My 90th percentile CFA study plan

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The CFA charter is probably the best finance qualification in the world, but it’s also tough. Very few people pass all 3 levels, never-mind first time or with 90th percentile scores. Fortunately, I did just that. In this video I share the exact study plan I followed to get these results - enjoy!
IFT LINKS
📄 Notes (2025)
Level 1 - IFT.world/prod...
Level 2 - IFT.world/prod...
Level 3 - IFT.world/prod...
📈 High yield package (2024 exams only, 2025 yet to be released)
Level 1 - IFT.world/prod...
Level 2 - IFT.world/prod...
Level 3 - IFT.world/prod...
💲 Coupon code = haaris (I get a small commission for each sale, but you get tonnes of value)
MY CFA DEEP-DIVES
Level 1 - • How to Smash CFA Level...
Level 2 - • How to Pass CFA Level ...
Level 3 - • How to Pass CFA Level ...
Learning techniques - • How to study for the C...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Study schedule
02:42 - Study materials
05:56 - Study plan
08:44 - Exam prep and technique
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a licensed financial advisor, and the content presented should not be construed as professional financial advice. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
Viewers should conduct their own research and/or consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions. The content of this video is based on my personal opinions and should not be considered as a recommendation.
I do not assume any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this video, nor for any actions taken by viewers based on the information provided.
This video does not represent the official views or opinions of the CFA Institute. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions.
By watching this video, viewers agree to release and hold harmless Haaris Zamir, CFA from any and all liability related to any decisions or actions taken based on the information presented in this video. This disclaimer is subject to change without notice.

[@conwayGAMES]

i think im gonna go with kaplan essentials package tbh. a bit more money but from what i have heard it is so worth it.

[@HaarisZamir]

Nice - good luck!

[@adhamghazy6634]

I just finished the entire curriculum, solved many quizzes from Mark Meldrum based on your recommendation. How would you tackle revision given the exam is on the 23 of August ?

[@HaarisZamir]

Hey, per the video: - 2-3 reviews of the most complex material - As many practice Qs as possible in last month - Mocks under time pressure in last 2 weeks with review days in between Good luck

[@NEYMARJR-rp4lp]

Guysss Is anyone doing CFA L1 willing to help me please.I just completed my first year of my college and I havent registered for Cfa . I started studying for cfa recently and I need curriculum to practice the sums. If anyone could please help me by sharing the CFA level 1 2024 curriculum, it will be very much helpful for me. If somebody's willing just send a reply🙏🏻Guysss Is anyone doing CFA L1 willing to help me please.I just completed my first year of my college and I havent registered for Cfa . I started studying for cfa recently and I need curriculum to practice the sums. If anyone could please help me by sharing the CFA level 1 2024 curriculum, it will be very much helpful for me. If somebody's willing just send a reply🙏🏻

[@arslanthemughals]

Did you take handwritten notes or used any tablet?

[@HaarisZamir]

made the mistake of "writing" on a tablet at level 1 - waste of time. Handwritten is the way forward, and you don't have as much if you buy your notes

[@affiliatesssw6940]

Which video explains more about Texas instrument B II Calculator, especially for Fixed income, Equity, etc

[@asuuutos1061]

search for aswini bajaj calculator information

[@affiliatesssw6940]

@@asuuutos1061 Thank you !!!

[@HaarisZamir]

check out my calculator guide on my profile / in video description for everything you need

[@mohammadmeeran977]

Hey. I am writing L3 in August 2024. I am reviewing the material currently and working through the portal questions. About 39 days from the exam. What should be the strategy from here? But i keep forgetting stuff. I have used IFT notes to study​. However, do you suggest that i used Hy Notes for reviewing entirely? Because they skip some details and what if they appear in the exam? On the other hand, reviewing from the complete notes is a challenge. What should I do? Also, how did you prepare for essays

[@HaarisZamir]

On the high yield notes, if you review something and you don't feel like you understand that topic, go back to the main lecture notes and read again / watch the review video (don't have to do this for every topic if you understand some parts more than others) - the HY notes help keep the curriculum fresh in your mind but if you don't understand it, they won't help Deffo focus on structured response (SR) questions - search KZbin, Mark Meldrum has some videos on how to answer If you're using him as your prep provider, do all the SR mocks, and attend the live walk throughs (they help so much) Otherwise hopefully you have review videos / high yield notes - try to review 3/4 videos every morning - then smash out questions (try do all the ones on the CFA learning ecosystem) Good luck!

[@minsoocho2664]

I was thinking of getting schweser secret sauce, do you think ift high yield notes are better? im assuming I dont need both.

[@HaarisZamir]

I haven't used Schweser secret sauce but can vouch for IFT - don't need both

[@leonardodanzi6736]

Thank you for your video, did you use the HY notes or the general notes from IFT as your base notes ?

[@HaarisZamir]

Deffo the general notes - HY is for reviews, basically a condensed version

[@mohammadmeeran977]

Hey. I am writing L3 in August 2024. I am reviewing the material currently and working through the portal questions. About 39 days from the exam. What should be the strategy from here? But i keep forgetting stuff. I have used IFT notes to study​. However, do you suggest that i used Hy Notes for reviewing entirely? Because they skip some details and what if they appear in the exam? On the other hand, reviewing from the complete notes is a challenge. What should I do? Also, how did you prepare for essays? @HaarisZamir

[@pahtsan]

Hey, looking at IFT for L2 I see IFT High-Yield Course (which includes High Yield videos & notes), and I see IFT Study Notes separately. Do I need both or is the HY course good enough? I already have MM but need something for review.

[@HaarisZamir]

Depends how well you’ve covered the content so far. Main notes have a lot more detail, which is key if you want to properly learn it. If you want to refresh / review, HY only is fine

[@pahtsan]

@@HaarisZamir Really appreciate this video and advice, it came at the perfect time for me.

[@streetjam1236]

When reviewing the IFT notes, did you read them digitally or printed them out?

[@HaarisZamir]

print if you can

[@MartinDolnak]

many thanks for the great video, how long 10% discount will last?

[@HaarisZamir]

No rush on it - for the foreseeable future

[@zohaibahmed6863]

Hi Haaris, I am perplexed about the study materials. Mark meldrum and IFT notes are sufficient enough or I should purchase the books as well ?

[@HaarisZamir]

That should be more than enough - you don't need to buy books. Also, the CFAI learning ecosystem basically has the textbooks in digital form, which you can use if you need more context - good luck

[@zohaibahmed6863]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@MikkelPeres-th1kq]

Hi, I used only MM for my first attempt at level 2, and I just missed the MPS. What would you suggest for my next attempt in November.

[@HaarisZamir]

Hey, did you follow the other tips in my video, particularly the following: - Buy notes and annotate - 2-3 reviews of the most complex material - As many practice Qs as possible in last month - Mocks under time pressure in last 2 weeks with review days in between Also, I have a learning techniques video coming up in a couple of weeks, which should help Good luck

[@MikkelPeres-th1kq]

@HaarisZamir thanks for getting back to me! If you had to pick one, what would you pick? Full notes or high yield from IFT.

[@martijntjeeh]

Whats wrong with Kaplan? Thought most use it?

[@HaarisZamir]

nothing wrong with it per se, just don't think it's the best presented, most intuitive / engaging, or taught by real world practitioners Personal preference

[@martijntjeeh]

Thanks! Doing L1 in Aug, studied with Kaplan, I’ll be sure to look in to your preferred ones for l2,3

[@sayambagadia7676]

From where can i practice questions

[@HaarisZamir]

cfai learning ecosystem

[@crazytrain591]

So you didn’t use CFAI books at all? Is that correct?

[@HaarisZamir]

nope other than the odd occasion for a deep dive / at L3 for the case studies

[@crazytrain591]

@@HaarisZamir thanks for the reply. So no blue boxes except for the ones Mark went through in his videos? Just watch the MM video lecture, review IFT notes, EOC questions from CFAI (or through the online CFA LES) and then just review videos for materials you understood or rewatch video lectures for those that needed more understanding? Is that correct?

[@HaarisZamir]

@@crazytrain591 Pretty much exactly yes

[@crazytrain591]

Thanks for this vid and your responses - seriously. Final question - I’ve been watching MM and then attempting to go through the CFAI chapters after each lecture for LII and it has been so time consuming and frankly, disheartening, when trying the EOC’s because I feel like I’m not retaining anything from the CFAI text. I think I might give the IFT notes a shot. I know you passed but looking back, did you feel they were thorough enough paired with MM that you didn’t miss out on topics or info by skipping the CFAI text? I used Kaplan Schweser for L1 and I did not feel good coming out of that exam (though I passed) because I felt the way Kaplan worded the material and presented their notes was not only different than how the CFAI presented it but they also were less thorough. That’s my biggest fear with skipping out on CFAI’s official text. Also, where did the IFT High Yield notes fall into the mix exactly in your study plan? How were those used and do you think they’re necessary?

[@Krutparmar]

My exam is in August level 1 My curriculum is finished once Can I buy high yield course Will it be beneficial?

[@HaarisZamir]

yep excellent for reviews in particular

[@Krutparmar]

@@HaarisZamir Can you pleaseelaborate how to approach high yield course?

[@Krutparmar]

I purchased it Videos are lengthy doesn't seems revisionary

[@HaarisZamir]

@@Krutparmar l mean the curriculum is still big, and the review videos are usually 5-15 mins vs hours for the main lectures, so it’s a good review Go through them alongside the notes, maybe 2-3 per day. You should have covered all the curriculum again by August

[@NEYMARJR-rp4lp]

Guysss Is anyone doing CFA L1 willing to help me please.I just completed my first year of my college and I havent registered for Cfa . I started studying for cfa recently and I need curriculum to practice the sums. If anyone could please help me by sharing the CFA level 1 2024 curriculum, it will be very much helpful for me. If somebody's willing just send a reply🙏🏻

[@HaarisZamir]

If you register for the CFA, you'll get the curriculum via the ecosystem. If you want extra support, get a prep provider. Watch my video at 3pm for more help with this