Being a financial analyst is tough but passing your CFA exam doesn’t have to feel impossible. Heading into the first level of your CFA exam, a few tips go a long way.
When you go to prepare for your CFA exam, a few tools will go a long way. In addition to a free CFA level 1 prep course, these simple tips will help you be most prepared when exam day arrives.
Focus on the Right Material
One of the best things you can do as you prepare for your CFA exam is to focus on the material that is most tested. You won’t need to know every single topic in order to pass the CFA exam. Learning things such as “Ethical and Professional Standards” might be the best course.
It couldn’t hurt to know additional things such as “Portfolio Management,” “Technical Analysis,” “Derivatives,” and more, but it also isn’t necessary to pass. Maybe focus on learning more about those things later.
Develop a Study Plan
Perhaps the single best thing you can do to prepare for your CFA exam is to create a study plan well in advance. Start six months out from your test date. Whether you plan to study for 150 hours, 300 hours, or another time, know how you are going to set that time aside.
It helps to prevent overloading, which makes retaining the information a lot easier. Don’t save it all for the last few weeks and cram at the end.