Regardless of your provider, break your 300-hour journey into three phases:
Mark Meldrum holds a PhD in Finance and has been teaching CFA prep courses for over 20 years. Unlike some test-prep giants that rely on dense textbooks and outdated video lectures, Meldrum’s approach is straightforward:
How to use them effectively (prescriptive plan)
Mark Meldrum’s notes are proprietary intellectual property. Unauthorized PDF distribution often violates copyright laws. mark meldrum cfa level 1 notes pdf free
: The CFA curriculum changes annually; using notes from unauthorized sources often means studying irrelevant or missing topics.
Comparison vs alternatives (brief)
Therefore, while one can learn from Mark Meldrum for free by watching videos, one cannot legally obtain the written notes for free. Regardless of your provider, break your 300-hour journey
Many candidates have passed Level 1 using exactly this hybrid approach—without ever paying for full third-party prep.
Mark Meldrum’s approach to the CFA Level 1 curriculum is distinctive because he focuses on deep understanding rather than rote memorization. His notes and video lectures cover all ten topic areas, including Ethical and Professional Standards, Quantitative Methods, Economics, Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Issuers, Equity Investments, Fixed Income, Derivatives, Alternative Investments, and Portfolio Management.
| Option | Cost | Reliability | Notes | |--------|------|-------------|-------| | | ~$150–300 (varies) | Excellent | Includes notes, videos, Q-bank, mocks. Best value. | | Used older notes + free YouTube | Free | Moderate | OK for conceptual topics, but not for 2026 exam specifics. | | CFA Institute Learning Ecosystem | Free with registration | High | Dry but accurate. Good for official definitions. | | PrepNuggets or IFT free samples | Free | Moderate | Limited topics, but well-structured. | : The CFA curriculum changes annually; using notes
I understand the appeal of finding free study materials for the CFA Level 1 exam, as prep costs can add up quickly. However, I want to give you a regarding Mark Meldrum’s notes — including what’s legally available for free, what isn’t, and how to approach your studies effectively without risking copyright violations or using outdated material.
Many candidates say Meldrum’s explanations are superior to the official CFA books, especially for tough topics like derivatives, fixed income, and financial statement analysis.
The search for free, illegal PDFs is a trap. You risk malware, outdated content, legal trouble, and wasted time. More importantly, you miss the very thing that makes Mark Meldrum effective: .