There are over 190,000 active CFA® charterholders and 155+ chapters across the globe, but if you want to get into this popular worldwide club, you’ll have to earn your way in by passing all three parts of the CFA® exam.
Kaplan CFA® Review is one of the most popular exam preparation choices on the market, but that doesn’t necessarily make their courses the best fit for you.
I studied Kaplan Schweser’s CFA® prep courses myself, digging through the materials to see if the quality is worth the investment for aspiring Chartered Financial Analysts. Get ready to take a closer look at everything you won’t find on the sales page: firsthand insights from me and other Kaplan students.
Who Kaplan CFA® Is (and Isn’t) For
- If you thrive with live instruction and a set schedule, Kaplan’s Ultimate Package with live classes and workshops can help keep you accountable.
- If you’re overwhelmed by too many features or tools, Kaplan might feel like overkill compared to leaner platforms like AnalystPrep.
- If you like print materials and reading notes, you’ll appreciate SchweserNotes™ and their audio and flashcard add-ons.
- If you’re a self-starter who doesn’t need live help, the Essential or Basic packages might give you everything you need at a lower price point.
- If budget is a big concern, there are more affordable CFA® prep courses out there with fewer bells and whistles but solid core content.
Course Snapshot: Kaplan CFA® Review
Kaplan Schweser is one of the frontrunners for most CFA® candidates choosing a prep course, due in part to a 95% satisfaction rate and a history of over 700,000 charter hopefuls served. That alone is pretty darn impressive, but what about the actual content? Well, with 170+ module video hours, 5,000+ practice questions, and live masterclasses and review workshops, Kaplan continues their legacy of overdelivering when it comes to content.
Curious about support and interaction? Naturally, you’ll receive it in spades in your live classes, but there are also opportunities for authentic connection. Take InstructorLink, for example; you can send a message about the course content to an expert and get your questions answered.
Plus, the community forum is an active space to connect and collaborate with your fellow students—this may sound like a last-minute addition, but the value of other human beings in the hermit stages of studying cannot be overstated, believe me.
Pros
- Kaplan is more than enough to help students pass by itself, no supplements needed
- Kaplan mock exams and practice questions are similar to exam day materials
- Students unanimously love Kaplan Schweser notes for a succinct overview
- Covers every topic in the CFA Program curriculum and provides regular updates
- Extensive study tool library with four packages to choose from
Cons
- More expensive than many competing CFA® review courses
- So many resources can be more overwhelming and distracting than helpful
Kaplan
Comparing the Kaplan Schweser Prep Packages
Now, I’ll outline the main features of each package and what kind of person would benefit the most from Kaplan Schweser materials. Keep in mind that everything a given is included in every package above it, so the Ultimate Package is the only one with 100% bundle-exclusive content.
Ultimate Package
The Ultimate Package is best for students who want live content. Not only do you get live versions of the masterclass and review workshops, you’ll get personalized Q&A and feedback through InstructorLink.
Unique features include:
- Live online masterclass and live online review workshops
- SchweserNotes™ audio and flashcards
- InstructorLink
Premium Package
The Premium Package is essentially the “review package.” So, if you need to hear something multiple times for it to stick in your memory, these features are well worth the upgrade, particularly if you’re not a naturally gifted test taker.
Unique features include:
- Schweser’s Secret Sauce®
- 55+ Hour CFA® Review Workshop
Essential Package
The two unique features in the Essential Package are very different, so the best-fit buyer for this option is either someone anxious, who values the confidence of a pass guarantee, or someone who finds the value in reading through high-level study notes.
Unique features include:
- Schweser’s PassProtection™
- SchweserNotes™
Basic Package
The Basic Package is ideal for students on a budget, particularly if they’re already good test takers and don’t need a lot of support or materials to pass. If you’re the kind of person who could pass an exam in school just by paying attention in class, maybe doing a little bit of review? This could be the perfect fit.
The Basic Package includes—you guessed it—the basic, fundamental resources for passing the exam, like module videos, question walkthrough videos, masterclass, SchweserPro™ QBank, checkpoint exams, activity feed, performance tracking, JumpStart materials, prerequisite content, and Kaplan Schweser community forum access.
Package Comparison Table
Note that this is just for the Level I package. Here are the differences for the other levels; otherwise, everything stays the same.
- Level II
- 50+ Module Video Hours
- 10+ Hours of Question Walkthroughs
- 25+ Hour Review Workshop
- 2,400+ Practice Questions
- Price is $50 More Than Level I (Regardless of Tier)
- Level III
- 50+ Module Video Hours
- 5+ Hours of Question Walkthroughs
- 30+ Hour Review Workshop
- 1,600+ Practice Questions
- Price is $100 More Than Level I (Regardless of Tier)
| Package | Ultimate | Premium | Essential | Basics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70+ Module Video Hours |  | | | |
| 4+ Hours of CFA Institute Question Walkthroughs | | | | |
| On-Demand Masterclass | | | | |
| SchweserPro™ QBank and Checkpoint Exams | | | | |
| Activity Feed and Performance Tracking | | | | |
| JumpStart and Prerequisite Content | | | | |
| Kaplan Schweser Community Forum | | | | |
| Schweser’s PassProtection™ | | | |  |
| SchweserNotes™ | | | | |
| Schweser’s Secret Sauce® | | | | |
| 55+ Hour CFA® Review Workshop | | | | |
| 55+ Hour Live Online CFA® Review Workshop | | | | |
| Live Online Masterclass | | | | |
| SchweserNotes™ Audio | | | | |
| Flashcards | | | | |
| InstructorLink | | | | |
| Mock Exams | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Price | $1,449 | $1,049 | $749 | $379 |
| Learn More | Learn Ultimate | Learn Premium | Learn Essential | Learn Basic |
Kaplan CFA® Course Discounts
Save 15% on Kaplan Schweser CFA® prep packages to get high-quality exam prep for a lower price.
Kaplan CFA® In-Depth Details
Layout and Structure
Kaplan Schweser’s structure is time-tested, proven by over 30 years of successful CFA® prep experience. Which is to say, you’re getting exactly what you’d expect: a cycle of reading, watching videos, answering practice questions, and driving it home with flashcards so you can master each section before moving forward.
Kaplan’s practice materials are exceptional and of a quality comparable to the actual exam. This is crucially important because half of practice is the ability to repeat that level of performance under pressure (for my sports fans, think of exhibition matches). If you’ve ever been driven mad watching a top basketball player throw free throws and miss repeatedly, I believe a big chunk of that is the added stress of a live crowd.
All of this is to say: Kaplan Schweser’s true-to-the-real-thing practice exams and sample questions are necessary for you to predict your performance come exam day, and adjust as needed.
And with over 5,000 practice questions to choose from, you’ll have ample opportunity to do precisely that.
As for layout and user experience, Kaplan presents the professionalism you’d want from a test prep giant: intuitive navigation, a clean interface, and quick loading speeds. Students chasing ease and efficiency will appreciate Kaplan’s methods.
“Kaplan’s learning ecosystem was far and away the best of all the resources I relied upon. 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.”
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Live Classes and Video Lectures
In total, across all three levels, students can expect up to:
- 170+ module video hours
- 19+ CFA Institute question walkthrough video hours
- 110+ review workshop video hours
That’s around 300 hours of video content alone (not including audio or live classes). But that’s a lot of time to be sitting through videos, so they’d better be good to be worthwhile.
Personally, I enjoyed the video lectures. Some of them could be a little long, but for the most part, they were well within the “short enough to complete in a single sitting” range. I also enjoyed a lot of the lecturers, many of them engaging and passionate, talking like people instead of just regurgitating whatever was on the slides.
Further, though live classes are only available in the Ultimate Package, having a strict schedule may help you stay the course if self-motivation is tough. Having that obligation can be a great help, and getting to know your instructor and classmates in real time can have a similar effect.
They’re just as helpful as the video lessons: the same quality, clean and organized slides, and topic coverage. However, the bonus of getting to ask questions as they come up (not at 3 AM when you’re too frustrated about question 26 to sleep) is major. The lecturers are personable and patient, and naturally, experts—so I was able to trust I’d be taken care of.
“Level 1 and 2, I would even argue all lecturers were great. Granted level 3 a couple of them weren’t ideal, but I always found Kaplan videos getting me to understand concepts I don’t grasp on the readings initially.”
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Support for Students
Most of the support you could access is a feature of the Ultimate Package, which is the most feature-rich, but also the most expensive.
So, let’s cover the lower tiers. For these, you’re mainly addressing the Kaplan Schweser Community Forum, where you can get your questions answered by your peers and instructors alike. This is an excellent resource if you have a common question, as chances are, someone has already asked it (and gotten the answer you’re looking for).
Further, this isn’t a ghost town, complete with a slide guitar, hawk cry, and lone tumbleweed. These forums are active, with a variety of questions posted multiple times a week, if not multiple times a day. If you’re an extrovert, you’re going to need community when you’re knee-deep in the study swamp, and this is a great feature to do so.
One student gives advice to another with an access issue:
“It should load basically right when you purchase. Call their customer service line, they’re super helpful and will get your access corrected within a couple of minutes.”
Pass Guarantees and Value
Finally, let’s take a look at the question this article is trying to answer: is Kaplan’s value worth the price?
And here’s an answer you may not like… Maybe. Because truly, it depends on you, your needs, and the B-word: your budget. Kaplan is expensive, but in the way a good mattress is expensive: sure, it costs more, but it might help you sleep better at night. Kaplan has a long history of proven success, so you are paying for a “name brand” to an extent. However, you’re also paying for one of the heftiest resource libraries out there, at the quality you’d expect from such a beloved provider.
Schweser’s PassProtection™ is Kaplan Schweser’s take on a pass guarantee. However, you’re not getting a refund. Instead, you’re getting extended access to your package, or a discounted upgrade, with materials updated for the time period revolving around your chosen exam date. Honestly, not getting the choice to either extend access or get a refund isn’t my favorite, but several providers offer nothing if you fail.
So, as far as value is concerned, I think you’re certainly getting your money’s worth, considering the veritable congressional library of practice materials in store. However, if you really want to stretch your dollar, you may want to choose something a little more budget-friendly.
Comparing Kaplan to Competing CFA® Prep Providers
Kaplan vs. AnalystPrep CFA®
Kaplan Schweser has long been a staple in the CFA® prep space, known for its expansive resources, print materials, and instructor-led support. It’s a solid fit for learners who want every possible resource, including live review workshops and a structured classroom experience. That said, it can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to keep things simple or affordable.
AnalystPrep takes a more streamlined, video-centric approach, which many students find refreshingly focused. With over 120 hours of engaging video content, thousands of well-crafted practice questions, and lifetime access in some packages, AnalystPrep delivers high-impact prep in a more intuitive, budget-friendly format. If you’re someone who values clarity and efficiency without sacrificing content quality, AnalystPrep might feel like a better fit for how you actually study.
👉 Choose AnalystPrep if you want focused, affordable CFA® prep with strong video instruction and an intuitive, distraction-free platform.
👉 Pick Kaplan if you prefer a structured, traditional review course with a large volume of materials and options for live instruction.
Kaplan vs. Mark Meldrum
Mark Meldrum has built a reputation for delivering high-quality CFA® content with a strong academic focus, especially appealing to students who enjoy deep-diving into complex material. He offers mentorship, update videos, and regular feedback, which is helpful for learners who like to stay highly engaged throughout the process. Kaplan Schweser, by comparison, takes a more guided, structured approach with a whole team of instructors, polished materials, and options for live classes. Their system is ideal for candidates who want regular direction and a clear path through all three exam levels.
Mark Meldrum’s course may suit you better if you’re looking for an instructor-led experience without a corporate platform feel. But if you prefer having an organized curriculum, built-in accountability, and multiple study formats (including live and on-demand), Kaplan provides a more flexible and polished experience.
👉 Choose Kaplan if you want structured study schedules, polished resources, and the option to learn live with expert instructors.
👉 Pick Mark Meldrum if you want personal guidance and are comfortable with a more academically rigorous, hands-on teaching style.
Kaplan vs. Salt Solutions
Salt Solutions offers a more modern, visually appealing platform that’s great for students who want a sleek user experience and adaptive feedback tools. It’s lighter on the extras and more focused on clarity, pacing, and visual storytelling. Kaplan Schweser, on the other hand, is the legacy name that offers the complete opposite: depth, structure, and sheer volume. Kaplan’s vast library, comprehensive curriculum coverage, and variety of learning formats give it the edge for students who want to leave no stone unturned.
Salt Solutions is a fantastic choice for learners who need simplicity and motivation through clean design and a more tech-forward dashboard. But Kaplan still wins out if your top priorities are volume, practice realism, and optional instructor support through live components.
👉 Choose Kaplan if you’re looking for depth, accountability, and a full suite of tools to guide you through every CFA® exam level.
👉 Pick Salt Solutions if you want a clean, intuitive user interface with a leaner, more focused approach to CFA® prep.
Final Verdict: Is Kaplan CFA® Review Worth It?
Let’s review, shall we?
Kaplan CFA® is worth it if you’re after peace of mind more than anything. PassProtection™ ensures you retain course access, plus receive updates, if you don’t pass the CFA® exams. Further, with ample amounts of support, live classes, and a long history of getting it right, I genuinely feel like Kaplan Schweser is the choice if you’re an anxious test-taker. The Kaplan Schweser program inspires confidence like no other provider.
Kaplan isn’t perfect, but it could be perfect for you.
FAQs
Yes, many candidates pass using only Kaplan Schweser materials, but success depends on your study habits and consistency.
Some students find them slightly more challenging than the real thing, which helps boost confidence and exam-day readiness.
If you want a structured, well-rounded study plan with top-tier practice tools, Kaplan Schweser is a solid investment for Level 1.
It depends on your learning style—AnalystPrep is best for video-focused learners, while Kaplan offers more structure and live options.
Most candidates say Level 2 is the toughest due to its depth, complexity, and intense focus on valuation and analysis.
