CFA exams are demanding. Each level requires significant preparation, with successful candidates reporting more than 300 hours of study per level on average.
So what happens if you don't pass?
If you're studying for your CFA exam with Kaplan, Pass Protection gives eligible students additional support if they need to resit. Depending on your study package and attendance, this can include a free Tuition and/or Revision Course, continued access to your online study materials, or a 50% discount on a Tuition and/or Revision Course.
And if you've previously studied with another provider and didn't pass, you may also be eligible for 50% off a Kaplan CFA study package.
Here's how the support works.
CFA Pass Protection: at a glance
- Free course: Eligible students can receive a free Tuition and/or Revision Course for their next available exam sitting.
- Who qualifies? Your original purchase must have been a structured teaching package – Classroom, Blended, or Live Online – and you must meet the relevant attendance and resit requirements.
- Attendance requirement: At least 90% attendance of your original Tuition and Revision classes is required for your first resit. For subsequent fails, you need 100% attendance of your previous Tuition and Revision Course.
- Multiple resits: Further free Tuition and/or Revision Courses may be available after subsequent exam fails, provided you continue to meet the policy requirements.
- Online materials: Eligible students can receive the same online material package free of charge for their next exam sitting.
- If you don't meet the criteria: You may be eligible for 50% off a Tuition and/or Revision Course for your next available sitting.
- Time limit: The 50% discounted course offer must be used within 36 months of your initial exam attempt.
- Tutor support: Kaplan tutors are available during the week and aim to respond within 48 hours.
- Try before you commit: Kaplan also offers a 7-day CFA trial.
How to claim CFA Pass Protection
If you don't pass your CFA exam, Pass Protection can provide additional support while you prepare for your resit.
The support you receive depends on your original study package and whether you meet the policy requirements.
For your first resit
- Check your original study package
To qualify for a free Tuition and/or Revision Course, your original purchase must have been a Classroom, Blended, or Live Online structured teaching study package.
- Check your attendance
You must have attended at least 90% of your Tuition and Revision classes. Attendance is based on signed classroom registers and/or time logged into online classes.
- Book the next available exam sitting
Once you've decided to resit, book the next available CFA exam sitting.
- Keep your confirmation
You'll need to provide a copy of your resit exam confirmation to Kaplan.
- Provide your failed exam result
You'll also need to provide a copy of your failed CFA exam result.
- Book your free course
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, Kaplan can arrange your free Tuition and/or Revision Course for the next available exam sitting, subject to course availability.
The free course includes classroom materials and associated delivery costs.
What happens if I don't pass again?
Pass Protection can continue to support you after subsequent exam fails.
For each subsequent free Tuition and/or Revision Course, you'll need to:
- Have originally purchased a Classroom, Blended, or Live Online package
- Have 100% attendance of your previous Tuition and Revision Course
- Book the next available exam sitting
- Provide your resit exam confirmation
- Provide your failed exam result
Further free courses are subject to course availability.
What if I don't meet the Pass Protection criteria?
You may still be able to receive 50% off a Tuition and/or Revision Course for your next available exam sitting.
To qualify for the 50% discounted course under the Pass Protection policy:
- Your original purchase must have been a Classroom, Blended, Live Online, or Revision Only study package
- You must use the offer within 36 months of your initial exam attempt
- You must provide confirmation of your resit exam
- You must provide your failed exam result
The discounted Tuition and/or Revision Course includes classroom materials, but a delivery cost will be charged.
Courses provided under Pass Protection are subject to availability.
How to redeem the 50% discount if you studied with another provider
If you've already studied for your CFA exam with another provider and didn't pass, Kaplan can offer 50% off a CFA study package, subject to eligibility.
- Check your eligibility
The offer is intended for candidates who previously studied with another CFA course provider but didn't pass their exam.
- Gather your evidence
You'll need to provide:
- A copy of your CFA exam result showing that you didn't pass
- Proof that you studied with your previous provider, such as an invoice
- Contact Kaplan
Provide your evidence so Kaplan can confirm your eligibility for the offer.
- Choose your Kaplan study package
Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you can enrol on an eligible Kaplan CFA study package with the 50% discount applied.
- Start preparing for your next attempt
You'll then have access to Kaplan's study resources and support to help you prepare for your next exam attempt.
Terms and conditions apply. Check the current offer details for any applicable deadlines, eligible packages and other requirements.
What happens to my Kaplan online study materials if I fail?
Pass Protection isn't only about additional tuition and revision.
Eligible students can receive the same online material package free of charge for their next exam sitting.
To receive the free online materials, you must:
- Use the offer within 36 months of your CFA material purchase
- Provide confirmation of your resit exam
- Provide your failed exam result
Hard-copy study materials may also be available for an additional charge.
This means you can continue using your Kaplan online resources as you prepare for your next attempt, rather than having to start your study materials from scratch.
Why choose Kaplan for CFA?
Preparing for CFA is a significant investment of time, so choosing the right study approach matters.
Kaplan combines structured teaching, expert support and extensive practice resources, giving you more support than simply studying independently.
Structured learning
A structured course can help you break the CFA syllabus into manageable sections and create a study routine alongside your work and other commitments.
Expert tutor support
CFA concepts can be challenging. Being able to ask an expert when you're stuck can help you resolve misunderstandings and keep your studies moving.
Kaplan tutors are available during the week and aim to respond within 48 hours.
Extensive practice
CFA success requires more than reading the syllabus. You need to practise applying what you've learned and become comfortable with exam-style questions.
Kaplan Schweser's online resources include question banks and mock exams to help you practise and identify areas where you need further revision.
Support if you need another attempt
With Pass Protection, eligible students can access additional Tuition and/or Revision Courses if they need to resit.
And if you don't meet the criteria for a free course, you may still be eligible for a 50% discount on your next Tuition and/or Revision Course.
Try before you commit
Not sure whether Kaplan's approach is right for you? You can use the 7-day CFA trial to explore the study experience before committing to a package.
Why can Kaplan's support help you prepare?
There's no substitute for putting in the study time required for CFA. However, the right resources and support can make that study time more focused and productive.
| Kaplan feature | How it can support your preparation |
|---|
| Tuition and Revision Courses | Structured teaching and targeted revision can help you focus on difficult areas and reinforce your understanding. |
| Question banks | Repeated practice helps you test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more work. |
| Mock exams | Exam-style practice can help you become familiar with the format and practise managing your time. |
| Weekly study tasks | Breaking a large syllabus into smaller targets can make it easier to maintain consistent study habits. |
| Expert-led videos | Alternative explanations can help you understand challenging concepts. |
| Tutor support | Expert feedback can help you resolve questions and misunderstandings. |
| Continued online materials | If you need to resit, continued access lets you revisit your existing study resources while preparing for another attempt. |
| Pass Protection | Eligible students can receive additional tuition or revision support after a failed attempt. |
The aim is to give you the structure, practice and expert support to make your study time count.
After a CFA fail: Kaplan vs self-study alternatives
If you don't pass your CFA exam, you can choose how you prepare for your next attempt. Some candidates prefer to study independently, while others benefit from structured teaching and expert support.
With Kaplan, eligible students can access:
| Kaplan support |
|---|
| Free additional course | Tuition and/or Revision Course for eligible students |
| Continued online materials | Same online material package free for the next exam sitting |
| Tutor support | Responses within 48 hours during the week |
| Practice | Question banks and mock exams |
| Structured study | Tuition, revision and study-plan support |
| 50% discount | Available to eligible candidates who don't qualify for free Pass Protection |
| Previous provider? | Potentially 50% off a Kaplan CFA study package |
| Try before committing | 7-day CFA trial |
Self-study can work well if you're confident creating your own study plan and identifying your knowledge gaps. Kaplan provides a more structured approach, with additional support available if you need another attempt.
Ready to prepare for your next CFA exam?
Whether you're starting your CFA journey or preparing for another attempt, Kaplan can give you the structure, practice resources and expert support to help you make the most of your study time.
Explore our CFA courses to find the study package that's right for you.
If you've already studied with another provider and didn't pass, find out whether you're eligible for our 50% discount on a Kaplan CFA course.
FAQs
What is Kaplan Pass Protection?
Pass Protection is Kaplan's support policy for eligible CFA students who don't pass their exam.
Depending on your original study package and whether you meet the policy requirements, you may be entitled to a free Tuition and/or Revision Course for the next available exam sitting, continued access to your online study materials, or a 50% discount on a Tuition and/or Revision Course.
Who is eligible for Pass Protection?
To receive a free Tuition and/or Revision Course after your first failed attempt, your original purchase must have been a Classroom, Blended or Live Online structured teaching package and you must have attended at least 90% of your Tuition and Revision classes.
You'll also need to book the next available exam sitting and provide confirmation of your resit and your failed exam result.
For subsequent exam fails, 100% attendance of your previous Tuition and Revision Course is required, alongside the other policy requirements.
Can I use Pass Protection more than once?
Yes. For subsequent exam fails, you may book further free Tuition and/or Revision Courses provided you continue to meet the Pass Protection requirements.
This includes having 100% attendance of your previous Tuition and Revision Course, booking the next available exam sitting and providing confirmation of your resit and failed exam result.
All courses are subject to availability.
How do I claim the free revision course?
After receiving your failed CFA result, book the next available exam sitting and provide Kaplan with:
- Your failed exam result
- Confirmation of your resit exam
You'll also need to meet the relevant study package and attendance requirements.
What happens if I don't meet the Pass Protection requirements?
If you don't meet the requirements for a free Tuition and/or Revision Course, you may be eligible for 50% off a Tuition and/or Revision Course for your next available sitting.
The offer is available to eligible candidates whose original purchase was a Classroom, Blended, Live Online or Revision Only study package and must be used within 36 months of your initial exam attempt.
What does the 50% discount include?
The 50% discount applies to an eligible Tuition and/or Revision Course under the Pass Protection policy.
The discounted course includes classroom materials, but a delivery cost will be charged.
If you've previously studied with another provider, you may instead be eligible for 50% off a Kaplan CFA study package. You'll need to provide proof of your previous studies and your failed exam result.
Is the CFA Institute exam fee included?
No. Kaplan's study packages, Tuition and Revision Courses and Pass Protection benefits are separate from the CFA Institute exam fee.
You'll need to register and pay for your CFA exam directly with CFA Institute.
What's included in the Kaplan Schweser online portal?
Depending on your study package, your online resources can include question banks, mock exams, weekly study tasks and expert-led videos, alongside other study materials.
Eligible students who need to resit can receive the same online material package free of charge for their next exam sitting, subject to the Pass Protection requirements.
How long can I use the free online materials?
The free online material offer must be used within 36 months of your CFA material purchase.
You'll need to provide confirmation of your resit exam and your failed exam result.
Hard-copy study materials are available for an additional charge.
How quickly will Kaplan tutors respond?
Kaplan tutors are available during the week and aim to respond to questions within 48 hours.
Can I try Kaplan before buying a CFA study package?
Yes. Kaplan offers a 7-day CFA trial, allowing you to explore the study experience and resources before deciding whether a Kaplan package is right for you.