good books for CFA

Hello,

I need advice from people here who have taken the CFA exam level 1. My older brother (PhD in mechanical engineering), is considering to go into finance. He wants to take the CFA level 1 exams in June.

What are some good books he can read to self teach himself and prepare for the test? He's quantitatively really gifted and learns really fast, and he doesn't have time to go to classes and all.

So anyone know of any good books, which he can sit down and read for 4 months, and take the exam in June?

8 Comments
 
Best Response

All of the necessary books for the CFA Level I exam are now included in the registration cost of the exam. The CFA Institute will provide all the necessary reading. I would highly recommend Schweser's study notes, especially if he has some understanding of the topics and doesn't want to read the voluminous CFA Institute readings.

 

+1 on Schweser. Thats all I used to pass L1. Make sure he gets the Qbank as I found that to be vital for me to drill down concepts.

 

Schweser study notes are good, but the 2007 extra book of practice tests had answers that were just straight up wrong. No substitute for the real thing.

 

Before I forget, buy as many of the CFAI online practices exams as you can. They are $50 a pop for only 60 questions, but they were the most accurate representation of the exam. I did only one last year, you can be sure I will do all of them for level 2.

 

Atque dolorum amet soluta saepe sed. Impedit quibusdam expedita sint dolore enim.

Dolorum enim alias earum non debitis. Minima blanditiis amet quasi et iure. Perferendis quia et velit ut ratione dolor provident. Dolores ipsum et repudiandae placeat officiis enim.

Ducimus non voluptatibus enim est. Quia beatae ipsam odio suscipit modi veniam.

Quia possimus doloribus earum nihil pariatur praesentium. Quia consectetur temporibus quae neque odit. Quisquam voluptatibus quibusdam assumenda qui dolorem. Fugiat vero magni accusantium deleniti nihil ratione alias. Nihil sit iure explicabo similique ipsam enim dolores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • 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 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • 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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”