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Choosing a CFA® prep provider to support you in your quest for the distinguished CFA designation can be a challenging decision to make. Each prep provider presents unique prep packages and study materials tailored to enhance your chances of success in passing each CFA exam. This article provides a comparison between Kaplan Schweser and Mark Meldrum, highlighting the most thoughtful and popular products and services favored by CFA candidates.
According to recent feedback from CFA candidates, they prefer using expertly designed study materials that closely resemble the actual exam and are easy to use. Kaplan Schweser's mock exams, practice questions, and study notes exceeded those expectations and received overwhelmingly positive reviews compared to those offered by Mark Meldrum.
"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 | Mark Meldrum | |
|---|---|---|
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 Mark Meldrum provide various preparation packages and study materials at varying prices. However, there is a price disparity between Kaplan Schweser and Mark Meldrum, with Kaplan Schweser being relatively less expensive, particularly in terms of prep packages. This can be attributed to the fact that Kaplan Schweser offers a more extensive and holistic range of products and services in their prep packages, as shown in the cost comparison table below.
“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.”*
Package Tier | Kaplan Schweser Level I Cost | Mark Meldrum Level I Cost |
|---|---|---|
$1,499 | $1,549 | |
$1,099 | $1,259 | |
$799 | $709 | |
$429 | $419 |
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s basic exam prep package over Mark Meldrum will benefit from having additional features such as:
2 Mock Exams with Exam Sim
The SchweserPro™ QBank
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Essential Exam Prep Package over Mark Meldrum will benefit from having unique features such as:
4 Mock Exams with Exam Sim
The SchweserPro™ QBank
24/7 Instructor Assistance
"U.S. CFA Level I candidates surveyed who prep with Kaplan Schweser are more likely to pass the CFA Level I exam than those who prep with other providers"*
Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Premium Exam Prep Package over Mark Meldrum will benefit from having unique features such as:
Live Online or OnDemand Classes
Review Workshops
6 Mock Exams with Exam Sim
24/7 Instructor Assistance
Candidates who choose Kaplan Schweser’s Ultimate CFA Prep Package over Mark Meldrum will truly benefit from having a unique prep package because a true comparison does not exist for candidates choosing to prep with Mark Meldrum.
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.
Kaplan Schweser and Mark Meldrum 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 and take them in two sessions (AM and PM).
However, the most significant difference between Kaplan Schweser Mock Exams and Mark Meldrum 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.
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 Mark Meldrum 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.
Kaplan Schweser and Mark Meldrum 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.
Mark Meldrum covers a lot of material that will not be tested on a CFA exam.
Kaplan Schweser also offers a diverse set of instructions who are CFA charterholders and have been through what candidates are going through. Mark Meldrum is not a CFA charterholder.
Kaplan Schweser also offers live online options where candidates can interact with the instructor during class and these classes are offered in multiple time zones around the world.
Kaplan Schweser and Mark Meldrum 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 Mark Meldrum'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 and OnDemand class options, as well as a 5-day live online review workshop, which is not available through Mark Meldrum's offerings.
Another difference between providers' course formats is in their Study Planners and Activity Feeds. Mark Meldrum 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.
Candidates that choose to prep with either Kaplan Schweser or Mark Meldrum will undoubtedly have access to CFA experts that are hired to support them during their CFA preparation.
Where Kaplan Schweser stands out from Mark Meldrum is in the number of CFA charterholders candidates who 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. Mark Meldrum charges an additional fee for tutoring and counseling that candidates pay for by the hour.
Additionally, all Kaplan Schweser prep package customers get access to an extensive CFA candidate community, including the forums. In these forums 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.
When selecting an exam 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, Mark Meldrum offers more expensive prep packages and falls short in terms of comprehensiveness and value. 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.
“U.S. CFA Level I and Level II candidates consider Kaplan Schweser to be the leader in CFA exam prep.”*
Contact Kaplan Schweser directly for more information or choose the best CFA Program study package for you.
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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 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.