Preparing for the CFA Level 1 May 2026 Exam as a College Student from Mumbai

If you are a college student from Mumbai preparing for the CFA Level 1 May 2026 exam, you are probably looking for the best CFA coaching in India that offers quality guidance, lectures, and notes to help you pass with flying colors. For me, this journey was transformational. I started my preparation at the end of August 2024, and with the help of RBei Classes—known for having the highest pass rate in India of 94%—I cracked the exam in my first attempt with an outstanding score of 1795 out of 1800, topping in all 10 subjects.

In this blog, I will share my complete strategy, tips, and personal story, hoping that it offers useful insights to fellow CFA aspirants preparing for the May 2026 exam. Let’s dive in.

Why I Choose RBei Classes? The Best CFA Coaching in India

Choosing the right coaching institute is critical when preparing for the CFA Level 1 exam. I was searching for the best CFA lectures and notes, and RBei Classes stood out for several reasons:

• They have the highest pass rate in India of 94%, which reflects their solid exam preparation approach.
• The recorded lectures are detailed, easy to understand, and focus on practical knowledge—something I found lacking in other coaching institutes.
• Deepak Goyal Sir, the founder and mentor at RBei, offers personalized mentorship and is always available to clarify doubts, which I found immensely helpful.
• The unlimited watch views and validity of the course until you pass make it the ideal choice for busy students managing college, job, or internships.
• Their mock exams are tough and very close to the actual CFA exam format, which sharpened my exam-writing skills and time management under pressure.

My Preparation Strategy for CFA Level 1 May 2026 Exam

When I started my preparation in August 2024, balancing college and CFA studies was challenging. My priority was to create a disciplined study schedule but having the right content and guidance made all the difference.

1. Starting Early and Focused: I divided all 10 CFA subjects into manageable parts and allocated daily topics to cover with RBei’s recorded lectures.
2. Deepak Goyal Sir’s Practical Approach: Sir emphasized understanding concepts with real-life applications rather than mere theory. This boosted my confidence and retention of complex topics like Fixed Income and Derivatives.
3. Unlimited Access to Lectures: I used this feature to revise tough topics multiple times. This was crucial when juggling internship and college exams.
4. Tough Mock Exams: I took RBei’s mock exams regularly, which simulated the actual exam environment. Tough questions and strict time limits built my stamina and exam temperament.
5. Personal Mentorship Support: I reached out to Deepak Sir for personalized guidance whenever stuck. His mentorship helped me focus on weak areas and boosted my morale during stressful times.

Real-Life Scenario—Balancing CFA Prep and Internship

A few months before the exam, I got shortlisted for an internship at BlackRock in Gurugram, one of the top global investment firms. Managing a demanding internship alongside CFA Level 1 preparation was tough, but the flexibility of RBei Classes helped me immensely.

• I would study using recorded lectures late at night or early mornings before work.
• I rewatched critical sessions multiple times at my own pace.
• The valid-until-you-pass policy relieved stress about missing classes or deadlines.
• Personal mentorship helped me stay on track despite my busy schedule.

This personalized and flexible setup helped me achieve top quartiles in all 10 subjects and score an astonishing 1795/1800 in the CFA Level 1 exam.

Deepak Goyal CFA & FRM

Founder & CEO of RBei Classes

• 16,000+ Students Trained in CFA, FRM, Investment Banking & Financial Modelling
• 95% Students Successfully Placed • 94.6% Pass Rate In Exam

Contact Deepak Sir

Why Recorded Lectures Are Best for CFA Preparation?

Many ask why recorded lectures are better than live coaching. Here’s why I found RBei’s recorded lectures superior:

• Learn anytime, anywhere without worrying about missing sessions.
• Ability to pause, rewind, and revisit complex topics until fully understood.
• High-quality, detailed explanations that are concise yet comprehensive.
• Avoid the stress of live classes and rewatch lessons based on your convenience.
• Perfect for students juggling work, college, or internships like me.

What Makes RBei Classes Better Than Other Institutes?

RBei Classes is not just another coaching institute—it’s a community dedicated to your success:

• Focus on conceptual clarity and practical understanding rather than just syllabus completion.
• Unlimited watch views and validity until you pass, ensuring no student is left behind.
• Difficult mock exams that challenge you and prepare you for the exam day effectively.
• Personalized mentorship by Deepak Goyal Sir, who is deeply involved in each student’s journey.
• Best CFA lectures and notes specifically designed for efficient revision.
• A track record of the highest pass rates in India, 94%, proving their teaching works.

Final Words and Tips for Aspiring CFA Candidates

If you are serious about cracking CFA Level 1 in May 2026, here are a few tips based on my experience:

• Start early and follow a strict study schedule.
• Choose the coaching institute that offers flexible learning with practical knowledge—like RBei Classes.
• Make full use of recorded lectures and take mock exams seriously.
• Don’t hesitate to seek personalized mentorship whenever you face difficulties.
• Balance your life events—internships, jobs, college—by opting for coaching with unlimited validity.
• Stay consistent and confident; success is achievable.

I hope my story inspires and helps you approach CFA Level 1 preparations with a focused and practical mindset. With the right guidance and dedication, you too can achieve your dream of becoming a CFA charterholder in your first attempt.

Wishing you all the best for your CFA Level 1 May 2026 exam journey!

1. How much time should I dedicate daily to prepare for CFA Level 1?

As a student who started late August and managed to clear CFA Level 1 on my first attempt, I can say that dedicating around 2-3 hours daily is ideal if you are consistent. The key is regularity and focused study sessions rather than cramming. It’s also important to use quality study material like the ones from RBei Classes to optimize your time.

2. Are recorded lectures better than live classes for CFA preparation?

From my experience, recorded lectures are definitely better, especially if you are balancing college, internships, or a job. For example, with RBei, I could watch lectures anytime, pause, rewind, and revisit difficult topics, which was a huge advantage. It gave me the flexibility to learn at my own pace without missing out due to scheduling conflicts.

3. How important is the mentorship during CFA preparation?

Mentorship is a game changer. I was fortunate to have Deepak Goyal Sir’s personal guidance, which helped clear doubts quickly and kept me motivated. Having someone experienced can help you focus on weak areas and develop an effective strategy, making all the difference in passing the exam with top scores.

4. What should I do if I am juggling CFA prep with an internship or job?

I totally understand how tough that can be! The best approach is to pick a coaching that offers flexibility like RBei Classes, which gave me unlimited views and validity until I passed. I made sure to study early mornings or late at night when I could focus. Planning and sticking to a schedule while utilizing recorded content to study anytime really helped me manage both without burning out.

5. How do mock exams help in CFA Level 1 preparation?

Mock exams are crucial. The tough mock tests at RBei prepared me for the real exam’s pressure and question patterns. They helped build my time management, identify my weak subjects, and improve my answering speed. It’s like a rehearsal for the big day, and I recommend taking as many mocks as you can to boost confidence.