Compare Prep Courses
Side-by-side scoring on curriculum, Q-bank quality, value, support, and interface — for both CFA and CPA prep courses. Updated for 2026.
Best CFA Prep Courses 2026
AnalystPrep vs Kaplan Schweser vs Bloomberg — ranked by our editorial team
2026 Rankings at a Glance
| 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.
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.
AnalystPrep vs Kaplan Schweser — Detailed Comparison
These two courses dominate the CFA prep market. The right choice depends on your learning style and budget.
AnalystPrep — Best for Q-Bank Depth
- ✓ Deep Q-bank with 3,000+ questions per level — more than Bloomberg, fewer than Schweser
- ✓ Detailed answer explanations with references to curriculum readings
- ✓ Lower price point — typically $299–$499 for a single level
- ✓ Strong for candidates who learn by doing practice questions first
- ✗ Video lectures shorter and less polished than Schweser
- ✗ Platform design is functional but dated
Kaplan Schweser — Best for Structured Learning
- ✓ Industry-standard SchweserNotes — the most widely used CFA study material
- ✓ Highly structured curriculum with clear reading progression
- ✓ Strong instructor support and live classes available
- ✓ Mock exams closely mirror the real CFA format
- ✗ Higher price — premium packages run $399–$799
- ✗ Study materials volume can be overwhelming — SchweserNotes are dense for self-studiers without a finance background
Our take:If you have the budget, Schweser's SchweserNotes are the gold standard for building conceptual understanding. If you're price-sensitive or prefer a question-first approach, AnalystPrep delivers equal or better Q-bank depth at a lower cost. Many candidates use AnalystPrep's Q-bank alongside Schweser notes — a combination that covers both bases.
Best CPA Review Courses 2026
Becker vs Surgent — comprehensive review for CPA candidates
2026 Rankings at a Glance
| Criteria | #1BeckerEditor's Choice | #2SurgentBest Value |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,345–$6,349 | $1,299–$2,999 |
| Overall | ★★★★4.7 | ★★★★4.5 |
| Curriculum | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Q-Bank | 5.0 | 4.5 |
| Value | 3.0 | 5.0 |
| Support | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Interface | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Best For | Candidates who want the most thorough, structured preparation | Busy professionals who need an efficient study path |
| View → | View → |
Scores are editorial assessments based on curriculum coverage, Q-bank quality, and candidate feedback.
Disclosure: Sophos Academy earns a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Becker CPA Review
Editor's ChoiceStarting at
$2,345–$6,349
Pass Rate
94%+ reported
TBS Questions
400+
Price
$2,345–$6,349
Pros
- ✓Highest verified pass rates — consistently cited at 94%+ among Becker users
- ✓Most comprehensive TBS (Task-Based Simulation) library available
- ✓Structured 4-section curriculum leaves no gaps
- ✓Instructor-led video lectures with on-demand replay
- ✓Strong brand recognition — widely used by Big 4 firms
Cons
- ✗Most expensive CPA review option by a significant margin
- ✗Study materials can feel overwhelming for efficient learners
- ✗Some candidates report repetitive content in later sections
Best for: Candidates who want the most thorough, structured preparation
View Course →Surgent CPA Review
Best ValueStarting at
$1,299–$2,999
Study Time Saved
~40%
Adaptive Engine
A.S.A.P.
Price
$1,299–$2,999
Pros
- ✓A.S.A.P. adaptive technology reduces average study time by ~40%
- ✓Significantly less expensive than Becker with similar pass outcomes
- ✓Score predictor tells you when you are ready to sit the exam
- ✓Unlimited access until you pass — no time pressure
Cons
- ✗Adaptive system requires trust — some candidates prefer a structured syllabus
- ✗Video lecture library is smaller than Becker
- ✗Less TBS depth on some niche FAR topics
Best for: Busy professionals who need an efficient study path
View Course →Disclosure: Sophos Academy earns a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Becker vs Surgent — Which CPA Course Is Right for You?
Becker and Surgent are the two most widely used CPA review courses. Here's how they differ in practice.
Becker — Best Pass Rate & Brand Recognition
- ✓ Most widely used CPA course — many employers reimburse Becker specifically
- ✓ Comprehensive video lectures with practice MCQs and TBSs after each module
- ✓ Consistently strong pass rates cited in employer reimbursement policies
- ✓ Becker Adapt — adaptive learning identifies your weakest topics
- ✗ Highest price point — full 4-section package runs $2,345–$6,349
- ✗ Less flexible pacing than Surgent for working professionals
Surgent — Best for Busy Professionals
- ✓ A.S.A.P. Technology — adaptive algorithm focuses your study time on exam-ready gaps
- ✓ Significantly lower cost than Becker — full package $1,299–$2,999
- ✓ Flexible pacing built for candidates studying around a full-time job
- ✓ Unlimited access until you pass
- ✗ Less brand recognition — fewer employers reimburse Surgent specifically
- ✗ Video lecture production quality below Becker
Our take:If your employer reimburses CPA prep costs, choose Becker — the reimbursement often covers the full cost and brand recognition matters internally. If you're self-funding, Surgent's adaptive technology and lower price make it the stronger value. Both courses have strong pass rates among candidates who complete the full curriculum.
How We Score Courses
Each course is evaluated across five criteria by our editorial team — CFA charterholders and licensed CPAs who have used these courses personally or evaluated them against the current exam curriculum.
Curriculum Quality
How well does the course cover the current exam syllabus? Are explanations accurate, clear, and exam-focused? We compare against the official CFA Institute or AICPA blueprints.
Q-Bank & Practice Questions
Volume, difficulty calibration, and explanation quality of practice questions. We count question totals and test whether difficulty distribution matches the real exam.
Value for Money
Total cost relative to what you get — number of questions, study hours of video, mock exams included, and access duration. Lower score = expensive for what it offers.
Support & Community
Instructor access, live session availability, community forums, and responsiveness to student questions. Scored on availability and actual helpfulness.
Platform & Interface
Ease of navigation, mobile experience, offline access, and how effectively the platform tracks your progress and highlights weak areas.
Scores are reviewed quarterly. Affiliate relationships do not influence scores — we disclose all affiliate links and our rankings have changed when course quality changed. See our editorial board and disclosure policy.
Frequently asked questions
Which CFA prep course is best in 2026?
AnalystPrep and Kaplan Schweser are the top two. Kaplan Schweser's SchweserNotes are the industry standard for structured learning, while AnalystPrep offers a deep 3,000+ question Q-bank at a lower price. Candidates with larger budgets tend to prefer Schweser; value-focused candidates choose AnalystPrep.
Is AnalystPrep better than Kaplan Schweser?
For value, yes — AnalystPrep delivers 3,000+ questions per level at a lower price point than Schweser. Schweser has a larger question bank (4,000+) and its SchweserNotes remain the gold standard for curriculum depth. Many candidates combine AnalystPrep's lower cost with Schweser's notes.
Which CPA review course has the best pass rate?
Becker CPA consistently cites strong pass rates and is the most widely used course. Surgent also reports competitive pass rates among candidates who complete the full curriculum. Pass rate data is self-reported by each provider and not independently audited, so treat these figures as indicative rather than definitive.
Is Becker CPA worth the price?
If your employer reimburses CPA exam prep costs, Becker is almost always the right choice — the brand recognition matters for reimbursement eligibility and the course is comprehensive. If you're self-funding, Surgent delivers comparable coverage at a lower price.
What is the cheapest CFA prep course that actually works?
AnalystPrep is the best value CFA prep option, typically $299–$499 for a single level. It covers the full curriculum with a large Q-bank and detailed answer explanations. Bloomberg Prep is priced at $549 but is lighter on practice questions and explanation depth.
Can I use multiple CFA prep courses at once?
Yes, and many successful candidates do. The most common combination is Kaplan Schweser notes for reading and concept-building, plus AnalystPrep's Q-bank for heavy question practice. This gives you the best study materials and the deepest practice pool.
Does Surgent CPA use adaptive learning?
Yes. Surgent's A.S.A.P. (Adaptive Study Advisor and Planner) technology identifies which topics you're weakest on and focuses your study time there. Candidates who have already studied the material and want to close specific gaps benefit most from this approach.
How long does it take to complete a CFA prep course?
CFA Institute recommends 300+ hours of study per level. Most prep courses are designed for 4–6 months of consistent study at 12–15 hours per week. Kaplan Schweser and AnalystPrep both include study plan templates that break this down week by week.
Picked a course? Put it to work
A course alone doesn't pass the exam — practice volume does. Benchmark yourself with free diagnostic questions, understand what score the CFA exam actually requires, then confirm you're ready with a full timed mock exam. Prefer studying from books? See our curated CFA & CPA book picks.