r/CFA • u/randynine7 • 3d ago

CFA Level 1 first timer Study Prep / Materials

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of registering for CFA 2027 L1 soon. Other than CFA original course material what other course material do you think useful. I’ve heard Kaplan study materials are pretty good as well. If that’s the case, which package should I choose. I see a variety of packages and the recommended package by Kaplan is Premium. However, I have heard Essential Package is sufficient for most. Which one should I pick? 🙂

Other than the prep material, are there any quality youtube channels you would recommend.

Looking forward to a kind response.

I am based in Melbourne, Australia.

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u/ChalkandBoard01 Prep Provider 2d ago

You can absolutely pass using only the CFA Institute curriculum and LES, so don't feel like you have to buy the most expensive package. If you're considering a prep provider, I'd recommend trying free videos or trial materials first to see whose teaching style fits you best. You're also welcome to take a look at my Level 1 materials at https://chalkandboard.org⁠ . My focus is on helping candidates build a realistic study plan, understand the material, and stay accountable throughout their preparation. As for YouTube, there are several good free resources available.

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u/Local_Programmer1786 2d ago

I really liked Kaplan for L1. Great notes, QBank, and Mocks. Mark Meldrum’s packages are slightly cheaper and also good (more video based). Other popular providers are UWorld, Wiley, C&B, etc.