The CFA Level 1 exam serves as the gateway to the CFA charter, testing candidates on a vast array of topics ranging from ethical standards to quantitative methods and portfolio management. While the CFA Institute provides a comprehensive curriculum, many candidates turn to third-party providers like Kaplan Schweser for condensed notes and practice exams. However, the high cost of these materials drives a subset of candidates to search for "free" versions online. This paper aims to categorize the available sources, distinguishing between legitimate free resources and copyright infringement, and evaluates the risks associated with the latter.
If you are on a budget, still deciding if you want to commit to the CFA charter, or simply looking to supplement your official CFA Institute materials, here is everything you need to know about the free resources available.
covering everything from Time Value of Money to Portfolio Management. Schweser’s Secret Sauce® Sample
Once you register for the exam, the CFA Institute provides its own , which is non-negotiable core of your preparation.
Saves time by highlighting topics where you already have a foundation.
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Schweser typically groups these items under a "Free Resources" or "Free Trial" menu at the top or bottom of the page.
Strategic Guide: How to Integrate Free Resources into Your Study Plan
Features the exact same difficulty, formatting, and weightings as the real computer-based test (CBT).
A community-driven platform that is a goldmine for any candidate.
: Digital access to Book 1, featuring clear and concise summaries of the curriculum.
Reinforce the official reading materials with extra practice questions. SchweserPro™ QBank Sample
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The short answer is: However, if you know where to look and what to ask for, you can build a 70-80% complete prep strategy using official free resources, trials, and library access.
How to Get Kaplan Schweser CFA Level 1 Resources for Free (2026 Guide)
Get access to the first topic of the curriculum (usually Quantitative Methods or Ethical and Professional Standards) completely formatted into their famous summarized notes.
Access to the first few modules of the SchweserNotes, core diagnostic exams, and select video lectures.