Hey everyone! I’m a sophomore in college and I’m thinking about taking the CFA Level 1 exam in November 2025. I’m just starting to look into the material now.
With my college classes and part-time job, I can only set aside about 5 hours a day for CFA prep. I’m wondering if this is enough time to get ready for the exam.
Has anyone here passed Level 1 while still in school? How much time did you spend studying each day? I’m a bit worried that 5 hours might not be enough, but it’s all I can manage right now.
Any advice or experiences would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!
Hey there! 
As someone who’s been through the CFA grind while juggling college, I totally get where you’re coming from. 5 hours a day is actually pretty impressive dedication!
I’m curious, have you looked into any specific study materials yet? There are some really great resources out there that can help you make the most of your study time.
One thing that really helped me was breaking down those 5 hours into focused chunks. Like, maybe 2 hours on new material, 2 on practice questions, and 1 on reviewing weak areas. What do you think about that kind of approach?
Also, don’t forget to give yourself some wiggle room for those crazy college weeks, you know? Finals, big projects, that sort of thing. How flexible is your part-time job schedule?
Honestly, if you can keep up that 5-hour routine consistently, you’re in a pretty good spot. Just remember to take care of yourself too! Burnout is real, especially when you’re balancing so much.
Anyone else here have tips for staying motivated during such a long prep period? I found having study buddies super helpful. Have you thought about finding a study group?
yo, 5 hours a day is def doable! i passed lvl 1 while in college, studying bout 4-5 hrs daily. key is consistency and smart study techniques. mix up ur methods - flashcards, practice qs, summary notes. don’t burn out tho, take breaks and stay motivated. u got this!
As someone who’s been through the CFA Level 1 grind while in college, I can say that 5 hours daily is a solid commitment. It’s definitely doable, but consistency is key. I managed to pass with about 4-5 hours of daily study over 7 months.
Here’s what worked for me: I broke down my study sessions into focused blocks. I’d spend time on new material, then switch to practice questions, and finish with reviewing weak areas. This helped keep things fresh and prevented burnout.
One crucial tip: use your weekends wisely. I found I could put in extra hours on Saturdays and Sundays, which gave me a buffer for those crazy college weeks with exams or big projects.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of practice exams. They were a game-changer for me, helping identify weak spots and get comfortable with the exam format.
Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Stay consistent, but also take care of yourself. Good luck with your prep!