On-demand lectures covering every reading. Some instructors (like the famous Peter Olinto) are highly engaging. Videos are segmented into 10-20 minute chunks, perfect for commutes or gym breaks.
Final verdict: 4.5/5 stars for CFA Level 1 candidates with 12-20 weeks to prepare. Just remember to supplement Ethics.
If you’ve begun researching how to pass the CFA Level 1 exam, you’ve almost certainly encountered two names: the CFA Institute (official curriculum) and Kaplan Schweser . For decades, Kaplan has been the gold standard in third-party prep providers. Their "SchweserNotes" are legendary for condensing thousands of pages of official text into digestible, high-yield study guides. cfa level 1 kaplan
These are condensed, bullet-point study guides that cover every Learning Outcome Statement (LOS) from the CFA curriculum. They cut out the fluff—no long-winded academic explanations, just what you need to know. For most candidates, the SchweserNotes replace the official CFA books entirely (except for Ethics and practice questions).
Kaplan includes 4-6 full mock exams (depending on the package) that mimic the computer-based testing environment. These are notoriously slightly harder than the real exam, which is a good thing for stress inoculation. On-demand lectures covering every reading
This article breaks down what’s inside the Kaplan CFA Level 1 package, its pros and cons, and who it’s best suited for. Kaplan offers tiered packages (Basic, Premium, PremiumPlus), but the core components remain consistent. Here’s what you’re paying for:
But with rising exam fees and intense competition from newer providers like Wiley, Mark Meldrum, and UWorld, is the Kaplan Schweser package still the right choice for 2025-2026 candidates? Final verdict: 4
A massive online database of ~3,000+ multiple-choice questions. You can customize quizzes by topic, difficulty, and number of questions. It’s designed for active recall—hammering concepts until they stick.