This guide will provide you with a detailed, week-by-week study plan, effective exam strategies, and expert tips to help you pass the November 2025 exam on your first attempt.
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CFA Level 1 Exam
Subject | Weightage (2026) |
---|---|
Ethics & Professional Standards | 15–20% |
Quantitative Methods | 6–9% |
Economics | 6–9% |
Financial Statement Analysis (FRA) | 11–14% |
Corporate Issuers | 6–9% |
Equity Investments | 11–14% |
Fixed Income | 11–14% |
Derivatives | 5–8% |
Alternative Investments | 7–10% |
Portfolio Management | 7–10% |
Exam Window | Registration Opens | Early Registration Deadline | Final Registration / Registration Closes | Scheduling Deadline | Rescheduling Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 2025 | 6 Nov 2024 | 29 Jan 2025 | 6 May 2025 | 13 May 2025 | 21 Jul 2025 |
Nov 2025 | 12 Feb 2025 | 9 Apr 2025 | 5 Aug 2025 | 12 Aug 2025 | 1 Nov 2025 |
Feb 2026 | 29 Apr 2025 | 7 Jul 2025 | 29 Oct 2025 | 5 Nov 2025 | 22 Jan 2026 |
May 2026 | 12 Aug 2025 | 14 Oct 2025 | 12 Feb 2026 | 18 Feb 2026 | 1 May 2026 |
Aug 2026 | 11 Nov 2025 (expected) | TBA | 6 May 2026 (for registration closes) | TBA | TBA |
Nov 2026 | 11 Feb 2026 (expected) | TBA | 11 Aug 2026 (registration closes) | TBA | TBA |
CFA Level 1 Preparation Time: How Many Hours Do You Need?
- For Students: You have a flexible schedule, allowing for 15–20 hours of study per week. This can be broken down into daily study sessions of 2–3 hours.
- For Working Professionals: Your schedule is tighter, so you’ll need to be more efficient. Aim for 10–12 hours per week. This might mean waking up early, studying late, and dedicating your entire weekends to the exam.
CFA Level 1 – 2-Month Study Plan
Week | Focus Areas | Topics to Cover | Target Hours | Key Tasks |
---|---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Core Foundations | Ethics (Part 1): Code of Ethics, Standards I–IV. Quantitative Methods: Time Value of Money, Discounted Cash Flows. FRA (Part 1): Financial Statements, Balance Sheet Basics. | 25–30 hrs | – Read CFA curriculum/notes. – Solve 60–80 practice Qs daily. – Start Ethics flashcards. |
Week 2 | Deeper Core | Ethics (Part 2): Standards V–VII. Quantitative Methods: Probability, Hypothesis Testing. FRA (Part 2): Income Statement, Cash Flows, Ratios. | 25–30 hrs | – Practice EOCs & question bank. – Make a formula sheet. – Weekly mini test (50 Qs). |
Week 3 | Technical Heavyweights | Fixed Income (Part 1): Bond Pricing, Yields. Equity (Part 1): Market Indices, DCF Valuation. Corporate Issuers (Part 1): Capital Structure. | 25–30 hrs | – Attempt 2 timed topic tests. – Revise Ethics daily 30 min. |
Week 4 | Technical Continuation | Fixed Income (Part 2): Duration, Convexity, Risk. Equity (Part 2): Valuation Models, Industry/Company Analysis. Corporate Issuers (Part 2): Cost of Capital, Dividend Policy. | 25–30 hrs | – 1 sectional mock (60 Qs). – Revise FRA key ratios. |
Week 5 | Lighter Topics + Consolidation | Economics: Micro, Macro, International Trade. Portfolio Management: Risk/Return, CAPM, Diversification. Derivatives (Part 1): Forwards & Futures. | 25–30 hrs | – Quick notes for weak areas. – Attempt 1 CFA topic test set. |
Week 6 | Final Subjects | Derivatives (Part 2): Options, Swaps. Alternative Investments: PE, REITs, Hedge Funds. Review FRA + Fixed Income. | 25–30 hrs | – Solve 300 practice Qs this week. – Revise Ethics Standards fully. |
Week 7 | First Mock Exam | Attempt 1 full-length CFA mock (180 Qs). Revise mistakes (esp. FRA, Ethics, Fixed Income). Review the formula sheet. | 30–35 hrs | – Post-mock review notes. – Ethics quick revision daily. |
Week 8 | Final Revision & Mocks | Attempt 2–3 mocks this week. Quick revision: Ethics, FRA, Fixed Income, Equity. Last 2 days → Flashcards + Ethics only. | 35–40 hrs | – Minimum 1 mock every 2 days. – Revise weak areas immediately. |
Knows Do's and Dont's During the Last 10 Days of CFA Exam Prep
Topic wise weightage in cfa level 1
Date | Topic / Review | Notes |
---|---|---|
13 Sept | Financial Statement Analysis (FSA – Part 1) | Start with FRA (highest weight). Focus on Income Statement & Balance Sheet basics. |
16 Sept | Quantitative Methods (QM – Part 1) | Time Value of Money, probability basics. Do 60+ practice Qs. |
18 Sept | Portfolio Management (PM – Part 1) | Risk/Return, portfolio concepts. |
20 Sept | FSA + QM + PM Review | First consolidation of 3 subjects. |
24 Sept | Corporate Issuers (CI) | Capital structure, Cost of Capital. |
26 Sept | FSA + CI Review | Ratio analysis + CI formulas. |
30 Sept | Fixed Income (FI – Part 1) | Bond pricing, Yields. |
4 Oct | Equity Investments (EI – Part 1) | Valuation model basics. |
6 Oct | FI + EI Review | 90Q timed sectional test. |
8 Oct | Quant + FRA + CI Quick Review | Reinforce heavy-weight topics. |
11 Oct | Derivatives (Part 1) | Forwards, Futures basics. |
13 Oct | Alternative Investments (AI) | Real Estate, Hedge Funds, Private Equity. |
15 Oct | Derivatives + AI Review | Short quizzes + flashcards. |
17 Oct | FI + EI + Derivatives Consolidation | Problem-solving session. |
20 Oct | Economics | Micro, Macro, FX. |
22 Oct | Economics + FRA Review | Strengthen fundamentals. |
25 Oct | Ethics (Part 1) | Code of Ethics, Standards I–IV. |
27 Oct | Ethics (Part 2) | Standards V–VII. |
29 Oct | Ethics + Econ Review | Consolidation of key concepts. |
2 Nov | Mock Exam 1 (Full) | Simulate exam conditions. |
5 Nov | Mock Exam 2 (Full) | Review mistakes same day. |
8 Nov | Mock Exam 3 (Full) | Focus on weak areas. |
11 Nov | Final Review (Ethics + FRA + FI) | Light revision – formulas + flashcards. |
Self-Study vs. Coaching: Which Works Better in 2 Months?
- Self-Study Only: This approach is flexible and low-cost, but it demands immense self-discipline and a strong finance background. You’ll need to create your own schedule, find reliable materials, and stick to your plan without external accountability.
- Self-Study + Coaching: This combination provides a structured environment and expert guidance. For fast-track preparation, a coaching program like the one offered by Fintelligents is invaluable. It provides a guided schedule, doubt-solving sessions, and mock exams that are essential for short-term success. This is particularly beneficial for working professionals or those new to finance who need a clear roadmap and expert mentorship.
Quick Tip: For an aggressive CFA Level 1 fast track preparation, combining Fintelligents’ coaching with your self-study efforts gives you the highest chance of success.
Special Prep Tips for Students vs. Working Professionals
- Students: Balance your CFA studies with your college coursework. Use weekends for long study sessions and weekdays for reinforcing concepts.
- Working Professionals: Your weekends are your most valuable asset. Dedicate them entirely to intensive study. During weekdays, utilize your morning commute or evening hours for shorter, focused sessions.
Productivity Hacks:
- Pomodoro Technique: Study in focused 25-minute sprints followed by short breaks to maintain concentration.
- Active Recall: Instead of passive reading, test yourself frequently to reinforce concepts.
- Spaced Repetition: Revisit key formulas and concepts at increasing intervals to improve long-term memory.
Exam-Day Time Management Tips
- The 90-Second Rule: You have approximately 90 seconds to answer each multiple-choice question. Don’t spend more than two minutes on a single question. If you are stuck, move on and come back later if time permits.
- Attempt All Questions: There is no negative marking, so it’s a strategic advantage to attempt every single question, even if you have to make an educated guess.
- Manage Your Time: Don’t spend too much time on a single topic. If you find a question challenging, flag it and move on.
Health, Stress & Mindset
- Avoid Burnout: Get adequate sleep (7–8 hours), eat nutritious meals, and incorporate light exercise.
- Stay Motivated: Remind yourself of the long-term career benefits and high salary potential that come with a CFA charter.
Conclusion
Ready to take control of your CFA journey? Get the expert mentorship and structured study plans you need to succeed. Join Fintelligents’ CFA coaching program and clear the exam on your first attempt.