CFA Level I – Investment Analysis
How to prepare for CFA Level I – Investment Analysis
A 5-stage plan from your first study session to exam day. Adjust the pace to your own schedule.
Study plan
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Familiarize with the official outline Read the CFA Institute’s topic weight table and understand the scope of each domain. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Core concept building Study Ethics, Quantitative Methods, and Economics – the foundational blocks that support later topics. | Weeks 2‑4 |
| 3 | Deep dive into finance modules Cover Financial Statement Analysis, Corporate Finance, Equities, Fixed Income and Derivatives, using the CFA curriculum’s learning outcome statements. | Weeks 5‑8 |
| 4 | Apply to practice questions Work through multiple‑choice questions per domain, focusing on the three‑choice format described on the official page. | Weeks 9‑10 |
| 5 | Full‑length timed mock exams Take two 135‑minute mock exams to build stamina and refine time‑management (≈90 seconds per question). | Weeks 11‑12 |
Exam domains
These come from the official exam outline.
- Ethical and Professional Standards (10-15%)
- Quantitative Methods (11-14%)
- Economics (6-9%)
- Financial Statement Analysis (11-14%)
- Corporate Finance (6-9%)
- Equities (11-14%)
- Fixed Income (11-14%)
- Derivatives and Risk Management (6-9%)
- Alternative Investments (6-9%)
- Portfolio Construction (8-12%)
CFA Level I – Investment Analysis preparation questions
How many steps are in the CFA Level I – Investment Analysis study plan?
This plan has 5 stages, starting with familiarize with the official outline and ending with full‑length timed mock exams.
Do I need prior experience for CFA Level I – Investment Analysis?
CFA Level I – Investment Analysis is rated Beginner. Check the official exam page for any formal requirements before you start.
What should I study for CFA Level I – Investment Analysis?
Focus on the official exam domains: Ethical and Professional Standards (10-15%), Quantitative Methods (11-14%), Economics (6-9%), Financial Statement Analysis (11-14%), Corporate Finance (6-9%), Equities (11-14%), Fixed Income (11-14%), Derivatives and Risk Management (6-9%), Alternative Investments (6-9%), Portfolio Construction (8-12%).
Exam outlines change between versions. Check the official exam page for the current outline before you start.