CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst
How to prepare for CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst
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 topic weight table and skim each domain to understand scope and emphasis. | Week 1-2 |
| 2 | Deep dive into core domains Study each of the ten topics, focusing on higher‑weight areas such as Ethics, Equities, Fixed Income, Portfolio Construction, and Financial Statement Analysis. | Weeks 3-8 |
| 3 | Practice vignette questions Work through item sets that combine case vignettes with multiple‑choice questions to build analytical stamina. | Weeks 9-12 |
| 4 | Timed mock exams Take full‑length practice exams under the two‑session, 132‑minute format to gauge pacing and endurance. | Weeks 13-14 |
| 5 | Review and refine Identify weak spots from mocks, revisit those topics, and solidify exam strategies before the test day. | Week 15 |
Exam domains
These come from the official exam outline.
- Quantitative Methods (5–10%)
- Economics (5–10%)
- Financial Statement Analysis (10–15%)
- Corporate Finance (5–10%)
- Equities (10–15%)
- Fixed Income (10–15%)
- Derivatives and Risk Management (5–10%)
- Alternative Investments (5–10%)
- Portfolio Construction (10–15%)
- Ethical and Professional Standards (10–15%)
CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst preparation questions
How many steps are in the CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst study plan?
This plan has 5 stages, starting with familiarize with the official outline and ending with review and refine.
Do I need prior experience for CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst?
CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst is rated Intermediate. Check the official exam page for any formal requirements before you start.
What should I study for CFA Level II – Chartered Financial Analyst?
Focus on the official exam domains: Quantitative Methods (5–10%), Economics (5–10%), Financial Statement Analysis (10–15%), Corporate Finance (5–10%), Equities (10–15%), Fixed Income (10–15%), Derivatives and Risk Management (5–10%), Alternative Investments (5–10%), Portfolio Construction (10–15%), Ethical and Professional Standards (10–15%).
Exam outlines change between versions. Check the official exam page for the current outline before you start.