_CFA Study Materials

Hey guys,

Just a quick question. I searched on here but didn't really find that many good answers. In your opinion, what are some of the better (or best) materials to use to study for the CFA?

Thanks in advance.

15 Comments
 

I'm on level 2 right now. Passed level 1 mostly on the back of my undergrad experience without using outside materials or reading most of the CFAI materials. I'm using Kaplan, and it seems to be pretty good so far. I think using Kaplan to get through the curriculum, doing its quizzes etc. along the way, and supplementing with end-of-chapter questions from the CFAI (as well as their practice tests and other practice materials) is a good strategy.

 

Schweser is the way to go. I also recommend buying their "Secret Sauce" notes. You'll likely forget a lot of the things you read in Book 1 by the time you're done with the last book, so the notes are an easy way to refresh yourself. Also if you have to look up a section on the fly, it's much easier with a small book / packet in hand than carrying all your books everywhere. I usually read it along with the book, and add in any notes in the Secret Sauce margins I think are relevant that aren't already in there.

 

One more question. Do you guys know if schools would offer at least some of these materials for free to students? I know they offer things like the Vault Guides but not sure if they would offer this.

Array
 

Eos architecto saepe eos officia. Labore optio quisquam nam impedit. Laborum dolorem voluptas consequatur esse ratione.

Qui incidunt quia unde et perferendis. Occaecati eos aperiam sed molestiae beatae consequatur fuga ea. Quia eaque inventore doloribus rem. Animi veritatis velit nam aut ad. Neque deleniti et officiis quidem quasi quia provident.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”