CFA CFA Level 1 Is there an ideal or common L1 study order?

Is there an ideal or common L1 study order?

  • Author
    Posts
    • Avatar of janpeterjanpeter
      Participant
        • CFA Level 1
        Up
        3
        ::

        Hi everyone, thanks for the advice given so far, it’s been very helpful and makes starting this intimidating process easier! As I start on my studies I wanted to make sure I get this right in case it is important.

        Is there an ideal order of topics to study for L1? Or a ‘common’ order that everyone follows? Or is the order outlined in the study books the optimal one? I notice that the order in Kaplan Schweser and CFA Institute curriculum are not the same.

      • Avatar of fp92fp92
        Participant
          • CFA Level 1
          Up
          3
          ::

          Hey I’m a L1 candidate who did June this summer, hopefully wise enough to pass and advise here. I actually followed the topic order of each book, but I tend to skip/switch books when nothing is entering. Hope it makes sense. 

          For example, I get fed up of FRA and can’t absorb anymore, I tend to switch to Ethics book and continue the topics as per the book order in that book. I find that I could still absorb qualitative material such as ethics when my brain gave up on the more quantitative nature of FRA. That way I waste less time hopefully and still be productive.

        • Avatar of rahul12rahul12
          Participant
            • CFA Level 3
            Up
            2
            ::

            @janpeter – I remember having the same question back in L1, and came across this useful article by Fitch detailing it (https://300hours.com/cfa-level-1-study-order/

          • Avatar of JaminioSilvaJaminioSilva
            Participant
              • CFA Charterholder
              Up
              1
              ::
              The article @Rahul12 posted is worth reading but there is no hard and fast rule for which order to study in. In my opinion, for level 1, the key things are 1) start ethics early and do questions little and often. 2) split FRA up into sections and do NOT try to study it all in one go. 3) set aside some time to learn your calculator as if it was a module all of its own. 4) your ratio of Qbank/EoC questions to reading should be at least 2:1. 5) Read the glossary and be confident in all the terms they will use. 6) use a prep provider. Doesn’t have to be expensive premium package but having someone directing you to what is most testable, explaining concepts via video and having access to questions is a big deal.
              If you want me to expand on any of those points just ask.
          Viewing 3 reply threads
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.