The CFA Institute recommends studying for 300 hours per exam level. That’s a total of 900 hours, underscoring the importance of choosing the right prep course. Imagine spending nearly 1,000 hours using a product you can’t stand, but it’s too late to switch—you’re probably out thousands of dollars.
Simply put? Make the wrong choice, and you’re stuck with it.
AnalystPrep CFA® Review is one of the more popular options out there, marketing itself as a video-driven experience that won’t break the bank. I meticulously studied the materials to see if the discount price was indicative of poor quality or a lucky break for students on a budget. In this review, I’ve pulled the pros, cons, and insights you need to know before you click “add to cart.”
Is AnalystPrep the Best Option For You?
- If you prefer to study on your own terms, AnalystPrep’s layout makes it easy to focus on the materials you find most useful.
- If getting clarification quickly matters to you, the Ask-a-Tutor feature can be helpful for working through tough topics.
- If you learn best through full-length lectures, AnalystPrep’s in-depth video lessons might be a better fit than quick review clips.
- If practice questions are your main way of learning, the large question bank gives you a lot to work with.
- If you’re planning to take all three CFA® levels, lifetime access could make long-term studying a little less stressful.
Course Overview: AnalystPrep 101
To say AnalystPrep is unique is an understatement. I’ve reviewed countless prep courses, and the theme tends to be text-heavy, expensive, and not designed for busy schedules.
AnalystPrep takes a different approach, with a surprisingly affordable price tag for the complete 3-level course and a heavy emphasis on video lectures—120 hours of them. Throw in unique features like online or printable mock exams, a detailed coverage of the CFA’s whole syllabus, and essential review summaries, and you have a premium package to help CFA® candidates prepare for test day.
So, which kind of student is the best fit for what AnalystPrep has to offer? Here are my recommendations:
- Video lovers who don’t mind a full, deep-dive lecture compared to a 5-minute clip
- Candidates on a budget who can’t afford pricey competitors like Kaplan or Mark Meldrum
- Students who need help now and then, but primarily prefer self-study
If this sounds like you, read on, because I uncovered a lot of information and features that the sales page doesn’t cover.
Pros
- Over 120 hours of memorable video lessons with Professor James Forjan
- 6,000+ CFA® practice questions in the same tone, style, and subject matter as the exam
- Lifetime access to the complete bundle for unlimited use
- The entire bundle for AnalystPrep can be more affordable than a single level from Kaplan
- Overwhelmingly positive reviews across Google Reviews, Facebook, and Trustpilot
Cons
- If you prefer total immersion over streamlined efficiency, this may not be the best choice
- Lacks live classes, which are a valuable resource to some students
AnalystPrep
AnalystPrep CFA® Discounts
Save 30% on AnalystPrep’s video-driven CFA® review course, complete with lifetime access and 6,000+ exam-quality practice questions with an AnalystPrep promo code.
My AnalystPrep CFA® Experience
Interface and Structure
AnalystPrep’s interface is crisp, clean, and modern. Its idiot-proof navigation divides everything you need into a few tabs on the left. I could easily move between video lessons, study notes, practice questions, quizzes, mock exams, and the central dashboard. Everything loaded well, and I never had to deal with an unexpected crash or glitch.
Where some prep courses will be incredibly structured, bundling every resource for a specific section within a topic-by-topic framework, AnalystPrep’s division into separate resource types would benefit students who strongly prefer a particular learning medium, like video lessons or written reference materials.
Further, AnalystPrep’s question bank and unlimited mock exams are major additions to their value. You can access CBT (computer-based testing) or printable mock exams, depending on your preference. It’s surprising that more companies don’t use printed materials when studies have documented that writing, not typing, is better for learning and memorization.
Admittedly, I’ve been in the internet sphere for a long time, so CBT is still my preference; AnalystPrep has some of the most detailed answer explanations out there. Just look at this GIF for proof.
Further, I was able to time my attempts so I could practice at the pace of the actual CFA® exam. With over 6,000 practice questions and unlimited mock exams, you’ll likely never run out of ways to test your knowledge.
On-Demand Video Lessons
Outside of the affordable price, AnalystPrep’s single biggest selling point is their video library, which includes over 120 hours of presentations by Professor James Forjan. Forjan is a uniquely gifted lecturer—a little quirky, but in a fun, entertaining way that keeps you engaged and interested in the materials.
He’s a teacher but also a storyteller, finding unique ways to help you remember concepts through mnemonics, symbols, analogies, and other memorization strategies. If good videos are high on your CFA® review course priority list, I sincerely think you’ll enjoy AnalystPrep’s video lessons as much as I have.
One crucial point to consider is that these videos aren’t short, sweet, bite-sized clips you can watch while you’re on a lunch break—these are full-fledged hour-long lectures. So, if you don’t have a great attention span and struggle to stay motivated through longer lessons, AnalystPrep might not be the best fit.
However, I don’t always have the best focus in the world, and AnalystPrep managed to hold my attention the entire length of most of the videos I watched, though I did take the occasional stretch break. Luckily, you can work through some video lessons on their YouTube channel to see if it’s a good fit.
Personalized Study Support
Not everyone has the superpower to read a few passages about a topic and “get it” instantly. We mere mortals tend to do better in an environment where we can ask questions and have an expert break it down in a way that works for us. AnalystPrep must have recognized this, as they offer unlimited ask-a-tutor questions, so you never have to study alone, praying no questions pop up.
I’ve passed the CPA exams, and I’m not studying for the CFA® exams, but I was pleasantly surprised by the “Ask a Tutor” feature. You can get support through chat or email, and AnalystPrep is thorough—I could not believe how seriously they took my silly calculator question. Mathieu, my “tutor,” kept writing, and writing, and writing, linking multiple resources and giving me the best place in the course to start learning about formulas. Plus, you can see that every message took fewer than 10 minutes to arrive, usually closer to 5.
On top of all that, I sent these questions on a Sunday afternoon. If you want fast support that’s actually helpful, going above and beyond to improve your experience, I’ve sincerely never had a better interaction.
Access, Guarantees, and Value
Many CFA® courses offer a 6-month access period, and their “pass guarantee” is the promise that you can continue using the course if you fail a stage of the exam. And while it’s a nice gesture, it also feels like the bare minimum you should get if you’ve put in the work. Meanwhile, AnalystPrep promises lifetime access to your course—not just until you pass, but access if and until they retire the product (which may never happen).
That’s a critical angle to consider when comparing courses, which we’ll dig into more below. But you’ll want to consider what these policies say about the program. Do they have faith in their students? Do they have faith in their own products? And are they leading from a place of aid and value, or a place of nickel-and-diming students until they’re deep in the red? AnalystPrep was a pleasant surprise in this sense.
They have a decent chunk of free materials available, and if you want to upgrade, they treat you with the kindness, respect, and compassion you deserve, person to person.
You already know AnalystPrep is priced low, but that truly isn’t indicative of the quality of the materials I used. Unlimited academic support is invaluable, as are unlimited practice exams and 120 hours of instruction via on-demand videos. Again, competing courses charge more money for a single level than AnalystPrep charges for lifetime access to all three. As far as value is concerned, AnalystPrep is easily among the most valuable out there.
AnalystPrep vs. Competing CFA® Prep Courses
AnalystPrep vs. Kaplan Schweser CFA®
The common sentiment is that Kaplan Schweser is more comprehensive, but AnalystPrep has better video lessons and is more efficient. Kaplan is also significantly more expensive and may be out of the price range for full-time students, but if you want the most thorough, full-coverage approach, Kaplan offers financing with Affirm. It’s a splurge, but if AnalystPrep doesn’t feel like a match, they may be worth the investment regardless.
Check out my full comparison of AnalystPrep and Kaplan.
Here’s the scoop from a student who passed the CFA® exams using both AnalystPrep and Kaplan:
“I used (AnalystPrep) to pass level 1 as my only prep provider. Used it for level 2 along with Kaplan (passed), and same for level 3 (just took in Feb). Not the most in-depth, but concise and good for knowing topics at a high level. I think Kaplan is lengthier, and I mostly used the analystprep videos, whereas I used Kaplan for practice problems and mock exams more.”
AnalystPrep vs. Mark Meldrum
Mark Meldrum, like Kaplan, is a much pricier alternative to AnalystPrep. However, Mark Meldrum has some serious positives in their own right, like live online classes, mentorship, weekly update videos, and direct instructor feedback. If support is the #1 feature on your prep course wish list, Mark Meldrum certainly delivers. However, if the obligation of live classes and the overwhelming workload of assignments aren’t for you, AnalystPrep’s support features may still do the job.
“I find MM to be difficult to understand. I’m sure his methods and explanations are great for a large group of people, but the Analyst Prep YouTube videos have been exponentially more helpful in my initial comprehension of the material. This may be due to my lack of financial knowledge and experience, as I am a mechanical engineer. I can start to understand MM’s coverage of the material better once I’ve first understood the concepts via Analyst Prep.”
Ronnie_Invests
AnalystPrep vs. UWorld
AnalystPrep is known for its affordability, focused video lessons, and a streamlined dashboard that makes studying feel manageable, especially for self-paced learners. UWorld, on the other hand, leans into structure, offering real-time Q&A sessions, printed and digital study guides, smart flashcards, and programs like StudyPass and Accelerate Bootcamp. If you want interactive instruction and a more hands-on approach, UWorld delivers. However, expect to pay more for those options, even if they’re worth the investment. If you prefer flexible, efficient studying with all the essentials and none of the extra fluff (or price tag), AnalystPrep may be the better fit.
Bottom Line
AnalystPrep is an excellent prep option overall, but it isn’t for everyone. Love video lessons, want to cut down on study time, and appreciate the value of lifetime access and lightning-fast support? Give AnalystPrep a try. Can’t sit through hour-long lectures, want more practice questions, or need live classes to thrive? Consider a course like Kaplan Schweser. Looking for a hands-on approach with live Q&A and bootcamp features? Consider UWorld.
Ultimately, I feel it’s tough to go wrong with AnalystPrep, but the only way to know is to try it yourself.
Think AnalystPrep is for you? Grab your three-level AnalystPrep bundle here.
FAQs
Yes, it’s a strong choice for Level 1, especially for video-focused learners who want affordable, structured study tools and lots of practice questions.
It depends—AnalystPrep is more affordable and efficient, while Schweser is more comprehensive and better for students who want detailed, in-depth materials.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it depends on your learning style, budget, and need for live instruction. UWorld, AnalystPrep, and Schweser all serve different needs.
Prices vary by level and package, but full access to all three levels with lifetime access is often under $1,000—far cheaper than most competitors, especially with added discounts.
Most candidates agree that Level 2 is the hardest due to its depth, complexity, and intense focus on valuation and financial modeling concepts.
