Best CFA prep courses for 2026 and 2027
Four providers cover most CFA candidates: Kaplan Schweser, UWorld, Mark Meldrum and AnalystPrep. They differ less in what the curriculum covers than in how they teach, how many mock exams you get, and how much they cost per level. Prep is bought one level at a time, so the cost of a provider is really three prices.
How this page was put together: it compares each provider’s published package details and list prices as reported in 2026. The scores on the review pages are editorial research scores built from published details and third-party review consensus. They are not the result of our own testing. Prices shown are the 2026-cycle list prices. Schweser and UWorld already list 2027 packages, so confirm the live price and the curriculum year at checkout.
Six mock exams and on-demand instruction on its Premium package, plus a free retake of the package if you do not pass.
→A large question bank with visual explanations and a mobile app. The top package gives access until you pass.
→Video-led teaching, with updated content provided until you pass the level, including after a failed attempt or deferral.
→Practice-focused packages starting at $349 per level, the lowest entry price of the four.
→All four at a glance
| Provider | Level I price range | What stands out | Safety net | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan Schweser | $429 to $1,499 | Up to six mock exams, study notes, on-demand classes | PassProtection on Premium and above | Four tiers; the cheapest has only two mocks |
| UWorld | $299 to $999 | QBank, visual explanations, mobile app, AI study assistant | Elite: access until you pass. No money-back guarantee | Formerly Wiley CFA; UWorld bought it in 2023 |
| Mark Meldrum | $440 to $1,310 | 200+ hours of video lectures | Updated content until you pass, on 2023-and-later packages | Needs self-discipline; pay-per-section option |
| AnalystPrep | From $349 | Large question bank, several full mocks, analytics | No guarantee found in our review | A 30% offer was listed in August 2026 |
Level I list prices in US dollars, 2026 cycle, as published or widely reported. Prices for Levels II and III are similar. All four discount at times.
How to choose, in four situations
Schweser Premium gives you notes, on-demand classes, six mocks and the PassProtection retake in one package.
Kaplan Schweser reviewUWorld's question bank is its center, and the app lets short sessions count. Elite adds access until you pass.
UWorld reviewMark Meldrum's lectures are built around explaining why concepts work, and its updated-content policy covers retakes.
Mark Meldrum reviewAnalystPrep's entry price is the lowest of the four, and a 30% offer was listed in August 2026.
AnalystPrep reviewHead-to-head comparisons
Most people arrive already down to two. These put each pair side by side.
Also worth knowing
- The official curriculum is free with registration. Many candidates use it alongside a provider’s question bank rather than instead of one.
- Buy for the right curriculum year. The 2027 curriculum applies from the February 2027 window, and Level I changed the most. Check that a package covers your exam year before buying.
- Budget for all three levels. Prep is sold per level, so a mid-price provider adds roughly $3,000 across the program.
- Wiley CFA is now UWorld. UWorld acquired Wiley’s CFA courses in 2023 and sells them under its own name.
Common questions
Do I need a prep course to pass the CFA?
Not strictly. CFA Institute’s curriculum is included with registration, and some candidates pass using it with a question bank. But a failed attempt costs $1,140 to $1,490 in fees, more than most prep packages, which is why many candidates add one.
Can I use last year's materials?
For Levels II and III, mostly, because the changes are small apart from Ethics. For Level I, no: Quantitative Methods and Equity Investments changed enough that you need 2027 materials.
Should I combine two providers?
It is possible, for example one provider for teaching and another question bank for extra volume, but a second full package usually overlaps the first.