How we rank CFA courses
Our CFA pages are at an earlier stage than our CPA rankings, and we would rather say so than pretend otherwise. Here is what the current pages are based on, and what changes when hands-on testing is done.
What the CFA pages are based on today
Every CFA review and comparison currently uses each provider’s own published package details and list prices as reported in 2026, plus official figures from CFA Institute for fees, dates and pass rates. We have not completed hands-on testing, so the review scores are editorial research scores built from published details and third-party review consensus, and the reviews make no claims about how a course feels to use.
Why CFA prices need extra care
CFA prep is sold per level, so a price on a provider’s site is the price of one exam, not of the program. We show Level I list prices, note that Levels II and III are similar, and point out where the 2026 and 2027 curricula differ, because buying last year’s package can leave gaps at Level I.
What hands-on testing will add
Each course will be scored from 0 to 5 in five categories, adapted from our CPA rubric for the CFA’s format:
| Category | What we look at |
|---|---|
| Question bank | Volume, accuracy, and whether explanations change how you answer the next question |
| Mock exams | How closely they match the real exam’s format, timing and difficulty |
| Teaching | Clarity and pacing of lectures and written material |
| Platform and mobile | Whether you can study properly on a phone, not just answer questions |
| Value for money | Cost across all three levels, not the sticker price of one |
How affiliate money is handled
We do not currently earn a commission on any links, and commission would not decide which course fits which situation, and every comparison names when the other course is the better buy. No provider sees a page before it is published.
Keeping it current
Prices, packages and the curriculum all change, and CFA Institute updates fees and deadlines each cycle. Each page states when its details were checked; if something has changed, the provider’s live checkout and CFA Institute’s exam calendar are the final word.