The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program is considered the gold standard in Finance. It tests not just your knowledge of finance, but your discipline, consistency, and analytical ability throughout all three levels.

In India, where a growing number of aspirants are pursuing the CFA designation, a structured CFA study plan for conceptual clarity, considering the depth of the curriculum, is essential with months of intense preparation. A crash course or selective studying is not enough to crack this professional exam. Hard work, consistency, and an actionable CFA Study Plan will help you to pass the exam. Remember, there is no shortcut to success.

This guide will help you navigate:

1. • Practical, time-bound CFA study schedules tailored to different timelines
   • Guidance on choosing the right CFA coaching classes
   • Tips for preparing effectively for the exams
   • Strategies to overcome common exam challenges and study obstacles
   • A roadmap to approach the CFA exams strategically for maximum success

Understanding the CFA Exam Difficulty and Study Challenges

The CFA curriculum is built around 10 core subjects that integrate ethics, economics, FRA, quant, portfolio management, and more—expanding into specialised tracks at Level III. To understand how these subjects are distributed and tested across the program, explore our CFA exam syllabus and structure guide.

CFA is a professional exam with a decent level of difficulty, which explains its lower pass rates. It is not because of the volume of the curriculum; instead, clearing the exam requires a deep understanding of the topics.

1. • Concepts from Level 1 are needed for Level 2, and Level 2 concepts will be relevant in Level 3 and your future professional career.
   • The exams are computer-based with MCQ questions in Level 1, item sets in Level 2 and essay-type questions in Level 3 without negative marking.
   • Questions can appear from anywhere in the exam, which ultimately leads you to crack a 70-75% accuracy rate with minimum mistakes.
   • The application-based questions are structured to test your ability to recall and apply knowledge under time constraints in the exam, so mugging up can't help.
   • Clarity of concept is the key to passing the exam and, after passing, to excelling in your career.

While preparing, the common obstacles CFA aspirants face:

1. • Extensive syllabus requiring integrated understanding of multiple disciplines.
   • High retention load, especially across Ethics, FRA, and Fixed Income.
   • Strict exam patterns with vignette-based questions that test analytical thinking.
   • Balancing full-time work or studies with over 300–400 study hours per level.

With all the obstacles, the best way to approach the CFA study plan is to focus on understanding the concepts first, and then move on to practice questions and mock exams to strengthen your application skills. A high level of retention, discipline, efficient time management, and a structured study plan will open the door to success and help you achieve your goal.

Recommended CFA Study Plans for Different Timelines

Ideally, 5-6 months are required for students and 8-9 months for working professionals to prepare for each level. Choosing the right CFA study plan depends on how much time you have before the exam and your familiarity with finance concepts. Here are a few suggested study plans tailored to different timelines to help you maximize your chances of success:

3-4 Month Accelerated Study Plan for Level 1

For candidates with limited time or those looking for an accelerated approach, a 3-4-month study plan focuses on the core topics with a strong emphasis on revision and practice exams. Here's how to structure it:

6-7 Month Comprehensive Study Plan for Level 1

For a more comprehensive approach, a 6-7 month study plan allows candidates to delve deeper into the material and conduct multiple mock exams to assess progress.

9-Month Study Plan for Working Professionals or First-Timers

For working professionals or first-time CFA candidates, a 9-month plan provides the flexibility to balance work and study while ensuring thorough coverage of the syllabus.

These plans give you an overview of how to plan with different time constraints; however, a proper, structured study plan is needed to prepare. A performance tracker is essential for setting weekly targets and tracking progress, along with a dedicated order of study.

Best CFA Prep Programs and Coaching Classes in India

Cracking professional exams like CFA requires in-depth learning of every concept. In-depth learning is possible through structured preparation, either through self-study or enrollment in a class with the right mentor. Here's a look at CFA coaching options in India:

Aswini Bajaj Classes

Structured Guidance:

A structured curriculum covers 100% of the CFA syllabus for each level.

Teaching Style & Lecture Approach

1. • Lectures are of optimal length — not too long or overwhelming.
   • No excessive writing – we use flowcharts, graphs, formulas, and mind maps for better retention.
   • You don't need to study the institute's material separately – all relevant content and extra points are covered in class.
   • Priority is 100% syllabus completion, covering every chapter and LOS thoroughly.
   • 13+ years of experience means practice tricks and common doubt solutions are integrated into lectures.

Aswini Bajaj's Expertise

1. • Holds 13+ global qualifications and has cleared each exam on the first attempt.
   • Has been teaching CFA & FRM for 13+ years — over 130+ batches taught.
   • Guides students based on experience from 100+ countries and knows common exam challenges.
   • Practical insights from real-world consulting, startup valuations, and equity research work.
   • Conducts corporate trainings, so he knows what skills recruiters want.
   • Offers placement assistance and helps develop skills beyond the syllabus.
   • Has delivered lectures at 200+ colleges, including 40+ IIMs & IITs.
   • Real-world applications are taught through case studies, examples, and even podcasts with fund managers.
   • Continuously reads and updates content to include the latest industry trends and knowledge.

Learning Beyond the Exam

1. • Guidance is not limited to passing CFA/FRM — it's about overall career and skill development.
   • Includes training modules within the course.
   • Covers exam strategy, mock test planning, and software usage tips.
   • Helps students learn how to approach questions and maximize scores.

Key Features & Benefits:

1. • Study Materials & Practice Tests: Access exclusive notes, mindmaps, quizzes, and mock exams to test your knowledge and track your progress.
   • Over 350+ Hours of Interactive Learning: Access 350+ hours of recorded video lectures, covering theory, practice questions, and case studies. You can review the material at your convenience until your exam date!
   • Lecture Playback Options: Enjoy the flexibility of online streaming and offline downloads through our app, enabling you to study anytime, anywhere. You also have the option of pen drive delivery for offline viewing.
   • Doubt Solving & Support: Access a Doubt Forum where you can post questions and get answers.
   • Exam Mentoring & Guidance: Access exam mentoring lectures to develop efficient exam strategies, time management skills, and revision techniques.
   • Progress Tracker: Keep track of your learning journey with a performance tracker, so you know exactly where you stand and what areas need more attention.
   • Peer Support: Collaborate with fellow aspirants for a motivated study environment.
   • Online vs Classroom Coaching: While the primary mode is recorded video lectures, students in Kolkata have the privilege of attending physical live classes in the classroom, and other students can attend the classes online via Zoom through our App.

For more information, visit Aswini Bajaj Classes - CFA page.

How to choose the right program?

1. • Consider your learning style and budget.
   • If you prefer flexibility and self-paced learning, online coaching may be a better fit.
   • If you need more interaction and a disciplined study environment, you may look for classroom coaching.

The Best Way to Prepare for CFA

Successful CFA exam preparation involves more than just reading textbooks. Here are some active learning techniques to help you stay on track:

1. • Practice Questions: Regularly solve practice questions to test your knowledge and application.
   • Mock Exams: Take at least 2-3 full-length mock exams to simulate exam conditions and improve time management.
   • Flashcards: Use flashcards to memorize key formulas, concepts, and definitions.

Time Management Strategies:

1. • Break your study sessions into 2-3-hour sessions to stay focused.
   • Use a study calendar to allocate time for each topic and track progress.

Conclusion

The key to success in the CFA exams lies in creating a well-structured CFA study plan, staying disciplined, and choosing the right coaching to guide you through the preparation. Whether you're aiming for CFA Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3, a tailored study plan will ensure you're on the right track.

Whether you allocate four months or a year, the key lies in clarity, focus, and adaptability.