How I Scored Above 70%ile in All CFA Level 1 Subjects While Preparing for CAT – My Balanced Strategy
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. Must Read: CFA Level 2 Syllabus, Fees, Exam Dates, and Complete Guide CFA Level 3 Syllabus, Subjects, Fees, and Exam Details 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? 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: Weekends – Full Practice Mode 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 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: 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?