Many candidates download the free mock, score a 50%, panic, and then buy the full package. That is a waste. Here is the smarter, free-only strategy:
Week 1-4: Use the Free Topic Quizzes as a diagnostic. Don't study first. Attempt the 10-question quiz for "Economics." Get them wrong. Read the explanations. This "pre-learning" primes your brain.
Week 5-10: Download the Secret Sauce sample. Use it as a checklist. For every bullet point you don't understand, watch a free YouTube video (e.g., Mark Meldrum’s free videos) to fill the gap.
Week 11 (Final month): Take the Full Mock Exam. Simulate exam day exactly: 90 minutes for AM, 15 min break, 90 minutes for PM. Grade it. kaplan schweser cfa level 1 free
Kaplan Schweser offers a free 5-day trial for their online learning platform. During this trial, you get access to:
How to get it: Visit the official Kaplan Schweser website → CFA → Level 1 → Look for “Free Trial” or “Sample Materials.” You’ll need an email address but no credit card is typically required for the trial.
⚠️ Use this strategically. Schedule your 5 days when you can study 3–4 hours/day to maximize the free access. Many candidates download the free mock, score a
The Kaplan Schweser mobile app (iOS/Android) includes a free tier with:
The free version is limited, but it’s a good way to test the interface before buying.
While the full Schweser Q-Bank has 4,000+ questions, the free version typically unlocks 100–150 questions spread across the 10 topics. How to get it: Visit the official Kaplan
If you are currently enrolled in a university—or have a friend who is—you have a secret weapon: University Subscription Portals.
Many top-tier business schools (NYU, LSE, HKUST, etc.) purchase institutional licenses to Kaplan Schweser. This means the university pays a flat fee so their students can access the materials for free via the campus library portal.
How to access:
Even if you are an alumnus, many university libraries allow "remote access" for alumni. Check your alumni benefits package. This is arguably the only way to get the complete Schweser package for $0 legally.