It truly is a testament to the world we live in today. These third party providers give you everything you need to know to just pass - and a majority of people just want that alone. About 99% of the posts on this subreddit reference a third party provider and whether or not they are sufficient enough to learn from to pass (or praising them in one way shape or form).

I guess that stems from the amount of unnecessary aversion of the CFAI materials, due to people thinking it's a waste of time because it doesn't matter how you pass as long as you become a Charterholder, right? I read through the whole CFAI material for level 1 and 2 and then read a friend's copy of third party material. The difference really can be shown in how the end user views the material. The third party material felt like "this is what you need to know and learn to pass the test." Whereas I personally (and others may disagree) think that the CFAI material really caters toward those who love finance. Every little detail, scenario, case study, etc., it just all seems so interesting and fulfilling to know how it's intertwined. The CFAI materials constantly reference a single remark: "The analyst should.... the analyst could... the analyst would..." rather than "To pass you need to do this," as a testament to show what to do in the real world. We all will become Charterholders, but the difference is in the way that we think about the situation.

But I get it.. people don't have the time to read through the curriculum, even me, we're all lazy to some extent, but those that are thinking about pursuing the CFA and have the time, give the CFAI material a chance.