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Unsure about which CFA® prep provider to use during your CFA journey? This breakdown highlights the similarities and key differences between Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep (formerly Bloomberg) to help you pick the perfect fit for your studies.
CFA candidates want expertly designed study materials that closely resemble the real exam and are easy to use. Kaplan Schweser's Study Notes, Activity Feed, In-Person Exam Day Simulation, and Live Review Workshops are just some of the features that help distinguish Kaplan Schweser from Bloom Prep (formerly Bloomberg).
"94% of those surveyed who most recently passed the CFA® Level I exam and prepared with Kaplan Schweser believe that Kaplan Schweser played a significant role in helping them pass the exam"***
Kaplan Schweser | Bloom Prep | |
|---|---|---|
Study Notes | ||
✔ | ✖ | |
Summarized Printed Study Notes | ✔ | ✖ |
Audio Study Notes | ✔ | ✖ |
Review | ||
✔ | ✖ | |
✔ | ✖ | |
✔ | ✔ | |
Practice | ||
✔ | ✖ | |
✔ | ✔ | |
✔ | ✖ | |
✔ | ✖ | |
Support | ||
Unlimited 24/7 Instructor Assistance | ✔ | ✔ |
✔ | ✖ | |
Study Tools | ||
Activity Feed | ✔ | ✖ |
Personalized Study Calendar | ✔ | ✔ |
✔ | ✖ | |
Analytics | ||
Basic Performance Tracker | ✔ | ✔ |
Advanced Performance Tracker | ✔ | ✖ |
Guarantees | ||
✔ | ✔ |
Both Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep provide more than one CFA prep package. However, there is a price disparity when comparing both provider’s Premium and Ultimate prep packages as illustrated by these cost comparison tables. Kaplan Schweser offers more affordable prep packages than Bloom Prep and provides individual study materials, which Bloom Prep does not.
"Kaplan Schweser is used by more CFA Level I candidates than any other CFA exam prep provider"*
Package Tier | Kaplan Schweser Level I Cost | Bloom Prep Level I Cost |
|---|---|---|
$1,499 | $1,999 | |
$1,099 | $1,199 | |
$799 | $699 | |
$429 | N/A |
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s basic exam prep package over Bloom Prep will benefit from having additional features such as:
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Essential Exam Prep Package over Bloom Prep will benefit from having unique features such as:
"U.S. CFA Level I and Level II candidates consider Kaplan Schweser to be among the highest quality, most comprehensive, and easiest to use CFA exam prep providers in the industry"*
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Premium Exam Prep Package over Bloom Prep will benefit from having unique features such as:
Candidates who choose Kaplan Schweser’s Ultimate CFA Prep Package over Bloom Prep will truly benefit from having a unique prep package.
This all-inclusive study package from Kaplan Schweser contains the same Core + Instruction + Review tools found in the Premium Package and includes either the Live Online or OnDemand options for your Instruction and Review.
In addition, the Ultimate Package includes flashcards, an audio version of SchweserNotes™ for study on the go, the exclusive opportunity for an In-Person Mock Exam Simulation, and InstructorLink, which allows candidates to “link up” with an Instructor to ask an unlimited amount of questions.
During this portion of your study plan you should dedicate some of your schedule for reviewing curriculum topics.
One big difference between the Study Tools that Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep offer is that Kaplan Schweser offers them as individual study materials. This means you don’t need to buy an entire prep package to get access to a diagnostic exam, and common individual study tools like our Qbank and Mock Exams.
Another major difference between Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep is that Kaplan Schweser offers an Activity Feed, which Bloom Prep does not. The activity feed keeps you on track every day between now and exam day. It’s highly customizable and adjusts based on your progress.
CFA candidates can rely on their Diagnostic Exam results to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and use the Activity Feed to make sure their time spent preparing is optimized for success.
Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep both employ a hybrid teaching approach that prioritizes instruction tailored to the needs of CFA candidates. Each provider offers OnDemand videos and thorough coverage of every CFA curriculum topic.
Where Kaplan Schweser’s teaching style stands out is in its exam-focused approach, which cuts out extraneous material that is a distraction to candidates’ primary objective: passing the CFA exam.
Kaplan Schweser also offers live online options where candidates can interact with the instructor during class, which Bloom Prep does not.
Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep provide CFA Mock Exams as part of their CFA prep products. Both providers offer them in their prep packages and as an additional standalone product. They both also offer candidates the opportunity to compare scores with other candidates.
However, the most significant difference between Kaplan Schweser Mock Exams and Bloom Prep Mock Exams is the exclusive opportunity to take a Mock Exam In Person at an official testing center to get that true testing experience and the Exam Sim mode which replicates Prometric’s interface and settings.
Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep both provide online CFA course options, which include OnDemand videos and practice questions and quizzes. Each provider offers comprehensive video coverage of every curriculum topic, accompanied by detailed explanations of complex concepts and corresponding quizzes to assess your progress.
The most significant disparity between Kaplan Schweser and Bloom Prep's course formats emerges when candidates opt for Kaplan Schweser's Ultimate prep package. The Ultimate prep package offers additional benefits, such as access to Live Online or OnDemand class options, as well as a 5-day live online review workshop, which is not available through Bloom Prep's offerings.
Another difference between providers' course formats is in their Study Planners and Activity Feeds. Bloom Prep has a study planner but it doesn’t break down all of the content into tasks over time. Kaplan Schweser’s Activity Feed breaks down individual tasks into daily/weekly assignments, which helps candidates keep track of their course progress more efficiently.
When preparing for each level of the CFA exam, candidates want access to an extensive collection of CFA practice questions that replicate the actual exam, particularly when piecing together self-study materials.
While both Bloom Prep and Kaplan Schweser provide a large number of practice questions, candidates prefer Kaplan Schweser's QBank due to its close resemblance to the actual exam. Additionally, Kaplan Schweser's QBank allows candidates to personalize their experience by adjusting the question difficulties, and topic coverage, and creating custom quizzes, which Bloom Prep does not.
Candidates who choose to prep with either Kaplan Schweser or Bloom Prep will undoubtedly have access to CFA experts who are hired to support them during their CFA preparation.
Where Kaplan Schweser stands out from Bloom Prep is in the number of CFA charterholders candidates have access to. Kaplan Schweser has the largest number of CFA charterholders as instructors and subject matter experts who are available worldwide to support candidates.
Another advantage of Kaplan Schweser’s is its InstructorLink feature, which is included in the Ultimate prep package. This feature allows candidates to “link up” with an Instructor to ask an unlimited amount of questions.
Additionally, all Kaplan Schweser prep package customers get access to an extensive CFA candidate community. In this online forum, candidates at all levels can ask specific exam questions and get quick answers about curriculum topics or difficult concepts, prep course features, popular investment management topics, and anything else they can think of. In the Kaplan Schweser Community, candidates can engage with fellow CFA candidates as well as expert CFA instructors all in the same place.
"9 out of 10 CFA candidates who have used Kaplan Schweser to prep for the CFA Levels I, II, or III would recommend Kaplan Schweser"**
When selecting a prep provider, CFA candidates seek top-notch quality, thoroughness, affordability, and user-friendliness, all of which Kaplan Schweser consistently delivers to all CFA candidates. In contrast, Bloom Prep (formerly Bloomberg) offers less flexibility, more expensive, and less personalized study tools that candidates depend on to stay on track and succeed.
Typically, candidates rely on one exam prep provider and the CFA Institute's materials for either Level I or Level II, and Kaplan Schweser is the most popular choice among prep providers.
"92% of CFA Level I candidates who have used Kaplan Schweser to prep for CFA Level I agree that Kaplan Schweser played a key role in helping them pass the CFA Level I exam"**
Contact Kaplan Schweser directly for more information or choose the best CFA Program study package for you.
Our representatives are ready to guide you in choosing the right education package for your exam-day success. Schedule a time to talk to one of our financial education experts and have all your questions answered.
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* These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between June 30 and August 30, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 313 U.S. CFA Level I and Level II candidates was interviewed online. The survey was fielded to subscribers of 300Hours.com and AnalystForum.com.
** These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between September 29 and November 4, 2022. For this survey, a sample of 838 CFA Level I, II, and III candidates was interviewed online, of which 463 prepared for a CFA exam with Kaplan Schweser.
*** These are the findings of a quantitative survey conducted by Kaplan between May 2 and May 27, 2024. For this survey, a sample of 728 CFA® Level I, II, and III candidates was interviewed online, of which 104 last passed the CFA Level I exam and prepared for that exam with Kaplan Schweser.