Kaplan frequently runs a promotion called "Schweser Jumpstart." This usually grants you free access to the first few study sessions (Quantitative Methods and Economics, typically).
Why this is brilliant:
A beautifully organized, 15-page PDF containing every formula required for Level 1.
Scenario A: You want to pass. You cannot rely solely on free trials. You need 3–4 months of consistent access. The 7-day trial is a "taste test." You will need to eventually spend money, whether on the official Schweser package ($599) or the Wiley/MM alternatives. kaplan schweser cfa level 1 free
Scenario B: You want to gauge difficulty. Yes. Use the 7-day trial and the free Qbank questions to decide if you are ready to register for the CFA exam at all.
Scenario C: You are a student with time but no money. Use Method 2 (Library) and Method 5 (Hybrid). Focus on the free CFA Institute material and use the free Schweser resources only for practice questions.
If you cannot access Schweser even at a discount, there are completely free, legitimate resources that cover the same syllabus: If you cannot access Schweser even at a
✅ Pro tip: Combine CFA Institute LES (free with registration) + a used Schweser QBank book ($20 on eBay) = a solid, cheap setup.
Kaplan does not hide their free resources behind an impossible paywall. By creating a free account on their website, you typically gain access to the following:
A common misinterpretation of "free" is "abandoned." You can find physical copies of SchweserNotes for free on local "Buy Nothing" Facebook groups, Craigslist "Free Stuff" sections, or Reddit’s r/CFA. ✅ Pro tip: Combine CFA Institute LES (free
The Risk: The CFA curriculum changes every year. If you use a 2022 Schweser book for the 2025 exam, you will get the entire Derivatives section wrong (new rules), Ethics wrong (updated GIPS), and potentially miss entire readings. The Hack: Even if the books are old, Quantitative Methods (Math) and Corporate Issuers (basic corporate finance) rarely change. You can use old physical books for 60% of the curriculum and then supplement the remaining 40% via the CFA Institute’s own free Learning Ecosystem (which is always updated).
If you are willing to pay $20 for shipping, many candidates give away their prior year sets for free once they pass the exam. Check the #study-material channel on the official CFA Discord.
This is arguably the most valuable free asset. It is a curated video series (usually 5–7 short videos) designed to teach you how to study for Level 1, rather than teaching you the content.