Juggling Two Worlds: CFA Level 1 Coaching Meets CAT Prep

When I first decided to take on both CFA Level 1 and CAT, people around me looked shocked.

“How will you manage both?”
“Don’t you think CFA is too technical alongside CAT?”

I understood their concern. After all, both exams demand deep focus—but in very different directions. CFA Level 1 Coaching requires you to think like an analyst, while CAT tests you like a strategist under time pressure. But I was stubborn—and determined to not choose between them. So, here’s how I cracked CFA Level 1 with 70+ percentile in every subject, while also staying committed to my CAT journey.

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Why I Chose CFA Alongside CAT in the First Place

I’m  a final-year Economics student at Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi University. Like many, I was preparing for CAT to pursue MBA in Finance. However, during my summer internship at a fintech startup, I was advised by a mentor:

“If you’re serious about finance, CFA will give you an edge even before your MBA.”

That struck a chord. I didn’t want to wait to start learning core finance. I wanted a globally recognized credential to back my CV. And so, with CAT already in full swing, I registered for CFA Level 1 for the November window.

Finding the Right CFA Level 1 Coaching Was Crucial

I knew from day one—self-study won’t be enough this time. I had to find the Best CFA Level 1 Coaching that could accommodate my CAT-centric schedule, give me clarity on topics, and avoid unnecessary bloat.

That’s how I discovered RBei Classes and Deepak Goyal Sir.

What sold me?

• Flexible Study Planner customized around my CAT mock test dates
• Concept-based Ultra Advance Lectures (no rote-learning fluff)
• AI Doubt Solver Support, which was a lifesaver at 11 PM!
• And honestly, the 4000+ question bank and Mock Tests in CBT format gave me the confidence I lacked.

The Real Strategy – Not Just Study Hours, But Smart Layering

Instead of separating CAT and CFA prep, I layered them like this:

Morning (6–8 AM) – CAT Verbal/Quant

My brain is sharper in the morning, so I tackled Quant or RC passages first thing.

College Hours (10 AM – 3 PM) – Regular Classes

I avoided club meetings or distractions post-lectures. If I had a free hour, I watched CFA lecture snippets via the RBei mobile portal.

Evening (5–8 PM) – CFA Focus Time

This was sacred. I used:

• Ultra Advance Lectures by Deepak Sir
• Worked on CBT Practice Sets
• Reviewed topic-wise summary notes

 Weekends – Full Practice Mode

• One full-length CAT Mock
• One CFA Practice Test
• Revision with important chapter list from RBei

CFA Topic-Wise Strategy That Helped Me Hit Above 70%ile in All Subjects

Subject	How I Scored High
Ethics	Solved 300+ scenarios from the mock sets. Understood the spirit, not just rules.
Quantitative Methods	Aligned it with CAT quant. CFA helped strengthen theory, CAT sharpened my speed.
FRA	Watched revision videos 3 times + practiced 500 Qs from RBei portal.
Economics	Used CAT macro/micro prep + linked with CFA real-world examples via case studies.
Corporate Finance	Understood DCF, NPV, WACC in-depth via Financial Modelling Basics add-on.
Equity/Fixed Income	Watched real-life market application videos. Loved the way RBei connected theory.
Derivatives	Struggled initially, but HOTS assignments changed the game.
Alt. Investments	Used summary sheets. Targeted only important areas from RBei’s “must-do” list.
Portfolio Management	Easy to grasp with visual lectures + CFA notes simplified it massively.

Overcoming Burnout & Doubts

There were days I wanted to quit CFA and focus only on CAT. But that’s when Topper’s Talk on the RBei platform kept me going. Listening to students who were in my shoes gave me the mental boost I needed.

Also, Deepak Sir’s personal check-ins made a difference. Just knowing someone was tracking my progress, giving reminders, and helping me tweak my planner when CAT exams came close—that support was unmatched.

Resources That Made All the Difference

•  RBei CFA Notes – concise & perfect for revision
•  CBT Mock Tests (8 Full-Length) – helped with stamina building
•  AI Doubt Solver – fast doubt resolution
•  Advanced Assignments – real exam-style difficulty
• Placement Program Access – added long-term value beyond CFA

Where It All Landed Me

When results came out, I had scored above 70th percentile in all 10 subjects of CFA Level 1, and was getting 98–99 percentile in CAT mocks. The dual prep strategy not only helped me crack CFA but made me 10x sharper in solving logical reasoning and finance-based DI questions in CAT. Today, I’ve been shortlisted by two IIMs and have interview offers from two top asset management firms—all thanks to this double-edged preparation.

Final Words for Students Considering Both CFA and CAT

You don’t have to pick one.
You just have to pick the right support system.

If you’re in college and planning CAT, enrolling with RBei Classes for CFA Level 1 Coaching can be your smartest career move. Not only do they offer the Best CFA Lectures, but their Mock Exams, Resume Building Support, and Python + Data Science modules build a strong portfolio for placements too.

FAQ 1: Can I prepare for CFA Level 1 along with CAT without compromising on either?

Yes, it is absolutely possible to prepare for both CFA Level 1 and CAT, provided you follow a well-structured study plan and have the right guidance. These two exams test different skill sets:

• CAT focuses on aptitude, speed, and logical thinking.
• CFA Level 1 emphasizes financial concepts, analytical reasoning, and real-world application.

By creating dedicated time blocks and following a layered strategy—as shared in the blog—you can prepare for both effectively. Choosing the Best CFA Level 1 Coaching, like RBei Classes, is essential because it offers customized study planners, ultra-advanced lectures, and CBT-style mocks that help you optimize your limited study time without burnout.

FAQ 2: How should I divide my week between CFA Level 1 and CAT preparation?

A well-balanced weekly plan is the key to managing both exams. Here’s a sample breakdown based on what worked for many students at RBei:

Day	Morning (1–2 hrs)	Evening (1–2 hrs)
Mon–Fri	CAT Quant / Verbal	CFA Topic Study + Practice Questions
Saturday	CAT Full Mock / Revision	CFA – One Topic + Mock Questions
Sunday	CFA Mock (CBT style)	CAT DI-LR Practice + Revision

Pro tip: Use CAT quant practice to reinforce CFA Quantitative Methods. And use CFA’s logical structure to strengthen CAT Data Interpretation and decision-making.

RBei Classes also offers a customized planner that adjusts based on your CAT test schedule, mock scores, and college timing.

FAQ 3: Which topics of CFA Level 1 are the most scoring and how should I prioritize them alongside CAT?

When juggling two major exams, it’s crucial to focus on high-weightage and high-return topics in CFA Level 1 first. Here’s a priority list based on exam weight and synergy with CAT:

1. Ethics (15–20% weight) – Start early and revise often. Critical for passing CFA.
2. Quantitative Methods – Overlaps with CAT Quant. Reinforce concepts through both prep.
3. Financial Reporting & Analysis (FRA) – Heavy-weighted and highly conceptual. Use RBei’s revision videos and notes.
4. Economics – If you’re prepping for CAT VARC or GK, this becomes easier to grasp.
5. Corporate Finance & Portfolio Management – Medium-weight but scoring if understood through real-world examples.

RBei’s List of Important Chapters and HOTS assignments help you isolate high-impact content to save time and boost scores.

FAQ 4: How does RBei Classes support students who are also preparing for CAT or other exams?

RBei Classes is one of the Best CFA Level 1 Coaching institutes, especially for students balancing multiple goals. Here’s how RBei is uniquely suited for CAT+CFA aspirants:

•  Personalised Study Planner based on your CAT dates and mocks
•  Short, focused lecture modules that allow daily progress in 60–90 minutes
•  AI Doubt Solver Support, active 24×7 for quick resolution
•  Weekend Mock Test Schedule, so you don’t clash with CAT mocks
•  Current Affairs & Resume Building modules, helpful for CAT interviews
•  3-Month Placement Program Access after CFA Level 1, to help build your career early

This dual benefit helps students not only crack CFA and CAT but also gain an edge in interviews and internships.

FAQ 5: Should I use CFA Curriculum books or rely on coaching notes if I’m short on time due to CAT prep?

If you are short on time—and most CAT aspirants are—it’s more effective to focus on coaching notes, summary sheets, and revision videos rather than reading every line of the CFA Curriculum.

Here’s how RBei helps:

•  Their CFA Notes are condensed and exam-focused.
•  They offer revision videos for every topic—perfect for weekend recaps.
•  The AI Doubt Solver replaces the need to reread chapters.
•  Important Chapter Lists highlight what to skip and what to master.

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