Hey everyone! I’m a sophomore who just nailed the CFA Level 1 exam in February. What’s crazy is I only had about 140 hours to prep instead of the recommended 300. I was juggling this with an ACCA exam I took two months earlier.
Here’s the wild part: my mock scores were pretty bad, hovering around 58%. But I crushed it on the real test! My secret? I spent a ton of time on new practice questions that really challenged my understanding, unlike the mocks which felt like pure memorization drills.
The actual exam felt more like a test of financial intuition rather than a replication of the free practice tests. If you’re preparing, consider trying some reading comprehension exercises from GMAT or SAT tests to sharpen your skills.
Also, focus on grasping key concepts through these unique practice questions instead of relying solely on textbooks. It can really help if you’re short on time.
I’m curious—did anyone get the premium study pack with additional practice questions? How did it compare to the free ones? Share your experiences!
Wow, that’s awesome you crushed it with limited prep time! 
I’m curious, did you find any specific sections of the exam easier or harder than expected? I’ve heard mixed things about ethics and quant.
Also, your GMAT/SAT reading tip is gold! Never would’ve thought of that. Did you use any specific resources for those practice questions?
I’m prepping for Level 1 now and feeling a bit overwhelmed. Your experience is super encouraging though! Any other unconventional study methods you’d recommend? I’m all ears for creative approaches that might give me an edge.
Oh, and how was the exam day experience itself? Any surprises or things you wish you’d known beforehand? Thanks for sharing your journey!
Congratulations on your success with CFA Level 1. Your experience aligns with what many candidates discover - the actual exam often tests application of knowledge rather than rote memorization. I found that focusing on understanding core concepts and their interrelationships was more beneficial than endless practice questions. Regarding the premium study materials, I opted for them and found the additional questions to be of higher quality, especially in terms of difficulty and relevance to real-world scenarios. They helped me identify weak areas more effectively than the free resources. However, the key is consistent, focused study regardless of the materials used. Your approach of tackling challenging questions and honing comprehension skills is sound advice for future candidates.
hey congrats on passing! i had a similar experience. mocks were meh but real exam felt easier. didn’t use premium stuff, just hammered free questions and schweser notes. agree on intuition over memorization. good tip on GMAT/SAT reading practice, never thought of that! anyone else find ethics surprisingly straightforward?