 curriculum, it is essential that you review all the concepts in a quick and efficient manner. Additionally, to fully grasp the concepts, it is necessary to do as many practice questions as possible to learn the minute nuances one might have missed in preliminary readings. Kaplan Schweser provides all of this, so it gets my full recommendation. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good furrybean • Level 3 The Kaplan Schweser prep is definitely my go-to when it comes to studying for the CFA. I’ve used it for all 3 levels and the readings are very succinct and to the point without the background and history that’s often incorporated in the CFA texts. I do find that that the questions tend to be very easy, so if you really want to be prepared it’s good to go over the Kaplan materials and supplement it with CFA end of chapter questions. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent JDCamacho • Level 1 If you’ve done finance or economics as your major, CFA curriculum might be a bit lengthy and rambles on topics where it can be summarized in less than a paragraph. Hence, Kaplan Schweser is very helpful for people that have an average background on finance, and haven’t got time on their side. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Concise and simple LT • Level 1 The number one reason i like the Kaplan Schweser program is the concise and simple-to-understand notes it provides. For those challenged or pressed for time, it provides a ‘to-the-point’ type of learning which is closely tied to the curriculum. The fact that each LOS and reading have corresponding directions to the curriculum, makes it even better for reference when there is a hazy topic. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Geff • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser did a great job for preparing me for Level 1. With that said, it’s important to still do the end of chapter questions out of the CFA Institute books to make sure that you’ve not missed any concepts. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Ranjini Chakravorty • Level 1 The materials help keep the learning process consistent, specially if you are working full-time and trying to juggle everything. It prepared me very well, and I am using Kaplan Schweser again for my next CFA level. They also have a mobile app to learn on the go, which is very useful for me! Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Chuckleberry • Level 2 Providing many different avenues to study for the exam has allowed me to attack the material from many different angles. The Study Notes, Video Lectures, and even Audio Notes have all come in handy. The Online Class is what I will be reviewing right up until exam day. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Halsey Wolfe • Level 2 The Schweser Notes are a necessary complement to the CFA Institute’s readings, which can be quite dry since they are extremely technical and academic. With Kaplan Schweser, I was able to grasp the concepts in a more functional and easier way. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Dulcy Bratten • Level 2 Very good provider but Q bank needs to be only vignettes. Overall the notes and Secret Sauce helped me prepare well and would recommend to anyone studying for the CFA exams. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent jantonich • Level 1 The notes were extremely useful and concise. The end of chapter questions are far too easy for what the CFAI difficulty was – use the CFAI end of chapter questions instead. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Pietro Grundle • Level 1 Extremely good for Level 1 and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about studying for the CFA exams. The q bank was very insightful and mocks prepared me well. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Cathrine Cragoe • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser provides a great supplemental review because it’s more time-efficient. CFA Institute textbooks are an overall better source for study materials. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Lots of practice questions Icy • Level 1 I would recommend Kaplan Schweser, as it has adequate questions for practice. Their Quicksheet formula sheet is also helpful for quick overviews or refreshing your memory – I took it to exam day to study between sessions. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Mdmutiso • Level 1 Very instrumental in helping me pass my Level 1 exam. The mocks were very helpful in pointing to my weak areas. The notes helped simplify everything. Write your own review>>
★★★★★choose your instructor carefully – you can switch! Becky epp • Level 2 Which instructor you get is key. I switched classes half way through because I realized another professor was available. Wish I switched sooner. Dr. Holmes at Kaplan Schweser is great and you should request him. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Section8 • Level 2 Expensive. Schweser notes are still not exactly condensed versions of the CFAI material. Qbank & online instructional videos are fantastic. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good gregor • Level 2 Mock exams were very helpful although noticeably more difficult than the actual exam. Video instruction and study notes are also very good. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Ring Vassbender • Level 1 Solid platform for Level 1. End of chapter questions were very good for subject reinforcement. Expensive but in my opinion worth the money. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Erhard Redington • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser does a great job of taking a lot of dense CFAI material and making it approachable and understandable. Highly recommend. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Lyn-Dee • Level 1 I thought the program was really good. I bought the online weekly live videos and my only complaint was that the audio was inconsistent. The instructors were very knowledgeable and fun to listen to. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Essays makes practice tough Matti Massimi • Level 3 Level 3 notes are pretty good, but the format of essays mean that mocks are not as helpful as they were in L1 and L2. Better guidance on how to score points in essay and grade essay mocks would help. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good furrybean • Level 2 For CFA Level 2 it’s so importatnt to grind through as many questions as you can. i think the Qbank in this case was the most valuable component because you get to see a wide variety of questions. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Comprehensive Corena Shank • Level 2 A comprehensive program to prepare for the exam, focuses on the most testable topics. The video instructor is engaging and does a great job of breaking down complex concepts for candidates. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Marmaduke Yearby • Level 2 Kaplan does a great job of taking a lot of dense CFAI material and making it approachable and understandable. Highly recommend. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Ganesh Subramanian • Level 3 I am not sure if Schweser notes are useful for L3. I am sticking mainly to CFAI notes for L3. However, the Schweser practice exams are great and the EOC questions are also very useful. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good SebL • Level 3 Secret Sauce not greatly balanced between important/non-important content. Would have liked QBank to be more useful for Level 3. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Millhouse • Level 2 It is pricey, but absolutely worth it given how much simpler they teach the material vs the CFA Institute curriculum. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Much better than complimentary stuff Rosina Schukert • Level 1 A great resource, recommended by a colleague that has been very beneficial in helping me study while working. A much more useful option than the complimentary CFA Institute resources. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Derick • Level 2 Great provider. Provides a great overall experience in terms of prepping as well as insight. Easy to understand and practice. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent SebL • Level 2 Good material and practice questions provided for Level 2 prep, felt well-prepared for the exam and passed on first attempt. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good JDCamacho • Level 2 Schweser does a very good job of narrowing down the most important topics and laying out in a straight forward language. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Might not bother with classes next time morganemurray • Level 1 Good summary of information and tons of questions to review. Classes were less helpful – I wouldn’t take them again, but you might find them helpful if you need the extra boost. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Shibhu • Level 1 I studied using just the Kaplan Schweser notes for 2 months and worked roughly 3,000 questions for Level 1. I passed. ? Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Nik • Level 1 The Kaplan Schweser notes were extremely helpful in preparing for the exams. They were concise and to the point. Will definitely be using them again for the coming levels. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Clerkclaude Colbridge • Level 2 Good overall. Used a friends book from last year, so just focused on the key similarities and used the CFAI books for the missing pieces. Still think it is a bit pricey. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Ganesh Subramanian • Level 2 Kaplan Schweser is excellent for L2. I used only Schweser notes but supplemented it with end-of-chapter questions from CFAI material. Schweser practice exams are great! Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Makes concepts easy to understand naid • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser have been very good in making difficult concepts easy to understand. Tutors have been great at bringing the course topics alive and engaging with me. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good anon • Level 1 For Level 1, Kaplan Schweser does a great job at getting candidates to the understand and apply the concepts. The notes and practice questions are more than enough. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Very useful Chuckleberry • Level 1 The Kaplan Schweser study notes was probably the only reason I passed the Level 1 exam on my first try. Also, access to many different practice exams was critical. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Condensed material, nicely laid out Luelle Spaducci • Level 1 A great way to condense the material to effectively prepare for the exam, program is intelligently laid out and gives a clear path on how to prepare for the exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Millhouse • Level 1 It was pricey, but I believe it to be worth it given how much simpler to read they make the material. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good furrybean • Level 1 I mainly used the notes and the CFA text for studying the CFA Level 1 exam. Qbank is always helpful for you to practice. I’d recommend using the same approach. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Kaplan is enough indigonation5 • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser was amazing. I prepared completely from that and was able to pass the CFA exam, though I supplemented it with CFA EOCs and bluebox questions. Write your own review>>
★★☆☆☆Fair Jordan • Level 1 There is room for improvement. Not first-time student friendly – it felt very inaccessible and jargon-laden. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Supplemented with CFAI Ganesh Subramanian • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser is excellent for L1. I used Schweser notes but supplemented it with EOC questions from CFAI material. Schweser practice exams are great! Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Jeremiah Choake • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser is a must when studying for the CFA exams. Maybe make the online content and video lessons cheaper, especially for developing countries? Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Some concepts need more explaining Rpatty • Level 1 Sometimes I find the explanations to some concepts very high level and not as detail oriented. More detail and better explanations would have helped. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Geff • Level 2 Kaplan did a really good job for preparing me for Level 2. The online video instructors were terrific. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Fran • Level 1 I’m honestly not sure if I should have kept to the official curriculum or Kaplan Schweser. I would definitely buy Kaplan Schweser again – if I pass. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent SebL • Level 1 All well and good, passed Level 1 on first attempt and quite happy with the Kaplan Schweser materials. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Kvrdt • Level 1 Way easier to read than the CFA Institute material, and the explanations are brief and comprehensive. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Section8 • Level 1 Very good video instructions, especially the topic-by-topic videos. The qbank is also very helpful! Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Not as accurate as I’d like Sean245 • Level 1 I didn’t feel that their questions or the way they explained the material was true to the actual exam, especially the Qbank. A solid ‘meh’. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Good notes and Qbank Peggi Mustchin • Level 1 Pretty good notes. Excellent Q bank. Calendar wasn’t super helpful (for me, anyway) but I feel prepared just using their notes and Q bank. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Allen • Level 1 Good material; I would recommend taking in-person live sessions than online, you somehow learn more and learn faster when it’s live. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Rc • Level 2 Maybe offer customized bundling of products. Excellent qbank, practice exams and mock exams! Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Could be better Sara • Level 2 You are not allowed to put notes on your ebooks, and also the exercises in between chapters are not as realistic as in the actual exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Read with CFAI material Josh • Level 1 If you read all of the material Kaplan provides ALONG with the CFAI material you will be in a position to easily succeed at any level. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good anon • Level 2 Kaplan Schweser gives you a good foundation on the CFA material but does not get into sufficient depth on more complex areas of study. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Good notes Kippie O’Calleran • Level 1 The notes were concise, to the point, but clear. It was very useful for stuff I had a little background in, and the topics that I knew less about it was still very easy to pick up and understand. They explained everything very well! Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good me32 • Level 1 I passed my CFA exam, so it must be helpful! It helped me focus on what to know and condensed the material to a digestable amount. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Great notes Azher Rashid • Level 1 Kaplan’s notes were amazing to being with and I even took the online coaching classes to help me with my studies for CFA Level 1. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆I’d recommend them Saiket • Level 1 I would recommend Kaplan Schweser to others. The notes are quite easy to understand, although I don’t have a finance background. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good mckett • Level 2 Just did their problem set workshop; they did not offer classes close enough to me for me to take them up on it. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good apurva saxena • Level 1 Very good provider. I’m glad that I bought notes from Kaplan Schweser. It gave me an all round review and help needed to pass. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Great quality James D. • Level 1 Time will tell if Kaplan Schweser worked successfully, but I have been more than satisfied with the quality of the material. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆App please! Gyudico • Level 1 Great notes, but I wish the mobile app is better. The exam it is really difficult, and it will be great to study on the go. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Wiley is better if you have a full-time job Babb Featherstonhalgh • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser works well. But with full 6-day, 9-to-5 work weeks, Wiley is a better option. At least, it worked for me. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Shirleen Bracci • Level 1 Secret Sauce is magical. It really helps in the break between sessions on exam day. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Robbert Capey • Level 1 A very good preparation for CFA Level 1. In fact it seemed very suited for even people with limited knowledge of finance. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Elliott Craigmyle • Level 1 Much easier to read than the CFA books, question bank is really comprehensive. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Lottie Boone • Level 3 The notes go straight to the point. It was really helpful to get me through the material in the fastest possible time. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆OK Tanis • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser notes are OK, but I wouldn’t rely 100% on them. However I know some candidates who have done it. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Still needed classes and CFAI CFA 2 STUDENT • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser is great summary, but it does not replace class preparation and the official CFA Institute books. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good dimon84 • Level 3 More comprehensive coverage than others. Very good detailed explanations. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Juan_Pa11 • Level 2 Sometimes the study notes are not clear enough, and you need to go to the CFA curriculum to understand things. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Indre • Level 2 Easy, readable language and good emphasis on the most important points. A lot of practice tests and questions. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Used with CFAI material Dunn Tyne • Level 1 Quick and precise, easy to understand and straight to the point. Use CFAI material alongside Kaplan Schweser. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent firecar • Level 1 Did the job I was hoping for – summarizing everything so that I can learn it quicker, and learn it easier. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆mock exams and qbank was all I needed Rafaellle Bruce • Level 1 I found Kaplan Schweser to be useful for CFA Level 1. The mock exams and q bank were all I needed to pass. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent MW92 • Level 2 Hints and tips were very helpful in identifying which concepts were most important for any given section. Write your own review>>
★★★★★helpful and easy to understand Karanj Patel • Level 1 It was very helpful and easy to understand the details. It covers almost all the topics in the CFA exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Rupert Casella • Level 1 Very good provider. Question bank is fundamental to exam prep, and study notes are very concise. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Shayon Ghosh • Level 1 I would strongly recommend Kaplan Schweser to someone really motivated to crack the exam in first go. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Becky epp • Level 1 The video lectures and qbank are key. You need to do all the questions to stand a chance of passing. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Sara • Level 1 helps you to save time to study, notes are so much less as in the real CFA books. not so repeititive Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Ouafae • Level 1 Good prep. I found the Kaplan material for level 2 less adapted to my studying “style” than Level 1 Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent MattRim • Level 1 Excellent provider, helped a lot during my studies. Would recommend. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Tybalt Pick • Level 1 I passed Level 1 using almost exclusively Kaplan Schweser so the results speak for themselves! Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent See Drinkall • Level 1 To cover such a lot of material in a short amount of time, the Kaplan Schweser notes were great. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Irwan • Level 1 Still the best CFA course provider ever. The notes, especially the Secret Sauce, are very good. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Bridie Dailey • Level 2 This provider gives a good basis and foundation with their notes. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Ouafae • Level 2 Good prep, although some parts are more a series of bullet points than actual deep explanations. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Fletch Fishleigh • Level 2 Good quality material in a summarized version. On-demand videos and lecture slides are a must! Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Karanj Patel • Level 2 No complaints at all. Kaplan Schweser is a very good course provider and I enjoyed using them. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent vinimop • Level 2 Very good material. Their explanations are pretty clear, the material makes it easy to study Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Matthew Bates • Level 2 Very clear and concise summary of the syllabus, with lots of tests to consolidate learning. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Icy • Level 2 I would recommend the Kaplan Schweser notes as it has more questions than other providers. Write your own review>>
★★☆☆☆Fair Brett Tesimon • Level 1 Concepts should be explained better, and not have to be divined from in between the lines. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Fran • Level 1 Yes I love Kaplan Schweser! Hope that I pass Level 1 and will buy from them again if I do. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good mandy • Level 1 Kaplan schweser provides great study notes which can help you prepare better for the exam Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good indigonation5 • Level 2 Quite well summarised. It was a good reference nearer to the exam than at the beginning. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Good overall Piyush Goel • Level 2 Overall it’s good. More practice questions or mocks would be better especially for L2. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Matthew Bates • Level 1 Very clear and concise summary of syllabus with lots of tests to consolidate learning. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent vinimop • Level 1 Very good materials. Mock exams questions are very close of those on the real exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent MW92 • Level 1 Tips and hints were very useful in identifying the core concepts for each section. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Indre • Level 1 Easily understandable material, a lot of examples and well-organized mock exams. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Divya • Level 1 They were really concise and helped with the understanding required for the exam Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆No problems, a bit expensive kennedn9 • Level 1 All good. No problems with the material provided. Expensive for the pro package. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Egness • Level 2 Listen to the videos, they relate to the examples given in the CFA curriculum. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Divya • Level 2 They are really concise and help with the required understanding for the exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Rozella Cayley • Level 1 Overall, a good study program. Lots of practice questions which are helpful. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Hardy Boyington • Level 2 Overall, a good study program. Lots of practice questions which are helpful. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Worth it talker730 • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser is expensive but very good. I would definitely recommend it. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Simple and practical Audra Iashvili • Level 1 It provides simple and practical reading material. Very easy to understand. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Angelico Haruard • Level 1 Really summarized the notes in a condensed form, which was much appreciated. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆You’ll need to put in the effort Hloni • Level 1 The resources are there, but it’s up to the individual to make extra effort. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Pricing should be lower Riyad • Level 2 Pricing should be lower. Mock is good, but question bank needs improvement. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Good but expensive talker730 • Level 2 Kaplan Schweser was very good but expensive. Still, I would recommend it. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good sam079685 • Level 1 Overall it seems good and would fit my purpose of learning the knowledge Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Chimdala • Level 3 Loved their review course! Covered all the important stuff really well. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good kennedn9 • Level 2 Good quality material. Sample questions were helpful in my preparation. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good ChrisCat • Level 2 Kaplan Schweser notes do an excellent job of explaining the concepts. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Hermann Martynov • Level 1 Very detailed explanations and worked examples, remarkable summaries. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Juan_Pa11 • Level 1 Useful enough to pass CFA Level 1. I’m using them again for Level 2. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Pebrook Mion • Level 1 Please keep the practice questions coming! They really, really help. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Winne Meeking • Level 1 It is concisely written with organized topics for review and study. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Hassan • Level 1 Valuable notes. They really added to my preparation for Level 1. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent Tobiah Van Niekerk • Level 1 I like how they condense the notes. Qbank is also very helpful. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Qbank not as useful Jerad Fallows • Level 2 I didn’t find the q bank as useful as I thought it would be. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Kim Lodewick • Level 1 The notes go straight to the point. Focuses on exam details. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆straight to the point Averell McNerlin • Level 2 The notes go straight to the point. Focuses on exam details. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Good Andree Albery • Level 1 Fair quality. I supplemented my studies with looking at free YouTube videos – that helped a lot. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Worth it Ralph • Level 1
To start with the Value-for-Money, I was skeptical to put additional dollars into the CFA exams by buying material from prep providers. I believe that many of us candidates are. But we shouldn’t. The additional few hundreds of dollars’ help you to:
organize yourself better by giving you extra explanations on how to study, where to focus your attention
understand and remember the materials much better because the content is presented in different ways (read, sum-up, practice, practice!)
the practice questions and mock exams are very very welcome!
To sum up, I believe that somewhat shorter materials than the official one will help you focus on what is really important and make sure you remember it. But not only for the exam, with that much reading and practice, but it also helps you remember the content for the years to come!
★★★☆☆Good Frazier Rains • Level 1 Very good – although it could be cheaper please? Write your own review>>
★★★★★Worth the money to help you pass RobH_ZAR • Level 3 Unfortunately it is expensive if you are converting from USD to another currency so it is out of the reach of many students who live in countries with a weak exchange rate. But at the end of the day I feel it is worth the money – in my case I didn’t have the time or concentration to use the CFAI books so I was willing to pay up for the materials. I must give credit to the local CFA society in South Africa as they facilitated the ordering and delivery of the Schweser materials which is a big bonus. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Excellent package Ilise Le Borgne • Level 2
I used BloombergPrep for my Level 1 exam and passed with it, but for Level 2 I decided to use Schweser instead for some reason explained below:
Classic way of study suit a dino with pen and paper like me better.
Study notes really easy to understand with applicable mini questions for every LOS. It helps a lot with right on explanations and pointing which part we should remember or highlights and which parts are not relevant for the upcoming exam.
Customized Qbank that has a hefty amount of questions. This Qbank really encouraged competitiveness by comparing your score with other candidates.
Good study calendar that can be customized according our own schedule and automatically arrange our study routine including the practice exam with daily guided instruction about what we have to do with great detail. Big help there, since I’m far too busy (read:lazy) to make my own calendar and adjust it when some immediate event pop up and need to adjust my study schedule.
Buy the self-study package that includes 6 full exams! For me, 6 full exams are plenty enough – I finished 4 full exams for my Level I and it definitely helped.
The only minus point of Schweser Self Study is you will be alone for your study, but if you decide to take better package, it will include a live class and review classes. This means you will be studying in a small group, but it does cost a bit more.
★★★★★High quality exams Haydawg • Level 2 Kaplan Schweser’s exams are very high quality, perhaps even a tad more difficult than the actual exam. I used Schweser notes to produce my own summaries, coupled with the CFAI notes whenever material needed elaboration (primarily FRA). This strategy allowed me to achieve >70% in all topic areas in Levels 1 and 2, and I will be following this study pattern again for Level 3. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Online and mobile especially handy CM_Franco • Level 1
The ability to review the notes online and through mobile applications has made the entire experience significantly easier to study.
However, a suggestion for improvement would be the ability to review two pages at a time. When reading through the material that references a graph that is on the next page, the online platform shows its limitations. Having to flip back and forth is annoying, whereas a physical book is significantly easier to use in that sense.
★★★☆☆We need to go deeper Conny Rudiger • Level 2 Most of the time, Kaplan Schweser misses the key substance in the LOS required to pass the exam. It ignores the depth required to address the requirements of the reading. Further the video lectures more or less are the repetition of slides. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Good Liliane Rowledge • Level 2 Overall very pleased with Kaplan Schweser. Only drawback I can think of is that the practice questions and mocks are more quantitative based than the actual exam. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Fine for L1 Laetitia Karim • Level 1
For Level 1 Schweser is fine, as it is pretty much foundation knowledge only. The L1 curriculum is broad in nature and won’t require intensive depth. Level 1 is the game of repetition, so Schweser serves the purpose.
★★★★★Good supplement overall Yankee Sigart • Level 2 Overall, I think Kaplan Schweser is a great supplement for the CFAI curriculum, especially for CFA Level 1 but also for Level 2. Very helpful and the exam books are best in class in my opinion. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Comprehensive and timely Grannie Waything • Level 1 Kaplan Schweser’s study guide is comprehensive and timely. The team at Kaplan updates their materials each year after the CFA Institute release their curriculum, so it ensures relevance. One thing that can be improved, however, is the value for money. The video lectures are especially useful and should be made available for separate purchase. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Good for practice Erv Tolworth • Level 1 Without the assistance of the Kaplan mock exams and continuous practicing I would not have passed my Level 1 exam. Write your own review>>
★★★☆☆Not as difficult as real thing Anjela Niessen • Level 1 Unfortunately the questions in the Qbank are not as difficult as the questions on the exam, which came as quite a shock. This is disappointing as the feature to make tailored quizzes is useful and a handy way to keep self-testing. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Lucas Davidavidovics • Level 1 Would definitely recommend the provider, although they are quite expensive. Write your own review>>
★★★★★Qbank is great Ibrahim Mertel • Level 1 The Level 1 Qbank was exceptional. Very helpful in drilling the material. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Good but videos hard to follow Barbara Winspire • Level 2 L2 material was adequate, but I personally found the videos included very boring and hard to follow. Many of my friends found them useful, so I think it’s just a study method that’s not for me. I found practicing the L2 questions to be the most effective prep method. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆L3 lacking, but still best out there Jessey Medgwick • Level 3 I didn’t find Kaplan as effective in L3 as it was in L1 and L2. I think their questions tended to be a lot more numerical, and L3 had relatively more conceptual questions, and relied a lot on understanding the ‘point’ of each study session. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆Very Good Quinn Hartshorne • Level 2 Sadly the practice questions are not as tough as those on the exam, which came as a bit of a shock. Write your own review>>
★★★★☆The basics are enough Gaspar Farndon • Level 1 Solid L1 provider. If you can afford them I’d definitely recommend them. The standard study notes and practice questions are more than enough. Write your own review>>