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Schweser Review

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Should I use Schweser?

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· 1 week ago

If you're sitting CFA, CAIA, or FRM and want proven condensed notes plus question banks, the basic packages are a safe buy. Skip the $1,549 premium tiers unless you need live or on-demand instruction, and skip entirely if you're not taking these exams.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 20+ public sources: Reddit r/CFA threads, Trustpilot, third-party review sites, and official Kaplan Schweser pages.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of useNo direct usability evidence in sources
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

~$379

Basic / Essential packages

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Ultimate Package (Level II)$1,549
Supplements (e.g., Secret Sauce)$180

Best for

  • CFA Level I–III candidates
  • FRM and CAIA candidates
  • Self-studiers wanting condensed notes
  • Career changers needing structure

Not for

  • Anyone not sitting CFA, CAIA, or FRM
  • Budget-first buyers — rivals cost less
  • Candidates committed to the official CFAI curriculum only
  • Casual learners wanting a light refresher

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Return policy is restrictive — read terms before purchase

medium

Secret Sauce alone was $180; small add-ons inflate totals

low

After-hours tech support has stated limits

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 35+ years as a leading CFA/CAIA/FRM prep provider
  • Full stack: notes, QBanks, on-demand classes, seminars, mobile apps
  • Claims 95% recommendation rate among CFA candidates
  • Free diagnostic assessment offered at exam registration
  • SchweserNotes widely used as condensed curriculum alternative

Cons

  • Ultimate packages cost up to $1,549 per level
  • Some candidates call the notes unreliable
  • Some users report disappointment with course quality
  • Whether notes alone suffice is hotly debated
  • Add-ons like Secret Sauce add $180+ to costs

Sources & method

- 14 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x4review x8security x1news x1

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • ~$379

    Starting price

  • 14

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. Mixed worth-it reports at premium prices
  • Ease of use. No direct usability evidence in sources
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Notes, QBanks, classes, diagnostics, mobile apps
  • Support quality: 3/5. Support 8am–10pm ET; after-hours caveats
  • Security posture: 4/5. Dedicated security page; no public vulnerabilities found
  • 95% Recommendation rate Kaplan's self-reported claim for CFA Level II
  • $379 Starting price Basic package with physical notes (Reddit-reported)
  • $1,549 Top-tier price CFA Level II Ultimate Package
  • 35+ years Track record Selling CFA, CAIA, and FRM prep

Pricing

Basic / Essential packages

~$379

  • Printed SchweserNotes
  • Core study materials

Ultimate Package (Level II)

$1,549

  • Full prep suite
  • On-demand instruction

Supplements (e.g., Secret Sauce)

$180

  • Final-review condensation

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Reddit CFA candidates broadly respect SchweserNotes as the classic condensed prep but report mixed experiences on reliability, quality, and value.

“Anyone else kinda disappointed with Kaplan or is it just me?”
Reddit, r/CFA
“Kaplan Schweser Notes are kind of unreliable?”
Reddit, r/CFA
“I've heard mixed reviews”
Reddit, r/CFA

Alternatives

Compare Schweser with each alternative.

  • Mark Meldrum

    Video-first CFA prep, the most-cited Schweser rival.

  • AnalystPrep

    All-in-one CFA notes, question banks, and mocks.

    Schweser vs AnalystPrep

  • UWorld CFA

    Question-bank-heavy CFA prep gaining Reddit traction.

Full analysis

Based on 20+ public sources: Reddit r/CFA threads, Trustpilot, third-party review sites, and official Kaplan Schweser pages.

CFA/FRM/CAIA prep incumbent: proven condensed notes and QBanks, but premium tiers hit $1,549 and cheaper rivals exist.

Methodology

Based on 20+ public sources: Reddit r/CFA threads, Trustpilot, third-party review sites, and official Kaplan Schweser pages.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. Kaplan Schweser Reviewstrustpilot.com
    review
  2. Kaplan Schweser CFA: Reviews Packages & Discounts300hours.com
    review
  3. Is Schweser's on-demand worth my time & is the ...reddit.com
    review
  4. Kaplan Schweser Notes are kind of unreliable?reddit.com
    review
  5. Anyone else kinda disappointed with Kaplan or is it just me?reddit.com
    review
  6. Kaplan Basic Package + Physical Schweser Notes from ...reddit.com
    review
  7. Schweser Secret Sauce - How effective?reddit.com
    review
  8. CFA Level II Exam Study Packagesschweser.com
    official
  9. Kaplan Schweser: CFA, CAIA & FRM Exam Prepschweser.com
    official
  10. Tech Supportschweser.com
    official
  11. Kaplan Schweser Return Policyschweser.com
    official
  12. Kaplan Schweser Launches New, Free Diagnostic Resourcetheglobeandmail.com
    news
  13. Product security pageschweser.com
    security
  14. Mark Meldrum vs Kaplan Schweser CFAtestprepinsight.com
    review

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