Mark Meldrum CFA Review (2025): The Best Value in CFA Prep?
Best for: Best Value Updated 12/16/2025Price: from 419 USD/course
Pros
- Exceptional teaching quality
- Best value for money
- Active YouTube community
- One-Fee-To-Pass guarantee available
Cons
- No printed materials
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners
- Self-discipline required
If you’ve spent any time researching CFA prep courses on Reddit or YouTube, you’ve heard one name repeatedly: Mark Meldrum. This Canadian professor-turned-prep-provider has built a cult following by doing something radical—actually teaching finance concepts instead of just summarizing them.
With over 250,000 students worldwide and a top-rated YouTube channel, Mark Meldrum (MM) has disrupted the traditional CFA prep market. But is the hype justified in 2025?
Short answer: Absolutely. Mark Meldrum offers the best combination of teaching quality and value in the CFA prep market. If you’re a self-motivated learner who prefers video instruction, MM should be at the top of your list.
What Makes Mark Meldrum Different
The Teaching Philosophy
Unlike competitors who condense the CFA curriculum into bullet points, Dr. Mark Meldrum teaches why concepts work, not just what they are. His lectures are structured like university courses, building understanding from first principles.
“Dr. Meldrum doesn’t just tell you what he knows. He tells you HOW to know what he knows.”
This approach takes longer but produces deeper comprehension—crucial for the application-heavy Level 2 and Level 3 exams.
The Instructor Team
While Dr. Meldrum remains the face of the brand, the platform now includes a team of experienced CFA charterholders:
- Dr. Mark Meldrum, Ph.D - Founder, 20+ years teaching experience
- Richie Owens, CFA - 20+ years instruction, former KPMG
- Darrin Kerr, CFA, CAIA, FRM - Former Merrill Lynch equity research
- Mack Sawatsky, CFA - Content development and student support
The Mark Meldrum Platform
1. Lecture Videos (The Core Product)
The heart of MM is the video content. These aren’t quick summaries—they’re comprehensive lectures covering every Learning Outcome Statement (LOS) in detail.
- Level 1: 100+ hours of lectures
- Level 2: 120+ hours of lectures
- Level 3: 80+ hours of lectures
Quality: Exceptional. Dr. Meldrum has a gift for explaining complex concepts (derivatives, pension accounting, behavioral finance) in accessible terms. The production quality has improved significantly in recent years.
Format: Lectures follow the CFA curriculum structure, with separate videos for each reading. You can watch at 1.5x or 2x speed once comfortable.
Mark Meldrum’s YouTube channel contains hundreds of free lectures from previous curriculum years. Watch a few before purchasing to see if his teaching style works for you.
2. Question Bank
MM includes a comprehensive QBank with thousands of practice questions:
- Filter by topic, LOS, or difficulty
- Flag questions for later review
- Performance tracking and benchmarking against other users
- Create custom quizzes targeting weak areas
The questions are well-written and exam-relevant, though some users feel Kaplan’s mocks are slightly more representative of exam difficulty.
3. Mock Exams
Multiple full-length mock exams are included with most packages:
- Timed exam simulation
- Detailed answer explanations
- Performance comparison vs. other candidates
- Topic-level score breakdown
4. Study Planner
A newer feature that creates personalized study schedules:
- Input your exam date and available hours
- System recommends daily/weekly tasks
- Adjusts based on content difficulty
- Progress tracking and accountability
5. Mobile App
Full access to lectures and materials on iOS and Android:
- Download videos for offline viewing (up to 2 devices)
- Seamless sync between devices
- Practice questions on the go
Pricing & Packages (2026 Level 1)
Mark Meldrum offers exceptional value at every tier:
| Package | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Study | $419 | Lectures, QBank, mocks, formula sheet |
| Self-Study + Applied Analysis | $709 | Above + extended instructor comments |
| Instructor-Led Online | $1,259 | Live classes, weekly updates, 6 mentor hours, One-Fee-To-Pass |
| Instructor-Led + Applied | $1,549 | All features including applied analysis |
The Instructor-Led packages include Mark Meldrum’s version of a pass guarantee. If you fail after completing the program requirements, you get access to the next cycle free.
Value Comparison
| Provider | Entry Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Meldrum | $419 | $1,259 |
| Kaplan Schweser | $429 | $1,099 |
| Salt Solutions | $499 | $899 |
| AnalystPrep | $299 | $499 |
MM’s Self-Study package is priced similarly to Kaplan’s Basic but includes more comprehensive video content. The value becomes even clearer at higher tiers.
Who Is Mark Meldrum Best For?
Ideal Candidates
✅ Visual/auditory learners who prefer video over reading
✅ Career changers who need concepts explained from scratch
✅ Self-disciplined learners who don’t need external structure
✅ Budget-conscious candidates seeking quality without Kaplan prices
✅ Repeat test-takers who need a different teaching approach
Less Ideal For
❌ Print-first learners who want physical textbooks
❌ Those needing maximum hand-holding (Kaplan’s structure may suit better)
❌ Candidates with limited time who can’t watch extensive lectures
Pros
- **Teaching Quality:** Dr. Meldrum's explanations are consistently rated best-in-class by candidates
- **Value:** Full Self-Study package for $419—hundreds less than Kaplan's equivalent
- **Community:** Active Reddit and YouTube following with peer support
- **Comprehensive:** Covers every LOS in detail rather than summarizing
- **3-Year Archive:** Access past lectures even after your subscription expires
Cons
- **No Print Materials:** Everything is digital—you can't highlight physical books
- **Time Investment:** Comprehensive lectures mean more hours to complete
- **Less Polished Platform:** Functional but not as slick as newer competitors
- **Self-Discipline Required:** Less structured than guided Kaplan packages
Mark Meldrum vs Kaplan Schweser
This is the comparison most candidates consider:
| Factor | Mark Meldrum | Kaplan Schweser |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Style | Deep conceptual explanation | Concise exam-focused summary |
| Video Hours | 100+ per level | 60+ per level (Masterclass) |
| Price (Basic) | $419 | $429 |
| Price (Premium) | $1,259 | $1,099 |
| Study Notes | PDF only | Print + digital |
| Brand Recognition | Growing | Established industry standard |
| Best For | Learning deeply | Studying efficiently |
Bottom line: MM teaches you finance; Kaplan teaches you to pass the exam. Both approaches work, but MM may build stronger foundations for your career.
Real Candidate Feedback
From Reddit and review sites:
“Meldrum’s great way of explaining things, and quite frankly, its popularity among CFA candidates.” — MM user survey
“It is highly recommended by other CFA candidates and charterholders.”
“I used Schweser for Level 1 and MM for Levels 2 and 3. MM was significantly better for understanding why things work.”
How to Use Mark Meldrum Effectively
Recommended Workflow
- Watch lectures at 1.25-1.5x speed once comfortable
- Take light notes on key formulas and concepts
- Complete EOC questions after each reading
- QBank practice after finishing each topic area
- Mock exams starting 4-6 weeks before your exam
- Review weak areas identified by performance tracking
Free Trial Strategy
MM offers free trial access to sample the platform:
- Create a free account
- Access preview materials
- Watch 3-4 lectures in your weakest topic area
- Complete sample QBank questions
- Upgrade if the teaching style resonates
Final Verdict
Mark Meldrum has earned his reputation as the best value in CFA prep. His teaching quality rivals or exceeds Kaplan’s at a lower price point, and the platform includes everything you need to pass.
Choose Mark Meldrum if:
- You want deep understanding, not just exam tricks
- Video-based learning works for you
- You’re self-motivated and disciplined
- Budget matters but quality is non-negotiable
Consider Kaplan instead if:
- You want the industry-standard printed materials
- You need maximum structure and hand-holding
- Your employer is paying regardless of price
For most self-directed CFA candidates, Mark Meldrum is the best choice in 2025.