Sophie Macon 
The week before CFA Level 1 must feel pretty daunting, as it still feels the same for most Level 2 and 3 candidates too. Back then, I still remember feeling what can best be described as equal parts of zen and zombie. How are you feeling? Tired of all this studying, and just want this …
Latest CFA pass rates (Nov 2025): Level 1 43%, Level 2 42%, Level 3 50%. Historical averages since 2014: L1 41%, L2 45%, L3 50%. Pass rates dropped dramatically during pandemic (L1 hit 22% low in July 2021) but are recovering toward pre-pandemic norms. First-time test takers pass at significantly higher rates than deferred candidates …
This is a SUPER detailed guide to enhancing your memory retention for studying. In this guide, I’ll show you 18 actionable ways on how to improve memory for studying any exams, with CFA-exam-specific examples. So if you want to increase your chances of passing any exams, this list is for you. Let’s get started! What is the …
There are at least 3 million professional accountants around the world. This isn’t surprising considering how vital the accounting industry is to our society, from small businesses, large corporations and even governmental organizations. If you’re interested in pursuing accounting as a career, you’ll find a broad range of opportunities. From working for one of the …
Finance certifications such as CFA and FRM are a cost effective way (compared to an MBA) to give your finance career a boost. We do receive a lot of questions from our readers trying to understand the core differences between them in deciding whether to pursue CFA or FRM. Hence, for those still on the …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026’s curriculum. Derivatives. Perhaps no single word has a greater ability to strike fear in the hearts of CFA candidates. The readings on this topic are replete with graphs, formulas, all of which seem indecipherable, and gratuitous references to Greek letters. However, it doesn’t need to …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026 curriculum. Whilst a relatively smaller topic weight in the overall Level 1 exams, CFA Alternative Investments is an important topic career-wise if you work in asset management as it is expected to capture 57% of global asset management revenue by 2028. I personally found this …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026’s curriculum. Fixed Income is a central topic in finance, and it increases in importance (topic weight wise) as you advance to CFA Level 3. With so many key concepts to cover, we decided to create our Cheat Sheet series of articles, which focuses on one …
Financial Statement Analysis (FSA) is the second-largest topic in CFA Level 1, with an 11%–14% weighting. This cheat sheet covers the 12 Learning Modules (LMs), including IFRS vs. GAAP differences, LIFO to FIFO conversions, and Revenue Recognition. Mastering these ratios is essential for scoring above the 70% benchmark. Ah, I remember the days where I …
This comprehensive cheat sheet covers all 11 CFA Level 1 Quantitative Methods Learning Modules (6-9% exam weight): Time Value of Money, statistical measures, probability, portfolio mathematics, hypothesis testing, and regression. Includes 50+ essential formulas, when to use z-stat vs t-stat, Type I/II error mnemonics, and calculator tips. Bookmark for quick review before practice sessions and …