If you are preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam, you have almost certainly heard of . Their study notes are widely considered the gold standard for condensing the CFA Institute’s dense, 3,000+ page curriculum into a manageable, digestible format.
| Resource | Cost | Best For | |--------|------|-----------| | | Included in registration ($900–1,200) | Official source, but verbose | | Mark Meldrum (MM) | $150–350 for Level 1 | Video-based, rigorous, affordable | | AnalystPrep | $100–300 | Q-bank + condensed notes | | IFT (International Financial Training) | Free YouTube videos + cheap notes | Visual learners on a budget | | Used Schweser Books (e.g., eBay) | $50–150 (previous edition) | Works if curriculum changes <10% | | Library Genesis (LibGen) | Free (but legally gray) | Only as a last resort—check edition | schweser cfa level 1 notes free
: A free introductory book that provides an overview of all ten CFA curriculum topics and includes topic-specific practice questions. If you are preparing for the CFA Level
Let’s be honest. The official Kaplan Schweser notes are the gold standard of CFA prep. They condense the CFA Institute’s 3,000+ pages of dense curriculum into roughly 1,500 pages of digestible, high-yield content. But with a price tag hovering around $400–$700 for a full set, the search for a “free” version is understandable—especially for students and early-career professionals. Let’s be honest