Your path to passing -- realistic month-by-month schedules for 6-month and 3-month prep. Covers all 10 subjects and 59 modules, weighted by exam importance.
10
Subjects
59
Modules
300+
Study Hours
~6
Months Recommended
The standard approach for most candidates. Requires roughly 12-15 hours per week -- manageable alongside a full-time job.
50 hours total | ~12 hrs/week
Quantitative Methods
~25 hours -- All 11 modules
Economics
~25 hours -- All 8 modules
Tip: Start with Quants to build the mathematical foundation you will use throughout the curriculum. Economics pairs well as it relies on similar analytical thinking.
55 hours total | ~14 hrs/week
Financial Statement Analysis
~40 hours -- All 9 modules -- heaviest subject
Derivatives
~15 hours -- 2 modules -- lighter subject to balance load
Tip: FSA is the most content-heavy subject. Give it focused attention this month. Derivatives is compact and provides a mental break from accounting.
55 hours total | ~14 hrs/week
Equity Investments
~40 hours -- All 6 modules
Corporate Issuers
~15 hours -- First 4 of 7 modules
Tip: Equity builds on the financial analysis skills from Month 2. Corporate Issuers overlaps with equity concepts -- study them together for reinforcement.
50 hours total | ~12 hrs/week
Fixed Income
~40 hours -- All 5 modules
Corporate Issuers
~10 hours -- Remaining 3 modules
Tip: Fixed Income uses duration and convexity math from Quants. The capital structure module in Corporate Issuers connects directly to bond analysis.
50 hours total | ~12 hrs/week
Portfolio Management
~30 hours -- All 3 modules
Ethical & Professional Standards
~20 hours -- First 3 of 5 modules
Tip: Portfolio Management ties together equity, fixed income, and quant concepts. Begin Ethics now -- it requires careful reading and scenario practice, not just memorization.
40+ hours total | ~15 hrs/week
Ethical & Professional Standards
~30 hours -- Remaining modules + full review
Alternative Investments
~10 hours -- All 3 modules -- smallest weight
Tip: Finish Ethics and Alternatives early in the month. Spend the remaining 2-3 weeks on full practice exams, weak-area review, and formula memorization.
For experienced finance professionals or dedicated full-time studiers. Requires roughly 25 hours per week -- intense but achievable.
110 hours total | ~27 hrs/week
Quantitative Methods
~25 hours
Economics
~25 hours
Financial Statement Analysis
~40 hours
Corporate Issuers
~20 hours
Tip: Front-load the analytical and accounting subjects. FSA is the largest topic by content -- tackle it while you are freshest.
110 hours total | ~27 hrs/week
Equity Investments
~40 hours
Fixed Income
~40 hours
Portfolio Management
~30 hours
Tip: These three subjects are interconnected. Portfolio Management draws on both equity and fixed income concepts, so studying them together strengthens retention.
80+ hours total | ~25 hrs/week
Ethical & Professional Standards
~50 hours
Derivatives
~15 hours
Alternative Investments
~10 hours
Tip: Finish new material by week 2. The remaining 2 weeks are critical -- take at least 3 full practice exams and review every formula sheet.
All 10 subjects with their modules, exam weights, and recommended study hours. Use this as your master checklist.
15-20% exam weight | 5 modules | ~50 hours
11-14% exam weight | 9 modules | ~40 hours
11-14% exam weight | 6 modules | ~40 hours
11-14% exam weight | 5 modules | ~40 hours
8-12% exam weight | 3 modules | ~30 hours
6-9% exam weight | 11 modules | ~25 hours
6-9% exam weight | 8 modules | ~25 hours
6-9% exam weight | 7 modules | ~25 hours
5-7% exam weight | 2 modules | ~15 hours
5-8% exam weight | 3 modules | ~10 hours
Total: 59 modules across 10 subjects = 300+ hours of focused study
Close the textbook and test yourself. Use flashcards, practice questions, and quizzes after each module. Research shows active recall produces 50% better retention than passive review.
Review material at increasing intervals -- 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks after first learning it. This fights the forgetting curve and locks concepts into long-term memory.
Do not save mock exams for the last week. Take your first practice exam after Month 4 (or Month 2 in the 3-month plan). Identify weak areas early so you can address them.
Ethics, FSA, Equity, and Fixed Income together make up over 50% of the exam. If you are short on time, focus your energy on these high-weight subjects first.
Find a study partner or join a CFA study group. Teaching a concept to someone else is one of the most effective ways to solidify your understanding.
The CFA Master dashboard turns your study plan into a gamified experience with real-time progress tracking.
Build daily study streaks that keep you accountable. See your current streak and longest streak right on the dashboard.
A GitHub-style heatmap shows your study activity over time. See patterns, identify gaps, and stay consistent through your plan.
Track completion across all 59 modules with quizzes, flashcards, and cheat sheets. Watch your mastery percentage climb.
Open the dashboard and begin working through the curriculum. Track every module, quiz, and flashcard session as you progress toward exam day.
Open the DashboardNo signup required. Create an account anytime to save progress.