Schweser Cfa Level 1 Notes Free !!top!! Direct
The Hunt for Free Schweser CFA Level 1 Notes: What You Need to Know
If you are preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam, you have almost certainly heard of Kaplan Schweser. Their study notes are widely considered the gold standard for condensing the CFA Institute’s dense, 3,000+ page curriculum into a manageable, digestible format.
However, the price tag—often $400 to $1,000+ for a full set—leads many candidates to ask the same question: Can I find Schweser CFA Level 1 notes for free?
The short answer is: Yes, but with significant risks and ethical considerations. Let’s break down what’s available, what’s illegal, and smarter, low-cost alternatives.
3. Buy Last Year’s Edition for Pennies
New Schweser notes: $500. Last year’s edition on eBay or Facebook Marketplace: $30–$80. schweser cfa level 1 notes free
But what about curriculum changes? The overlap between CFA Level 1 from 2023 to 2024 is roughly 85–90%. You can use the old notes for most topics and then use the free CFA Institute curriculum changes PDF (available on their website) to patch the gaps.
Pro tip: Buy the 2023 Secret Sauce booklet (a 200-page summary) for $15. Combined with free official CFAI end-of-chapter questions, this is a viable low-cost plan.
1. The Official Kaplan Free Trial
Kaplan Schweser offers a 5–7 day free trial that includes: The Hunt for Free Schweser CFA Level 1
- Access to the first study session (complete notes)
- Several video lectures
- A mini quiz bank
Sign up with a temporary email or a secondary account, and you can legitimately download (for personal use) the PDFs available during the trial. Print them or save them. This is not piracy—it’s a promotional offer.
4. Malware & Scams
CFA forums and Discord servers are littered with “DM me for free notes” posts that lead to phishing sites, password stealers, or simply ransom demands after you “download” a virus.
2. Malware and Viruses
Most torrent sites or "free PDF" forums are traps. Cybersecurity firms report that finance exam prep files are a common vector for keyloggers and ransomware. Do you want to lose your bank details just to save $300 on notes? Access to the first study session (complete notes)
Is There Legal Free Schweser Content?
Yes—but it’s limited. Kaplan does offer some legitimate free resources:
- Sample SchweserNotes® chapters (usually 1–2 per subject on their website)
- Free weekly webinars (during peak exam windows)
- Mobile app flashcards (basic tier is free)
- Formula sheet excerpts (via email sign-up)
None of these will fully prepare you for the exam, but they let you sample the teaching style.
3. Poor Quality & Incompleteness
Many “free” PDFs are missing:
- End-of-chapter quizzes
- Mock exams (Schweser’s most valuable asset)
- Formula sheets (often cut off or blurry)
- Updated errata (corrections to printing errors)
3. Library or candidate sharing groups (local)
- Some CFA societies or university finance clubs lend Schweser books to members.
- Check local WhatsApp/Telegram groups for legal swaps – candidates often sell used copies for $50–100 after passing.
4. Older Edition Schweser (Very cheap, but risky)
You can buy a used 2024 or 2025 SchweserNotes set on eBay or Amazon for $20–$50. This is legal (first-sale doctrine), but you must cross-check with the latest LOS changes. CFA Institute publishes an annual “Errata & Changes” document—use it to update your old notes manually.