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 …
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 …
Here’s what nobody tells CFA candidates about CFA exam: (1) The CFA pass rates you see exclude no-shows, so it’s even harder than it looks. (2) Level 2 is way tougher than Level 1. (3) You’ll lose basically every weekend for 18+ months. (4) Proctors are incredibly strict – fidgeting too much can get you …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026 curriculum. Although a relatively small topic weight, CFA Level 1 Corporate Issuers is one of those topics that is highly interlinked with Financial Statement Analysis and Quantitative Methods, therefore mastering this relatively light topic should pay dividends (sorry) for your overall exam. To help you …
Quick summary: To optimize your CFA Level 1 prep, focus on high-weighted topics (e.g. Ethics and FSA), maintain a 90-second-per-question pace, and complete at least 6 full mock exams. Our proprietary data shows that candidates who consistently hit a 70% mock score have the highest probability of passing on their first attempt. So you’ve finally registered …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026’s curriculum. It is probably no surprise that portfolio management is the most popular career current CFA candidates are interested in exploring further. Portfolio management is the heart of the CFA program – and they start you light and gentle in Level 1 with a broad …
Note: this cheat sheet is updated for the latest 2026 curriculum. If you’re following our recommended Level 1 topic study order: after going through Quant, FSA and Fixed Income, CFA Level 1 Equity Investments would be a lovely topic in comparison. Since Equity is a relatively gentle section of the curriculum, it provides an opportunity …
‘How to get a CFA exam refund’ has never really been a frequently asked question, but then the pandemic happened. This has triggered a few changes in the CFA refund policy since then. In this article, we’ll go through the refund options available to candidates – which can be different depending on individual circumstances. Policy …
While there currently is no technology that I know of to stuff knowledge into my brain (now there’s a dream!), there are some CFA apps and resources that make studying for Chartered Financial Analyst exams easier. Most providers now include an app with their study resources to make studying on the go a little easier. …