MBA student from a Tier 3 college.How to realistically approach CFA Level 1 with almost no time?
Finishing my first year of MBA. Placements at my college aren't great, so I'm trying to build credibility independently to break into core finance roles.
I want to pursue CFA, but second-year MBA is packed, placements, projects, electives, and I genuinely can't commit the 300+ hours right now. My current plan is to start studying without registering for a specific exam date, cover 80–90% of the material at my own pace, and only register when I'm actually ready.
Is this a reasonable approach? Any advice on:
- Whether to register early or wait until ready
- How to structure study time during a hectic MBA year
- Which topics to prioritize first
Open to any alternate strategies. Not in a rush to clear Level 1 this year, just want to get started the right way.