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Studying for the CFA exam is a massive undertaking. Between keeping a full time day job and studying for the test, it really requires dedication and time. One of the most efficient ways to prepare for the exam is to utilize a CFA prep course that offers a high quality study program. When I studied for the exam, I followed a self study program. I found that the single most effective method was to regularly practice test questions from a software program.
By regularly utilizing practice questions paying attention to the results, it was much easier to identify areas I needed to spend more time reading the original material. Conversely, it was also far easier to identify sections that I didn’t need to spend as much time studying. With so many available CFA prep course options, it’s really hard to identify a program that makes sense for you. I created a detailed grid to help highlight the major differences among the best CFA prep course providers so you can make a more informed decision.
We will continue to update the page over time with more CFA prep course providers.
Prep Course Providers
|
Wiley |
Adapt Prep
|
Princeton Review |
Schweser |
Analyst Prep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $645 to $1,395 | $89 to $299 | $499 | $649 to $1,349 | $129 |
| Programs | 4 primary / multiple supplements | 3 choices | 1 choice | 3 choices / mult supplements | 1 choice |
| Practice Questions | 5,000 | 3,000 | 1,500 | not disclosed | 3,000 |
| Mock Exams | 2 | part of
question bank |
2 | 4 | 4 |
| Study Notes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Online Question Bank | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Online Video Lessons | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Live Classroom Lessons | yes | no | no | yes | no |
| Optional 1 on 1 Instruction | yes | no | no | yes | no |
| Access via Mobile & Tablet | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Downloadable App | yes | no | no | yes | no |
| Free Trial | yes | yes | no | yes | yes |
| Pass Guarantee | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| More Information | Click Here |
Wiley
Wiley offers some of the most comprehensive CFA prep course products on the market. Wiley’s core study materials include a database with over 5,000 practice questions, full length mock exams, and detailed tracking to monitor your study progress. CFA candidates can choose 4 self study packages.
For more information, see Wiley CFA review.
Self Study
Core Self Study
$645
Core study materials in print or ebook format.
Full access to online practice questions.
Formula sheets.
Comprehensive analytics.
2 full mock exams.
mobile app access.
Pass Guarantee.
Silver Course
Comprehensive Self Study
$749
All core course material included with self study option.
downloadable flashcards.
Full access to video lectures.
Gold Course
Self Study & Classroom
$1,145
All material included with silver course.
Access to live online virtual classes.
Access to professional online mentoring.
Platinum
Self Study & Enhanced Classroom
$1,395
All material included with Gold course.
11th hour final review product.
11th hour includes 27 hours of video & mock exam seminar.
Access to live class for CFA exam prep.
Adapt Prep
Adapt Prep is a relatively recent entrant in the CFA exam prep industry. The cornerstone of the company’s program is its adaptive software developed using proprietary algorithms. Using these algorithms, Adapt offers a highly tailored study program geared toward your personal efficiency and study habits. Adapt offers 3 study package options.
Read our full review of AdaptPrep.
Practice
Basic Option with Question Bank Access
$89
Access to 3,000 question adaptive online question bank
Online access packages ranging from 30 days ($89) to 180 days ($149)
Question bank includes video solutions
Learn
Question Bank & Full Course Curriculum
$199
Available as a 180 day subscription
Over 40 hours of video instruction
Nearly 500 page curriculum manual
Includes full access to the adaptive question bank
Complete
Full Program Access with Pass Gurantee
$299
Provides full access to the Learn and Practice curriculum packages without the day limitations
Free access to the Complete curriculum until you pass
Princeton Review CFA Prep
Princeton Review has a long history of providing excellent test prep products for a wide range of standardized tests and professional exams. Princeton Review has applied this experience to develop a comprehensive test prep product for the CFA exam.
The self paced CFA exam prep product provides a comprehensive self study program for level I of the CFA exam. The core components of the course include 900 pages of self study notes, over 50 hours of video based lecture content, a practice question database with over 1,500 questions, and 2 full length mock exams.
Students have a full 12 months of access to the course during the initial roll out promotion for the course. Following the initial launch, course access will be available for 6 months. Course access is also supported by a comprehensive money back guarantee.
If you use the course and fully utilize the available resources, but do not pass level I of the CFA Exam, you will receive a full cash refund. This is a stronger pass guarantee than some other options that only offer continuing program access if you don’t pass the exam.
Self Paced Course
Level I CFA Exam Prep Course
$249 cost
Package Features
12 months of access
Over 50 hours of video content
900 study note slides
1,500 practice test questions with detailed explanations
2 full length mock exams
Money back guarantee if you don’t pass
Bloomberg Exam Prep
The Bloomberg name carries serious cachet in the financial world. The Company used its considerable resources to develop a comprehensive CFA review course program. The program includes a range of options to meet the needs of a wide range of student learning types. Highly disciplined students will find self study options and students interested in more personalized study programs will find valuable resources as well. Bloomberg offers 3 study programs.
For more information, see our Bloomberg CFA review.
Essential
Basic Self Study Plan
$599
Full Access to online curriculum and question bank
Online tutoring from expert instructors (20 questions)
Access to 6 mock exams
Not included
Premium
Comprehensive Self Study Plan
$999
Full Access to online curriculum and question bank
Online tutoring from expert instructors (80 questions)
Access to 8 mock exams
Not included
Ultimate
Self Study and Tutoring Plan
$1,599
Full Access to online curriculum and question bank
Online tutoring from expert instructors (No limit)
Access to 10 mock exams
2 full tutoring sessions from expert instructors
Analyst Prep
Analyst Prep offers two focused curriculum options. Students most comfortable with a disciplined self study program have access to detailed study notes and a comprehensive question bank. For those students that prefer a combination of classroom learning and self study, Analyst Prep offers a more personalized tutoring option. Analyst Prep also offers one of the more comprehensive free trial options which includes free access to 150 questions and a sample of the video curriculum.
Premium
Comprehensive Self Study Package
$129
Question bank includes over 3,000 questions
4 full mock exams
Study notes covering full curriculum
Free access to the program until you pass
Coaching
Self Study Package + Tutoring
$599
Full access to the premium self study package
5 hours of 1 on 1 tutoring
Personalized study plan with Final Review
Free access to the program until you pass
Kaplan Schweser
Kaplan Schweser offers a variety of product options that range from self study to comprehensive and in depth classroom programs. Kaplan offers some of the most comprehensive personalized instruction options. The classroom instruction options include live instruction in select cities with options for additional 3 and 5 day in person extra instructional programs.
See our full review of the Kaplan Schweser CFA.
Study Notes
Basic Self Study
$349
Access to Schweser study notes which cover each LOS
3 full mock exams
Ability to ask questions to instructors during set office hours
Formula card with quick access to most important formulas and concepts
not included
not included
Essential
Comprehensive Self Study
$649
Access to Schweser study notes which cover each LOS
6 full mock exams
Ability to ask questions to instructors during set office hours
Formula card with quick access to most important formulas and concepts
Access to online question bank
Free access if you don’t pass
Premium
Self Study & Classroom
$1,099 to $1,399
Full access to everything included in the Essential Package
Weekly classroom instruction available online or in person at select locations
Over 40 hours of recorded instruction by LOS
Ability to ask unlimited instruction questions
Final review workshop not included
Premium Plus
Self Study & Enhanced Classroom
$1,499 to $1,799
Full access to everything included in the Essential Package
Weekly classroom instruction available online or in person at select locations
Over 40 hours of recorded instruction by LOS
Ability to ask unlimited instruction questions
Final review workshop available online or in person
Apptuto
Apptuto’s CFA prep program offers an innovative online platform designed to increase study efficiency by offering easy access to program materials wherever you study. Apptuto’s program offers a comprehensive question bank designed with an adaptive algorithm. The unique, gamified program offers students an engaging online platform with a downloadable app so you can study offline wherever you want.
Read our full review of Apptuto.
Premium
Full Self Study Program
$199
Video and Study material organized by LOS
Adaptive question bank available online and offline with downloadable app
Unlimited online mock exams
Bootcamp
Self Study Program with Additional Video Instruction
$599
Includes all Premium material
4 Full days of bootcamp style instruction
Bootcamp instruction is recorded for your review as needed
Available 1 on 1 coaching
Free access to program until you pass
Live
Self Study Program with Comprehensive online classes
$1,499
Includes all Premium material
Access to 16 weeks of live online classroom instruction
The live online classes are recorded to access as needed
Available 1 on 1 coaching
Free access until you pass
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