Passing the CFA® exam is the most important step in becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®). It will make or break your career, so it’s essential that you pass it quickly and easily.
In order to do that, you’ll need some help in the form of great study materials. But how can you be sure that the ones you’ve chosen are the best ones for you?
Each review course and set of materials cater to different study styles. Hence, there is a wide range to choose from that can be difficult to parse through. Luckily for you, we’ve already done most of the hard work!
Keep reading to check out what we’ve found to be the best CFA® level 1 study materials currently on offer. Each of these has a strong emphasis on any learning style, so at least one of them should be perfect for you.
So take a look to find out which one you’ll like best!
Best CFA Level 1 Prep Courses: Rankings
- Best Overall CFA® Prep Course: Analyst Prep CFA
- Best Live Online CFA® Prep Course : Kaplan Schweser
- Newest CFA® Study Materials: Salt Solutions CFA
- Most Versatile CFA® Prep Course: Princeton Review
- CFA® Review Course of the Past: Wiley CFA Exam Prep
- Best CFA® Prep Course for Adaptive Learning Technology: Bloomberg
1. Analyst Prep: Top CFA® Exam Prep Course
Our top pick is Analyst Prep’s CFA® Level I course. Here’s why:
Analyst Prep’s CFA® course is designed to blend self-study with personalized tutoring, offering candidates a tailored learning experience that enhances test performance. Their integrated performance tracker, part of every self-study package, provides real-time insights into your progress, allowing you to gauge your strengths and areas for improvement. It offers detailed analytics, from chapter-wise scores to comparisons with peers.
Should you hit a snag in your study plan, Analyst Prep has you covered. Their support extends beyond just course content. They offer up to 5 hours of one-on-one tutoring via Skype, ensuring you’re guided by CFA® charterholders, experts in the field. For more specific queries, students can directly email course coaches for clarifications.
In essence, Analyst Prep provides a comprehensive CFA® prep experience, ensuring candidates are well-equipped for the exam. And their expansive educational catalog means you can rely on them for future exam preparations too.
Analyst Prep CFA® Course Features
- Video Lessons
- Study Notes
- 3,500+ Practice Questions
- Performance Tracking
- Computer-Based Testing Exams
Analyst Prep CFA® Pros and Cons
- Proven Track Record: For over three decades, more CFA candidates have chosen Kaplan Schweser than any other prep company. This says a lot! Their proven track record and high pass rate show they know what it takes to pass. Their CFA course instructors are dedicated to passing this knowledge on to exam candidates.
- Blended Resources: Many CFA prep courses fall into two categories: traditional or e-learning. Kaplan Schweser has married the two, creating CFA study paths that include an assortment of print, online, and mobile study tools. Both the 15-week Live Class and the OnDemand Class include a two-volume set of weekly class workbooks that include lecture guides. Many Kaplan competitors do not offer these types of printed resources.
- Upgrade Options: Kaplan Schweser truly has something for everyone. Not only can you purchase individual study guides and class access, but you can also upgrade at a discount. When investing in a PremiumPlus Package, you receive Live Instruction and on-demand resources. This all-inclusive package also includes access to Kaplan’s unique learning platform, CFA core study tools, CFA review product access, and Online Workshop entry.
- Tailored Learning Experience: Analyst Prep seamlessly blends self-paced study with personalized guidance, ensuring candidates receive a customized learning journey that caters to their unique needs and strengths.
- Advanced Performance Analytics: Their state-of-the-art performance tracker offers real-time insights, allowing students to monitor their progress, identify areas for improvement, and benchmark their performance against peers.
Go To Analyst Prep CFA® Review
Bottom Line for Analyst Prep CFA: Analyst Prep stands out as a premier choice for CFA candidates, blending comprehensive study tools with personalized support. Their adaptive performance tracker, combined with expert one-on-one tutoring, ensures students not only understand the material but can also pinpoint and address their weaknesses effectively. For those seeking a tailored and efficient study experience, Analyst Prep is a top recommendation.
2. Kaplan Schweser CFA® Prep Course
Kaplan Schweser is one of the most trusted names in Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) preparation. Because they’ve been helping CFA candidates pass the exam longer than anyone else, Kaplan is a standout amongst other test prep companies for CFA levels 1, 2, and 3.
Although Kaplan is best known for its study materials, it also offers courses that can help candidates step up their CFA test prep game. They have several options, including expert-led online classes and self-guided paths that fit the needs of every learner.
Their plan options are entirely online, so CFA exam candidates can blend study schedules and lifestyles.
Kaplan CFA® Course Features
- Pass Guarantee
- Schweser Notes™
- Mock Exams
- Module Videos
- Performance Tracker
- Kaplan Schweser Community.
Kaplan CFA® Pros and Cons
- Proven Track Record: For over three decades, more CFA candidates have chosen Kaplan Schweser than any other prep company. This says a lot! Their proven track record and high pass rate show they know what it takes to pass. Their CFA course instructors are dedicated to passing this knowledge on to exam candidates.
- Blended Resources: Many CFA prep courses fall into two categories: traditional or e-learning. Kaplan Schweser has married the two, creating CFA study paths that include an assortment of print, online, and mobile study tools. Both the 15-Week Live Class and the OnDemand Class include a two-volume set of weekly class workbooks that include lecture guides. Many Kaplan competitors do not offer these types of print resources.
- Upgrade Options: Kaplan Schweser truly has something for everyone. Not only can you purchase individual study guides and class access, but you can also upgrade at a discount. When investing in a PremiumPlus Package, you receive Live Instruction and OnDemand resources. This all-inclusive package also includes access to Kaplan’s unique learning platform, CFA core study tools, CFA review product access, and Online Workshop entry.
- Higher Price Point: Packages at the premium level from Kaplan are priced starting at $1,099. This is notably higher than several other CFA® courses available. For those mindful of their finances, Kaplan’s Premium option may not be suitable, despite its appealing features like the Review Workshop. However, Kaplan provides more economical choices, like the Essential package.
Bottom Line: Kaplan boasts a proven track record in CFA preparation, underpinned by a rich blend of resources and flexible upgrade options. Their comprehensive approach ensures candidates are equipped with both foundational knowledge and advanced insights. However, while their structured schedule ensures systematic coverage of topics, it might feel restrictive for some learners. Overall, for those seeking a tried-and-true method with a wealth of resources, Kaplan remains a strong contender.
3. Salt Solutions: New Best CFA® Review Course
Salt Solutions CFA® is a video-focused CFA® exam preparation platform. It offers a robust range of mock exams and multiple-choice questions, plus some of the best video lectures available to soon-to-be test takers.
Course Details
Salt Solutions CFA® is a well-designed and intuitive CFA® exam prep resource. It includes not only multiple-choice exam questions but also high-quality video lectures created and led by expert instructors. Its note review feature, performance analytics, and practice exams allow students to prepare for the CFA® exam in a way that works best for them based on their learning preferences or styles.
Before we get into the specifics of these features, we’ll tell you the best part of the CFA® review program upfront.
It’s free!
That’s right. Salt Solutions has recently changed its pricing, and now, it’s free. Although it still costs to study for the second and third levels, all study materials for the first level of the CFA® exam are on Salt Solutions.
Salt Solutions CFA® Course Features
- Over 4400 multiple-choice questions
- CheckPoints preparation pacekeeper assigns points to tasks and sets weekly goals
- Over 160 hours of video lectures, most of which are around 10 minutes long
- 9 practice exams
- Note-taking, performance analytics, test review, and other tools are available
- Free trial for CFA® levels II and III
- Access to all study materials until students pass the test
Salt Solutions CFA® Pros and Cons
- Create your own quizzes: Students can make quizzes to test themselves on the areas where they need the most assistance
- Great video lectures: Each video is only around 10 minutes long, and most come with animations to help you fully grasp the materials discussed
- Enhanced Level-based Studying: Salt Solutions offers a flexible approach, allowing candidates to either dive deep into the entire exam curriculum or concentrate solely on specific levels they’re targeting. This adaptability ensures that students can customize their study plan according to their individual needs and priorities.
- No Physical Study Guides: Salt Solutions doesn’t provide traditional printed materials for their courses. However, they do offer the flexibility to print out specific materials, allowing students to study offline and reduce screen time when desired.
- Limited Track Record: As a relatively newer entrant in the CFA® prep market, Salt Solutions lacks the extensive history and proven track record that some of the more established providers boast, making it harder for potential students to gauge its long-term effectiveness and reliability.
Bottom line: Salt Solutions combines tailored quizzes, concise animated lectures, and level-specific study options to offer a modern approach to CFA® prep. Though they lack the long-standing reputation of some providers and don’t offer traditional printed materials, their flexibility and innovative content make them a compelling choice for CFA® candidates.
4. The Princeton Review: CFA® Exam Prep Course
The Princeton Review’s approach to test prep is one of the most versatile on this list. This is because they’ve made it their mission to cater to a wide range of learning styles so every student can learn effectively. As a result, their self-study CFA® prep courses come with plenty of options based on the different ways that students like to prepare for their CFA® exams.
One of the many ways that you can prepare with The Princeton Review is through their excellent study note slideshows. These walk you through difficult concepts by breaking them down into easy-to-manage segments and showing you how to understand them to step by step. Consequently, this places a great emphasis on learning without forcing you into a high-pressure environment.
In addition to the guided notes, there are a series of video lectures and mock exams. These are for anyone interested in a more traditional classroom learning experience. In order to create that atmosphere, these two learning tools go hand in hand, with lectures leading into exam content. As a result, you’ll be able to easily pass the Chartered Financial Analyst® exam after putting your time in with Princeton Review!
5. Wiley: Best CFA® Review Course
Our #1 pick is Wiley CFA review course. Here’s why:
Wiley is a 200-year-old company that has helped half a million students earn their credentials as professional accountants, financial analysts, and brokers. The instructors who have organized all the study content included in this program have contributed to educational resources for over 300 universities. What this means for you is that Wiley offers a level of education that’s virtually indistinguishable from an Ivy League college course.
However, this doesn’t mean you’re enrolling in a standard college class when you sign up for this prep course. It’s significantly different in several ways:
How do you rate Wiley CFA Review?
First is the full compatibility with iPads, iPhones, and Android devices through the companion mobile app. You can use this app to watch video lectures, flashcards, practice exams, and practice questions online or offline. Basically, this means you’re no longer stuck to your computer at home— you can study on a plane, at a coffee shop, or some other remote workspace.
Finally, there’s a score predictor that activates once you’ve finished more than 50% of a lesson plan. This is updated in real-time using FocusMe Technology, which uses adaptive learning to estimate the score you’ll earn when you take the CFA® exam.
All you have to do is complete the content organized by your Ivy League instructors, either at home or on your iPad, until the software predicts you’ll earn the score you want!
6. Bloomberg: Top CFA® Exam Prep Course
Next up on our list is Bloomberg CFA® Review. Bloomberg’s big claim to fame is their use of adaptive technology— similar to AdaptPrep, but not quite as impressive. These features give more tech-savvy students a greater understanding and control over their education. As a result, they always know what they need to be working on and how close they are to being ready for the exam.
But how exactly does this adaptive learning Chartered Financial Analyst® program work? Here’s the gist:
Bloomberg’s software is designed to map your performance and focus on areas in which you’re struggling. Consequently, you’ll find yourself circling back to topics down the line that you may not have understood at the time. This ensures that you get enough of a break from each question bank to avoid burnout but still put in enough time, to retain the knowledge you need. Combine that with the increased levels of customization based on how long you’ve used the service, and you have a highly personalized service on your hands!
Thanks to this innovative system, Bloomberg has a uniquely specialized role among CFA® prep courses. However, novelty alone doesn’t make it a better option than the others on this list. Ultimately, I’d recommend Bloomberg CFA® Level I Review to students who didn’t pass on their first try and would like to take a different approach to their study plan.
