With just 10 days left until the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, maximizing your preparation is crucial. Are you feeling the pressure? This guide provides a comprehensive 10-day CFA prep countdown, essential tips for exam day, and strategies to enhance your readiness. Whether you’re fully prepared or scrambling to finalize your studies, this plan is designed to boost your chances of success.

Make the most of your final days by focusing not on learning new material but reinforcing your knowledge, honing your problem-solving skills, and building confidence. Let’s explore how to optimize this critical period.

Days 10 to 7

Reinforce Core Concepts
  • Prioritize key topics like Ethics, Financial Reporting and Analysis, and Equity, which heavily influence your score. Efficiently review these areas using summary notes and formula sheets.
Address Weak Areas
  • Revisit past mock exams and concentrate on challenging sections.
  • Avoid new topics; instead, refine your existing knowledge.
Employ Active Recall Techniques to Enhance Retention
  • Quiz yourself with flashcards on essential formulas and definitions, using apps like Anki for support.
  • Tackle short, focused question sets of 30 to 50 questions per topic to boost accuracy and confidence in your CFA prep.

Days 6 to 4

Prioritize Full-Length Mock Exams and Time Management
  • Complete at least two timed mock exams to mirror the actual exam experience.
  • Monitor your pace—adhering to the 90-second rule: if stuck, proceed and revisit later.
  • After each mock, analyze your errors to refine your strategy. Focus on correcting consistent mistakes.

Mock exams are excellent for enhancing stamina and familiarizing yourself with the test’s format.

Days 3 to1

Transition from Intensive Study to Light Review and Mental CFA Prep
  • Focus on reinforcing knowledge and cultivating the right mindset.
  • Concentrate on your summary notes and crucial formulas to strengthen understanding rather than cramming new material.
Prioritize Sleep to Maintain Mental Sharpness
  • Aim for 7 to 8 hours of quality rest nightly, avoiding late-night cram sessions that could hinder performance.
Hydration and Balanced Nutrition
  • Opt for light, nourishing meals and minimize caffeine and heavy foods to maintain focus and energy.
Brief and Productive Study Sessions
  • Review flashcards, formulas, and key topics in short bursts, incorporating frequent breaks to prevent burnout.
  • Utilize the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of study and a 5-minute break to refresh.

Exam Day

Exam day is crucial—your hard work culminates here. Now, it’s time to demonstrate your preparation.

Consider these key points:
  • Arrive at the exam center 45 minutes early to check in and settle without rushing. Arriving late, as I once did, adds unnecessary stress and is not ideal for starting a challenging exam.
  • Ensure you have all the essentials: a valid ID, printed admission ticket, and a CFA-approved calculator—Texas Instruments BA II Plus or HP 12C. (Don’t forget extra batteries.)
  • Manage your time wisely during the exam. Follow your pacing strategy; if a question stumps you, move on and return to it later. Read each question thoroughly. CFA questions are often complex—so ensure you understand them before responding.
  • Stay calm and trust your CFA prep. You’ve prepared thoroughly; now, stay focused, remain positive, and do your best.

Explore our CFA Study Planner—tailored to ensure your success with detailed study materials, expert-led lessons, and effective exam strategies.

Maximize Your CFA Prep for Exam Success

Follow these straightforward tips to approach your exam with confidence. Success hinges on your study hours and effective mental, physical, and strategic preparation. Use the last 10 days to refine your understanding, reinforce essential ideas, and cultivate the confidence necessary to excel.

We offer exclusive resources and personalized study tools to support your CFA prep journey further. Unlock your potential and start your path to success today.

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