Best Books for CFA Preparations 2025: Top Study Guides

By IIC Lakshya

25 Nov 2025

Others

Best Books for CFA Preparations 2025: Top Study Guides

Are you ready to prepare for your Certified Financial Analyst course preparation exams in 2025? Here are some of the best books for CFA preparation to successfully pass exams. These resources are effective for students who are trying to achieve the CFA certification on their first attempt at the exam. In this article, you can learn about how these books will help you prepare for different areas of the CFA curriculum.

CFA Preparation Steps

If you are a student preparing for CFA exams, you will need to know about various finance jobs and salary after CFA Level 1. It will help you create your plan of action. Your preparation steps will help you prepare for future success in career opportunities and a higher salary.

You must be updated about the exam structure, Learning Outcome Statements (LOS) and question styles of the various sections of the CFA syllabus
Then select the right and appropriate resources and study materials which will help you
These resources are published by the CFA Institute Curriculum 2025 and other publishing houses, appropriate for CFA exams
Create a realistic study timeline and highlight topics like fixed income, equity, financial statement analysis and other significant topics
Practice and revise topic tests (TT), mock exams, and practice papers resembling previous year’s exams

Best Books for CFA Examination Preparation

Are you looking for the best CFA preparation books for exam preparation? These books are not just resources but also your exam guide, strategy development entity and practice papers. They will guide you to become a CFA! Below are five of the best books for CFA preparation, which will guide you through the CFA registration, curriculum and exam preparation.

Kaplan SchweserNotes

A significantly known book for all CFA students, the Kaplan Schweser CFA Level 1 offers deep insights into all important CFA course topics. With the certification near your fingertips, you should develop a schedule that will be enhanced by the availability of this book.

It integrates all areas of the course along with deeper insights and understanding. Furthermore, the book offers a report on exam preparation and how to solve the mock questions available. Kaplan is a well-known publisher that has helped over 500,000 candidates across the world to prepare and pass the CFA test.

Wiley’s CFA Program Study Guide

If you prefer a book that is easy to understand, this is it for you. As a CFA aspirant, you find the perfect sections, which are broken down into sections. It is perfect for students who are looking for clarification and simple explanations of complex subjects and concepts.

The practice questions and common concepts explained in this book are 80% similar to the questions that appear in the CFA exam. The alignment will help you prepare better for the exam day. It also enhances your understanding of the CFA scope and job opportunities in India and abroad.

Financial Statement Analysis by Martin Fridson & Fernando Alvarez

If you are a student who is looking for a practical approach to the CFA course knowledge, you will like this book. It is not limited to theoretical learning and the evaluation of financial reporting and analysis.

Aspirants develop a practical understanding of the analysis and interpretation of actual financial statements. Students learn how to spot red flags and issues in real businesses so that they can develop strategies and make informed decisions.

Direct Path to the CFA Charter

Students can use this book to get an overview of the CFA program, where they will learn how the course works, ethics-based content, and other coursework content. Additionally, the book offers tips to develop knowledge based on industry experience.

There are mock tests and practice question papers available, which prepare students for a better understanding of the knowledge and performance of exams. These resources help students to pass the CFA levels if they are self-studying.

Equity Asset Valuation (CFA Institute Investment Series)

One of the most significant and tested areas in the CFA course is asset valuation. This is the book that guides you through this area. If you are aiming to perfect your asset valuation concepts and knowledge, deep dive into this book, which offers you a detailed understanding of valuation techniques.

The book has been written by individuals who are experienced CFA qualified professionals. They also offer you a deeper insight into the examination, the questions, and how to crack them. Aspirants find 90% similarities with the exam content.

Tips to Select the Right Books for Your CFA Exam?

If you still want to check other books and don’t know how to select the right books for you, here are some tips. When appearing for the CFA exam, students must remember these tips, which will help them select the appropriate books to ace their preparation journey.

Students must search the Web to learn what other people are searching for. They need to focus on the types of books which align well with your preparation and learning objectives. Pursuing a CFA course has several benefits for your future.

You can explore publishers who are the main material providers. Books with detailed explanations and more practice papers will benefit you in the long run. Try to invest in books that are high-quality, expensive and resourceful in terms of information, mock tests, previous paper tests and others.

Wrapping Up!

In conclusion, studying the best books for CFA preparation will help students crack the exams and perform better. It also increases their chance of cracking the exam on the first attempt. With tons of practice by attempting the mock question papers from these books, students develop an understanding of the exam paper patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions on Best Books for CFA Preparations

Are CFA mock exams free?

There are some diagnostic exam papers and mock exam papers based on the CFA exam available in the market. There are 60 multiple-choice questions which replicate the difficulty and format of the actual CFA exam; hence, students can attend the CFA mock exams completely free of cost.

What if I fail in CFA Level 1?

Students can retake CFA exams. Hence, if you fail in CFA Level 1, you can easily retake the exam after you pay the registration fees for the exam again. You can use your failures and mistakes to make changes in your study plans, methods and exam approaches.

How many hours to study for CFA?

The vast amount of resources and materials available for CFA exam preparation requires quite some time to cover. The average study time that students must put in for preparing each level of the CFA exams is at least six months. In total, 300 study hours are needed for every CFA exam.

How many attempts at CFA?

Students can attempt the CFA exam at least six times for every CFA level. In every calendar year, the exam will be offered to students a maximum of two times.

Can I get CFA books for free?

You can access the significant exam preparation resources which are available on the CFA official website. These resources are developed by the CFA experts who have detailed market experience and knowledge. These resources are free, but there are CFA books which are not free.