Best CFA Prep Courses 2026
Choosing the right CFA prep course is one of the highest-leverage decisions you can make. The right course can cut your study time by 20–30% and meaningfully improve your pass odds. We evaluated the top providers across curriculum depth, Q-bank quality, pass rates, price, and topic-level strength.
Key Takeaways
- We scored providers on curriculum depth, Q-bank quality, value, support, and interface.
- AnalystPrep wins on Ethics coverage and price; Kaplan Schweser wins on mock exam realism.
- CFA Institute recommends 300+ study hours; most first-time passers study 250–350 hours.
- Use free diagnostic practice to find your weakest topic, then pick the course strongest there.
Quick Comparison
| Criteria | #1AnalystPrepEditor's Choice | #2Kaplan SchweserMost Trusted | #3BloombergBest for Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $299–$499 | $399–$799 | $549 |
| Overall | ★★★★4.5 | ★★★★4.4 | ★★★★4.2 |
| Curriculum | 4.5 | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Q-Bank | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Value | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Support | 4.0 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Interface | 4.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 |
| Best For | Candidates who want deep topic-level practice | Systematic learners who want the most trusted study materials | Data-driven learners and Bloomberg terminal users |
| View → | View → | View → |
Scores are editorial assessments based on curriculum coverage, Q-bank quality, and candidate feedback.
Detailed Reviews
Disclosure: Sophos Academy earns a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
AnalystPrep CFA Review
Editor's ChoiceStarting at
$299–$499
Practice Questions
3,000+
Mock Exams
8 full-length
Price
$299–$499
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class Ethics and Financial Statement Analysis coverage
- ✓3,000+ questions with detailed explanations that teach, not just reveal
- ✓Mock exams closely mirror actual CFA difficulty
- ✓Strong value compared to Schweser at a lower price point
Cons
- ✗Less brand recognition than Kaplan Schweser among employers
- ✗Video lectures shorter than Kaplan — assumes some background knowledge
Best for: Candidates who want deep topic-level practice
View Course →Kaplan Schweser CFA
Most TrustedStarting at
$399–$799
Candidates Served
300,000+
Practice Questions
4,000+
Price
$399–$799
Pros
- ✓Industry-standard SchweserNotes used by majority of CFA candidates
- ✓Thorough, structured curriculum covers every LOS methodically
- ✓Massive question bank with clear explanations
- ✓Study groups and instructor support available
Cons
- ✗Most expensive option in this category
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to newer platforms
- ✗Some candidates find the material dense and dry
Best for: Systematic learners who want the most trusted study materials
View Course →Bloomberg Exam Prep
Best for MobileStarting at
$549
Adaptive Questions
Yes
Mobile App
iOS + Android
Price
$549 flat
Pros
- ✓Adaptive engine targets your weakest areas automatically
- ✓Real Bloomberg data adds real-world context to exam concepts
- ✓Clean, modern mobile-first interface
- ✓Flat pricing — no upsells
Cons
- ✗Thinner curriculum depth than AnalystPrep or Schweser
- ✗Fewer mock exams than competitors
- ✗Less useful if you do not have Bloomberg terminal familiarity
Best for: Data-driven learners and Bloomberg terminal users
View Course →Disclosure: Sophos Academy earns a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
How We Evaluated
We scored each course across five criteria:
- Curriculum depth — Does the material cover all LOS at the right level of detail, or does it skim?
- Q-bank quality — Are questions representative of actual exam difficulty? Do explanations teach, not just reveal the answer?
- Value — Is the price justified by the outcomes candidates report?
- Support — Are instructors reachable? Are study groups available?
- Interface — Is the platform easy to navigate, especially on mobile?
Topic-level strength note: Some providers excel at Ethics (AnalystPrep), others at quantitative material (Schweser). After practicing on our free diagnostic tool, you will know your weakest topics and can pick the course with the strongest coverage there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not affiliated with CFA Institute.