Best CFA® Level 3 Prep Provider: Which Course Is for You?

The CFA® prep industry is probably bigger than you think, with dozens of top CFA® Level 3 prep courses to choose from. And, now that you’re finally at the last stage in your three-part journey, you really don’t want to fail—not when you’re at the finish line.

As a professional course reviewer, I’m here to help.

I dug through some of the best CFA® Level 3 study materials to find the best fits for a variety of learners, covering everything from practice questions to live, personalized support options. In this guide, I’ll give you the honest truth about which courses are worth picking, and which you should pass on.

Which CFA® Level 3 Prep Course Should You Choose?

• UWorld: Best CFA® Level 3 Prep Course
• AnalystPrep: Best Video Lessons
• Kaplan Schweser: Most Complete Course
• Bloomberg: Largest Question Bank
• Salt Solutions: Most Efficient Prep Course
• Mark Meldrum: Best Mobile App
• Chalk & Board: Most Supportive Course

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2. AnalystPrep – Best Video Lessons

What’s in Store (Learn + Practice Packages)

AnalystPrep CFA® has a lot of excellent features, but based on my experience, I’d argue their biggest boons include their video lessons, customer service, and, of course, having the most affordable price on the list (and that’s before adding any coupon codes).

In my opinion, after reviewing every course on this list ad nauseam, AnalystPrep definitely has some of the most engaging video lessons. Lead instructor, Professor James Forjan, really knocks it out of the park. He’s a chartered financial analyst himself with a PhD in finance, but more importantly, he talks in a conversational way, tells relevant stories, and gives examples, all of which bring the content to life while making it easier for me to pay attention (even if, in my opinion, the hour-long videos could be a little shorter). Let’s be real: finance isn’t always riveting, but I truly think Forjan made it fun.

Further, I’m a big note taker. If I write it down, chances are, I’ll remember what it was. And the video slides made that process much easier, using quick sentences, bolding, bullet points, color, and visual aids. It was so simple for me to move from the slide into the notebook—and consequently, into my brain. And there’s so much more to love, too. I compared the practice questions to the real thing, and they were spot on. The study notes were simple to read, and I was able to understand them quickly. Navigation was so simple and quick. Plus, the customer service was lightning fast, and my tutor went above and beyond to answer my questions as thoroughly as possible. AnalystPrep isn’t exceptionally robust or tech-driven, but I think a lot of students will appreciate what they have to offer.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: 12 Months
• Practice Questions: 100+ MCQ-Style Vignettes and 50+ Essay Cases
• Mock Exams: One
• Video Lessons: Over 60 Hours
• Written Materials: 2,000+ Pages of Study Notes
• Tech: Performance Tracking
• Pass Guarantee: N/A
• Student Support: Messaging-Based Tutoring
• Bonus Tools: Formula Sheet

Additional Package Options

Practice Package: Includes nearly everything in the Learn + Practice Package, save for the 60+ hours of video lessons and 2,000+ study note pages.

➡️ If you’d rather spend a bit less and don’t mind foregoing the videos and study notes, this could be a solid alternative for your budget.

Pros

• Quality On-Demand Instruction: Professor James Forjan, AnalystPrep’s lead instructor, is known for his engaging teaching style and easy-to-understand explanations.
• Low Cost: If you’re on a strict budget, AnalystPrep’s value becomes even clearer, thanks to their affordable pricing made lower with available discounts.
• High-Quality Questions: The question bank includes hundreds of practice questions that are surprisingly similar to real CFA® questions.
• Well-Written Materials: I found AnalystPrep’s study notes and formula sheets easy to read, understand, and put to work in my mock study sessions.
• Helpful Customer Service: The student support services were unmatched, with quick, thorough responses and a team that actually cared and empathized with my struggles.

Cons

• Small Bonus Tool Collection: Compared to courses like Kaplan Schweser and UWorld, AnalystPrep doesn’t include many bonus study tools.
• Less 1:1 Support: While the customer service was excellent, personalized support, like tutoring or live instruction, is limited.

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3. Kaplan Schweser – Most Complete CFA® Level 3 Course

What’s in Store (Premium Package)

Some students can “dip” into a subject and pass an exam, but that’s probably the 1% of all learners. For the rest of us who do better with a “deep dive” strategy, Kaplan Schweser’s comprehensive content library is an outstanding choice. Where AnalystPrep offers over 60 hours of on-demand instruction—which is nothing to sneeze at—Kaplan CFA® more than doubles it with 125 hours. Where other providers offer several hundred practice questions per level, the SchweserPro™ QBank contains thousands. Where other providers offer one to three full-length mock exams, Kaplan features six. Basically, whatever any other company has, Kaplan has more, and that can make a big difference for some learning styles.

As for my experience with Kaplan Schweser, I actually think my favorite part was their written materials. While four reference guides can feel like a lot, I didn’t find them to be particularly dense or intimidating. In fact, they were pretty concise and easy to read; it felt like they were designed for actual people, not the traditional textbook that seems like it was written by pretentious professors, for pretentious professors.

The same is true of Schweser’s Secret Sauce®, a compact book available in physical, digital, or online formats. Where the textbooks focused on learning the content, Secret Sauce focused on study strategies and exam tips, and learning those tips in a memorable way. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. While there are flaws, which we’ll get into, Kaplan Schweser offers high-quality resources for real students, particularly those who enjoy getting into the weeds of their study subjects.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: Until the Last Day of the Month After Your Exam Date’s Month
• Practice Questions: Thousands of Questions in the SchweserPro™ QBank
• Mock Exams: Six (+ Three Checkpoint Exams)
• Video Lessons: Over 125 Hours (50+ for Modules, 40+ for Masterclass, 30+ for Review, 5+ for Question Walkthroughs)
• Written Materials: Schweser’s Secret Sauce®, QuickSheet, Four Print or Digital SchweserNotes™ Textbooks
• Tech: Performance Tracking, Activity Feed, Mobile App
• Pass Guarantee: Schweser’s PassProtection™
• Student Support: Customer Service, Online Student Community

Additional Package Options

Ultimate Package: Like Premium, but with even more study tools. Most notably, the Ultimate Package includes live online classes.

➡️ If you learn best with real-time support, this is the best Kaplan Schweser prep course for you.

Essential Package: The Essential Package is more digitally based, lacking the Premium Package’s physical study tools. Further, it doesn’t have the same review materials, so if you don’t have the best memory, that could be an issue.

➡️ This is the best pick if you want eBooks and PassProtection™, but don’t need physical tools or review-driven topics.

Basic Package: This package’s main features are the on-demand video lessons, a handful of study tools, and practice exams. It’s lighter than the others, but offers a more affordable price tag, as well.

➡️ If you like Kaplan’s style but want the bare minimum you’d need to pass (with a more budget-friendly price), this is for you.

Pros

• Exceptional Textbooks and Study Notes: I personally think Kaplan Schweser does the best of any provider on this list when it comes to written materials, ideal for reading-driven learners.
• Guarantee to Pass: While Schweser’s PassProtection™ isn’t a money-back guarantee, students who fail the exam are eligible for extended access to their course materials for peace of mind.
• Large Test Bank: With six mock exams, three checkpoint exams, and thousands of practice questions, Kaplan’s a great choice if practice is your #1 priority.
• Expansive Video Library: With over 125 hours of video lectures, covering everything from question walkthroughs to final review, video lovers can take advantage of Kaplan’s content.
• Engaging Interface: With weekly goals to complete available in the activity feed and visual performance and progress tracking, Kaplan delivers a modern, motivational experience.

Cons

• Limited Access: Where other providers like AnalystPrep and Bloomberg offer 12 months of course access, Kaplan’s access periods are limited to a timeframe dependent on the date of your exam.
• Unaffordable for Many: While I think Kaplan’s courses are well worth the price, it can cut off some students from access due to charging an unreachable amount.

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4. Bloomberg – Largest CFA® Level 3 Question Bank

What’s in Store (Premium Package)

Bloomberg’s CFA® course stands out for one major reason: the sheer size of its question bank. I tested thousands of practice questions while reviewing this course, and I can confirm the volume is impressive—there’s more than enough to work through every topic from multiple angles. That said, quantity didn’t always equal quality. I ran into several answer explanations that were either unclear or flat-out incorrect. It wasn’t constant, but it happened enough that I found myself double-checking answers more than I wanted to. If you’re someone who already has a strong foundation and can self-correct without second-guessing your own logic, this may not bother you too much—but it’s something to keep in mind.

What Bloomberg does best, in my opinion, is keep things streamlined. The platform is clean and intuitive, and the adaptive learning tech helped me focus on weak areas without wasting time. Their claim that you can shave ~140 hours off your study time might sound bold, but honestly? I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s a lean, targeted course that gets out of your way. Just know that this simplicity comes at a surprisingly high price—especially considering the lack of deep video instruction or robust written materials. For busy, test-savvy candidates who want a no-fuss, question-heavy prep tool, Bloomberg gets the job done. Just be ready to spot-check the occasional error along the way.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: 12 Months
• Practice Questions: Thousands of Questions (10,000 Across All Three Levels)
• Mock Exams: Eight
• Video Lessons: Information Unavailable
• Written Materials: Limited
• Tech: Adaptive Learning Technology
• Pass Guarantee: Pass Insurance
• Student Support: Ask-a-Tutor Questions

Additional Package Options

Ultimate Package: Ultimate is significantly more expensive, but includes two additional mock exams and 80 extra ask-a-tutor questions (for a total of 100).

➡️ If you tend to generate a lot of questions while you study and learn best from having things explained to you in a personal way, pick this package.

Essential Package: Though this bundle includes two fewer mock exams and zero ask-a-tutor questions, it’s by far the most affordable.

➡️ If you have no issue with a 100% self-study prep strategy, this is a smart way to save.

Pros

• Thousands of Practice Questions: Bloomberg challenges the top competitor on this list, AnalystPrep, with thousands of questions compared to AnalystPrep’s hundreds.
• Pass Guarantee: Bloomberg is one of the only CFA® providers to offer a money-back pass guarantee, where eligible students can choose between a refund and an access extension.
• Streamlined and Straightforward: Bloomberg reports that their program can reduce study hours by ~140 on average, making them a sound choice for hectic lifestyles.
• High Satisfaction: Bloomberg reports a satisfaction rate higher than 98%, which can be especially appealing when choosing the right course is so anxiety-inducing.

Cons

• On the Higher End of Prices: Bloomberg is efficient and simple, and while that usually translates to a lower cost, Bloomberg charges more.
• Errors in Practice Questions: Several Reddit reviews mention that there are errors in the answers and explanations in Bloomberg’s test bank.

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5. Salt Solutions – Most Efficient CFA® Level 3 Prep Course

What’s in Store (Complete Package)

When I worked through Salt Solutions’ platform, I immediately noticed how clean and minimal everything felt. There’s a definite “get in, get out” vibe to the whole experience. If you’re the type of learner who wants to study efficiently without being buried in optional extras, Salt really delivers. The interface is one of the sleekest I tested—visually appealing, fast-loading, and totally intuitive. Their Checkpoints system and Focus Analysis tool helped me stay on track without overthinking it.

That said, Salt’s efficiency comes at a cost. I noticed a few gaps in topic coverage where the content felt a little too trimmed down. Compared to Kaplan’s deep dives and AnalystPrep’s engaging lecture formats, Salt’s 40-ish hours of video content felt a bit sparse—especially when I ran into topics I didn’t feel fully prepped for. The question bank was solid and actually pretty challenging, which I appreciated. But with only three mock exams and less instructional depth overall, I don’t think Salt is the best fit for students who need more hand-holding or want to leave zero points on the table. If you’re a confident test taker with good time management, Salt could be a fast, stylish way to study without overspending or burning out.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: Lifetime, Unlimited Access
• Practice Questions: 1,000+ Questions and a Quiz Creator
• Mock Exams: Three
• Video Lessons: Over 40 Hours
• Written Materials: Manuals, Formula Sheets, Reading Assignments
• Tech: CheckPoints Pacer, Focus Analysis Analytics
• Pass Guarantee: No
• Student Support: Discussion Forums

Additional Package Options

Focus Express Package: Though you save several hundred dollars compared to the Complete Package, your access is limited to 45 days. You’ll also miss out on key perks like the pass guarantee, CheckPoints Pacer, manuals, videos, reading assignments, and answer explanations.

➡️ This is a cheap choice, but it isn’t comprehensive. This package would only make sense if you want something supplemental.

Pros

• Quick and Easy: Like Bloomberg, Salt Solutions emphasizes how they speed up the CFA® prep process, focusing only on the absolutely necessary topics to pass.
• Modern Interface: If aesthetics matters to you, you’ll appreciate Salt’s sleek, contemporary interface, which makes studying feel more serious.
• 1,000+ Questions: The question bank is impressive, including over 1,000 entries that are particularly difficult to overprepare you for exam day.
• Reasonably Priced: I’m reviewing Salt’s most expensive Level 3 package in this guide, and it’s still one of the most affordable on the list.

Cons

• Efficient = Less Content: The problem with highly efficient programs is that they can sometimes skimp on concepts that might be tested, leading to some candidates losing precious points.
• Fewer Video Lectures: While over 40 hours of video content is still a solid amount, it doesn’t compare to AnalystPrep’s 60+ and Kaplan Schweser’s 125+ hours.
• Fewer Mock Exams: With just three mock exams available, Salt struggles to compete with up to eight mock exams from providers like Bloomberg.

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6. Mark Meldrum – Best Mobile App

What’s in Store (Self-Study + Applied Asset Management)

Mark Meldrum’s course is one I really wanted to love. There’s a loyal fanbase for a reason, and I can see the appeal—particularly the variety of video formats. I watched walkthroughs of reading assignments, question breakdowns, and seminar-style lectures that gave some useful insight into exam strategy. The mobile app was another high point. It’s well-designed, fast, and surprisingly robust, especially considering how barebones some competitors’ apps feel. I liked being able to access materials on the go without a hitch.

But the more I studied the Level 3 content, the more the cracks started to show. I noticed entire readings that were either skipped or brushed over quickly, and I wasn’t alone—other students online pointed out the same issues. The course doesn’t offer much in the way of bonus tools or extra learning mediums, and the overall experience felt a bit dated compared to more modern platforms like Salt or Bloomberg. The question bank is solid, but there aren’t enough questions to fully reinforce trickier topics. Overall, I think Mark Meldrum works best for students who already have a strong foundation and just need some extra structure and commentary—but I wouldn’t recommend it as your sole prep tool.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: 12 Months
• Practice Questions: Hundreds of Questions
• Mock Exams: One
• Video Lessons: Reading, End-of-Chapter Question, and Seminar-Style Videos
• Written Materials: PDF/Downloadable Lecture Notes and Formula Cheat Sheets
• Tech: Mobile App (4.8 Stars on Apple App Store)
• Pass Guarantee: N/A
• Student Support: Up to 10 Instructor Questions + Comments
• Bonus Tools: Bonus Videos in the App

Additional Package Options

Self-Study Package: This package is priced lower, and the only difference is that it doesn’t include the Applied Asset Management section.

➡️ If you aren’t interested in learning extra tips about the industry and you’re more concerned with passing the CFA® exam right now, especially if you’re trying to keep your spending low, this is a better choice than the Self-Study + AAM package.

Pros

• Quality Questions: Some students argue that Mark Meldrum has some of the best practice questions out there, and I do think they’re a good representation of the actual Level 3 exam.
• Variety of Videos: Like Kaplan Schweser, MM’s videos cover much more than the content alone. You’ll cover the readings, question walkthroughs, and seminars on essential topics.
• High-Rated Mobile App: The mobile app, available for both iOS and Android, has consistently maintained a 4.8-star rating based on over 400 reviews.

Cons

• Videos Have a Different Vibe: Mark Meldrum is really known for their live and in-person classes, and the video lessons felt like a different u0022brand.u0022
• Small Library: MM really doesn’t have any bonus tools here, which isn’t ideal for students who value a wide range of mediums for learning.
• Skipping Topics: I noticed—and multiple other students have mentioned—that Meldrum skips over several crucial topics in his video lessons for Level 3.

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7. Chalk & Board – Most Supportive CFA® Level 3 Course

What’s in Store (Premium Package)

Chalk & Board is unlike any other CFA® prep course I reviewed—and not necessarily in a bad way, just a very specific way. The biggest draw here is the personalized service model. I tried out the tier that includes bi-weekly check-ins, essay grading, and a custom study plan, and I can say the accountability piece really is valuable. If you’re someone who struggles to stay on track and would benefit from having a real human check in with you regularly, there’s something comforting and motivating about the setup. It felt more like a coach than a course.

However, the course felt pretty limited overall. Most of the instruction is video-based—there’s no real study guide, no interactive features, and the tech is bare minimum. I didn’t mind watching the lectures, but I couldn’t shake the sense that something was missing when I wasn’t able to cross-reference with written materials or visual outlines. I also want to flag that while some students rave about the experience, others have left some pretty blunt reviews—particularly about the founder’s approach. That’s not something I personally encountered, but it does raise a red flag if you’re investing in a course that’s this hands-on and this expensive. If you’re an independent learner who values flexibility or wants a well-rounded content library, Chalk & Board probably isn’t for you. But for those who thrive under structured support and want personalized essay feedback, it might be worth exploring—just with your eyes open.

Course Feature Breakdown

• Access Period: Depends on Exam Date
• Practice Questions: Hundreds of Questions
• Mock Exams: Three
• Video Lessons: 50+ Hours
• Written Materials: N/A
• Tech: N/A
• Pass Guarantee: N/A
• Student Support: Forum Access (Opportunities for Constructed Response Grading, Instructor Access, a Personalized Study Plan, and Bi-Weekly Progress Check-Ins)
• Bonus Tools: N/A

Additional Package Options

Essential Package: Only includes on-demand access to the video lessons and forum access, but the price is not as low as it should be for those minimal features.

➡️ Full disclosure and total honesty: I wouldn’t recommend this package for anyone, as C&B’s main draw is the personalized support and grading features. It’s way too expensive for what you get.

Pros

• Highly Personalized: Though it costs more, students can add the u0022Personalized Service Modelu0022 to their package for bi-weekly check-ins, a customized study plan, and direct access to the instructor.
• Graded Mock Exams: Again, it’s an additional cost, but you can have your essays graded to see how well you’re actually performing on them.
• Built-In Accountability: Though only available in high-tier packages, the addition of bi-weekly check-ins can help you if you struggle to motivate yourself to study.

Cons

• Video-Heavy: If you want a variety of prep materials to guide your learning, this probably isn’t the right pick for you, as it relies heavily on video content to teach the learning outcome statements.
• Mixed Reviews: Where some reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, others have been pretty negative, particularly regarding the persona and actions of founder Nathan Ronen.
• Personalization is Pricey: This isn’t really a surprise, but high-level personalized services can cost a pretty penny, making the course too expensive for the average CFA® aspirant.
• Minimal Study Materials: Chalk u0026amp; Board offers significantly fewer resources in their packages, and doesn’t go nearly as in-depth as providers like Kaplan Schweser.

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CFA® Level 3 Prep Courses That Didn’t Make the List

Here’s a quick list of other courses I reviewed that didn’t quite make the list, but may be worth considering.

• CFA Institute
• Financial Exam Help 123
• FinQuiz
• LevelUp
• MyGuru
• Quintedge
• Wiley

How the CFA® Level 3 Courses Were Ranked

I evaluated each CFA® Level 3 prep course based on a combination of content quality, user experience, and effectiveness—drawing from extensive firsthand testing (and a hefty amount of caffeine). Here’s how each course stacked up in the most important categories:

📚 Course Content Quality – Depth and Accuracy of Study Materials

Kaplan Schweser stood out here. Its written materials, especially the SchweserNotes™ and Secret Sauce® guide, were not only comprehensive but also digestible—something I rarely say about CFA® content. UWorld also impressed me with its clear, well-structured study notes and formula sheets, which made it easy to absorb the essentials. On the other hand, Chalk & Board offered minimal written material, which limited its depth significantly.

🎯 Effectiveness – Proven Success Rates and Student Outcomes

While I can’t independently verify every provider’s CFA® pass rate claims, some backed them up more convincingly than others. AnalystPrep’s and UWorld’s question banks mirrored the real CFA® exam very closely in my tests, and Bloomberg cited a 98% satisfaction rate, which was reassuring—though I did notice some quality issues in their questions. Chalk & Board offered personalized support to boost results, but the inconsistency in reviews gave me pause.

💻 User Experience – Ease of Navigation, Interface, and Support

Salt Solutions was one of the smoothest experiences I had during this review cycle. The platform is modern, intuitive, and clearly built for real people—not just finance pros. Kaplan also deserves a mention here, with its clean design and smart performance tracking. UWorld’s mobile app was excellent for on-the-go learning, while Mark Meldrum’s platform felt more dated and a bit clunky in comparison.

📊 Practice Questions & Exams – Quantity and Quality of Test Simulations

Kaplan leads the pack here with six full-length mock exams and thousands of questions. AnalystPrep also offered a strong mix of vignette and essay-style problems that closely resembled official questions. Bloomberg’s 10,000-question bank sounds great in theory, but I ran into several answer errors that made me question the overall reliability. UWorld and Mark Meldrum both offered fewer mocks and more limited banks, which might not be enough for every student, but the difficulty of UWorld’s questions is still worth considering if you want to be overprepared.

🎥 Instructor Engagement – Teaching Style and Clarity of Explanations

AnalystPrep takes the crown in this category. Professor James Forjan’s conversational tone and storytelling approach made even dry topics feel approachable. Both Kaplan’s and UWorld’s instructors were also clear and structured, though more traditional in style. Mark Meldrum’s seminar-style videos had value, but I noticed he skipped some key topics—something several other students flagged too.

💰 Value for Money – Pricing vs. Features

AnalystPrep offers incredible value. With over 60 hours of lectures, a solid question bank, and excellent support, it’s one of the most affordable courses I’ve tested. UWorld was also well-priced for what it included, especially the video content and tech tools. In contrast, Chalk & Board’s high-touch service model was expensive and didn’t offer enough study materials to justify the cost for most users.

🔄 Flexibility – Self-Paced vs. Structured Learning Options

Salt Solutions and AnalystPrep were both flexible and well-suited for independent learners. Chalk & Board was the most structured (if you pay extra), with scheduled check-ins and a guided plan—great for accountability, but too rigid and costly for some. However, UWorld’s mobile app, live options (at the premier tier), digital and printed textbooks, and flashcards make them the most flexible of all. Kaplan landed somewhere in the middle, offering clear pacing suggestions through its dashboard, but still allowing students to move at their own speed.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right CFA® prep course for you can be tough, but I sincerely hope this guide made making that decision a little bit easier. I also realize that this is a long article, and you might need a quick refresher.

UWorld is a great overall pick for most students, with a mobile app, live Q&A, and balanced packages for all budgets. AnalystPrep is the most budget-friendly option on the list, with stellar video lextures. Kaplan Schweser is a little more expensive, but they have an outstanding reputation, and they’re a great pick if you need something that leaves no stone unturned. Want a massive question bank? Look no further than Bloomberg. Finally, Salt Solutions is great if you want to get to the finish line faster.

Now, it’s time to pick. Which CFA® Level 3 provider is the best match for you? Hopefully, you have a pretty good idea of your perfect match.

FAQs