Mark Meldrum CFA Review 2026: The Best Video Instructor for the CFA Exam?

Mark Meldrum is a former university finance professor who began posting free CFA video lectures to YouTube and built a following so loyal that 93% of users who start with the free tier eventually upgrade to paid packages. His LOS-by-LOS coverage and plain-English explanations of complex topics have made him the most-recommended CFA instructor on Reddit's r/CFA.

What Is Mark Meldrum?

Mark Meldrum (markmeldrum.com) is an independent CFA prep platform run by Dr. Mark Meldrum, a former business school professor. Unlike Schweser or Kaplan, Meldrum's platform is built entirely around his personal instruction style — detailed, concept-first video lectures that walk through every Learning Outcome Statement in the CFA curriculum.

Key Features

• LOS-by-LOS video lectures covering all three CFA levels
• Free trial tier available — sample lectures before committing
• 93% of users upgrade from free to paid packages
• Active community forum with direct instructor access
• Practice questions included in higher tiers
• Affordable relative to Schweser Premium packages
• Emphasis on conceptual understanding over memorization
• Regularly updated for annual curriculum changes

Pricing

• Free tier: select sample lectures available
• Level I package: from ~$199 (check markmeldrum.com for current pricing)
• Level II and Level III packages priced similarly
• Bundle discounts available for multiple levels
• Substantially less expensive than Schweser Premium Plus at $1,499/level

Pros & Cons

• PRO: Widely regarded as the best CFA video instructor available
• PRO: Free tier lets you evaluate quality before purchasing
• PRO: Strong community forum reduces need for external study groups
• PRO: Concept-first approach builds lasting understanding
• CON: Video-only format — no condensed study notes like Schweser
• CON: Fewer practice questions than Schweser QBank
• CON: Best used as a supplement to Schweser notes, not a standalone solution

Who Should Use Mark Meldrum?

CFA candidates who struggle with the dense CFA curriculum text and need a human instructor to explain it. Visual and auditory learners who absorb material better through video than reading. Schweser note users who supplement with Meldrum's videos on the hardest topics. Level II and III candidates tackling the most conceptually demanding sections.

Final Verdict

Mark Meldrum is the best CFA video instruction available, and the free trial makes him risk-free to evaluate. Most serious CFA candidates use a combination of Schweser notes + Meldrum videos. If budget is tight, Meldrum-only is a legitimate and highly effective strategy. Rating: 4.7/5.