CFA Level 1 in 3 Weeks: The Final Revision Plan for February 2027

Short answer: In the last 3 weeks before CFA Level 1, stop learning new material and switch to revision. Spend week 1 on the five heaviest topics (Ethics, Quantitative Methods, Financial Statement Analysis, Equity and Fixed Income, together about 60% of the 2027 exam), week 2 on full timed mock exams and fixing what they expose, and week 3 on formulas, Ethics and rest. Aim for 70%+ on timed mocks.

The February 2027 CFA Level 1 window runs from 22 to 28 February 2027, so the final three weeks start in the first days of February. Three weeks is enough time to lift your score meaningfully, but only if every hour goes where the marks are.

February 2027 is the first window on the 2027 curriculum, and the topic weights changed: Ethics drops to 10–15% and Quantitative Methods rises to 11–14%. The table below uses the 2027 weights.

This plan assumes you have already been through the curriculum once, with the CFA Institute material or a prep provider. It is a revision plan, not a way to learn the syllabus from scratch.

The rule for the last 3 weeks: revise by weight, not by comfort

The exam has 180 multiple-choice questions in two 135-minute sessions of 90 questions each. Topics are not weighted equally, so your revision time shouldn't be either.

The five heaviest topics are worth roughly 60% of the exam. If you are short of time, protect those first. See the full breakdown, with questions per topic, on our CFA Level 1 topic weights page.

Week 1 (3 weeks out): close the gaps in the heavy topics

Goal: no weak spot left in Ethics, Quant, FSA, Equity or Fixed Income.

• Ethics: reread the Code and Standards, then do a full set of Ethics questions. Ethics is 10–15% of the 2027 exam and is widely treated as the tiebreaker for borderline candidates.
• Quant: time value of money, rates and returns, and the statistics behind hypothesis testing and regression. Quant now carries as much weight as FSA.
• FSA: focus on ratios, inventory (FIFO vs LIFO effects and converting LIFO to FIFO), long-lived assets, leases and deferred taxes.
• Fixed Income: bond pricing and yields, duration and convexity, and credit spreads.
• Equity: valuation models (the dividend discount model and multiples) and market efficiency.
• Do questions by module, not by chapter reading. Mark every module where you score under 70% and come back to it.

Revision tip: write each formula and rule you got wrong onto one page, your own revision sheet. You will use it in week 3.

Week 2 (2 weeks out): full timed mocks and targeted fixes

Goal: build exam stamina and find your real weak areas.

• Sit at least two full timed mocks, each in two 135-minute sessions. CFA Institute provides two mock exams with your registration. Use them, as they are the closest match to the real exam. For a quick warm-up first, try our free timed 30-question CFA Level 1 mock exam.
• After each mock, spend as long reviewing as you spent sitting it. For every wrong answer, write down why you missed it: a knowledge gap, a misread question, or time pressure.
• Spend the days between mocks on the modules the mock exposed, not the ones you enjoy.
• Cover the medium-weight topics (Portfolio Management, Alternatives, Derivatives) with question sets, not rereading.

What a good mock score looks like: CFA Institute does not publish the minimum passing score. Candidate estimates put it at around 65–70%, so aim for 70%+ on timed mocks. More on this on our CFA Level 1 passing score page.

Week 3 (exam week): formulas, Ethics and sleep

Goal: arrive rested, with formulas and Ethics fresh.

• Formulas every day. Go through a one-page formula sheet daily and do a few questions per formula. The skill being tested is knowing which formula a question needs.
• Ethics again. A final pass through the Standards and one more Ethics question set.
• Calculator drills. Time value of money, NPV/IRR and bond pricing keystrokes should be automatic.
• No new material in the last 3–4 days. Light revision only.
• Check your exam appointment, ID and test-centre route the day before (see our CFA Level 1 exam day checklist). Sleep matters more than one more chapter.

Free tools for the last 3 weeks

CFA Master is a revision companion: use it alongside your main study material, not instead of it. Our notes currently follow the 2026 curriculum, so check any new 2027 readings in your official curriculum.

• Top 27 CFA Level 1 formulas (free): the formulas that come up most, on one page, with notes on when to use each. Free to read, with a printable PDF for a free account.
• CFA Level 1 cheat sheets: key concepts and decision rules for every module.
• Free practice questions: module-by-module questions with explanations.
• Free module: Rates and Returns: cheat sheet, mind map, flashcards and quiz in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3 weeks enough to prepare for CFA Level 1?

Three weeks is enough to revise and lift your score, not to learn the whole syllabus from scratch. Most candidates study around 300 hours in total. If you have covered the curriculum once, three focused weeks of weighted revision and mock exams is a realistic final push.

How many mock exams should I take before CFA Level 1?

Take at least two full timed mocks in the final weeks, ideally the two CFA Institute mock exams included with registration. Review every wrong answer properly. One well-reviewed mock is worth more than two rushed ones.

What should I study in the last week before CFA Level 1?

Formulas, Ethics and calculator drills, plus light review of your own revision notes. Avoid new material in the last 3–4 days, and prioritise sleep before exam day.

What score do I need on mocks to pass CFA Level 1?

CFA Institute does not publish a passing score. Candidate estimates put it at around 65–70%, so consistently scoring 70%+ on timed mocks is a sensible target.

Which CFA Level 1 topics should I prioritise if I am short of time?

On the 2027 weights: Ethics (10–15%), then Quantitative Methods, Financial Statement Analysis, Equity Investments and Fixed Income (11–14% each). Together they make up roughly 60% of the exam.

When is the February 2027 CFA Level 1 exam?

The February 2027 CFA Level 1 exam window runs from 22 to 28 February 2027. Your exact date depends on the appointment you booked. See CFA Level 1 exam dates for all windows.