Kaplan Schweser vs. Bloomberg: CFA Prep

Unsure about which CFA^® prep provider to use during your CFA journey? This breakdown highlights the similarities and key differences between Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg to help you pick the perfect fit for your studies.

Table of Contents

• CFA Prep Package Comparison

• Cost Differences

• Study Tool Differences

• Teaching Styles

• Mock Exams

• Course Formats

• Practice Questions

• Instructors

• Kaplan Schweser vs. Bloomberg Summary

Kaplan Schweser vs. Bloomberg: CFA Prep Package Comparison

CFA candidates want expertly designed study materials that closely resemble the real exam and are easy to use. Kaplan Schweser's Study Notes, Activity Feed, In-Person Exam Day Simulation, and Live Review Workshops are just some of the features that help distinguish Kaplan Schweser from Bloomberg.

Start a free trial and see how Kaplan Schweser’s core study tools will help you prepare for the CFA exam

Kaplan Schweser vs. Bloomberg: CFA Cost Comparison

Both Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg provide more than one CFA prep package. However, there is a price disparity when comparing both provider’s Premium and Ultimate prep packages as illustrated by these cost comparison tables. Kaplan Schweser offers more affordable prep packages than Bloomberg and provides individual study materials, which Bloomberg does not.

Basic Exam Prep Package Comparison

Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s basic exam prep package over Bloomberg will benefit from having additional features such as:

• The Kaplan Schweser Community

• The SchweserPro™ QBank Customizable Quizzes

• Mock Exams with Exam Simulation

CFA Essential Exam Prep Package Comparison

Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Essential Exam Prep Package over Bloomberg will benefit from having unique features such as:

• The Kaplan Schweser Community

• The SchweserPro™ QBank Customizable Quizzes

• Mock Exams with Exam Simulation

CFA Premium Exam Prep Package Comparison

Candidates that choose Kaplan Schweser’s Premium Exam Prep Package over Bloomberg will benefit from having unique features such as:

• Study Notes

• OnDemand Classes

• OnDemand Workshops

• The Kaplan Schweser Community

• Mock Exams with Exam Simulation

CFA Ultimate Exam Prep Package Comparison

Candidates who choose Kaplan Schweser’s Ultimate CFA Prep Package over Bloomberg will truly benefit from having a unique prep package.

This all-inclusive study package from Kaplan Schweser contains the same Core + Instruction + Review tools found in the Premium Package and includes either the Live Online or OnDemand options for your Instruction and Review.

In addition, the Ultimate Package includes flashcards, an audio version of SchweserNotes™ for study on the go, the exclusive opportunity for an In-Person Mock Exam Simulation, and InstructorLink, which allows candidates to “link up” with an Instructor to ask an unlimited amount of questions.

Bloomberg vs. Kaplan Schweser: Study Tool Differences

One big difference between the Study Tools that Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg offer is that Kaplan Schweser offers them as individual study materials. This means you don’t need to buy an entire prep package to get access to a diagnostic exam, and common individual study tools like our Qbank and Mock Exams.

Another major difference between Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg is that Kaplan Schweser offers an Activity Feed, which Bloomberg does not. The activity feed keeps you on track every day between now and exam day. It’s highly customizable and adjusts based on your progress.

CFA candidates can rely on their Diagnostic Exam results to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and use the Activity Feed to make sure their time spent preparing is optimized for success.

Bloomberg vs. Kaplan Schweser: Teaching Styles

Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg both employ a hybrid teaching approach that prioritizes instruction tailored to the needs of CFA candidates. Each provider offers OnDemand videos and thorough coverage of every CFA curriculum topic.

Where Kaplan Schweser’s teaching style stands out is in its exam-focused approach, which cuts out extraneous material that is a distraction to candidates’ primary objective: passing the CFA exam.

Kaplan Schweser also offers live online options where candidates can interact with the instructor during class, which Bloomberg does not.

An Inside Look at Kaplan Schweser’s CFA Program Curriculum Update Process >>

Bloomberg vs. Kaplan Schweser: Mock Exam Differences

Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg provide CFA Mock Exams as part of their CFA prep products. Both providers offer them in their prep packages and as an additional standalone product. They both also offer candidates the opportunity to compare scores with other candidates.

However, the most significant difference between Kaplan Schweser Mock Exams and Bloomberg Mock Exams is the exclusive opportunity to take a Mock Exam In Person at an official testing center to get that true testing experience and the Exam Sim mode which replicates Prometric’s interface and settings.

Bloomberg vs. Kaplan Schweser: Course Formats

Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg both provide online CFA course options, which include OnDemand videos and practice questions and quizzes. Each provider offers comprehensive video coverage of every curriculum topic, accompanied by detailed explanations of complex concepts and corresponding quizzes to assess your progress.

The most significant disparity between Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg’s course formats emerges when candidates opt for Kaplan Schweser's Ultimate prep package. The Ultimate prep package offers additional benefits, such as access to Live Online or OnDemand class options, as well as a 5-day live online review workshop, which is not available through Bloomberg’s offerings.

Another difference between providers' course formats is in their Study Planners and Activity Feeds. Bloomberg has a study planner but it doesn’t break down all of the content into tasks over time. Kaplan Schweser’s Activity Feed breaks down individual tasks into daily/weekly assignments, which helps candidates keep track of their course progress more efficiently.

Bloomberg vs. Kaplan Schweser: Practice Questions Comparison

When preparing for each level of the CFA exam, candidates want access to an extensive collection of CFA practice questions that replicate the actual exam, particularly when piecing together self-study materials.

While both Bloomberg and Kaplan Schweser provide a large number of practice questions, candidates prefer Kaplan Schweser's QBank due to its close resemblance to the actual exam. Additionally, Kaplan Schweser's QBank allows candidates to personalize their experience by adjusting the question difficulties, and topic coverage, and creating custom quizzes, which Bloomberg does not.

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Instructor Differences Between Kaplan Schweser and Bloomberg

Candidates who choose to prep with either Kaplan Schweser or Bloomberg will undoubtedly have access to CFA experts who are hired to support them during their CFA preparation.

Where Kaplan Schweser stands out from Bloomberg is in the number of CFA charterholders candidates have access to. Kaplan Schweser has the largest number of CFA charterholders as instructors and subject matter experts who are available worldwide to support candidates.

Another advantage of Kaplan Schweser’s is its InstructorLink feature, which is included in the Ultimate prep package. This feature allows candidates to “link up” with an Instructor to ask an unlimited amount of questions.

Additionally, all Kaplan Schweser prep package customers get access to an extensive CFA candidate community. In this online forum, candidates at all Levels can ask specific exam questions and get quick answers about curriculum topics or difficult concepts, prep course features, popular investment management topics, and anything else they can think of. In the Kaplan Schweser Community, candidates can engage with fellow CFA candidates as well as expert CFA instructors all in the same place.

Kaplan Schweser vs. Bloomberg CFA Summary

When selecting a prep provider, CFA candidates seek top-notch quality, thoroughness, affordability, and user-friendliness, all of which Kaplan Schweser consistently delivers to all CFA candidates. In contrast, Bloomberg offers less flexibility, more expensive, and less personalized study tools that candidates depend on to stay on track and succeed.

Typically, candidates rely on one exam prep provider and the CFA Institute's materials for either Level I or Level II, and Kaplan Schweser is the most popular choice among prep providers.

Need Help Deciding Which CFA Prep Package is Right For You?

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