Kaplan Schweser vs Mark Meldrum CFA: which should you buy?
This is notes and mock exams against video lectures. Schweser builds a package around condensed notes, a question bank and up to six mocks. Mark Meldrum builds one around more than 200 hours of video from a single instructor, with updated content until you pass.
Based on published package details and 2026-cycle prices as reported; not yet hands-on tested.
You like condensed notes, want a full mock-exam set, and value a free retake of the package.
Kaplan Schweser reviewYou learn best from an instructor explaining why a concept works, and can follow your own study plan.
Mark Meldrum reviewSide by side
| Kaplan Schweser | Mark Meldrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Level I price range | $429 to $1,499 | About $440 to $1,310 |
| Teaching | Study notes plus on-demand classes | 200+ hours of video lectures |
| Mock exams | Up to 6 | Several, by package |
| Safety net | PassProtection retake on Premium and above | Updated content until you pass; pass guarantee reported on instructor-led packages |
| Structure | Guided, with a package plan | More self-directed |
Level I prices, 2026 cycle, as published or reported.
The bottom line
The prices overlap, so choose on how you learn. If you read and drill, and want the guidance of a structured package, Schweser fits. If you need to hear a concept explained before you can use it, Meldrum’s video-led approach is the better match, and its updated-content policy lowers the cost of a second attempt.