Best CFA® Exam Prep Providers
For your L1 & L2 Exam
How to Choose the Best CFA Prep Provider?
The Approved Prep Provider Program was launched to help improve candidate preparation for the exams and establish a set of principles considered best practices for prep course providers. Approved Prep Provider Program participants agree to reinforce the value and importance of the curriculum in effectively preparing for the exam and convey the role of their preparatory products as additional tools to complement the prescribed curriculum.
Candidates should question the quality of the content because it will ultimately make the difference between your passing or failing.
- Does the prep provider employ full-time CFA charterholders to prepare their study materials?
- Does the prep provider leverage only the CFA blueprint based on the LOS?
Many preparatory providers’ test banks are based on old material no longer included in the curriculum or exams. Ensure the question formats and structures are consistent with the current curriculum. Approved Prep Provider Program participants receive updates earlier in the year and agree to the timely retirement of questions and materials that are no longer consistent with the curriculum and exam format.
Study materials that are not available until a few months before the exam will not offer much study time for the exam. Select a provider that not only notifies candidates of modifications and updates to study materials, but also promptly distributes revisions to all users.
If the provider guarantees your success on the exam:
- How are guarantees handled for unsuccessful candidates?
- Do they refund a portion of your money?
- Do they give you a discount on next year’s products?
Approved Prep Provider Program participants agree not to publish their pass rates. Pass rates published by non-participating providers should be questioned.
When searching for a prep provider, it’s wise to begin by consulting with trusted individuals about their experiences and recommendations. Have they utilized a specific CFA preparation product previously and were satisfied with it? Afterward, peruse customer reviews to determine whether the products being promoted meet customer expectations.
Does the provider you’re interested in have a history of helping students prepare for career-altering exams? While some companies have provided CFA prep services for decades, several newcomers have been highly competitive thanks to their innovative approaches to test-prep services. Developers with a strong background and knowledge of exam history can prepare the most effective CFA exam prep course that focuses on teaching pertinent materials to help students achieve passing scores.
1 Is the Prep Provider CFA Institute Approved and Follow CFAI curriculum??
The Approved Prep Provider Program was launched to help improve candidate preparation for the exams and establish a set of principles considered best practices for prep course providers. Approved Prep Provider Program participants agree to reinforce the value and importance of the curriculum in effectively preparing for the exam and convey the role of their preparatory products as additional tools to complement the prescribed curriculum.
Candidates should question the quality of the content because it will ultimately make the difference between your passing or failing.
- Does the prep provider employ full-time CFA charterholders to prepare their study materials?
- Does the prep provider leverage only the CFA blueprint based on the LOS?
2 Is the Study Content Updated and Keep Candidates Informed??
Many preparatory providers’ test banks are based on old material no longer included in the curriculum or exams. Ensure the question formats and structures are consistent with the current curriculum. Approved Prep Provider Program participants receive updates earlier in the year and agree to the timely retirement of questions and materials that are no longer consistent with the curriculum and exam format.
Study materials that are not available until a few months before the exam will not offer much study time for the exam. Select a provider that not only notifies candidates of modifications and updates to study materials, but also promptly distributes revisions to all users.
3 Are Their Product Claims Legitimate and Validated Against Reviews?
If the provider guarantees your success on the exam:
- How are guarantees handled for unsuccessful candidates?
- Do they refund a portion of your money?
- Do they give you a discount on next year’s products?
Approved Prep Provider Program participants agree not to publish their pass rates. Pass rates published by non-participating providers should be questioned.
When searching for a prep provider, it’s wise to begin by consulting with trusted individuals about their experiences and recommendations. Have they utilized a specific CFA preparation product previously and were satisfied with it? Afterward, peruse customer reviews to determine whether the products being promoted meet customer expectations.
4 Does the Prep Provider's Vision & Values Match Your Needs and Commitment to Quality?
Does the provider you’re interested in have a history of helping students prepare for career-altering exams? While some companies have provided CFA prep services for decades, several newcomers have been highly competitive thanks to their innovative approaches to test-prep services. Developers with a strong background and knowledge of exam history can prepare the most effective CFA exam prep course that focuses on teaching pertinent materials to help students achieve passing scores.
Does the provider you’re interested in have a history of helping students prepare for career-altering exams? While some companies have provided CFA prep services for decades, several newcomers have been highly competitive thanks to their innovative approaches to test-prep services. Developers with a strong background and knowledge of exam history can prepare the most effective CFA exam prep course that focuses on teaching pertinent materials to help students achieve passing scores.
CFA Exam Prep Providers’ Comparison Price and Question Count
Unlike most other high-stakes exams, the CFAI provides all the required readings and an online ecosystem when you sign up for the exam. With that in mind, look for a third-party provider that supplements, not replaces, these items. The following chart compares the base-level features offered by some of the best CFA exam prep providers. This chart should only supplement the information provided, as user experiences vary widely between CFA course providers.
| CFA Level 1 Prep Provider | Free Trial? | Level 1 Course Price | Mock Exams | Level 1 QBank Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWorld CFA | 7 days | $199 | 2 | 2,500+ |
| Kaplan Schweser | 7 days | $999 | 4 | N/A |
| Mark Meldrum | No | $310 | 3 | Yes |
| Bloomberg Exam Prep | 14 days | $1,199 | 9 | N/A |
| Princeton Review | 7 days | $599 | 4 | 3,150+ |
| CFA Level 2 Prep Provider | Free Trial? | Level 2 Course Price | Mock Exams | Level 2 QBank Questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWorld CFA | 7 days | $199 | 2 | 1000+ |
| Kaplan Schweser | 7 days | $1049 | 4 | N/A |
| Mark Meldrum | No | $350 | 3 | 1000+ |
| Bloomberg Exam Prep | 14 days | $1,199 | 8 | N/A |
| Princeton Review | 7 days | $499 | 2 | 1500+ |
package details can change over time.
Join the ELITE group passing the CFA exams on their first attempt!
The UWorld DifferenceEvidence Based Learning Tools and More
From the inception of our company, we have developed a unique approach that engages students in their own learning, simplifies difficult concepts into understandable explanations, and offers the most authentic exam experience available.
|
Features that a high-quality CFA Prep Provider must have |
 |
Other Prep Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Customizable Exams | ||
| In-Depth Explanations | ||
| Vivid Illustrations | ||
| Detailed Performance Trackers | ||
| Active Learning Incorporation | ||
| Concise Formula Sheets | ||
| On-the-Go Access | ||
| Customizable ‘My Notebook’ |
Achieving student success requires a genuine passion, a steadfast dedication to providing the necessary resources, identifying top-notch experts and writers, and implementing an efficient process for delivering high-quality content on a cutting-edge platform. The remarkable outcomes attained over time are a testament to the effectiveness of these efforts.
Be it the ready-to-use notes on ReadyDecks, organized content in My Notebook, and Active learning UWorld CFA prep tools can make your life easier than ever. Here are some highlights demonstrating this commitment to our students
Customizable Exams
Customizable Exams
In-Depth Explanations
In-Depth Explanations
Vivid Illustrations
Vivid Illustrations
Detailed Performance Trackers
Detailed Performance Trackers
On-the-Go Access
On-the-Go Access
Active Learning Incorporation
Active Learning Incorporation
Customizable ‘My NoteBook’
Customizable ‘My NoteBook’
Concise Formula Sheets
Concise Formula Sheets
CFA exam formula sheets provide an overview of the CFA Program subject matter and provide candidates a feel for the CFA Levels 1, 2, and 3 formulas they'll need to know. Topic areas organize to help you learn the mathematical foundations tested on each exam faster than ever before.
Please keep in mind: All UWorld CFA subscribers have access to the PDF versions of our full CFA formula sheets.
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User Testimonials About UWorld CFA
Despite UWorld CFA being a relatively new product, we’ve already received outstanding reviews comparable to our other exam preparation platforms.
Don’t just take our word for it:
I have actually wanted to send a thank you email after finishing the questions, but since we’re here... This is the second website I’ve used for test banks and I actually stopped freaking out for not understanding things because of the way you explain things. You provide inclusive answers to each question covering not only the point from the question but a related summary that helps understanding the entire idea. And the explanation is very easy to grasp. Thank you.”
The quality of questions are up to mark and the explanations are simply awesome. I think that is one of the main differentiation of UWorld. We need not check the official material for any concepts understanding. The explanation which is given in detail is lucid enough to grasp the concept. Even though the questions are more complex than the practice questions in CFA material, it trains you to think further and try to understand the concept better. It also has very user friendly UI”
AMAZING PRODUCT. Each question is thoroughly explained afterwards in a way that you can actually understand it, not just a copy and paste from the textbook. You can custom-make your own tests to target questions you have gotten wrong previously which is awesome. The simulated exam interface is also a super cool tool that I think will just be one less thing for me to worry about on exam day. I just hope they come out with Level II by the time I get there!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CFA exam review course has the highest pass rate?
What is the best CFA exam course provider for international students?
What is the best CFA exam prep provider for slow learners?
At the heart of UWorld CFA exam prep is active-learning technology, which leverages study methods that have been shown to improve student-learning outcomes over traditional, passive-learning methods (such as watching video lectures). It works through 3 simple tenets:
- Learn by Doing : Practice up-to-date UWorld CFA exam QBank (Level 1 and Level 2) problems to refine your knowledge.
- Focused Learning : Customize practice tests using performance metrics highlighting your weaknesses.
- Simplified Learning : Our in-depth rationales and detailed illustrations simplify critical concepts and decrease the need for memorization.
Even if you’re a slow learner, active learning will maximize your information retention and give you the greatest odds of passing the CFA exam.
What is the best CFA exam review course for audio, video, and digital materials?
Is there a review course for the CFA Level 1 exam that guarantees a passing grade?
With the low pass rates that CFA Level 1 exam usually projects, it is natural for candidates to look for a backup plan. Some CFA exam review courses offer their own version of a pass guarantee, but most revolve around the candidate receiving the course again. However, if a candidate fails the first time, why would they want to use the same study approach a second time? At UWorld Finance, we offer a subscription service (with discounts to extend your access) so that you only pay for what you need. This allows you to save money over our competitors even if you fail to pass the first time.
