Hey Brandon, thanks a lot, these templates have been so useful to me I used them throughout my studies and have just found out that I passed my CFA Level 1!
Cannot thank Brandon enough for this. Just recieved by result for L1. Passed and just missed the 90th percentile. Very nearly didn't drop below 70% on any topic area. The sheet was also my 'bread and butter' (watched this video so many times). Used the notion template and also anki just as Brandon describes. Worth every penny! Thank you Brandon.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals that's awesome!! In particular which function or formula did you use to determine the next date of revision depending on the 1-10 rating
Thanks for the video. You have explained it in a very calm and composed manner, unlike other videos that try to do everything under the sun. I am going for a L1 attempt in May 2023 and this is really helpful.
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
I can't believe that you have literally given all details , this is mind-blowing. a perfect video to clear all your prep doubts. Superb. Thanks a lot !
Brandon, I just wanted to thank you. I took the August 2024 level 1 exam and your workbook, without a doubt, was a huge help! I passed around the 80th percentile and it’s thanks to your system for keeping me in check along the way. Thanks again, my friend!
Hi I just registered for L1. And I'm about starting my study. I would need some insights from someone who has recently passed the exam. Could we connect?
Very happy I landed upon this. I am just beginning my studies for the level 1 exam in February. I cannot imagine how much time/effective study hours this will save me. Thanks for sharing your tools!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals I have noticed during my initial studies that questions provided in the schweser Qbank are relatively easy and straightforward. I took a glance at some of the questions within the CFA institute per lesson and noticed they are much more difficult requiring further understanding of the material. I have been using the schweser Bank questions as initial grasp of material upon study and diving into the CFA institute practice questions for deeper understanding. When it comes to the exam, would you say difficulty level of the questions lean more toward the question examples in the CFA Institute versus Kaplan practice questions?
Hey Brandon, I just want to let you know that you are the person who made me pursue the CFA level 1 exam in a systematic and effective way (use active recall, spaced repetition, anki, notion, spreadsheet, etc.). I just sat for level 1 today and after all the study methods and all the recommendations I used from you, I took the exam with the highest confidence and certainty. Thank you so much for all what you did!
Hey Nguyen! Thank you for the kind words and I am so happy that my methods were able to help you. Congrats on taking the exam and I wish you the best of luck on passing. Please let me know if you do pass!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals hey Brandon, I proudly say that I just received my CFA Level 1 Exam, and it's a pass (within the 90% percentile). My result looks really similar to yours. Thank you so much for your content, it makes a big contribution to my result!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
Dear Brandon Thank you so much for this video! I did everything more or less the same as you and used your spreadsheet to prepare for the CFA Level 1 exam. Today I passed above the 90th percentile, perhaps even around the 95th just as you.🔥Thank you so much for your insights!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
I passed CFA level 2 :D I also studied Python for finance Not sure if I ever want to get level 3 I had no life for 1 year. Work and go home sleep for 1 hour and shower and 15 mins dinner. 2.5 to 3 hours daily. 16 hours studying whole weekend. Exercise and sleeping for brain recovery. I did 6 mock up exam and 6000 plus questions. Pass at first time 34 year old I am single ;( Edit: I also got my Data Science master degree last year and I got a job pay me very well. I am not going to do level 3. It’s wasting time. I need to spend more time getting friends 😂. (Before I am getting mid age cry sis and feel like I am going to die alone lol)
Wow thank you so much for this! I just signed up for the test in November and was feeling a little overwhelmed with where to start. I'll definitely be downloading your excel.
I passed L1 with around 75% percentile. I tried to stick with a schedule. I got way ahead of it at the end of quant. But couldn't keep up when I reached economics. Eventually I just started studying topics randomly and taking tons of mocks and then drilling my worst subjects. I knew I couldn't keep to a strict schedule so I started 9 months early. With covid, it turned to 11 months early. So glad to have passed
Thank you for this wonderfully laid out video Brandon! I have registered for the CFA L1 program with Kaplan Schweser two weeks ago and you can say I am excited but a bit uncertain at the beginning. Nonetheless, I hope I can make the most out of the study journey.
Thank you for the compliment and congrats on the start of your journey. Uncertainty at the beginning is normal. You'll find a routine that works after a while and things get easier. Good luck!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
Thank you so much! I bought your spreadsheet template and absolutely love it!! It has helped me organize my thoughts and adjust learning pace day by day. Hopefully i will pass the exam in November!!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
I should have watched your video 2 months before! I am the one who handwrites all the mistakes from practice exam and eventually spent too much time on it. The way you did is very efficient and smart!!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionalsyes it totally is! I played soccer at the University of Utah. I graduated in 2016. So we were probably there for a bit at the same time! Crazy-small world! Go Utes 🤘
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *📚 Study System Overview* - CFA Level I exam is challenging due to vast material and self-directed studying. - Lack of effective scheduling and study methods can derail candidates. - Effective study methods, scheduling, and review strategies are crucial for success. 01:28 *📅 Scheduling and Review* - Scheduled study time needs to be precise, including regular reviews. - Ineffective study methods like highlighting and rereading can waste time. - An optimized schedule and review system are essential for mastering exam material. 03:21 *🗒️ Lean CFA Study System* - Lean CFA study system focuses on eliminating waste from the studying process. - Utilizes effective note-taking, flashcard creation, and scheduling. - Incorporates spaced repetition to optimize learning and review. 05:17 *📖 Study Techniques and Tools* - Efficient study methods save time and prevent forgetting material. - Consistent use of flashcards, practice problems, and mock exams are beneficial. - Notion for note-taking and Anki for flashcards are superior to handwriting notes. 07:14 *🛠️ Study Tools Used* - Utilized CFA Institute materials and Kaplan's Essentials Package. - Notion for note-taking and organization. - Anki for creating comprehensive flashcards. 09:39 *📝 Note-Taking with Notion* - Notion is used for active recall note-taking. - Toggle feature in Notion is effective for creating flashcards in Anki. - Notion allows for quick organization and accessibility of notes. 10:08 *🃏 Flashcards with Anki* - Anki allows for customizable and organized flashcards. - Organized decks for each topic, reading, and lesson are essential. - Anki helps in efficient memorization and review of exam material. 11:05 *📊 CFA Revision Spreadsheet* - CFA revision spreadsheet tracks study progress and schedules reviews. - Utilizes spaced repetition to optimize study time. - Spreadsheet is crucial for keeping study sessions efficient and on track. Made with HARPA AI
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
Brandon, thank you for putting out this video. I will be signing up for the feb. 2025 level 1 exam when registration opens and I was curious when you anticipate updated 2025 material to be available on your website as I definitely plan on utilizing your tools. Thank you!
I can't update my materials until Kaplan releases their 2025 materials, since the spreadsheet uses their structure of Topics, Readings, and Modules. I will update my sheet shortly after Kaplan releases their 2025 materials, which should happen within the next few months
Dear Brandon, are you planning to make a similar video for CFA Level II? That would be very awesome. And thanks a lot for all the tips, this helped me to pass the CFA Level I exam. Best, Pascal
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals That's true that the techniques can be applied as well for the Level II exam. Will definitely use the excel tracking sheet again, that was such a powerful tool. Thanks again for all the tips and tricks!
Sometimes people run into issues with payment. I always recommend they reach out to Podia's support team to figure out a solution. Podia is the platform where the spreadsheet and course are hosted. Unfortunately, I cannot help with the payments since I don't control the payment processing system
Hey Brandon, great video. Would your spreadsheet + CFA course package still be useful if I don't use Kaplan? and use CFA material only or something like IFT notes?
Hi Levi, I am not familiar with IFT notes' material, but I think the spreadsheet would apply. Others have used my sheet for Mark Meldrum's material. My sheet is constructed for Kaplan and contains the table of contents of Kaplan's material. You'd simply add or delete rows in the sheet to adjust it to the table of contents of IFT
Dear Brandon, thanks a lot for all the brilliant material. I just started to prepare for CFA Level I in May 2024 and purchased your course. One question: did you also watch the videos in Kaplan when learning new lessons? Or did you only read the text and copied them into Notion and Anki? Greetings from Germany, Pascal
Hey Pascal - I only watched the video lessons if I really wasn't understanding something. The videos are too slow and I preferred to only use the textbook material. But if I wasn't understanding something, I'd watch the video to see if it could provide me with more clarity
Hi Brandon I got the resources you mentioned this week and ready to start! I wanted to ask, concerning the sequence of learning, is it we 1. Read the lessons 2. Copy to notion 3. Create flashcards 4. Learn though flashcards (touch up with Notion) 4. Do the kaplan exercises And repeat! Was wondering what you recommend?
Yes, that is generally how I would sequence those events. Here's a little more context 1) Read the lesson, while taking notes in Notion. This happens simultaneously. 2) Do end of chapter problems to test yourself on the material you just learned 3) Create flashcards 4) Review with flashcards 5) Do kaplan exercises 6) Add certain kaplan exercises to your flashcard deck if it'd be useful
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals And how would you grade your work? (grading in spreadsheet) is it based on the accuracy of the chapter problems or the flashcards?
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals And how would you grade your work? (grading in spreadsheet) is it based on the accuracy of the chapter problems or the flashcards?'
My notes and flashcards have a lot of text and screenshots from Kaplan's material in them. Selling my flashcards would probably run into legal issues because it could be a re-distribution of their material. So, I do not sell or give them away
Hi Brandon, I purchased your excel spreadsheet a few months ago. I started to use it to mostly track the grade and the date of studying the material. It seemed to me like 6 months in was a bit early for the spaced repetition, I preferred to try to pass through the material faster, and maybe start the spaced repetition when I finish my 4th chapter? (I would have about 3-4 months left before exam). What do you think about this strategy? When you did the spaced repetition, did you start by doing your new material of the day and then re-reading your notes? Or you also did the exercises of that review session? thanks!
Hey, thank you! Unfortunately, I don't create sheets for other programs. However, some people in the past have purchased this sheet here and have changed the curriculum text from the CFA to whatever program they are trying to study. The sheet can be easily edited, while maintaining the spaced repetition formulas
Hi Brandon! I got you material and let me tell you that is awesome! It works great, and I am doing exactly what you did to pass the CFA I. I got the Kaplan prep, the spreadsheet, notion and Anki templates in order to be ready to take it in 2024. I have a question, When you were reviewing all the 10 big units, after finishing the first one, let's say Quant. Did you take all the Masterclasses? Or just skipped them for now and start with Economics? I was curious because I think that would move the 2 lessons per day target in the spreadsheet, right? Thanks, and again, great video!
Hi Axel. That's exciting! Sounds like you are on the right track. What are the "Masterclasses"? I am not familiar with that term with Kaplan's materials? Maybe it is new, or maybe it is something that has a different name from when I took L1. Could you explain? Then I can try to advise
Thanks for the reply! Yeah. Masterclass are videos that just appeared in my Activities after I was done with the last lesson of Quant (Introduction to Bid Data Techniques). It seems that they are recorded classes of all the 11 Lessons that Quant includes. Each class it is about 60 min average. They are 11 classes. That was why I was thinking if I should just continue with the 2 lessons per day of Economics now, or, I should start with the Masterclasses about Quants, that would move a little bit the calendar and also the next reviews of the topics that I saw, I guess. It is just another factor to take into consideration in the study sessions.
@@AxelMartinez-uj3bh Ah okay. I would watch one video and determine the differences between the textbook material for a lesson and the masterclass video. If the material is the same, then I personally wouldn't watch them because I prefer to learn through reading. Watching a 60 minute video (without being able to play it on 2x speed) is too slow for me. I can read faster than they can teach through a video. But that's my learning style. Others are different and learn better through video instruction.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Sounds good! Thank you for the help, Brandon! I will do that, and I am enjoying a lot the studying method with the spreadsheet keep things simple!. Thanks!
If you copy this formula into Column BC (then hide columns AP to BA via group on the data tab / right click & hide for ease of viewing) on 'Timetable Clean 2023' then drag down all of the columns it picks up sessions you weren't able to get to, but is still outstanding (i.e., if today is 14/01/2023 and there is a session on 13/01/2023 I didn't have time to get to, it displays a reminder message you still need to do this one) which is found pretty handy whilst revising and balancing work requirements! Hope it helps: =IFERROR(IF(AND(COUNT($I11:$W11)=COUNT($Y11:$AL11),(LOOKUP(9.9999999E+307,$Y11:$AL11)>$D$3)),"Up to date","NEED to DO"),"") (To be used in conjunction with Column AN 'TOPICS TO STUDY TODAY') PS - thank for the spreadsheet and vids, great content!
Hi Brandon! I am planning to pass CFA 1 in May 2024. There's also basic package of Kaplan. I wanted to purchase the cheapest one. after your video I'm thinking to buy an essential package. WHat would you suggest?
Hi Balnur - Does the basic package come with the Kaplan textbooks? I'm looking online and it doesn't look like basic comes with the textbook material (but maybe I'm misinterpreting the website). If what I saw is true, I would personally go with the essentials package because of the textbook material. Personally, I found Kaplan's textbook material to be more concise and digestible. Plus, the digital textbooks were essential for me to create my notion notes and Anki flashcards because I was able to copy and paste text into my notes and I was able to take screenshots of certain things in the textbook material
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: Brandon Hill passed the CFA Level I exam with a high percentile score Studying for the CFA exam requires an effective study system and efficient study methods Notion and Anki are crucial tools for note-taking and flashcard creation A custom CFA revision spreadsheet is essential for scheduling and optimizing study sessions Breaking down study sessions into shorter, focused chunks can increase efficiency Kaplan's Essentials Package and third-party test prep providers are useful resources Effective study methods like active recall and spaced repetition are key to success in the CFA exam Made with HARPA AI
Hey! Sorry, but I am confused by your question. There is no plan. Once you purchase, you will have access to the spreadsheet and/or course. There is no expiration
Would yall say is worth buying the Kaplan materials? I feel like its the same info that cfa provides when you register for the exam... any feedback is greatly appreciated!! I didnt pass lvl 1 and this will definitely be a game changer!! Thank you so much Brandon for taking the time to share this with us
Hopefully, some others will comment and give their opinion as well, but I tried using CFA materials and Kaplan's materials, and Kaplan worked better for me for two reasons. 1) Kaplan's material was more concise and more digestible to read and take notes on. I found that the CFAI material was lengthy. This made it harder to learn from and more intimidating to learn from 2) Kaplan's QBank (bank of practice questions) interface was easy to use. I was able to easily build mini-quizzes and review my answers with the explanation that each question has attached to it
@bhill-biznessprofessionals I agree, the amount of material included was very overwhelming at times:/ Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check out Kaplan.
@@dibthedave Unfortunately, I can't comment. I have never used Mark Meldrum's notes. I watched his youtube videos for general CFA content/advice, but I have never viewed his actual notes or materials
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Oh okay, considering I tend to rely more on notes rather than videos, I think I’ll go forward with Kaplan then. Also, I’m going to be giving Level 1 in February 2025 so will there be any changes made to your excel sheet for 2025 or would you recommend buying it now? I haven’t properly gone through whether there will be any changes in the course plan of Level 1 in 2025 and your sheet is currently for 2024 I believe, so I just wanted to check
hi, I am having trouble accessing the excel sheet. I purchased the sheet earlier today and downloaded, I emailed it to myself but when I tried to download it says that I can access it. Can you please help me
So I quit studying in 2019 after failing level 2 three times. I'm thinking of returning to studying mostly because there's nothing to watch on TV and I'm bored.
Hi Brandon, thanks for the great video! For your Kaplan Perfomance tracker, do you remember what results you were getting on the mock exams and the q banks in the weeks leading up to the exam? would be very helpful thanks
I remember performing well on qbank questions. For mock exams, I struggled with endurance and taking the mock exam as if it were the real thing. I remember being at the level of passing, but my mock exams weren't anything impressive. However, on test day, endurance wasn't an issue from me. I think the pressure of the real test carried me through it
I don't have a sheet for L3 unfortunately. However, the spreadsheet can be easily edited. All you would need to do is swap out the Readings and Modules for the L3 curriculum. The formulas will work the same
Hi Brandon, thanks for the vid! Did you have to purchase the CFAI material and then the Kaplan material separately? If so, what was the total cost for those two items
Yes - I purchased both. I bought the essentials kaplan package and the CFAI material came with the enrollment for the exam. Prices may have changed so you can look up the current prices for those two
Glad you found it helpful! No, I do not give or sell my notes. They are filled with copied and pasted text and screenshots of Kaplan's test material and it wouldn't be legal to distribute that
Hey Brandon, so you would suggest focusing on Kaplan only for the studying material? Because I really hate studying directly from the books as the just take time to get to the actual information you need to know.
Hey thank you for great advice! Quick question please - how did you change your toggle background colour to be reader friendly (all black and white text)?
Hi Brandon, thanks very much for this video. I am still trying to decide whether to commit to taking the CFA. As an over 45 year old who has not been at uni for over 20 yrs and not done maths for longer it is quite overwhelming. On the maths side of things, is it worth me doing a maths course before even attempting the CFA? Any recommendations? Dont want to invest in your course and kaplan and the CFA exam to find I am stumped at on the maths side. Cheers
Hey Gary! I appreciate you reaching out. I don't think a math course is necessary. None of the math on the CFA level 1 exam is particularly advanced. And the math concepts you do need to know, you will pick up through Kaplan's textbook material or through the explanations to the answers to the practice questions in Kaplan's QBank (bank of all practice questions).
Hey Brandon. Thank you for the awesome information and content to help everyone! Does your Level 1 spreadsheet include tracking for the pre-requisite readings as well for the new 2024 changes? Thanks again!
Hi David - The sheet is updated for 2024 and contains the Topics, Readings, and Modules that Kaplan structures their course material with. I'm not sure what the pre-requisite readings are, so the sheet does not account for that
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Basically CFAI took out some prerequisite knowledge from the tested syllabus and added it as pre-requisite readings required for learning the the other exam-centric readings. The pre-requisite readings will not be tested in the CFA exams but supplements and is required to learn the tested portion.
Hello, Brandon! Thank you for sharing your study strategy. I am just at the beginning of my study track, and I am glad to discover your video at the right moment. I just wanted to clarify one particular question. Level 1 exam involves a plenty of math problem solving, especially in the quantitative methods section. Could you please share what tools did you use for that: was it a classic "pen and pencil" combination or a tablet with digital notes (iPad, Pencil and Goodnotes as an example), or maybe it was Notion? Thank you in advance for your attention and response.
Hi Madeira - I took my notes in notion using the method shown in this video here. I'd take screenshots of formulas and create notion notes and flashcards with those screenshots. I'd memorize the formulas using flashcards. When I'd work on practice problems, I'd use my ipad as a scratch sheet of paper essentially, writing out the math to solve the problem. Also, when I studied flashcards and was asked for a formula, I'd write out that formula on my ipad before checking the answer
Hi Brandon, did you first create your notes and then use the spreadsheet to track repeated revision sessions, or does creating notes for 1.1 count as your first input on the dashboard?
Dear Brandon I used your spreadsheet to prepare for the CFA Lvl 1 exam this February. Thank you so much for the effort, its genius! One question from my side: what were your schweser mock exam scores before the exam? Would be useful as a guidance after using your strategy for preparation...Kind regards Sam
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
Hi Brandon! The spreadsheet looks amazing. I would like to seek some guidance on which subject to start my preparations with from first to last. That would be an amazing start.
hey wanted to ask if i want to decide myself which topics to study according to "Todays date" will the " todays studys column show " the topic youve put according to ur plan or can we choose what to study today accrding to own plan each day . Also, do we have to plan every topic to study on each day upfront ?
You can study the topics in any order you like, at the pace you like. You do not need to plan each day upfront. You can study 3.1 one day and 51.1 the next day. I frequently studied things out of order as well.
Kaplan's textbook materials were more concise and easier to consume in my opinion. As for practice questions, I liked Kaplan's more as well with the ability to create mini quizzes
Thanks for the great vid! I just wanted to know tho, how much of a difference would it make if I used a source of study material other than Kaplan? Is the CFAI material not recommended?
Hey! You can totally use the CFAI material or another test prep provider other than Kaplan. Plenty of people pass using those options. Since I used Kaplan personally, that is why my spreadsheet is tailor-made for Kaplan. But the system of studying that I shared can be used if you use the CFAI material or another provider's material.
Hi Brandon, I'm sitting in February 2024. I'm interested in your spreadsheet. Your asking price is more than fair. Any chance you can update it for the 2024 weightings? Also, regarding flashcard. Making them seems tedious to me (im not all that tech savvy, and just watching how you did it seemed out of my natural wheelhouse. Would you say the value is split between making and having them? If not, can I just purchase your Anki flashcard setup? Give you honest opinion if you don't think that would be as valuable to me.
Hi Samuel - I'm hoping to update and publish the 2024 sheet in within the next 3 weeks. I am waiting on Kaplan to make their curriculum available. Yes, creating flashcards is tedious, but taking a few days to get over the learning curve of anki is worth it to me. By the way, I do not sell my flashcards. They contain far too many screenshots and snippets of material that was copied and pasted from Kaplan's material. If I sold or gave it away, it could be considered a redistribution of their material. I wish I could
@@emptyxnes It's built for Kaplan in the sense that it includes the table of contents of Kaplan's material. But it contains the same Topics and Readings that standard with the CFA material. I haven't personally modified it for Mark's material, but I know many have. The spreadsheet can be easily edited. Nothing is locked
Hello! I recently purchased your revision spreadsheet and have a question about balancing new lessons and revising old sections. Specifically, I'm curious about your approach when studying two new sections, 29.1 and 30.1, while also needing to review older sections such as 12.1, 12.3, and 14.1 within the same day. It seems like the revision workload could become quite substantial as you add new lessons. How do you efficiently manage this? Do you focus on reviewing specific areas within those sections that you find challenging, or do you quickly go over Anki and Qbanks? I'm eager to find an effective strategy, and your insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your help! :)
Hi, yes the workload can become quite large at some points throughout your studying journey. Sometimes you will have to review numerous lessons in one day, while still studying 2 new ones per day. The first thing that alleviates this workload is the mastery of a module. As you review modules and begin to rank them as 8, 9, and 10, you will start to see them scheduled less and less for review sessions. Secondly, most of the time when I reviewed a lesson, I quickly went through my flashcards and worked on about 5 practice questions for that specific lesson. Sometimes, going through my flashcards to review for a lesson would take 2-5 minutes. You'll become quite fast as you master the concepts. So, if your review sessions are taking 1 hour for a single lesson, that is too long of a review. It shouldn't take that long unless you truly don't understand something. If you don't understand, take your time to learn. But if you are reviewing material that you have learned, but are trying to memorize, then memorize through a quick review of the flashcards and move on.
Hey Brandon ! Does the spreadsheet for 2025 only align with the Kapln content? Like it won’t help me if i just depends on the cfa content or Mark ? Thank you cz I already look forward to it
It is built for Kaplan’s material because it references their table of contents. The spreadsheet can be easily edited and I know several have adapted the sheet for using Mark’s material. I have not done this myself though, so I can’t comment on the experience of doing so
Hi Brandon! I'm 1 month into studying and so far its been very enriching journey and your resources made it even better! I wanted to ask concerning anki and the SRS method you mentioned as I'm a bit confused :( - Should we review the flashcards as per the days set in the excel SRS? - Or we review the cards based on what anki sets? - Or should we review the cards anki set to be reviewed (only the review cards? or the whole deck for a reading?) on the days the days the excel set? Sorry for the long question!! >.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals does this mean you used a custom study in anki to review all of them still? or u still used the cards that anki set from the 'learning' phases?
Hi Brandon, thank you so much for your insights! Do you think going through CFAI reading material is critical in addition to Mark Meldum video & notes? Do you think Kaplan Schweser's notes instead of CFAI material are a good bet since it is concise? I intend to subscribe to Mark's videos, do CFAI qbank, blue box, EOCQ & mock tests. Thank you so much Gaurav - Level 1
Hi Gaurav - I did not use any of Mark Meldrum's materials, so I can't give you an opinion on that. I only used Kaplan's and that is what I recommend. I tried using CFAI's reading material, but I found Kaplan's to be more concise as you said, and more digestible.
Hey Brandon! Should I take My CFA #1 exam right after school in may or should i take it in august ? Or should I even wait after My Degree? I really dont know but your video is pure gold!!!!
Thanks for the compliment! Personally, I think it would be tough to study for the exam while you are still in school. However, if you think you can fit 300+ hours of studying in while you are in school, then go for it. If you choose to do so, I think taking it in August would be a better option because the last two months, and especially the last month, are intense. It'd be nice to have these intense months happen during your summer.
Hey Brandon! I had another doubt. Let's say you complete a learning module and you head towards the practice questions. Do you solve all the EOC questions of the learning module at once and only then you proceed to the next module??... or you leave some questions to be solved for the next time you revise the topic again, as per the spreadsheet (to prevent repitition of questions)
Great stuff and Congrats! Did you really not read any of the CFA textbooks nor smashed thosed CFA Practice Questions in the Learning Ecosystem?? *stunned*
Hey Ameerah, thanks! Honestly, I tried to read through the first book from CFAI and I didn't like it over Kaplan's textbooks. I flipped through other sections of the CFAI books and confirmed my initial judgment. As for the CFAI practice problems, I did the same thing. I tried working on problems for a few readings and did not prefer the platform over Kaplans. However, I did work on the CFAI's Ethics practice problems. It was all personal preference for me. Obviously, the content from the CFA is all you need, but I felt like it was easier for me to learn and practice through Kaplan's platform and textbooks.
Hi CFA LEVEL1 candidate here. I just recently bought your material. I noted that you have used Kaplan as your third party. I'm thinking of using Mark Meldrum's reading videos. But I'm not quite sure how I will be able to use Anki and Notion considering these are videos. Should I just use CFAI as my material for notion and anki, while going through the videos of Mark's? Will appreciate any thoughts. Thanks, Brandon!
Hey Lewis - You could still take notes on Mark's material within Notion and then you could turn those notes into flashcards in Anki. It might require more manual typing than my method with Kaplan because they are videos, but it is an option. You could also create notes with the CFAI material. Maybe experiment with both and see which is more useful. I didn't take notes on any of the CFAI material, so I can't tell you how that experience would be, but I did try to read the CFAI material at the beginning of my studies and I found it to be a bit drawn out. I used Kaplan's material because it was more concise and digestible. Maybe Mark's will be the same. I don't have experience with his material other than his TH-cam channel
Hi Brandon!@@bhill-biznessprofessionals taking CFAL1 right now with the use of your material. May I ask what's your mindset going thru each of the lesson for the first time? Is it like "I have to master this lesson"? or more of like "Ill go thru them the first time and then just rely on the spaced repetition for them to stick?"? Also how many hours do you allocate for your review and for sutdying new lessons considering that you take 1-2 hrs in the first few months of ur study and 3 hrs in the latter part of the marathon? Thanks! :)
@@LewisRobinson828 First time I go through a lesson, I'm trying to take best notes I can, which for me, meant creating the toggle questions and answers in Notion that I would eventually use in Anki to memorize. I'd take these notes for the lesson. After that, I would review it and try to absorb what I could, but especially the fundamentals. I did not try to master a lesson the first time through. I did have faith that the material would crystallize over time through spaced repetition. When it comes to reviewing a lesson, this would entail studying my flashcards and also doing around 5 practice questions through Kaplan. If I was reviewing a lesson I was confident in, sometimes my flashcard review for that lesson would take a few minutes, with me spending a few seconds on each flashcard. For lessons I struggled with, I'd spend more time on those obviously. I'd try to learn new lessons and review lessons as efficient as possible, which ended up being around 1-2 hours per day at the start. There wasn't a particular breakdown such as "1 hr for learning and 1 hour for review." I'd learn a lesson as quickly as I could, and then move onto reviewing.
Hi Brandon, I am taking level 1 exam in august. Was wondering if you would do 1 on 1 sessions to go through textbook questions. I just need help with using the calculator (BA II Plus professional) is this something you could maybe help with?
Hey Brandon, been using your template for a while now for August - I am wondering what did you do when some days you had over 5 flashcards sets to review? I've been getting 6 and even 7 in some days and I find it hindering the amount of time I could be learning the new material, how would you recommend to work around?
If you are struggling with 5 flashcard sets, your flashcards may be too complex, or you are spending too much time on your flashcards due to understanding. Your flashcards should be for reviewing, not for learning for the first time. This could be why it's taking so long to get through your flashcards. You could go back to review your original notes to develop understanding first. Then your flashcards will be a review. Often, I was spending seconds on each flashcard. And I would sometimes have up to 20 sets per day to review. You need to be able to move through flashcards quickly to do that volume obviously. As you start to rank more lessons 9 or 10, this will alleviate how many flashcard decks you could potentially review per day, since the study sessions are spaced out further. But somedays are just brutal with the scheduling as the due dates for lessons pile up on one day in particular. For these days, you could lesson the load by studying a few lessons a day or two later, if that day has a light load
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals thank you. I believe its just my cards are too complex. would you recommend to maybe just make the anki card purely just vocab review, like those bolded terms in the kaplan curriculum?
@@specterwo1f746 Vocab review probably won't be enough. You'll need a mix of concepts, vocab, and formulas on your flashcards. Whatever is useful for you
hii! Brandon, I’m a newer in TH-cam, and i don’t know how and where to download your resources about notion, anki , bread and butter, and I’m really looking forward to start my CFA level 1, please tell me how to download~~~~❤
![Best Way to Revise For CFA Level 1 Exam [Optimized Revision]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2sxQn5pkHI/mqdefault.jpg)
![CAMPปลิ้น | รวม Highlight 2024! PART [1/2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6hnvNnvYloU/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey Brandon, thanks a lot, these templates have been so useful to me I used them throughout my studies and have just found out that I passed my CFA Level 1!
Congrats on passing! That's great to hear. Cheers!
Cannot thank Brandon enough for this. Just recieved by result for L1. Passed and just missed the 90th percentile. Very nearly didn't drop below 70% on any topic area. The sheet was also my 'bread and butter' (watched this video so many times). Used the notion template and also anki just as Brandon describes. Worth every penny! Thank you Brandon.
Ah that's so amazing! Congrats on passing, George. I'm happy that the system was able to assist you in passing. Cheers to you!
Hey how did you made the excel
@@Devodrita A lot of trial and error, experimenting with different formulas
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals that's awesome!! In particular which function or formula did you use to determine the next date of revision depending on the 1-10 rating
@@Devodrita just pay for it you cheap ass. it's $12.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, B! Planning to take the test on Aug 2024.
You're welcome! Good luck with your studying
Thanks for the video. You have explained it in a very calm and composed manner, unlike other videos that try to do everything under the sun. I am going for a L1 attempt in May 2023 and this is really helpful.
Thanks for the feedback! I wish you luck with your studies!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
@rohitjain1557 Good luck on the exam
Hi Rohit, just checking in, how did the exam go ?
I can't believe that you have literally given all details , this is mind-blowing. a perfect video to clear all your prep doubts. Superb. Thanks a lot !
You're very welcome! :)
Hey Brandon, I saw your video around a year back, and it was super helpful. I cleared my CFA L1 in my first attempt! (Feb'24).
Congrats!! I'm happy to hear you passed and that the video could help 😄
Brandon, I just wanted to thank you. I took the August 2024 level 1 exam and your workbook, without a doubt, was a huge help! I passed around the 80th percentile and it’s thanks to your system for keeping me in check along the way. Thanks again, my friend!
That’s amazing! Congrats on passing 🎉 I’m glad the workbook could help!
Hi I just registered for L1. And I'm about starting my study. I would need some insights from someone who has recently passed the exam. Could we connect?
Very happy I landed upon this. I am just beginning my studies for the level 1 exam in February. I cannot imagine how much time/effective study hours this will save me. Thanks for sharing your tools!
You're welcome! Good luck studying
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals I have noticed during my initial studies that questions provided in the schweser Qbank are relatively easy and straightforward. I took a glance at some of the questions within the CFA institute per lesson and noticed they are much more difficult requiring further understanding of the material. I have been using the schweser Bank questions as initial grasp of material upon study and diving into the CFA institute practice questions for deeper understanding. When it comes to the exam, would you say difficulty level of the questions lean more toward the question examples in the CFA Institute versus Kaplan practice questions?
I'm just registering for the May 2025 exam. Can we connect?
I finally passed the CFA level 1, I knew I could do it, thank you Mr. Richard for the materials, you’re the best.
Wow congratulations to you, it’s not an easy task I must admit, I failed my second attempt days ago.
Wow, I know Richard Brown, I met him at a conference in California, he’s a good man.
+1
91687
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Hey Brandon, I just want to let you know that you are the person who made me pursue the CFA level 1 exam in a systematic and effective way (use active recall, spaced repetition, anki, notion, spreadsheet, etc.). I just sat for level 1 today and after all the study methods and all the recommendations I used from you, I took the exam with the highest confidence and certainty. Thank you so much for all what you did!
Hey Nguyen! Thank you for the kind words and I am so happy that my methods were able to help you. Congrats on taking the exam and I wish you the best of luck on passing. Please let me know if you do pass!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals hey Brandon, I proudly say that I just received my CFA Level 1 Exam, and it's a pass (within the 90% percentile). My result looks really similar to yours. Thank you so much for your content, it makes a big contribution to my result!
@@nguyenhoangtrieuvo2222 CONGRATS! I'm so happy to hear about your results! And I'm happy the content was able to help you out. Be sure to celebrate!
@@nguyenhoangtrieuvo2222 Hi, I want to tell you something
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
did he just put a paywall on a spreadsheet
Dear Brandon
Thank you so much for this video! I did everything more or less the same as you and used your spreadsheet to prepare for the CFA Level 1 exam. Today I passed above the 90th percentile, perhaps even around the 95th just as you.🔥Thank you so much for your insights!
Let's go!! I'm so happy to hear about your results. Congrats on passing with flying colors!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
@@chandrasekhar5746 come on man. it's only 15 bucks
I passed CFA level 2 :D
I also studied Python for finance
Not sure if I ever want to get level 3
I had no life for 1 year. Work and go home sleep for 1 hour and shower and 15 mins dinner. 2.5 to 3 hours daily. 16 hours studying whole weekend. Exercise and sleeping for brain recovery.
I did 6 mock up exam and 6000 plus questions.
Pass at first time
34 year old
I am single ;(
Edit: I also got my Data Science master degree last year and I got a job pay me very well. I am not going to do level 3. It’s wasting time. I need to spend more time getting friends 😂. (Before I am getting mid age cry sis and feel like I am going to die alone lol)
Congrats!! That sounds like a tough regimen!
yoooo i think you did great 34 is just the beginning take a a trip u deserve it
Is doing the MM mocks necessary ?
@noobwow2009 What all prep providers did you use ? Asking for level 2 .
@@stivemichel8021 this is my 4th time I am studying and I know a thing or two about discouragement. What helped you pass the 3rd time?
Thank you so much Brandon! I have passed the CFA level 1 exam!
Congrats!!! That is so awesome to hear
Wow thank you so much for this! I just signed up for the test in November and was feeling a little overwhelmed with where to start. I'll definitely be downloading your excel.
Sure thing Todd! I hope it can help you out. Good luck!
Hey @todd nugget same here I also signed up for November
Same here I also signed up for November
Let’s go Todd! I’m signing up tomorrow!
I passed L1 with around 75% percentile. I tried to stick with a schedule. I got way ahead of it at the end of quant. But couldn't keep up when I reached economics. Eventually I just started studying topics randomly and taking tons of mocks and then drilling my worst subjects. I knew I couldn't keep to a strict schedule so I started 9 months early. With covid, it turned to 11 months early. So glad to have passed
Hey, at the end of the day, at least you passed!
How many questions should be right to pass the exam? Approx
@@aminachauhan3532 from where r u taking your coaching?
Thanks for sharing your techniques
Love from India 🇮🇳
Thank you!
thanks for the spreadsheet. plan on using it extensively to stay on track for my feb 2025 level 1 exam
You're welcome! Good luck with your studying
r u started your preparations?
Thank you for this wonderfully laid out video Brandon!
I have registered for the CFA L1 program with Kaplan Schweser two weeks ago and you can say I am excited but a bit uncertain at the beginning.
Nonetheless, I hope I can make the most out of the study journey.
Thank you for the compliment and congrats on the start of your journey. Uncertainty at the beginning is normal. You'll find a routine that works after a while and things get easier. Good luck!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
Thank you so much! I bought your spreadsheet template and absolutely love it!! It has helped me organize my thoughts and adjust learning pace day by day. Hopefully i will pass the exam in November!!
Hey! I'm so happy to hear the spreadsheet is helping you out :) Good luck with your exam! You got this
Hi, I want to tell you something
Hey could you provide me the spreadsheet as the transaction is in usd i'm unable to purchase it
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
i have the same problem....@@Devodrita
I should have watched your video 2 months before! I am the one who handwrites all the mistakes from practice exam and eventually spent too much time on it. The way you did is very efficient and smart!!
That's a bummer! Maybe you can use the methods on the next level though. And thank you!
But I feel hand writing helps me to learn tho.
This was a fantastic video. Thank you for these resources!!!
No prob! Thanks for the compliment. Btw, is that a University of Utah shirt? I graduated from the U in 2018 for undergrad!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionalsyes it totally is! I played soccer at the University of Utah. I graduated in 2016. So we were probably there for a bit at the same time! Crazy-small world! Go Utes 🤘
@@addiejensen6926 That's awesome! Yeah, small world! Go Utes!!
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 *📚 Study System Overview*
- CFA Level I exam is challenging due to vast material and self-directed studying.
- Lack of effective scheduling and study methods can derail candidates.
- Effective study methods, scheduling, and review strategies are crucial for success.
01:28 *📅 Scheduling and Review*
- Scheduled study time needs to be precise, including regular reviews.
- Ineffective study methods like highlighting and rereading can waste time.
- An optimized schedule and review system are essential for mastering exam material.
03:21 *🗒️ Lean CFA Study System*
- Lean CFA study system focuses on eliminating waste from the studying process.
- Utilizes effective note-taking, flashcard creation, and scheduling.
- Incorporates spaced repetition to optimize learning and review.
05:17 *📖 Study Techniques and Tools*
- Efficient study methods save time and prevent forgetting material.
- Consistent use of flashcards, practice problems, and mock exams are beneficial.
- Notion for note-taking and Anki for flashcards are superior to handwriting notes.
07:14 *🛠️ Study Tools Used*
- Utilized CFA Institute materials and Kaplan's Essentials Package.
- Notion for note-taking and organization.
- Anki for creating comprehensive flashcards.
09:39 *📝 Note-Taking with Notion*
- Notion is used for active recall note-taking.
- Toggle feature in Notion is effective for creating flashcards in Anki.
- Notion allows for quick organization and accessibility of notes.
10:08 *🃏 Flashcards with Anki*
- Anki allows for customizable and organized flashcards.
- Organized decks for each topic, reading, and lesson are essential.
- Anki helps in efficient memorization and review of exam material.
11:05 *📊 CFA Revision Spreadsheet*
- CFA revision spreadsheet tracks study progress and schedules reviews.
- Utilizes spaced repetition to optimize study time.
- Spreadsheet is crucial for keeping study sessions efficient and on track.
Made with HARPA AI
Hi Brandon, thank you so much for this video, I too also bought the study schedule. I passed L1 on my second try just under the 90th percentile :)
That's amazing! Congratulations on your results and thanks for letting me know!
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
This was so helpful. Thank you!
You're welcome!
Brandon, thank you for putting out this video. I will be signing up for the feb. 2025 level 1 exam when registration opens and I was curious when you anticipate updated 2025 material to be available on your website as I definitely plan on utilizing your tools. Thank you!
I can't update my materials until Kaplan releases their 2025 materials, since the spreadsheet uses their structure of Topics, Readings, and Modules. I will update my sheet shortly after Kaplan releases their 2025 materials, which should happen within the next few months
@@bhill-biznessprofessionalsGreat, thanks Brandon!
Extremely helpful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Danielle - I'm glad you found it helpful!
Thanks man. Definitely will give this a go with my upcoming exams.
Nice, good luck with your exams!!
Ah!, I wish I could get the spreadsheet for free, as I am unable to afford it, or you could give some idea to make it on my own.
Ive been studying for 8 months (test in 30 days) and I have been doing ALL of this to a T. Praying I do well
That's commitment! Good luck with your test! Let me know how it goes
Hey, what was the result did you pass the test?
Goodluck
Thank you Brandom, well explained and helpful:)
You’re welcome! Thanks for the positive feedback!
Dear Brandon, are you planning to make a similar video for CFA Level II? That would be very awesome. And thanks a lot for all the tips, this helped me to pass the CFA Level I exam. Best, Pascal
I’m glad i could help! Unfortunately, there’s no level 2 video planned. The methods would apply to level 2 as well.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals That's true that the techniques can be applied as well for the Level II exam. Will definitely use the excel tracking sheet again, that was such a powerful tool. Thanks again for all the tips and tricks!
@@pascaltran668 You're welcome. Good luck with Level 2!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Thanks Brandon!
Brilliant, always be prepared in that long process must feels soooo good 😊
Thanks! Feeling prepared means less stress and less stress does so much for your mental state during the exam
The payment portal doesnt seem to be working for me for the spreadsheet. Anyone else facing this problem?
Sometimes people run into issues with payment. I always recommend they reach out to Podia's support team to figure out a solution. Podia is the platform where the spreadsheet and course are hosted. Unfortunately, I cannot help with the payments since I don't control the payment processing system
Hey Brandon, great video. Would your spreadsheet + CFA course package still be useful if I don't use Kaplan? and use CFA material only or something like IFT notes?
Hi Levi, I am not familiar with IFT notes' material, but I think the spreadsheet would apply. Others have used my sheet for Mark Meldrum's material. My sheet is constructed for Kaplan and contains the table of contents of Kaplan's material. You'd simply add or delete rows in the sheet to adjust it to the table of contents of IFT
Dear Brandon, thanks a lot for all the brilliant material. I just started to prepare for CFA Level I in May 2024 and purchased your course. One question: did you also watch the videos in Kaplan when learning new lessons? Or did you only read the text and copied them into Notion and Anki? Greetings from Germany, Pascal
Hey Pascal - I only watched the video lessons if I really wasn't understanding something. The videos are too slow and I preferred to only use the textbook material. But if I wasn't understanding something, I'd watch the video to see if it could provide me with more clarity
Awesome, thanks for the quick and helpful feedback Brandon. I was thinking the same since those videos can be > 30 minutes@@bhill-biznessprofessionals
Can you please release those flash cards
Hi Brandon I got the resources you mentioned this week and ready to start! I wanted to ask, concerning the sequence of learning, is it we
1. Read the lessons
2. Copy to notion
3. Create flashcards
4. Learn though flashcards (touch up with Notion)
4. Do the kaplan exercises
And repeat!
Was wondering what you recommend?
Yes, that is generally how I would sequence those events. Here's a little more context
1) Read the lesson, while taking notes in Notion. This happens simultaneously.
2) Do end of chapter problems to test yourself on the material you just learned
3) Create flashcards
4) Review with flashcards
5) Do kaplan exercises
6) Add certain kaplan exercises to your flashcard deck if it'd be useful
@bhill-biznessprofessionals Ohh I see hehe thank you so much! Cant wait to get started😁
@@lavenderrosia01740 Good luck with your studies!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals And how would you grade your work? (grading in spreadsheet) is it based on the accuracy of the chapter problems or the flashcards?
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals And how would you grade your work? (grading in spreadsheet) is it based on the accuracy of the chapter problems or the flashcards?'
Hello Brandon, great video and so helpful. A question regarding the Flashcards - why don’t you sell them and instead just the template?
My notes and flashcards have a lot of text and screenshots from Kaplan's material in them. Selling my flashcards would probably run into legal issues because it could be a re-distribution of their material. So, I do not sell or give them away
Hi Brandon, I purchased your excel spreadsheet a few months ago. I started to use it to mostly track the grade and the date of studying the material. It seemed to me like 6 months in was a bit early for the spaced repetition, I preferred to try to pass through the material faster, and maybe start the spaced repetition when I finish my 4th chapter? (I would have about 3-4 months left before exam). What do you think about this strategy? When you did the spaced repetition, did you start by doing your new material of the day and then re-reading your notes? Or you also did the exercises of that review session? thanks!
Love a good spreadsheet. I’m going to create my own.
2.5 months till I sit Lvl 1 😬
Good ol Excel haha! Good luck with Lvl 1!
How you gonna gatekeep the spreadsheet 😢😊
I lost you part way, but I like the 1 hour study blocks.
I'm giving my L1 on this 19th
Sad that found this late, will definitely buy after the result, L1 if fail, L2 if pass. Looks useful
Good luck with your results!
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals thank you brandon
Brandon,
Can you create a spreadsheet for other programs? Looking at the RICP and CFP.
Thanks, love the content!
Hey, thank you! Unfortunately, I don't create sheets for other programs.
However, some people in the past have purchased this sheet here and have changed the curriculum text from the CFA to whatever program they are trying to study. The sheet can be easily edited, while maintaining the spaced repetition formulas
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals that sounds like a good idea and a good investment to me. Thanks!
Hi Brandon! I got you material and let me tell you that is awesome! It works great, and I am doing exactly what you did to pass the CFA I. I got the Kaplan prep, the spreadsheet, notion and Anki templates in order to be ready to take it in 2024. I have a question, When you were reviewing all the 10 big units, after finishing the first one, let's say Quant. Did you take all the Masterclasses? Or just skipped them for now and start with Economics? I was curious because I think that would move the 2 lessons per day target in the spreadsheet, right?
Thanks, and again, great video!
Hi Axel. That's exciting! Sounds like you are on the right track. What are the "Masterclasses"? I am not familiar with that term with Kaplan's materials? Maybe it is new, or maybe it is something that has a different name from when I took L1. Could you explain? Then I can try to advise
Thanks for the reply! Yeah. Masterclass are videos that just appeared in my Activities after I was done with the last lesson of Quant (Introduction to Bid Data Techniques). It seems that they are recorded classes of all the 11 Lessons that Quant includes. Each class it is about 60 min average. They are 11 classes.
That was why I was thinking if I should just continue with the 2 lessons per day of Economics now, or, I should start with the Masterclasses about Quants, that would move a little bit the calendar and also the next reviews of the topics that I saw, I guess.
It is just another factor to take into consideration in the study sessions.
@@AxelMartinez-uj3bh Ah okay. I would watch one video and determine the differences between the textbook material for a lesson and the masterclass video. If the material is the same, then I personally wouldn't watch them because I prefer to learn through reading. Watching a 60 minute video (without being able to play it on 2x speed) is too slow for me. I can read faster than they can teach through a video. But that's my learning style. Others are different and learn better through video instruction.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Sounds good! Thank you for the help, Brandon! I will do that, and I am enjoying a lot the studying method with the spreadsheet keep things simple!. Thanks!
@@AxelMartinez-uj3bh Hi Axel, did you end up watching these Masterclass videos? Ended up having the exact same question
If you copy this formula into Column BC (then hide columns AP to BA via group on the data tab / right click & hide for ease of viewing) on 'Timetable Clean 2023' then drag down all of the columns it picks up sessions you weren't able to get to, but is still outstanding (i.e., if today is 14/01/2023 and there is a session on 13/01/2023 I didn't have time to get to, it displays a reminder message you still need to do this one) which is found pretty handy whilst revising and balancing work requirements! Hope it helps:
=IFERROR(IF(AND(COUNT($I11:$W11)=COUNT($Y11:$AL11),(LOOKUP(9.9999999E+307,$Y11:$AL11)>$D$3)),"Up to date","NEED to DO"),"")
(To be used in conjunction with Column AN 'TOPICS TO STUDY TODAY')
PS - thank for the spreadsheet and vids, great content!
Hey, thank you for this comment! Clever formulas and can definitely be helpful! I'll try this out myself.
hey man. Is there any chance u can share that spreadsheet with me?
Hi Brandon! I am planning to pass CFA 1 in May 2024. There's also basic package of Kaplan. I wanted to purchase the cheapest one. after your video I'm thinking to buy an essential package. WHat would you suggest?
Hi Balnur - Does the basic package come with the Kaplan textbooks? I'm looking online and it doesn't look like basic comes with the textbook material (but maybe I'm misinterpreting the website). If what I saw is true, I would personally go with the essentials package because of the textbook material. Personally, I found Kaplan's textbook material to be more concise and digestible. Plus, the digital textbooks were essential for me to create my notion notes and Anki flashcards because I was able to copy and paste text into my notes and I was able to take screenshots of certain things in the textbook material
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
Brandon Hill passed the CFA Level I exam with a high percentile score
Studying for the CFA exam requires an effective study system and efficient study methods
Notion and Anki are crucial tools for note-taking and flashcard creation
A custom CFA revision spreadsheet is essential for scheduling and optimizing study sessions
Breaking down study sessions into shorter, focused chunks can increase efficiency
Kaplan's Essentials Package and third-party test prep providers are useful resources
Effective study methods like active recall and spaced repetition are key to success in the CFA exam
Made with HARPA AI
I want to purchase your spreadsheet for my may exam, but I don’t know how many months is the plan for that. May I know?
Hey! Sorry, but I am confused by your question. There is no plan. Once you purchase, you will have access to the spreadsheet and/or course. There is no expiration
Would yall say is worth buying the Kaplan materials? I feel like its the same info that cfa provides when you register for the exam... any feedback is greatly appreciated!! I didnt pass lvl 1 and this will definitely be a game changer!! Thank you so much Brandon for taking the time to share this with us
Hopefully, some others will comment and give their opinion as well, but I tried using CFA materials and Kaplan's materials, and Kaplan worked better for me for two reasons.
1) Kaplan's material was more concise and more digestible to read and take notes on. I found that the CFAI material was lengthy. This made it harder to learn from and more intimidating to learn from
2) Kaplan's QBank (bank of practice questions) interface was easy to use. I was able to easily build mini-quizzes and review my answers with the explanation that each question has attached to it
@bhill-biznessprofessionals I agree, the amount of material included was very overwhelming at times:/
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check out Kaplan.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals What do you think of Mark Meldrum's notes? Would you say Kaplan or MM notes are better?
@@dibthedave Unfortunately, I can't comment. I have never used Mark Meldrum's notes. I watched his youtube videos for general CFA content/advice, but I have never viewed his actual notes or materials
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Oh okay, considering I tend to rely more on notes rather than videos, I think I’ll go forward with Kaplan then.
Also, I’m going to be giving Level 1 in February 2025 so will there be any changes made to your excel sheet for 2025 or would you recommend buying it now? I haven’t properly gone through whether there will be any changes in the course plan of Level 1 in 2025 and your sheet is currently for 2024 I believe, so I just wanted to check
hi, I am having trouble accessing the excel sheet. I purchased the sheet earlier today and downloaded, I emailed it to myself but when I tried to download it says that I can access it. Can you please help me
Email me at brandon@biznessprofessionals.com and send some screenshots of what you see on your screen. This will help me resolve the issue for you
The CFA exams....the three headed dragon, each head has different powers and will test you to your limits....
So I quit studying in 2019 after failing level 2 three times. I'm thinking of returning to studying mostly because there's nothing to watch on TV and I'm bored.
Very nicely explained 😃
Yes
Thanks!
Hi Brandon, thanks for the great video! For your Kaplan Perfomance tracker, do you remember what results you were getting on the mock exams and the q banks in the weeks leading up to the exam? would be very helpful thanks
I remember performing well on qbank questions. For mock exams, I struggled with endurance and taking the mock exam as if it were the real thing. I remember being at the level of passing, but my mock exams weren't anything impressive. However, on test day, endurance wasn't an issue from me. I think the pressure of the real test carried me through it
Do you offer your spreadsheet and note taking document for the CFA Level 3 too? I only saw Level 1 and 2 on your site. Thanks!
I don't have a sheet for L3 unfortunately. However, the spreadsheet can be easily edited. All you would need to do is swap out the Readings and Modules for the L3 curriculum. The formulas will work the same
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals cool, thanks so much!!
this is amzing you are a genuis thank you brother ....
Thank you as well!
great vid!
is there any way you could share your flash cards with us
Hi Brandon, thanks for the vid! Did you have to purchase the CFAI material and then the Kaplan material separately? If so, what was the total cost for those two items
Yes - I purchased both. I bought the essentials kaplan package and the CFAI material came with the enrollment for the exam. Prices may have changed so you can look up the current prices for those two
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Thanks!
Can you do a deeper dive into your note taking? And how you use Notion
Hey Brandon. This was very helpful. Is there a way to access your notes? They seem very comprehensive and would be helpful !!
Glad you found it helpful! No, I do not give or sell my notes. They are filled with copied and pasted text and screenshots of Kaplan's test material and it wouldn't be legal to distribute that
Hey Brandon, so you would suggest focusing on Kaplan only for the studying material? Because I really hate studying directly from the books as the just take time to get to the actual information you need to know.
I personally only used Kaplan’s material and that worked for me. The CFAI textbooks were harder to learn from for me personally.
Hey thank you for great advice! Quick question please - how did you change your toggle background colour to be reader friendly (all black and white text)?
It is a setting that is within Notion. You can change it to dark mode
Hi Brandon, thanks very much for this video. I am still trying to decide whether to commit to taking the CFA. As an over 45 year old who has not been at uni for over 20 yrs and not done maths for longer it is quite overwhelming. On the maths side of things, is it worth me doing a maths course before even attempting the CFA? Any recommendations? Dont want to invest in your course and kaplan and the CFA exam to find I am stumped at on the maths side. Cheers
Hey Gary! I appreciate you reaching out. I don't think a math course is necessary. None of the math on the CFA level 1 exam is particularly advanced. And the math concepts you do need to know, you will pick up through Kaplan's textbook material or through the explanations to the answers to the practice questions in Kaplan's QBank (bank of all practice questions).
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Awesome, thanks for prompt reply
Are you planning to build a spreadsheet for LVL 2?
Yes - It can be found through the same link in the description
Hey Brandon. Thank you for the awesome information and content to help everyone! Does your Level 1 spreadsheet include tracking for the pre-requisite readings as well for the new 2024 changes? Thanks again!
Hi David - The sheet is updated for 2024 and contains the Topics, Readings, and Modules that Kaplan structures their course material with. I'm not sure what the pre-requisite readings are, so the sheet does not account for that
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Basically CFAI took out some prerequisite knowledge from the tested syllabus and added it as pre-requisite readings required for learning the the other exam-centric readings. The pre-requisite readings will not be tested in the CFA exams but supplements and is required to learn the tested portion.
Hello, Brandon! Thank you for sharing your study strategy. I am just at the beginning of my study track, and I am glad to discover your video at the right moment. I just wanted to clarify one particular question. Level 1 exam involves a plenty of math problem solving, especially in the quantitative methods section. Could you please share what tools did you use for that: was it a classic "pen and pencil" combination or a tablet with digital notes (iPad, Pencil and Goodnotes as an example), or maybe it was Notion? Thank you in advance for your attention and response.
Hi Madeira - I took my notes in notion using the method shown in this video here. I'd take screenshots of formulas and create notion notes and flashcards with those screenshots. I'd memorize the formulas using flashcards. When I'd work on practice problems, I'd use my ipad as a scratch sheet of paper essentially, writing out the math to solve the problem. Also, when I studied flashcards and was asked for a formula, I'd write out that formula on my ipad before checking the answer
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Thank you for the clear and detailed answer. Have a good week!
@@madeira.forest You too!
Hi Brandon, did you first create your notes and then use the spreadsheet to track repeated revision sessions, or does creating notes for 1.1 count as your first input on the dashboard?
I'd create my notes and flashcards, then review them right after. Then I'd enter that first review on the spreadsheet
Can you make video of how to make such schedule
Dear Brandon
I used your spreadsheet to prepare for the CFA Lvl 1 exam this February. Thank you so much for the effort, its genius!
One question from my side: what were your schweser mock exam scores before the exam? Would be useful as a guidance after using your strategy for preparation...Kind regards
Sam
hello anyone who purchased it could u plz share link free for me because im not affordable this due to my financial situations for level 1 exam also i dont have money to pay but first im preparing for it after that ill took debt from anyone plz hepl me guys to get this excel link for free
I bought the study material package! Do you sell the Anki flash card deck you used to study?
Hey Garrhett, that's awesome. Thanks. No, I do not sell the flashcard deck.
Brandon, I'm not able to pay for the spreadsheet as I'm in India. Can you help me get it please?
Hi Brandon! The spreadsheet looks amazing. I would like to seek some guidance on which subject to start my preparations with from first to last. That would be an amazing start.
I would follow the order than Kaplan recommends
hey wanted to ask if i want to decide myself which topics to study according to "Todays date" will the " todays studys column show " the topic youve put according to ur plan or can we choose what to study today accrding to own plan each day .
Also, do we have to plan every topic to study on each day upfront ?
You can study the topics in any order you like, at the pace you like. You do not need to plan each day upfront. You can study 3.1 one day and 51.1 the next day. I frequently studied things out of order as well.
Hi Brandon. Do you have your completed notion and anki versions for sale? I am interested.
Hey! Sorry, but I do not
Hi got a quest. Why didnt u use cfa marerials and focused more on kaplan materials ?
Kaplan's textbook materials were more concise and easier to consume in my opinion. As for practice questions, I liked Kaplan's more as well with the ability to create mini quizzes
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals noted thank you very much for your help 🙏
Thanks for the great vid!
I just wanted to know tho, how much of a difference would it make if I used a source of study material other than Kaplan? Is the CFAI material not recommended?
Hey! You can totally use the CFAI material or another test prep provider other than Kaplan. Plenty of people pass using those options. Since I used Kaplan personally, that is why my spreadsheet is tailor-made for Kaplan. But the system of studying that I shared can be used if you use the CFAI material or another provider's material.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Good to know! Thanks a lot for the reply Brandon!
Genius! Please make a video for. the 2024 Cfa level 1 plan
Hi Brandon, I'm sitting in February 2024. I'm interested in your spreadsheet. Your asking price is more than fair. Any chance you can update it for the 2024 weightings? Also, regarding flashcard. Making them seems tedious to me (im not all that tech savvy, and just watching how you did it seemed out of my natural wheelhouse. Would you say the value is split between making and having them? If not, can I just purchase your Anki flashcard setup? Give you honest opinion if you don't think that would be as valuable to me.
Hi Samuel - I'm hoping to update and publish the 2024 sheet in within the next 3 weeks. I am waiting on Kaplan to make their curriculum available. Yes, creating flashcards is tedious, but taking a few days to get over the learning curve of anki is worth it to me.
By the way, I do not sell my flashcards. They contain far too many screenshots and snippets of material that was copied and pasted from Kaplan's material. If I sold or gave it away, it could be considered a redistribution of their material. I wish I could
Do you have the excel sheet for L2 May 2024?
Yes - It can be found through the same link in the description
Hi I found your channel and looking at getting your system. Quick question, how many months out would you recommend to schedule for the cfa1?
5 to 6 months would be my recommendation
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals Does your spreadsheet only work with Kaplan or can I easily modify with the Mark Meldrum?
@@emptyxnes It's built for Kaplan in the sense that it includes the table of contents of Kaplan's material. But it contains the same Topics and Readings that standard with the CFA material. I haven't personally modified it for Mark's material, but I know many have. The spreadsheet can be easily edited. Nothing is locked
hello brandon. Thanks for the video but I need some help more on the spreadsheet there. How do you come up with one?
Hello! I recently purchased your revision spreadsheet and have a question about balancing new lessons and revising old sections. Specifically, I'm curious about your approach when studying two new sections, 29.1 and 30.1, while also needing to review older sections such as 12.1, 12.3, and 14.1 within the same day. It seems like the revision workload could become quite substantial as you add new lessons. How do you efficiently manage this? Do you focus on reviewing specific areas within those sections that you find challenging, or do you quickly go over Anki and Qbanks? I'm eager to find an effective strategy, and your insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your help! :)
Hi, yes the workload can become quite large at some points throughout your studying journey. Sometimes you will have to review numerous lessons in one day, while still studying 2 new ones per day.
The first thing that alleviates this workload is the mastery of a module. As you review modules and begin to rank them as 8, 9, and 10, you will start to see them scheduled less and less for review sessions.
Secondly, most of the time when I reviewed a lesson, I quickly went through my flashcards and worked on about 5 practice questions for that specific lesson. Sometimes, going through my flashcards to review for a lesson would take 2-5 minutes. You'll become quite fast as you master the concepts.
So, if your review sessions are taking 1 hour for a single lesson, that is too long of a review. It shouldn't take that long unless you truly don't understand something. If you don't understand, take your time to learn. But if you are reviewing material that you have learned, but are trying to memorize, then memorize through a quick review of the flashcards and move on.
Hey possible I get that spreadsheet for free? I’m not taking the CFA yet due to financial constraints.
Hey Brandon ! Does the spreadsheet for 2025 only align with the Kapln content?
Like it won’t help me if i just depends on the cfa content or Mark ? Thank you cz I already look forward to it
It is built for Kaplan’s material because it references their table of contents. The spreadsheet can be easily edited and I know several have adapted the sheet for using Mark’s material. I have not done this myself though, so I can’t comment on the experience of doing so
Hi Brandon! I'm 1 month into studying and so far its been very enriching journey and your resources made it even better!
I wanted to ask concerning anki and the SRS method you mentioned as I'm a bit confused :(
- Should we review the flashcards as per the days set in the excel SRS?
- Or we review the cards based on what anki sets?
- Or should we review the cards anki set to be reviewed (only the review cards? or the whole deck for a reading?) on the days the days the excel set?
Sorry for the long question!! >.
No worries! I can see how that is confusing. Personally, I studied the flashcards as per the days set from the Excel sheet
@bhill-biznessprofessionals Oh I see! Thank you so much😆
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals does this mean you used a custom study in anki to review all of them still? or u still used the cards that anki set from the 'learning' phases?
@@specterwo1f746 Personally, i used a custom study. That worked best for me
Update! Passed the cfa l1 unfortunately didnt get 90th percentile thoughh very close x.x
Hi Brandon, thank you so much for your insights! Do you think going through CFAI reading material is critical in addition to Mark Meldum video & notes? Do you think Kaplan Schweser's notes instead of CFAI material are a good bet since it is concise? I intend to subscribe to Mark's videos, do CFAI qbank, blue box, EOCQ & mock tests.
Thank you so much
Gaurav - Level 1
Hi Gaurav - I did not use any of Mark Meldrum's materials, so I can't give you an opinion on that. I only used Kaplan's and that is what I recommend. I tried using CFAI's reading material, but I found Kaplan's to be more concise as you said, and more digestible.
@bhill-biznessprofessionals Sure, thanks for your revert. Really appreciate your input. Best.
Thank you for this!
Of course!
Hey Brandon! Should I take My CFA #1 exam right after school in may or should i take it in august ? Or should I even wait after My Degree? I really dont know but your video is pure gold!!!!
Thanks for the compliment! Personally, I think it would be tough to study for the exam while you are still in school. However, if you think you can fit 300+ hours of studying in while you are in school, then go for it. If you choose to do so, I think taking it in August would be a better option because the last two months, and especially the last month, are intense. It'd be nice to have these intense months happen during your summer.
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals perfect! thanks for the Quick answer🔥🫶🏻
Hey Brandon! I had another doubt. Let's say you complete a learning module and you head towards the practice questions. Do you solve all the EOC questions of the learning module at once and only then you proceed to the next module??... or you leave some questions to be solved for the next time you revise the topic again, as per the spreadsheet (to prevent repitition of questions)
Great stuff and Congrats! Did you really not read any of the CFA textbooks nor smashed thosed CFA Practice Questions in the Learning Ecosystem?? *stunned*
Hey Ameerah, thanks! Honestly, I tried to read through the first book from CFAI and I didn't like it over Kaplan's textbooks. I flipped through other sections of the CFAI books and confirmed my initial judgment. As for the CFAI practice problems, I did the same thing. I tried working on problems for a few readings and did not prefer the platform over Kaplans. However, I did work on the CFAI's Ethics practice problems. It was all personal preference for me. Obviously, the content from the CFA is all you need, but I felt like it was easier for me to learn and practice through Kaplan's platform and textbooks.
Hi Brandon
Do sell the notes you wrote on notion?
Hi Abdulaziz - I do not sell those. Sorry
Hi CFA LEVEL1 candidate here. I just recently bought your material. I noted that you have used Kaplan as your third party. I'm thinking of using Mark Meldrum's reading videos. But I'm not quite sure how I will be able to use Anki and Notion considering these are videos. Should I just use CFAI as my material for notion and anki, while going through the videos of Mark's? Will appreciate any thoughts. Thanks, Brandon!
Hey Lewis - You could still take notes on Mark's material within Notion and then you could turn those notes into flashcards in Anki. It might require more manual typing than my method with Kaplan because they are videos, but it is an option.
You could also create notes with the CFAI material. Maybe experiment with both and see which is more useful. I didn't take notes on any of the CFAI material, so I can't tell you how that experience would be, but I did try to read the CFAI material at the beginning of my studies and I found it to be a bit drawn out. I used Kaplan's material because it was more concise and digestible. Maybe Mark's will be the same. I don't have experience with his material other than his TH-cam channel
@@bhill-biznessprofessionalsThank you for taking the time entertaining my question. I really appreciate it.
Alright. Thanks, Brandon!
@@LewisRobinson828 You're welcome!
Hi Brandon!@@bhill-biznessprofessionals taking CFAL1 right now with the use of your material. May I ask what's your mindset going thru each of the lesson for the first time? Is it like "I have to master this lesson"? or more of like "Ill go thru them the first time and then just rely on the spaced repetition for them to stick?"?
Also how many hours do you allocate for your review and for sutdying new lessons considering that you take 1-2 hrs in the first few months of ur study and 3 hrs in the latter part of the marathon?
Thanks! :)
@@LewisRobinson828 First time I go through a lesson, I'm trying to take best notes I can, which for me, meant creating the toggle questions and answers in Notion that I would eventually use in Anki to memorize. I'd take these notes for the lesson. After that, I would review it and try to absorb what I could, but especially the fundamentals. I did not try to master a lesson the first time through. I did have faith that the material would crystallize over time through spaced repetition.
When it comes to reviewing a lesson, this would entail studying my flashcards and also doing around 5 practice questions through Kaplan. If I was reviewing a lesson I was confident in, sometimes my flashcard review for that lesson would take a few minutes, with me spending a few seconds on each flashcard. For lessons I struggled with, I'd spend more time on those obviously.
I'd try to learn new lessons and review lessons as efficient as possible, which ended up being around 1-2 hours per day at the start. There wasn't a particular breakdown such as "1 hr for learning and 1 hour for review." I'd learn a lesson as quickly as I could, and then move onto reviewing.
Notion supports LaTeX math notation for equations. Great deal!
Hey let me know if you don’t pass level II because if you don’t, then I’ll know to stop studying immediately and return my materials. Thanks.
Hi Brandon, I am taking level 1 exam in august. Was wondering if you would do 1 on 1 sessions to go through textbook questions. I just need help with using the calculator (BA II Plus professional) is this something you could maybe help with?
Hey Brandon, been using your template for a while now for August - I am wondering what did you do when some days you had over 5 flashcards sets to review? I've been getting 6 and even 7 in some days and I find it hindering the amount of time I could be learning the new material, how would you recommend to work around?
If you are struggling with 5 flashcard sets, your flashcards may be too complex, or you are spending too much time on your flashcards due to understanding. Your flashcards should be for reviewing, not for learning for the first time.
This could be why it's taking so long to get through your flashcards. You could go back to review your original notes to develop understanding first. Then your flashcards will be a review.
Often, I was spending seconds on each flashcard. And I would sometimes have up to 20 sets per day to review. You need to be able to move through flashcards quickly to do that volume obviously.
As you start to rank more lessons 9 or 10, this will alleviate how many flashcard decks you could potentially review per day, since the study sessions are spaced out further.
But somedays are just brutal with the scheduling as the due dates for lessons pile up on one day in particular. For these days, you could lesson the load by studying a few lessons a day or two later, if that day has a light load
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals thank you. I believe its just my cards are too complex. would you recommend to maybe just make the anki card purely just vocab review, like those bolded terms in the kaplan curriculum?
@@specterwo1f746 Vocab review probably won't be enough. You'll need a mix of concepts, vocab, and formulas on your flashcards. Whatever is useful for you
Can I buy your anki flash cards, not the template?
No, I don't sell those, sorry. They contain screenshots and copy and pasted material from Kaplan. Can't re-distribute that
@@bhill-biznessprofessionals what if I have already bought Kaplan… lowkey my man🫡🫡🫡
HI, have bought your spreadsheet - quite good. However can you clarify what the percentages are in each topic heading - in columns G & H. cheers
Thanks. Those percentages represent what percentage of questions on the exam will be related to those topics.
hii! Brandon, I’m a newer in TH-cam, and i don’t know how and where to download your resources about notion, anki , bread and butter, and I’m really looking forward to start my CFA level 1, please tell me how to download~~~~❤
Hi! You can use the link in the description of this video
@@bhill-biznessprofessionalsget it！！！！！thx so much❤