CFA® candidates always look for the best CFA® review course; selecting the right study resources is critical to success. Kaplan Schweser has been a go-to for CFA® candidates for years, offering a range of prep materials designed to cover every CFA® exam level.
But is it right for you? Or should you consider other options?
In this detailed Kaplan CFA® review, I’ll explore the details of their offerings and help you decide whether they’re the best choice for your needs.
Key Takeaways
- Diverse Study Packages: Kaplan Schweser offers a range of study packages that include notes, mock exams, live classes, and additional tools catering to different learning preferences and exam levels.
- Focused Curriculum Materials: SchweserNotes distill the CFA® curriculum into an accessible, streamlined format, helping candidates focus on key testable concepts without unnecessary content.
- Realistic Mock Exams: Kaplan’s mock exams closely simulate the actual CFA® exam’s format, difficulty, and timing, providing a strong practice environment and boosting confidence for exam day.
- On-Demand Review Workshops: These workshops break down complex topics into manageable pieces and reinforce key material with practice questions and video explanations, making them invaluable for final review.
- Proven Success with Candidates: Kaplan Schweser has a solid track record of helping CFA® candidates pass all three levels, with many users praising its effective materials and exam prep strategies.
Overview of Kaplan CFA® Review Course
The CFA® program curriculum is designed to develop your knowledge across various key areas in finance, including ethics, quantitative methods, economics, financial reporting, and analysis. While the CFA® Institute creates the curriculum, Kaplan Schweser provides CFA® prep materials that help you digest and master the content.
I’ve found that with Kaplan Schweser, candidates can access proven study materials to simplify complex topics. These materials include Kaplan Schweser notes, practice questions, mock exams, and more.
Kaplan Schweser offers multiple study packages to suit different needs, schedules, and learning preferences. Since there are three levels to the CFA® exam, the specifics of each package may vary depending on which level you’re preparing for.
Here’s a general overview of the primary options:
Basic Package
- Access: Varies on when the plan is purchased
- Content/Lectures: A compact bundle of 8 online study tools, 4+ hours of in-depth CFA® videos, two mock exams, on-demand masterclasses
- Other Features: Jumpstart, Kaplan Schweser Community, QuickSheet
Essential Package
- Access: Varies on when the plan is purchased
- Content/Lectures: A compact bundle of 13 online study tools, four mock exams, 4+ hours of in-depth CFA® videos, on-demand masterclasses
- Other Features: Jumpstart, Kaplan Schweser Community, QuickSheet, SchweserNotes, and Schweser’s PassProtection
Premium Package
- Access: Varies on when the plan is purchased
- Content/Lectures: A compact bundle of 13 online study tools, 55+ hours of optional live courses, on-demand masterclasses, six mock exams, 4+ hours of in-depth CFA® videos
- Other Features: Jumpstart, Kaplan Schweser Community, QuickSheet, SchweserNotes, Schweser’s PassProtection
Ultimate Package
- Access: Varies on when the plan is purchased
- Content/Lectures: A compact bundle of 15 online study tools, Optional live courses, On-Demand Masterclasses, six mock exams, 4+ hours of in-depth CFA® video
- Other Features: Jumpstart, Kaplan Schweser Community, QuickSheet, SchweserNotes, Schweser’s PassProtection
Customization and Flexibility
Each of these CFA® plans can be tailored to fit your individual needs. For example, you can add extra mock exams, request additional practice questions, or even upgrade to include live online classes if you need more interaction and guidance. Kaplan Schweser also allows for flexible payment options, making it easier for candidates to invest in the study materials they need.
By offering a variety of plans, Kaplan Schweser ensures that every candidate can find a package that fits their budget and learning style, giving them the tools they need to succeed on exam day. This is something that I personally love since one-size-fits-all programs never quite do it for me.
Kaplan CFA® Discount
“I used Kaplan Schweser for all 3 levels and passed first time. Don’t listen to people here saying they’re not enough; easy to blame your prep provider for an adverse exam result, but at the end of the day it all boils down to hard work and study technique.”
u/Repinskiuk
Kaplan Schweser’s Learning Platform
Kaplan Schweser’s learning platform is designed to enhance your study experience. It offers features such as:
- Checkpoint exams to gauge your progress as you move through the curriculum.
- Video lectures led by expert instructors help simplify complex concepts.
- An integrated study plan that helps you manage your time effectively.
- Access to online mocks and practice exams allows convenient studying from anywhere.
The learning platform is intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring that candidates can focus on studying without getting bogged down by technical issues.
Live Online Classes for Interactive Learning
For those who prefer more interaction, Kaplan Schweser offers live online classes. These sessions allow candidates to learn directly from expert instructors, ask real-time questions, and discuss complex topics with peers. This option can be a great addition to a candidate’s study plan, especially for those who struggle with self-study.
“I honestly wish I would have done the live. The package I got has the 3day live workshop, which is the best thing I’ve done by a mile to help me. It seems the people that were in the classes also benefitted from the lives.”
Kaplan User
Kaplan CFA® Review Curriculum
When it comes to CFA® prep, many candidates swear by Kaplan Schweser, and for good reason. While some recommend resources like the CFAI curriculum or Mark Meldrum, Kaplan Schweser’s learning ecosystem has proven to be incredibly effective for many, including those who’ve scored in the >90th percentile for Levels 1 and 2.
Kaplan’s curriculum stands out because:
- It focuses on testable material, cutting out unnecessary content that can slow down your studies.
- It’s designed to streamline your prep by concentrating on the core topics you need to know.
- Kaplan’s mock exams closely mirror the actual exam, ensuring that you’re well-prepared for exam day.
One user said, “For ALL LEVELS, the readings concentrated on testable material and were light on chaff. Similarly, the mock exams for ALL LEVELS were surprisingly consistent with the actual exam.”
On-Demand Review Workshops
A key component of Kaplan’s curriculum is the On-Demand Review Workshops. These workshops:
- Provide a deep dive into essential topics.
- Cover key concepts, problem types, and the necessary language for each subject.
- Include review questions with video explanations that mirror the real exam questions.
These workshops are invaluable for candidates. As one Kaplan user shared, “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 blind spots.”
Test-Taking Strategy Focus
Kaplan also excels at test-taking strategy, which is crucial for passing Level 2 and Level 3. The learning ecosystem teaches you how to:
- Extract key information from dense texts.
- Answer questions efficiently, helping you perform better on the exam.
This focus on strategy is critical for candidates, especially in the later exam stages. Kaplan’s combination of mocks, QBank, EOC questions, and video review workshops helps you identify weak areas and strengthen your understanding. This same Kaplan studier said, “By the time I sat, I didn’t feel there were any ‘surprises’ or ‘gotcha’ questions (ethics notwithstanding).”
“For what it’s worth, I only did Kaplan until I finished the syllabus and then did ~2000 questions from the CFAI Qbank in the last month and comfortably passed.”
u/Englishkid96
Kaplan vs. CFAI Curriculum
Although some say Kaplan might miss minor details found in the CFAI curriculum, many prefer Kaplan for its concise presentation. The candidate put it this way, “For this exam, I’d much rather a resource concisely present 90% of the material than convolutedly present 100% like the CFAI.”
In short, Kaplan Schweser’s curriculum:
- Keeps you focused on the material that matters most.
- Helps you develop strategies to succeed in all three levels of the CFA® exam.
Kaplan Schweser CFA® Notes and Other Resources
One of the best parts of Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® review course, in my experience and according to many others, is the Kaplan Schweser Notes. These concise materials summarize the CFA® curriculum in a way that makes it far more manageable and digestible, helping candidates break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand sections. The Schweser Notes aren’t just useful—they’re a game-changer for anyone aiming to pass the CFA® exams efficiently.
Many Reddit users in the CFA® forum agree:
- “The L1 Schweser Notes are MORE than enough to get you deep into the 90th percentile. The only thing you’ll need to refer to the curriculum for is the Ethics section.”
- “I personally did exactly this, took one mock two days before the exam, and passed easily. You don’t need anything more if you understand the notes properly.”
- “I used flashcards from the Schweser notes, included the blue box examples, and worked through Schweser and CFAI question banks and official mocks. Didn’t feel like I was missing anything.”
- “Schweser notes are enough. Just solve the CFA® online questions and mocks to know where you stand after each reading.”
- “Passed all 3 levels on the first try only using Schweser notes. They were incredibly effective.”
- “Yes, Schweser notes helped me pass Level 2. I bought another cheaper program but didn’t like the style and returned to Kaplan.”
If you’re looking for a streamlined approach to mastering the CFA® material, Schweser Notes should be at the top of your list.
“Used for all three levels, can’t recommend enough.”
u/Shadybob91
Schweser’s Secret Sauce
Another standout feature of Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® review is their Secret Sauce book. This compact, last-minute review tool focuses on the most important formulas, testable topics, and learning outcomes you need to know for exam day. It’s designed to reinforce your baseline knowledge and ensure you’re fully prepared as you head into the final stretch before the exam.
One user couldn’t recommend it enough:
- “If y’all don’t have Secret Sauce, you need it. Tbh, I feel like I could have just used this to study, along with hammering questions and mocks. It sums up topics very well and is a great refresher with just over a week until exam day. Hits key concepts, key formulas, and covers more than you’d think—except the minutiae of a topic.”
If you’re looking for that extra boost in the final days of your CFA® prep, Kaplan’s Secret Sauce is the perfect tool to keep you focused and ready.
CFA® Mock Exams and Practice Questions
It’s one thing to read through notes and watch lectures, but to prepare for the CFA® exam effectively, you need to practice in an environment that simulates exam day. Kaplan Schweser offers multiple mock exams replicating the actual exam’s format, timing, and difficulty. These mock exams are a great way to assess your knowledge and identify weak areas that require further review.
Schweser’s six mock exams are designed to simulate the actual CFA® exams, allowing candidates to practice time management, understand the types of questions that may appear, and get comfortable with the exam structure. Completing these mocks can dramatically increase your confidence going into the actual test.
Practice Questions and Answer Explanations
One of the key elements of effective CFA® exam preparation is practicing in an environment that closely simulates exam day. Kaplan Schweser excels at this by offering six mock exams that replicate the format, timing, and difficulty of the actual CFA® exam. These mock exams allow candidates to:
- Practice time management.
- Get comfortable with the types of CFA® questions that will appear on the exam.
- Familiarize themselves with the overall structure of the test.
Completing Kaplan’s mock exams can significantly boost your confidence as you approach exam day. As one candidate mentioned, “Kaplan’s mock exams are much more difficult than the real thing, which helped me feel better prepared.”
In addition to the mock exams, Kaplan Schweser provides a comprehensive question bank (QBank) filled with practice questions that align closely with the CFA® exam content. Each question comes with detailed explanations, helping candidates learn from their mistakes and solidify their understanding of the material.
However, some users have noted that the Kaplan QBank may be easier than the actual CFA® exam, which could lead to overconfidence. One reviewer shared, “Kaplan QBank is way easier than CFAI. However, I found Kaplan’s mocks to be much more difficult, which balanced things out.”
It’s important to understand that the QBank is not meant to mimic the CFA® exam exactly but rather to reinforce learning. As one of Kaplan’s question writers explained, “The QBank contains a lot of exam-standard questions, but some are designed to ensure you’ve mastered the basics. It’s a great tool for reinforcing key concepts, while the mock exams and checkpoint exams are closer to actual exam difficulty.”
Kaplan’s team puts a lot of effort into making their practice exams as reflective of the real exam as possible. “We aim for the practice exams to be a little harder than the real thing. We’ve never had a candidate ace our practice exams and then fail the real exam,” the writer noted. This makes Kaplan’s practice resources a valuable tool for gauging your readiness and improving your performance before the big day.
In summary, Kaplan Schweser’s mock exams and practice questions provide a comprehensive way to:
- Test your knowledge.
- Refine your test-taking strategies.
- Boost your confidence heading into the CFA® exam.
Access Duration: A Point of Confusion
While Kaplan Schweser provides a range of valuable resources, the website can be unclear about how long you’ll have access to these materials. Access durations can vary based on when you purchase the package and whether you add any special features like live classes or extra mock exams.
This is what is currently stated in their FAQs about online access.
Make sure to read the fine print on the Kaplan website when purchasing your package and add-ons, as many candidates have found this detail a bit hard to navigate.
Kaplan
Pros
- Highly Reflective Mock Exams: Kaplan’s mock exams closely mimic the actual CFA® exam in terms of difficulty, structure, and timing. Many candidates report that Kaplan’s mock exams are more challenging than the real test, giving them a confidence boost on exam day.
- Concise SchweserNotes: The Kaplan SchweserNotes offer a streamlined, digestible version of the CFA® curriculum, helping candidates focus on the most important topics without feeling overwhelmed by excessive details.
- On-Demand Review Workshops: Kaplan’s On-Demand Review Workshops provide a deep dive into essential topics, breaking down complex concepts and offering review questions with video explanations—an invaluable resource for candidates who need reinforcement.
- Flexible Learning Options: With the option to choose from live online classes, on-demand videos, and self-paced study tools, Kaplan accommodates various learning styles, making it easier for candidates to find what works best for them.
- PassProtection Guarantee: Kaplan offers PassProtection, which allows candidates to retake their course at no additional cost if they fail the CFA® exam—an added layer of confidence for those investing in the program.
Cons
- Confusing Access Duration: The Kaplan website can be unclear about how long candidates have access to their study materials, leading to confusion, especially for those who purchase early and expect extended access.
- Delayed Release of 2025 Questions: Some candidates have reported that despite paying for Kaplan’s 2025 CFA® study materials, they have yet to receive updated questions or resources, creating frustration for those preparing for the 2025 exam.
- Easier Question Bank: Users have noted that Kaplan’s QBank can be easier than the actual CFA® exam, which may give candidates a false sense of preparedness if they rely solely on these questions for practice.
Bottom Line
Kaplan offers one of the most well-rounded and flexible CFA® prep solutions available. From their concise SchweserNotes, which distill the massive CFA® curriculum into manageable chunks, to their highly reflective mock exams that simulate the actual test day experience, Kaplan has built a strong reputation for helping candidates pass all three levels of the CFA® exam.
With customizable study packages and learning tools like live classes, on-demand workshops, and a user-friendly platform, Kaplan ensures that every type of learner can find the support they need. The added PassProtection guarantee also provides peace of mind for those investing in their CFA® journey.
While there are minor drawbacks, such as some complaints about the delayed release of 2025 exam questions and occasional confusion over access duration, Kaplan Schweser’s comprehensive approach to exam preparation continues to stand out. If you’re looking for a proven and flexible solution for CFA® prep, Kaplan Schweser remains a top choice.
FAQ
Kaplan Schweser is highly regarded for its comprehensive study materials, including concise notes, mock exams, and live classes, making it a popular choice among CFA® candidates.
Kaplan is one of the top CFA® prep providers, known for its extensive resources and proven success rate. Other notable options include AnalystPrep, UWorld, and Bloomberg. Check out our CFA® promo codes for discounts.
Kaplan mock exams are often considered slightly more challenging than the actual CFA® exam, helping candidates better prepare for exam day.
Kaplan CFA® study packages range from around $329 to $1,399, depending on the level and features included.
Yes! Check our exclusive Kaplan promo codes, which have been verified to work.
