The CFA Institute reports that 90% of hiring managers prefer hiring a CFA® for leadership positions. But you already know that the CFA® has unrivaled perks. Now, it’s time to actually become one, and that involves passing one of the hardest exams in the world.
Kaplan CFA® Review is one option for a course to help you pass, but does it fulfill its promises?
As a professional course reviewer, I dove headfirst into Kaplan’s materials, comparing the accuracy of their mock exams to the actual CFA® exams. I watched video lessons and workshops, read through review notes, and used the performance and progress tracking tools. Here are the findings you need to know.
Is Kaplan CFA® the Best Pick for You?
- If you’re a visual learner, Kaplan Schweser’s 70+ hours of video lessons and live classes will help bring the CFA® curriculum to life.
- If you thrive with structured guidance, Kaplan’s organized study plan, review workshops, and milestone tracking offer a clear, step-by-step path.
- If you want access to expert support, InstructorLink gives you direct answers from CFA® professionals when you’re stuck or unsure.
- If you like to review on the go, Kaplan’s audio notes and digital flashcards make studying easier while commuting or multitasking.
- If you’re on a strict budget, Kaplan’s premium pricing might be out of reach compared to more affordable options like AnalystPrep or Salt Solutions.
- If you prefer minimalist platforms, Kaplan’s sheer volume of content and tools might feel overwhelming or distracting to some students.
Kaplan Schweser CFA® Review: The Basics
Kaplan Schweser is a unique CFA® review option in that it offers live classes and workshops, places a heavy emphasis on review materials, and has more resources than any other provider.
If you’re the kind of person who feels anxiety by cramming and trying to cover a lot of ground by skimming the surface, Kaplan’s deep-dive method may give you some relief and confidence building up to the big day. Plus, with exam-quality questions, you can be certain you’re studying themes that will actually show up on the exam, and look similar, giving you that “deja vu” moment.
However, if you have a hectic schedule and little time to dedicate to your studies, you may get easily distracted by the wide variety of content, leaving you unfocused and unprepared. Plus, Kaplan can be significantly more expensive than competitors. So, before you buy, you have to ask yourself:
- How much time do I have? Can I dedicate more time to this process?
- What is my budget, and how firm is it?
- Would I pay more for a reliable provider with an outstanding reputation, or spend less on a newcomer?
Here’s what I’m trying to get at: if you want it all and are willing to invest more in the confidence, you’ll have everything you need, Kaplan Schweser could be your golden ticket to CFA® certification. However, if you’re an exam whiz or don’t have much to spend, start considering some alternatives.
“Passed all 3 levels using Kaplan exclusively. Didn’t touch any official material. 90% percentile on level 2 and 3. It’s entirely sufficient for many people.”
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Pros
- Suite of review materials (rare for CFA®) like workshops & Schweser’s Secret Sauce®
- Gamified elements (activity feed and performance tracker) keep you entertained
- Live instruction through workshops and masterclasses for real-time Q&A
- Caters to every learning style with written, video, audio, and practice resources
- InstructorLink allows you to get expert answers to your questions
Cons
- More expensive than top competitors like AnalystPrep and Salt Solutions
- The volume of material might be too much for some students
- No money-back pass guarantee, more of a course extension than a refund
Kaplan
Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® Prep Packages
Ultimate Package: Most Comprehensive
If you want live instruction, instructor support, and audio resources, consider the Ultimate Package. It’s pricey, but depending on your learning style, it could be worth the investment to boost your odds of passing by getting the best materials for you. Unique features include:
- Live Content: Live Online Masterclass and Live Review Workshop
- Bonus Tools: SchweserNotes™ Audio and Digital Flashcards
- Support: InstructorLink
Premium Package: Most Popular
If you want the most popular package, generally regarded as the best mix of materials and value, the Premium Package may fit your needs. Though it lacks the live instruction, audio notes, and digital flashcards of the Ultimate Package, it includes everything in the packages beneath it, as well as:
- Schweser’s Secret Sauce®: A compact booklet highlighting key concepts on the exam
- On-Demand Review Workshop: 55+ hours of hyper-focused study strategies and topic review
Essential Package: Most Streamlined
If you want a balance of affordability and value, but aren’t ready to fork over the 4-figure price of the Premium Package, the Essential Package might be a better fit. You’re getting all of the basics, as well as two outstanding bonuses to substantiate the higher price compared to just the basics:
- Schweser’s PassProtection™: Get a free extension of the course materials if you fail the exam
- SchweserNotes™: 4 volumes of study notes with practice quizzes and real-world examples
Basic Package: Most Affordable
Finally, the Basic Package is ideal if you’re on a tight budget and only want to spend what you have to for a study suite. Even at a budget-friendly price, you’re still getting access to top-quality tools to help you dig deep into the subject and succeed. These materials are included in every other package, but if you’re a naturally talented test-taker, this should be more than enough.
- Video Content: 4+ hours of question review videos, 70+ hours of standard CFA® video lessons, and an on-demand masterclass with corresponding workbooks
- Track Your Progress: Study with thousands of practice questions in the SchweserPro™ QBank, then complete weekly study tasks in the activity feed and watch your improvement through the performance tracker.
- Prep Before and After Your Studies: Master mathematical concepts and key formulas with Kaplan’s prerequisite content and prepare for the next exam with their Level II or III JumpStart packages.
| Feature | Ultimate Package | Premium Package | Essential Package | Basic Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4+ Hours of Question Review Videos |  | | | |
| 70+ Hours of Video Modules | | | | |
| On-Demand Masterclass | | | | |
| SchweserPro™ QBank | | | | |
| 3 Checkpoint Exams | | | | |
| Activity Feed and Performance Tracker | | | | |
| JumpStart and Prerequisite Content | | | | |
| Kaplan Schweser Community | | | | |
| Schweser’s PassProtection™ | | | |  |
| SchweserNotes™ | | | | |
| Schweser’s Secret Sauce® | | | | |
| On-Demand CFA® Review Workshop | | | | |
| SchweserNotes™ Audio | | | | |
| Live Online Masterclass | | | | |
| Live Review Workshop | | | | |
| Flashcards | | | | |
| InstructorLink | | | | |
| Mock Exams | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Price | $1,449-$1,549 | $1,049-$1,149 | $749-$849 | $379-$479 |
| Get Started | Get Ultimate | Get Premium | Get Essential | Get Basic |
Kaplan Schweser CFA® Promo Codes
Save 20% on Kaplan Schweser materials for your CFA® exam prep, boosting your chances to pass on the first try come exam day. Compare discounts with other CFA® promo codes.
Course Detail Discovery: The Kaplan Schweser Experience
Inside the Course Structure
If you want variety, you’re in the right place. Kaplan offers live online, on-demand, and self-study delivery options, as well as learning vehicles for every style, like videos, study notes, digital and physical textbooks, and even audio lessons. As for practice tools, you can expect 2 to 6 mock exams, thousands of practice questions, flashcards, quizzes, and performance tracking.
Kaplan’s questions are spot-on compared to questions from prior CFA® exams. I was surprised how often I saw nearly the same question mirrored from a practice exam to the real thing.
Further, Kaplan Schweser does an excellent job of structuring all those materials into a comprehensive course that won’t overwhelm you. The process is straightforward, divided into sections and chapters, and you can work through it within an hour. So, there’s a lot to do, but the actual experience is strung together by bite-sized moments.
Live Lectures and Video Lessons
Let’s face it: reading isn’t everyone’s favorite thing, and I get it—especially when reading for exam prep is often dense textbooks that take two word-salad paragraphs to describe… nothing.
It’s exhausting.
Luckily, Kaplan Schweser offers video lessons, and a lot of them, over 70 hours worth of core content, 55+ hours of review workshops, 4+ hours of question review videos, and bonus masterclasses. Further, the Ultimate Package provides live iterations of the online classes and review workshops so that you can learn in a virtual classroom-style environment.
As for the video lectures, I watched quite a few and enjoyed them (as much as you can enjoy a prep video, anyway!). They were surprisingly enjoyable, as the instructor tried to make the content applicable to the real world by connecting topics to truth with stories and symbols.
Plus, the question review videos are valuable in helping you figure out the answer and shifting your perspective to look for the answer the exam writers think is correct. If you’re an audiovisual learner or like the traditional feel of live online classes, Kaplan should be a serious contender for your CFA® prep.
“The “On Demand Review Workshops” brilliantly distilled the key testable areas, problem types, and the necessary vernacular for each topic and included review questions (with video explanations) that were structured very similar to those on the actual exam. I personally found these workshops to be as valuable as mock exams, as they were an irreplaceable capstone to solidify the material and fill in lingering blindspots.”
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Value, Access, and Guarantees
Kaplan Schweser isn’t cheap, so the question is, is the investment worth what you get?
As for access, you can use course resources until after your exam, which is why PassProtection™ is such a sensible guarantee. If you fail the exam, you retain access at no extra charge. However, where many CFA® prep courses offer a money-back guarantee, Kaplan doesn’t, which could be a big con when you’re investing so much to succeed.
However, as for value, you’re getting a lot—live content, extensive study notes, a private student community, and even audio versions of the notes. There’s a greater library of resources than with any other provider, and it isn’t close. So, you’re definitely getting what you pay for, and in my opinion, well beyond when you factor in the 1:1 aid through live classes and instructor support.
Community and Personalized Aid
Studying for the CFA® exams can be a lonely process. You’re stuck in one spot on your computer, surrounded by books, notebooks, sticky tabs, and empty Red Bull cans, and you haven’t seen the sun in days. Kaplan tries to make the process a little less isolating thanks to features like their student community forum and InstructorLink.
The forum is excellent, with the ability to choose a sub-forum by CFA® Level (1, 2, or 3). In my experience, it was relatively active: students asked questions about the learning outcomes they struggled to grasp, tried to find virtual study buddies and focus groups, and asked about information like exam dates. Everyone who commented was supportive; it’s clear to me that the shared goal of trying to pass a wildly difficult exam helped to bring a bunch of strangers close together.
As for InstructorLink, it’s a helpful way to get help when other students just aren’t at the level to answer your question. I sent a few questions based on reverse Google research, trying to figure out what actual students were asking so I could test reactions to everyday situations. The instructors were patient and kind, and continued to respond until I said I “got” it. I appreciated those interactions, which made me feel valued and appreciated, making a challenging experience a little brighter.
Comparing Kaplan CFA® to Competitors
Kaplan Schweser vs. AnalystPrep
Choose Kaplan Schweser if you’re looking for the Lamborghini of prep providers. You’re paying more, but you’re also paying for a name-brand reputation that competitors like AnalystPrep simply don’t have, which may make you feel more confident in your studies. Further, Kaplan offers live classes where AnalystPrep doesn’t, making them a better fit for learners who want the experience (and obligatory motivation that comes with) live classes.
Choose AnalystPrep if you want a full suite of top-tier tools at a fraction of the price. Though AnalystPrep lacks live classes, you’re still getting 120+ hours of excellent video lessons, 6,000+ practice questions, unlimited ask-a-tutor questions, and lifetime access to your package. And yet, the lifetime package for all three levels costs less than a single level of Kaplan’s Ultimate or Premium options. If you don’t mind self-study guided by a strategically organized program, AnalystPrep is an excellent choice.
Kaplan Schweser vs. Mark Meldrum
Choose Kaplan Schweser if you want a professionally produced, fully structured CFA® prep experience with a wide range of study formats. Kaplan gives you polished study notes, live and on-demand classes, adaptive QBank technology, and a brand reputation that brings peace of mind. If you value accountability, instructor access, and the option to learn through multiple channels—including live instruction—Kaplan is the premium, guided experience built for you.
Choose Mark Meldrum if you prefer a more independent, academic approach that still delivers serious value. His platform includes detailed video lectures, downloadable notes, study planners, QBank access, mock exams, and a discussion forum—all for a much lower price. While you won’t find big-brand polish or live classes, his teaching style is trusted by thousands of CFA® candidates who want direct, no-nonsense guidance from someone who’s walked the walk.
Kaplan Schweser vs. Salt Solutions
Choose Kaplan Schweser if you want a prep provider with decades of experience, comprehensive resources, and proven results. Kaplan delivers detailed study notes, live and on-demand classes, industry-leading QBank tech, and a consistent structure ideal for serious candidates who want zero surprises on exam day. If you’re looking for a trusted name with every study tool imaginable and flexible packages to match your learning style, Kaplan is the go-to.
Choose Salt Solutions if you’re into sleek design, modern UX, and a more streamlined digital-first experience. Salt’s platform is clean and easy to navigate, emphasizing learning path clarity and engagement. It’s less content-heavy than Kaplan and doesn’t offer live classes. Still, for visual learners or tech-savvy self-studiers, it’s a refreshingly concise review alternative—especially at a lower price point.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Kaplan CFA® Review?
I sincerely believe the Kaplan Schweser Program is among the best available for CFA® candidates. Though their packages cost a pretty penny, the trade-off is practice resources that match the actual exam’s format, difficulty, and wording, live training with expert instructors, and an enormous supply of every tool you could ever need.
Kaplan Schweser isn’t perfect for everyone, but if you want high-level study not just to pass, but truly master financial analysis, I’d argue they’re your ideal match.
FAQs
Kaplan Schweser notes and textbooks cover the full CFA® Program curriculum, and many candidates pass using them alone, though it depends on your study style.
Yes, Kaplan CFA® practice exams are often tougher, which helps build confidence and sharpen your timing before exam day.
Absolutely. Kaplan Schweser’s structured resources, QBank, and review tools make it one of the most efficient ways to prepare for CFA® Level 1.
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but Kaplan Schweser is widely considered a top-tier CFA® prep provider for its depth, structure, and support options, while AnalystPrep is a popular choice for its massive question bank, video library, and affordable pricing.
Yes, 6 months is the recommended prep window, which gives you time to learn the material, take practice exams, and review effectively.
