Free CFA resources worth your time
The best free resource is the one that comes with your registration: the CFA Institute curriculum. The rest are useful for sampling teaching styles and for extra practice before you spend anything.
From CFA Institute
Registration includes the full curriculum in digital form. It is the source material the exam is written from, and the 2027 edition applies from the February 2027 window.
Candidates have access to practice material through their CFA Institute account. Check your candidate account for what is currently included for your level.
Free videos and communities
- Mark Meldrum has free lectures on YouTube from earlier curriculum years. They are a good way to test his teaching style, though they may not match the current curriculum.
- IFT offers free Level I video lectures on YouTube.
- 300Hours publishes a free blog with study planning, curriculum-change coverage and dates.
- AnalystForum is a long-running community forum for CFA candidates.
Trying providers before you buy
AnalystPrep encourages candidates to try before buying, and most providers offer sample questions on their sites. Check each provider’s page for what is currently free, since trial terms change.
How to use free resources well
Read a few readings in the curriculum before choosing a provider. It shows you which topics you find hardest.
Watch a free lecture from one or two instructors, then buy the style that made the most sense.
Match your materials to your exam window. The 2027 curriculum applies from February 2027, and free older videos may not cover it.
Common questions
Can I prepare for the CFA with only free resources?
Possibly at Level I, if you are disciplined, but at a fee of $1,140 to $1,490 per attempt it is a risk. Consider adding a question bank or mock exams.