CFA Exam Preparation Strategies and Time Management Tips
                     CFA Exam 
Preparation 
Strategies and 
Time 
Management 
Tips
Introduction: 
Serious commitment to a predetermined study 
program is necessary for all three Chartered 
Financial Analyst (CFA) exam levels.
According to the CFA Institute, the average annual 
pass rate for CFA Level I over the previous ten 
years has been 41%. Be prepared to make the 
necessary sacrifices and put in the necessary 
effort because this statistic indicates that only 
determined candidates have a possibility of 
passing the test.
CFA Exam Tips/Study Plan for Effective Preparation
Time management during the CFA exam and 
comprehension of the CFA course details can be 
facilitated by careful preparation and assistance 
from a premier prep company such as NorthStar 
Academy (NSA). 
\The following pointers can help you efficiently 
manage your time while preparing for the exam.
#1 Master time management
#2 Start early
#3 Optimize your study environment
#4 Balance Life
#5Practice
Master time management
Start by making a thorough study plan that specifies what you 
will study and for how long. Don't limit yourself to study 
sessions. Don't forget to include your other weekly obligations 
and activities, along with breaks.
According to Walter Buchanan, a reputed CFA and co-founder 
of SaveNest, one should have a strict plan while including the 
time for rest, personal space, and family/friends. With a rested 
mind, your performance is bound to improve.
Start early
One can only be too careful with an exam prep timeline. The 
best way to go is to start early. Professional exams demand 
more concentration, structured planning and time, lots of 
time. A CFA aspirant should start preparing for the exam as 
early as six to seven months. 
The more time one takes for preparation, the better their 
performance will be. Starting early means you can go through 
all the learning material at your disposal and practice the 
same. Practicing the mock exams and other materials over the 
course of six to seven months will also make you more 
confident.
Optimize your study environment
It goes without saying that where you choose to work/study 
greatly impacts ability to perform or retain information 
perfectly. Hence, ‘optimizing’ your study environment is also 
an important tip for CFA exam training.
Here’s what you can do to make your learning environment 
more impactful and helpful:
Desk and Seating arrangement: Placing your desk and seat in 
a direct source of light (be it sunlight or the house light) can 
help you stay active and concentrate better. Apart from that, it 
is important to choose a good seat too. Too much of a 
comfortable chair can make you procrastinate and laze around. 
Get a seat that is comfortable but firm; the desk and seat set at 
a certain height can prevent you from slouching.
Monitor arrangement: If you use your desktop a lot, you 
understand how important it is to keep the screen at eye level 
and prevent neck damage in turn
Balance Life
Preparing for a tough professional exam can be extremely 
stressful. But, one should never compromise on the 
importance of having a good balance of work and leisure time. 
some time to yourself and your family/friends helps refresh 
your mind, and in turn, makes concentration easier.
Exercising is also beneficial during exam preparations. Staying 
in one seat for longer periods can cause severe health issues. 
Keeping yourself active is important as well. Hence, one should 
always include some leisure time in their prep regimen.
Practice
CFA practice exams are quite essential during the preparation. 
It will help you understand the exam structure and meet the 
deadline efficiently. 
The practice exams also help you identify the areas you are 
lacking in and the ones you excel in. Hence, you can 
concentrate more on the areas where you need improvement. 
The more you practice, the better your chances are to ace the 
exam in one go with a good percentile.
Conclusion
CFA Exam preparation is very crucial for aspirants. It may come 
with its own challenges but with proper CFA Training, you can 
ace the exam at first try. By making a study plan that includes 
both hard work and rest, can be extremely beneficial. 
For better outcomes, aspirants should join a reputed 
CFA training for a well-structured learning plan. It will also 
help in focusing on important topics for the exam. You will also 
become a part of a network of aspirants and share 
knowledge/tips among them.
Slide End & Resource:
Resource: 
https://mindcypress.com/blogs/finance-accounting/cfa-
exam-preparation-strategies-and-time-management-tips
 
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