Guides.
Short answers to the questions CFA® candidates ask, from CFA Institute's own documents and the providers' own pages.
The exam
- CFA exam pass ratesWhat share of candidates pass each level, and is it getting harder? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Do you need a CFA prep providerWhat does CFA Institute give every candidate, and when is a course worth paying for? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Failed the CFA exam. What nowHow soon can I sit again, how do I read my result, and what should I change? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- How many hours does CFA prep takeHow many hours should I plan, and how much of that does each course fill? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- What changes in the 2027 CFA curriculumWhat did CFA Institute change for 2027, and does it matter which edition I buy? Updated 3 Oct 2026
Tools
The providers
- Is AnalystPrep worth itWhat is AnalystPrep built around, who does it suit, and where is it thin? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Is Kaplan Schweser worth itWhat is Kaplan Schweser built around, who does it suit, and where is it thin? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Is Mark Meldrum worth itWhat is Mark Meldrum built around, who does it suit, and where is it thin? Updated 23 Oct 2026
- Is Salt Solutions worth itWhat is Salt Solutions built around, who does it suit, and where is it thin? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Is UWorld worth itWhat is UWorld built around, who does it suit, and where is it thin? Updated 3 Oct 2026
- Which CFA prep providers are approved by CFA InstituteWhich CFA prep providers are approved by CFA Institute? Updated 28 Oct 2026
Reading is one way. Eight questions is quicker: we match you to a provider, with the reasons.
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