Preparing for the CFA® exam is hard enough, you shouldn’t have to gamble on your study materials too.
With the Level I pass rate sitting at just 39%, choosing the right CFA® prep course can make a huge difference. I compared more than a dozen options and narrowed them down to the four best CFA® exam prep courses based on different learning styles, budgets, and study preferences.
CFA Practice Questions
Top CFA® Programs at a Glance
- Best Overall: UWorld
- Best for Beginners: AnalystPrep
- Best for Comprehensive Coverage: Kaplan Schweser
- Best for Modern Learners: Salt Solutions
Best CFA® Prep Course Comparison
 |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $799 per part | $799 | $1,049-$1,199 (per part) | $599-$749 per part |
| Discounts | Save 15% | Save 30% | Save 15% | No Discounts |
| Access | Until End of Exam Date | Lifetime Access | Until End of Exam Month | Lifetime Access |
| Pass Guarantees | StudyPass and FreshStart | N/A | PassProtection™ Guarantee | Access Until You Pass |
| Refund Policy | No Refunds | No Refunds | 90% Within 14 Days | 100% Within 3 Days |
| Support | Chat, Email | Chat, Phone, Email | ||
| Best For | Best Prep Option for Most CFA® Exam Candidates | Students Looking for a Streamlined, Entertaining Approach | Students Who Want to Dig Deep and Master the Material | Tech-Loving Critical Thinkers Who Value Data and Analysis |
| Learn More | READ REVIEW | READ REVIEW | READ REVIEW | READ REVIEW |
1. UWorld: Best Overall
UWorld is best known for their exam-quality practice questions, ExpertConnect Q&A, Expert MasterClass video sessions, and customizable flashcards. There are even more impressive features, such as a structured 2-day boot camp and a variety of pass guarantee options; however, they’re only available in the most expensive package.
Nevertheless, in my experience with UWorld’s Advanced package for the CFA® levels, I found a lot to appreciate. The live boot camp and Q&A sessions were excellent, covering the content at an effective pace and going into each topic with an impressive level of depth. They were easy to follow, and the instructors seemed to actually care about whether or not I was picking up on the information.
However, the real selling point is the practice questions, which are very similar to those on the actual exam (I literally pulled around a dozen or so and compared them; UWorld’s are harder, but otherwise very close). UWorld is a bit pricey, and I’d like to see more mock exams for levels 2 and 3. Otherwise, I got so much out of UWorld, and I think CFA® candidates will have a similar experience.
See my full review of UWorld CFA® here.
Key Features
- Course Format: Live Classes and On-Demand Lessons
- Number of Practice Questions: ~4,000
- Live Online Classes or on-demand video lectures
- SimpleSheets+ for easily accessible reference
- Up to 9 Mock Exams, 5 for Level I, and 2 each for II and III
- Course Access Until You Pass relieves some financial pressure
Pros
- Many students consider their practice questions some of the best for CFA® prep
- Includes live online classes at a relatively affordable price point
- Customizable virtual flashcards are a vital tool for traditional learners
- SimpleSheets+ is a helpful tool for quickly brushing up on key concepts
- Mobile app to watch lectures and study flashcards out in the world
2. AnalystPrep: Best for Beginners
Whether you’re on a budget, looking for engaging video lessons, over 6,000 quality practice questions, or want lifetime access to your course materials, AnalystPrep delivers. In fact, their package for all three levels is either the same price or more affordable than one level from Kaplan Schweser, Salt Solutions, and UWorld.
Oddly, one of the main selling points for AnalystPrep is their lead lecturer, Professor James Forjan. It was easy to see why in my own research: he has great energy, a clear passion for his students’ success, and a phenomenal ability to take an impossible finance topic, think quantitaquantitatively abouttive methods and derivatives, and make it easy to understand. I obviously have a background in finance, but I was nevertheless impressed by how he could explain something simply in a way I would struggle to communicate effectively to a newbie.
Consequently, AnalystPrep is an excellent fit for audiovisual learners on a budget, particularly if you want a streamlined approach without all the distracting bells and whistles.
Key Features
- Course Format: On-demand
- Number of Practice Questions: 6,000+
- Video Lectures: 120+ hours of expert-led video content
- ~3,000 Pages of Study Notes that correlate with the video lessons
- Mock Exams for all three levels of the CFA® exam
- Performance Tracking Tools that identify your weaknesses for more efficient study
- Unlimited Ask-a-Tutor Questions for personalized support
Pros
- Vast bank of exam-quality practice questions
- Lifetime access prevents the anxiety of rushing to finish
- The price for all three levels is ≤ the price of one level from Kaplan or UWorld
- In-depth performance tracking is simultaneously insightful and motivating
Cons
- No pass guarantee, so if it doesn’t work, you’re out of luck
Bottom Line: Why Choose AnalystPrep?
What makes AnalystPrep shine in testing is how efficient and to-the-point the whole experience feels. The platform loads fast, the dashboard is dead simple to navigate, and there’s zero fluff—just a clean path from login to lesson to quiz. The video content, especially Forjan’s lectures, delivers exactly what you want: clear, practical explanations that make dry topics like quant methods feel less painful. Practice questions hit the right difficulty level, and the answer breakdowns actually help you learn—not just tell you you’re wrong. If you want a course that respects your time, doesn’t overcomplicate things, and just gets the job done, this is it.
AnalystPrep
3. Kaplan Schweser: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Kaplan Schweser offers four unique packages for a variety of students, but their most popular is the Premium Package. Unlike AnalystPrep, you’ll have to buy study packages for each level separately. However, if you value the sheer amount of content—as in nearly 7,000 practice questions, hundreds of video content hours, a 55+ hour on-demand review masterclass, some of the best study notes out there, and a renewed course if you don’t pass—Kaplan Schweser is your choice for digging deep.
Their videos are professional, clean, and easy to listen to. They’re not as engaging as the video lessons from AnalystPrep, but they definitely get the job done. And if you want to leave no stone unturned, there’s no better choice. In my opinion, the biggest selling point for Kaplan is Schweser’s Secret Sauce®, a booklet packed with a simplified version of everything you need to know about the learning outcome statements. Key terms are bolded, bullet points are used, and it’s perfect to skim if you need a quick refresher on a topic.
Key Features
- Course Format: On-Demand (Live Classes Available to Add On)
- Number of Practice Questions: 6,600+
- Video Lectures: 140+ hours of expert-led video content
- CFA® Institute Question Review Videos: 19+ hours of exam question answer explanations
- CFA® Review Workshop covering 55+ hours of content
- Activity Feed and Performance Tracking Tools for streamlined study
- PassProtection™ Guarantee gives you another study package if you fail the exam
Get 15% Off Kaplan CFA Review Course
Pros
- Hundreds of hours of video lectures for audiovisual learners
- Review workshop is perfect for last-minute u0022crunch timeu0022 study
- Schweser’s Secret Sauce® is a great written resource summarizing key concepts
- Tons of bonuses for a more personalized experience, like QuickSheets and JumpStart materials
Cons
- Expensive compared to other courses on the list, especially AnalystPrep and Salt Solutions
- Live classes require an upgrade that can be really expensive for all three levels
Check out my full review of Kaplan CFA® to see if it’s right for you.
Bottom Line: Why Choose Kaplan Schweser?
If you want more than you need and you’d rather be overly prepared on exam day, Kaplan Schweser is an excellent choice. Whether you prefer to watch video lessons, read textbooks, study notes, or a combination of all three, Kaplan appeals to a wide variety of learning styles. While the classes are pretty steep price-wise, and that price only increases if you choose to add live review workshops and classes, it may be worth the investment if “more” is worth the money.
Kaplan
4. Salt Solutions: Best for Modern Learners
Salt Solutions takes a unique approach compared to the other courses on the list, focusing on a more budget-friendly, simplified approach than Kaplan Schweser and a more scientific, data-driven approach than AnalystPrep. However, Salt Solution keeping efficiency at the forefront makes less sense when you realize there’s over 175 hours of video content alone, accounting for a massive percentage of your study hours.
Nevertheless, Salt Solutions does a lot of things right. I loved their modern interface with geometric accents, which made me feel like a student attending a high-tech online private school, or something to that effect. Essentially, I felt bougie, and that is a feeling worth chasing. Further, I really appreciated the in-depth performance tracking tools, which did a great job of not only pointing out my progress and how far I had to go, but also where I should be focusing my attention to get the most out of every study session. Salt Solutions is a great choice for a student who wants a more technical, science-backed strategy, without the high price of competitors like Kaplan.
Key Features
- Course Format: On-demand
- Number of Practice Questions: 4,000+
- Video Lectures: 175+ hours of expert-led video content
- Formula Sheets for quick reference while studying and practicing
- 3 Mock Exams for each level of the CFA® exam
- Discussion Forums for community and connection while getting questions answered
- Pace Keeper and Focus Analysis for better organization and comprehension
- Course Access Until You Pass relieves some financial pressure
Pros
- Sleek, high-tech interface that encourages organization and motivation
- More affordable per part than Kaplan Schweser and UWorld
- Pass guarantee includes extended access for as long as you need it
- Huge video library, ideal for visual learners
Cons
- Isn’t comprehensive enough as a standalone for some students
- Still more expensive than AnalystPrep by over $1,000 when you buy all three levels
- Some of the materials are free, so paying for packages including them feels strange
Bottom Line: Why Choose Salt Solutions?
If the traditional “nose in a book” approach just doesn’t do it for you, take Salt Solutions’ 14-day trial for a spin and see if this is a better fit. The complete level packages are relatively affordable, especially when you consider the nearly 200 hours of video lessons and deep-dive performance reports. However, it’s worth comparing the price to what you’re getting, as lots of video lessons are great, but not the deciding factor in helping you pass. Alternatives like AnalystPrep, Kaplan, and UWorld tend to give more bang for your buck.
Salt Solutions
Honorable Mentions
To narrow the list down to my top four, I went over a dozen prep courses. Here’s the complete list of the entries that didn’t make the cut, all featured on the CFA Institute website as approved courses.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right CFA® prep course can have a huge impact on your study experience.
UWorld stands out as the best overall option thanks to its excellent question bank and mobile-friendly platform. AnalystPrep offers strong value for beginners and visual learners, while Kaplan Schweser is ideal for candidates who want to dive deep into the material. If efficiency is your priority, Salt Solutions delivers a streamlined, science-backed approach to studying.
Ready to make your next move? Check out UWorld, AnalystPrep, or Kaplan and start studying for the CFA® exam.
FAQs
UWorld, AnalystPrep, and Kaplan Schweser are three of the top options out there, but the best CFA prep course for you depends on your budget and learning style.
70% is generally a good target to shoot for, but it may not always be passing, depending on the specific exam being administered.
Anything is possible, but 3 months is highly unlikely. The recommended amount of studying per level is 300 hours, so 3 months might be enough for one level, but probably not all 3.
CFA prep courses can cost anywhere from roughly $800 for all three levels up to well over $4,000. Luckily, the overall price range tries to cater to every budget.
Absolutely. It’s extremely difficult to pass without one, so if earning your charter is important to you, choosing the right prep course is a big deal.
