The Best CFA Prep Providers: Kaplan Schweser vs. Mark Meldrum
Choosing a CFA prep provider is one of the most consequential decisions in your candidacy. The right one can give you a structure to follow for hundreds of hours, and the wrong one can leave you re-learning concepts the week before the exam. Several good options exist, so rather than rank a long list, this guide covers the two that best represent the main ways people study: Kaplan Schweser for structure and Mark Meldrum for video-led learning. Honorable mentions follow.
What to look for in a provider
- Learning style fit. Do you absorb material by reading, watching lectures, or doing practice questions?
- Question bank quality. Volume matters less than how well each explanation teaches you why an answer is right or wrong.
- Mock exams. Realistic, timed simulations are the best predictor of exam-day readiness.
- Support and structure. A study plan, instructor access, or a community can keep you moving when motivation dips.
- Price and what’s included. Entry packages are cheaper, and premium tiers add live classes, tutoring, or extra mocks.
Pick 1: Kaplan Schweser, best for structure
What it offers. Kaplan Schweser’s package spans notes, videos, a question bank, live classes, mock exams, and a mobile app. Its signature product is the SchweserNotes, a condensed reading of the CFA curriculum, along with a study planner and review workshops closer to exam day. cfareview
What sets it apart. Reviewers describe it as the more structured and sequential system, with in-depth materials, a set curriculum, realistic mock exams, and final review workshops. Another comparison calls it the “safe choice” in the CFA world, and lists 70+ hours of masterclass lectures and a custom study planner among its features. testprepinsightcourses4you
How it helps. If you’re juggling a full-time job and want someone to tell you what to study each week, the guided schedule removes planning stress. It also suits first-time candidates who want a single, complete package instead of assembling several tools.
Drawbacks. It sits at the premium end of the market, and its reviews aren’t uniformly glowing: Trustpilot shows a 3.9 out of 5 score across about 600 reviews. Some candidates find the condensed notes too brief for topics they find hard, and use another resource to supplement. trustpilot
Best for: first-time candidates, working professionals who need a clear plan, and anyone who likes reading plus guided practice.
Pick 2: Mark Meldrum, best for video-led concept learning
What it offers. Mark Meldrum’s courses include videos, notes, a question bank, mock exams, live classes, a mobile app, and tutoring. The core is a deep library of lecture videos: 100+ hours of video lectures and active forums, with pricing starting around $440 in one 2026 comparison. cfareviewcourses4you
What sets it apart. The teaching is lecture-style and explains why concepts work, not only how to answer questions. It also offers optional tutoring support and lets you download lessons for offline study, which helps if you study on commutes or flights. It’s particularly popular with candidates who found Schweser’s materials confusing or want a stronger conceptual foundation. testprepinsightpracticeworks
How it helps. Level II rewards candidates who understand valuation and financial reporting logic, and a strong instructor can make a hard topic click faster than notes alone. The optional tutoring helps if you get stuck on specific areas.
Drawbacks. It’s less structured than Kaplan, and some learners find it lecture-heavy. You may need more self-discipline to build your own schedule. edubanc
Best for: visual or auditory learners, candidates who want conceptual depth, and anyone who benefits from a teacher explaining things out loud.
Head to head
| Kaplan Schweser | Mark Meldrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Core strength | Structured, guided study plan | Video lectures and concept depth |
| Learning style | Reading plus guided practice | Watching and listening |
| Support | Live classes, review workshops | Tutoring option, forums |
| Pace | Set schedule, planner | Flexible, self-directed |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
Honorable mentions
Kaplan is known for structure, UWorld for detailed explanations, and Mark Meldrum for video instruction. A few others are worth considering: analystprep
- UWorld: noted for the quality of its practice questions and detailed answer explanations, at roughly $399 for entry-level access. It’s popular as a second resource for question practice, though its content library is newer than the long-established providers. courses4you
- AnalystPrep: the lowest entry price in one comparison at $349, with a question bank of 4,000+ questions and computer-based mock exams. A good fit for budget-conscious self-learners. courses4you
- CFA Institute’s own practice materials: the official source for questions written in the exam’s exact style, and many candidates add them to a main provider.
How to combine them
Many successful candidates use one main provider plus a dedicated question bank. For example, Kaplan or Meldrum for core learning, then UWorld or the CFA Institute’s practice packs in the last weeks for volume and realism. Whatever you choose, the biggest predictor of success is doing lots of practice questions and full timed mocks, not the brand on the notes.
Choosing in four questions
- Do you need a schedule handed to you? Choose Kaplan Schweser.
- Do you learn best by listening to explanations? Choose Mark Meldrum.
- Is budget your main constraint? Start with AnalystPrep or a smaller package.
- Are you strong on concepts but weak on exam technique? Add a dedicated question bank like UWorld.
The bottom line
There’s no single best provider, only the best fit for how you study. Kaplan Schweser gives you structure and a complete package, while Mark Meldrum gives you teaching depth and flexibility. Whichever you pick, set a schedule, protect your practice-question time, and take full mock exams before test day.
This article is for educational purposes only. Prices and features change often, so check each provider’s website for current details. [If you use affiliate links, add: “Some links on this site may earn us a commission at no cost to you.”]
