How to Smash CFA Level 1 (90th Percentile - 2024)

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In this video I cover key changes to the CFA Level 1 curriculum in 2024 and explain how I passed the exam with a 90th percentile score, including important topics.

IFT LINKS (2025)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Level overview (including changes)
04:46 - Tip 1
05:41 - Tip 2
07:10 - Tip 3
09:34 - Tip 4

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.

[loichelene]

Hi Haaris, I didn't have time to comment on your last video so I'll do it under this one.
It's a wonderful event and it's interesting to be able to see your development as a man handling a great job in the high finance industry and personal life also.
I think I speak on behalf of those who follow you when I say that you have our full support.
I wish you a good day

[hopeful]

Your videos are really great and helpful. Your suggestion of buying IFT notes seems a good thing as note-taking takes a lot of time. Not many CFA YouTubers talk about this strategy.

[Lucas-beth]

What isthe percentage of questions you need to use your calculator on the exam because I wonder if should focus more on theory or the practice. When doing curriculum practice question sometimes there are tasks when you need like 10 minutes to calculate so probably not possible to have the same on the exam.

[natashamadowainda]

Hey Harris. Your videos are great. Can you please share tips on how you practiced your questions and how you were able to memorise your formulas

[harshitsinha]

great video! after watching your videos i had started studying finance and wanted to study cfa but i was not sure if it was for me, so i enrolled to IFT's free quants videos and after completing 6 LMs i purchased MM's FSA module for $37 and currently am on 6th pre-read. I wanna register for the CFA L1 but im not sure as it took around 21 days to complete quats till 6th LM, do you think i should register for nov this year or feb-2025.
P.S.- my accuracy while solving qbank was around 68% on average right after completing the LMs

[houssamdiouri]

I have 3 months to the exam, (May 20th) I've been studying using the curriculum but it's long and boring as you said. I'm not working at the moment so I can put in a lot of hours of studying which is why I think I can pass without 6 months of prep. But should I get the IFT basic level 1 package or do the high yield package and combine it with A LOT of practice questions?

[BhagavadGita]

Bro make a road map to clear CFA and how many time required to complete all the level.

[mrmoney]

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL SKILLS MODULES? Do they count towards the exam?

[SpartansPlaysGames]

How did you find Mark’s Q-bank? I recently started practicing with it instead of only the CFAI stuff and I got humbled very fast haha

[FAM-gr]

which MM package would you recommend to for along with the IFT notes?

[akhileshdatar]

Hey Harris can i just do ift package and watch mark meldrum vids to go through planning to give exam in Feb 2025, I've been going through ift for 2 months

[hopeful]

Haaris, what if I buy the full CFA Level 1 package from IFT instead of combining Dr. Mark and IFT? I just feel like focusing on one provider.

[ravishitole]

Hi Harris, it was a great video, I am plan to take my CFA L1 IN MAY 2025, I purchase full package from CFA Which has 1000 questions and 5 mock AND planning to read CFA material, can I just buy IFT high yield NOTES ? Or anything else you recommend ?

[tahamajid]

Hey ! Would the premium ift package be enough to clear level 1( paticularly interested in the videos, are they good enough ? ) . I also have scheweser notes

[seanchristian]

hi Haaris, do you use both IFT notes and IFT high yield notes? i purchased the high yield notes only and wondering if thats sufficient?

[abhaymahajan]

How would you recommend structuring my study

1) watching mm’s full videos on each topic first and reading through the notes.

2) then watching the review videos and start answering eoc questions.

3) then doing practice ques and referring to notes or review videos where I get stuck.

4) Doing mock exams after all this.

Am i missing something or there is something you would change in this plan?

[odogwuldn]

Hi Haaris, love your content man and I'm a fan of your channel.

I have a dilemma. I'm registered for the August 2024 CFA level 1 sitting and I've only just started preparing for exams using IFT hardcopy notes and practicing questions on the CFA institute curriculum. However, learning the content is taking me a lot of time and I may not finish learning all the content and practice questions on the CFA institute until early July. I've also considered rescheduling for the Nov 2024 sitting as I feel I may have insufficient time and have left it too late but I will have to pay around $200 to reschedule.
Please in regards to my situation do you think the IFT high-yield notes material can be effective used stand alone or should I just continue using the CFA institute curriculum and also using IFT hardcopy notes or even reschedule for Nov 2024 sitting?

I'm interested to know your thoughts and what you would do and recommend if you were in my situation since you have used the high-yield course and completed the CFA level 1 exam. Also apologies for the long comment, just been procrastinating and finding it difficult to make a decision.

[mohithpm]

Hi Haaris, I have recently started to watch your contents and looks pretty helpful for me, Firstly Thanks for that.
I currently graduated with a Bachelor's in Statistics (India)and looking to build a good career in Finance, particularly in Investment Management, Investment Banking etc. So I'm stucked in between two best options in Indian, i.e MBA (fin) or CFA. I couldn't find any mentor who can give some advices regarding this, if you can relate my problem, pls comment on your key point of view in this topic.

Thanks!!

[mridulsinghal]

Hi Harris, I am planning to take MM L1 package. I wanna know that will it be MM who will be teaching? Or some subordinate faculty? Because we recently heard that MM is stepping down.

Please help.

[carolamoriau]

In your latest video of 6th July, this order of topics have changed to: 1.Qants> 2.FI> 3.Der (no order suggested in between) 10.Ethics. Confusing my little tired head tbh