Top Resources for CFA Exam Study Material

Preparing for the CFA exam is no small feat. With its comprehensive and complex content spanning multiple financial disciplines, the CFA exam demands both time and strategy. Choosing the right study materials is crucial for maximizing your efforts and boosting your chances of passing.

Whether you’re tackling Level 1 or pushing through Level 3, you need reliable resources that align with your learning style and study goals. Here, we highlight the top resources for CFA exam study materials, ensuring you’re well-equipped to succeed.

1. CFA Institute Official Curriculum

Your starting point for any CFA exam preparation should be the CFA Institute’s official curriculum. This resource is the foundation of everything the exam covers and provides a detailed breakdown of all learning objectives, key concepts, and ethical standards. The curriculum includes textbooks, end-of-chapter questions, and practice problems, ensuring you get the most comprehensive view of the material.

While the official curriculum is robust, it can be dense. Therefore, pairing it with additional resources can help make the content more digestible, particularly for challenging topics. Don’t skip the CFA Institute’s online learning ecosystem, which features a variety of interactive tools to support your preparation.

2. Top Third-Party CFA Study Guides

While the official curriculum provides the foundation, many candidates turn to third-party study guides for condensed notes and additional practice questions. Here are some of the most trusted providers:

• Salt Solutions: At Salt Solutions, we take a comprehensive approach to CFA exam prep, offering an array of tailored study materials that cater to different learning styles. Our guides, video lectures, and interactive quizzes are crafted by experts to ensure a deep understanding of CFA concepts across all levels. With Salt Solutions, you get access to structured study plans, clear explanations, and extensive practice.
• Kaplan Schweser: Kaplan Schweser has long been a go-to resource for CFA candidates, offering condensed notes, QBank, practice exams, and video lessons. Their study materials are designed to simplify complex concepts and help you focus on the most exam-relevant material.
• UWorld/Wiley Efficient Learning: This provider focuses on adaptive learning, offering bite-sized lessons and efficient review sessions. Its strength lies in its digital platform, where you can track progress and dive deep into practice questions.
• Bloomberg Exam Prep: Bloomberg leverages data analytics to personalize your study plan. With its AI-driven approach, the platform identifies areas where you need more practice, ensuring a targeted approach to preparation.
• Fitch Learning: Known for its in-depth instructor-led courses, Fitch Learning provides both live and on-demand sessions. Their comprehensive mock exams are particularly helpful for understanding where you stand before exam day.

3. Top CFA Exam Practice Platforms

Practice makes perfect, and for the CFA exam, this couldn’t be truer. Mock exams and question banks are essential for gauging your readiness. Some of the top platforms include:

• Salt Solutions: Centers your practice around precision. In the final stretch before your CFA exam, Focus mode delivers detailed performance analytics—highlighting your weakest areas, showing which topics matter most, and guiding your review through a personalized Focus Performance score.
• Mark Meldrum: Offers a blend of detailed video solutions and comprehensive practice questions, and is highly regarded for in-depth exam preparation.
• IFT (Ibrahim’s CFA Training): Simplifies the complex CFA curriculum with easy-to-understand summaries, mock exams, and additional practice.
• CFA Exam Tutor: Provides a personalized approach with one-on-one tutoring and customizable practice sets to target weak areas.

4. Best CFA Exam Prep Books

In addition to online resources and study guides, prep books offer another layer of depth and insight. Some of the most popular include:

• CFA Program Curriculum by CFA Institute: The official source of all CFA exam content, providing comprehensive coverage of every topic area and learning objective.
• Kaplan Schweser Notes Package: Condensed notes ideal for a streamlined review of key topics, making it easier to focus on what matters most for the exam.

Conclusion

When it comes to preparing for the CFA exam, there’s no shortage of resources to choose from. While the CFA Institute’s official curriculum remains essential, supplementing your study plan with third-party guides, mock exams, and interactive tools can provide the extra edge needed to pass. As you build your study strategy, remember that using a mix of different formats—like study apps, video lectures, and books—can help you retain information and stay engaged.