I know the Schweser vs. CFA material has been talked about a ton so i won’t ask anybody’s opinion on which to use. I think I’m going to use the CFA material for level 3 which is new for me since i used schweser for levels 1 and 2. My question is are there any topics or areas that schweser covers better (or is more easily understandable) than the CFA books? In my opinion, for level 2, CFA didn’t do a great job on derivatives (at least it was difficult for me to comprehend). thanks
Schweser and CFA material
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jasonmatthew
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- Jun 18, 2026
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Read the CFAI books first then use Schweser to top up on areas that you struggle with. If you start now you’ll have heaps of time. Good luck with your study. I used the video’s as a final review in the months leading up to the exam. Pratice exams are your best friend, do as many as you can. I started doing them 5 weeks outs from the exam, if I was to do it again I’d start 8 weeks out.
I started early December and still made it before beginning of May (though English is not my mother tongue, and I generally read and learn slowly…) with CFAI books. I highly recommend studying from this source - apart from known argument that eventually it’s Institute that prepares the exams, I would add you can’t get such a comprehensive, consistent picture with well structured information while reading materials from other providers (I used one of them at level II and failed twice, then switched to CFAI for good). Not to mention, I assume you will miss some very interesting stories like that of Enron swap ‘trick’, or the emerging markets expansion, or Pascal’s wager… 
Also much knowledge that can be useful some time later in your professional career.
Then, last full month I did CFAI mocks and AM sessions from previous years, and Schweser’s QBank and Practice Exams (and these, I must admit, are REALLY worth working with.. good job from Schweser! - I had mine from 2011 from a friend who passed one year before), but I still refered ONLY to CFAI materials when it comes to my reviews.
So, to sum up, you have more time than you need - just don’t waste it - to study efficiently from CFAI books. I’m sure you won’t regret your time invested in reading the books from Institute instead of some more condensed volumes from external providers.
And one more advice if you decide to take it… Always PRAY to God and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to enlighten you during the exam. No joke. Each time I went to church or prayed at home I told Him how much I want to pass, how important it is to me, how much I depend on Him and His grace! Then (after the exam) I prayed that my Grader(s) are not so severe on me, that they are healthy and happy in their lives, and I did it for over 2 months (and I will still do!). It works, I tell you - it must have been a true miracle that I got 6/9 >70% and passed despite the fact I didn’t even start 2/9 essays??!!)) Good luck!
Also much knowledge that can be useful some time later in your professional career.Then, last full month I did CFAI mocks and AM sessions from previous years, and Schweser’s QBank and Practice Exams (and these, I must admit, are REALLY worth working with.. good job from Schweser! - I had mine from 2011 from a friend who passed one year before), but I still refered ONLY to CFAI materials when it comes to my reviews.
So, to sum up, you have more time than you need - just don’t waste it - to study efficiently from CFAI books. I’m sure you won’t regret your time invested in reading the books from Institute instead of some more condensed volumes from external providers.
And one more advice if you decide to take it… Always PRAY to God and ask him to send the Holy Spirit to enlighten you during the exam. No joke. Each time I went to church or prayed at home I told Him how much I want to pass, how important it is to me, how much I depend on Him and His grace! Then (after the exam) I prayed that my Grader(s) are not so severe on me, that they are healthy and happy in their lives, and I did it for over 2 months (and I will still do!). It works, I tell you - it must have been a true miracle that I got 6/9 >70% and passed despite the fact I didn’t even start 2/9 essays??!!
)) Good luck!cirkon, where in Poland are you from? I grew up and finished high school in Opole.
As for the question regarding Schweser material, I believe reading just Schweser is completely sufficient to pass all three levels. I never even opened the CFA institute books and managed to pass the exams in 18 months. I think the key to passing the exams is doing as many pratice problems as possible. For L1, Schweser Q-bank does a good job. For L2 and L3 a combination of Schweser Q-bank, Schweser practice exams and CFA mock exams (plus previous year exams for L3) works well. You will save a bunch of time reading Schweser as opposed to the lenghy CFA texts, time that IMO is better utilized solving practice problems.
As for the question regarding Schweser material, I believe reading just Schweser is completely sufficient to pass all three levels. I never even opened the CFA institute books and managed to pass the exams in 18 months. I think the key to passing the exams is doing as many pratice problems as possible. For L1, Schweser Q-bank does a good job. For L2 and L3 a combination of Schweser Q-bank, Schweser practice exams and CFA mock exams (plus previous year exams for L3) works well. You will save a bunch of time reading Schweser as opposed to the lenghy CFA texts, time that IMO is better utilized solving practice problems.
reflection18
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- Jun 18, 2026
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I studied using schweser all the way from level 1 till level 3. It is safe to say schweser is sufficient to pass. However the issue of people keep saying schweser is not complete is actually not true, it has everything but just precise. EVERY SENTENCE IS IMPORTANT and we humans tend to miss certain things while reading, hence ive read schweser like 4 or 5 times every time to refresh.
But remember, study using schweser practise use cfa curriculum. That is the strategy that I used and thank god it worked. I cant bear to sit for another cfa exam.
But remember, study using schweser practise use cfa curriculum. That is the strategy that I used and thank god it worked. I cant bear to sit for another cfa exam.
wianek, I’m from Lublin, mate.. quite a distance from Opole (surely, not in terms of traveling around the U.S. ;-)
Well, again it all depends whether you aim just at passing or you expect from the Program something more.. I don’t think it makes much sense to argue as everyone who passed has their own opinion and preference, which they are unlikely to change now. Also, I think, each CFA candidate has their own strategy for preparing - mine, for example, was like “right first time”. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, it didn’t apply to my results..
but it did apply to reading the materials. At each level I read curriculum JUST ONCE, then did as much practice as I could…
Well, again it all depends whether you aim just at passing or you expect from the Program something more.. I don’t think it makes much sense to argue as everyone who passed has their own opinion and preference, which they are unlikely to change now. Also, I think, each CFA candidate has their own strategy for preparing - mine, for example, was like “right first time”. Unfortunately, as I mentioned before, it didn’t apply to my results..
but it did apply to reading the materials. At each level I read curriculum JUST ONCE, then did as much practice as I could…Golden Point
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- Jun 18, 2026
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Schweser notes teach you how to answer the question which CFAI books actually do not do. At the end of the day, you have to answer the question to pass.