These are diagnostic tools placed throughout the study path. They help you identify if you’ve actually mastered a topic before moving on to the next, preventing the "forgetting curve" from wiping out your progress. Effective Study Strategy with Kaplan
Because so many candidates use Kaplan, it is easy to find study groups or forum discussions centered around Schweser materials. Cons:
Kaplan’s treatment of the Ethics topic is too abbreviated. The CFA Institute is notorious for testing subtle nuances in the Standards of Professional Conduct. Most veterans recommend reading the official CFA Ethics handbook instead of Kaplan’s version. cfa level 1 kaplan
For Level 1, where formula memorization (especially for Quant, Corporate Finance, and Equity) is paramount, the QuickSheet is indispensable. It is the perfect tool for the final two weeks of review. You can take it on the subway, to the gym, or keep it on your desk at work. Many candidates argue that the QuickSheet alone is worth the price of admission.
Reading is passive; testing is active. Kaplan’s QBank is arguably its strongest technological asset. It contains thousands of practice questions that mirror the style and difficulty of the actual exam. These are diagnostic tools placed throughout the study path
Includes the "OnDemand Review Workshop," which is excellent for those who need a structured recap of the curriculum.
Is it worth it? The CFA is a self-study course, but it is virtually impossible to pass without a structured third-party provider. The return on investment (career advancement) vastly outweighs the cost of the study materials. Kaplan’s structured approach saves you hundreds of hours of study time. If you value your time at even minimum wage, the hours Kaplan saves you by condensing the curriculum pays for the course itself. Cons: Kaplan’s treatment of the Ethics topic is
The winning formula used by thousands of successful candidates is:
Read a module in the , then immediately complete the "Concept Checkers" at the end of the chapter. Don't worry about speed yet; focus on understanding the logic behind the formulas. Phase 2: Targeted Practice
Kaplan acts as a filter. The official curriculum is full of academic nuance, historical context, and optional segments that are rarely tested. Kaplan strips this away. Their notes cover roughly 80% of the content in 40% of the page count.