How to Become a CFA Charter holder in 18 Months : A Strategic Guide

The CFA credential is one of the most respected and recognized designations in finance and investment management. It provides entry to high-paying jobs, leadership opportunities and global access. The majority of candidates finish the CFA Program in 3-4 years, but, with the right technique, study schedule, and the motivation, it’s even possible to become a CFA Charterholder in just 18 months.

This blog post will walk you through exactly how to pass all 3 CFA levels and the charter requirements in 18 months.

Table of Contents

What Is a CFA Charter holder?

CFA Charterholder CFA Charterholder is a title assigned to a finance professional who has completed:

Completed all three CFA levels.
4000 professional hours in relevant investment roles as well.
Applied for and received membership in the CFA Institute.

The CFA Charter is the gold standard in investment and portfolio management. It shines in particular in the following careers:

Investment Banking
Equity Research
Portfolio Management
Wealth Management
Risk Analysis
Corporate Finance

Is It Possible to Complete CFA in 18 Months?

CFA in 18 Months – Could It Be Done?
Yes, but it requires:
Finishing every level at the first try
Sitting both exams in the first available window
The necessary working experience which has already been finished or is carried out concurrently
Time management and discipline of the highest order

Perfect CFA Exam Study Plan 18 Months Here is how the ideal CFA schedule 18 months could look like:

Here is how you can plan your trip:

Month	Activity
Month 1–4	Prepare for CFA Level 1 (Feb/Aug exam)
Month 5	Take CFA Level 1 exam
Month 6–10	Prepare for CFA Level 2 (Aug/Nov exam)
Month 11	Take CFA Level 2 exam
Month 12–16	Prepare for CFA Level 3 (Feb/Aug exam)
Month 17	Take CFA Level 3 exam
Month 18	Apply for CFA Charter (if work exp. done)

The number of months you can changedepends on the exams cycle (FEB, MAY, AUG, NOV).

How to Pass CFA in 18 Months:

Step 1: Know the CFA Exam Pattern

Levels The CFA Program is comprised of three levels:

Level I: Basic understanding of the investment tools, codes of working and professional ethics.
Level II: Focuses on the valuation of assets and analysing them.
Level III: Emphasizes more on portfolio management and wealth planning.

Each “level” is somewhere around 300-400 hours of study. To finish it in 18 months, you need to put in 15–20 hours a week, continually.

Step 2: Register Smartly

After passing Level I, you can register for Level II through the CFA Institute – exams are offered four times a year in February, May, August and November starting in 2025.

Ideal path:

Level I: February
Level II: August (same year)
Level III: Can (next year)

18 months is the perfect time frame for this plan.

Step 3: Plan Your Study Practice stringently for Your Test

Break your study into three parts:

Phase 1: Learn (50% of the time)

Discuss curriculum or third-party books or materials.
Improve your seminars first; Learn theory, math, and framework.

Phase 2: Practice (30%)

Try practice questions after each reading.
Attempt question banks and mock exams.

Phase 3: Revise (20%)

Revise key topics.
Do 2-3 full practice tests with a time clock.

Pro Tip: The CFA Institute gives free mocks and practice questions. Use them extensively.

Get More Details CFA Classes Pune and Face To Face Batches

Choose the Right Study Resources (Step4)

Some top resources:

CFA Institute Curriculum – For exam focussed material (Best)
Kaplan Schweser: Awesome summaries and practice.
FinQuiz / IFT: Cheap video lectures and notes
Wiley – Focus on concepts and mocks
Other apps such as UWorld, Bloomberg Exam Prep and Mark Meldrum may also be useful.

Step 5: Time When You “Study Smart”

If you’re working a full-time schedule, use this weekly schedule:

Monday - Friday: 2 hours/day (10 hours/week)
Weekends: 5hrs/day (10hrs/week)
Total: ~20 hours/week → 320 hours in 4 months

Keep a record of progress somewhere on Google Calendar, Notion or Excel.

Step 6: Know Each Test’s Format

Level I: 180 multiple-choice questions (MCQ), two 2.25-hour sessions
Level II: Item set questions in “vignette” style Each set of six questions should be answered based on the information contained in the corresponding series of vignettes in the item set.
Level III: Written (essay) exam + Item set s

Practice Level III essay questions with CFA Institute past exam questions and answer keys

Step 7: Get Work Experience (Concurrently or Prior)

CFA Charter Salary – How Much Could You Earn To get your CFA Charter you require:

4,000 hours of applicable investment and decision-making experience
Completed over 36 months

Get jobs in related positions while you’re in school. Roles that qualify include:

Financial Analyst
Portfolio Manager
Investment Banking Analyst
Research Associate
Risk Manager

For those already having work: You may apply for the charter immediately after passing Level III.

Step 8: Apply for CFA Charter

After passing all your exams and your work:

Apply for CFA Institute Membership
Obtain two professional references.
Pay dues and upload documents.
Wait for approval (1–2 months is typical).

Costs of being a CFA Charter holder

Here is the estimated cost breakdown (2025):

Total Cost Approximately ₹3.0–3.5 lakhs over 18 months.

Item	Cost (in USD)	Approx. INR (₹)
CFA Enrolment Fee (One-time)	$350	₹29,000
CFA Exam Fee (Each Level)	$940 x 3	₹2,34,000
Study Materials (Optional)	$300–$1,000	₹25,000–₹85,000

Tips for Success in 18 Months

Work backward from the test date while planning your calendar.
“Weapons releases, don’t wait until the last day.” Kick it off early.
Don’t get sidetracked be things like changing study materials.
Connect with CFA candidates on LinkedIn, Reddit, Analyst Forum.
Keep a weekly track of your hours to be consistent.

FAQ’s

Is it really feasible to clear all three CFA levels in 18 months?

Not if you follow a specific study plan, show up in as early passages as available, and pass on the first try. Continued practice and time management are the keys.

Should I do work before I start the CFA Program?

No, you do not need work experience to begin CFA Program. But to receive the CFA Charter, you need to have accrued 4,000 hours of relevant work experience (you can do this pre-and post-exam).

How many hours should I study per CFA level?

A study of 300 to 400 hours per level is recommended. If you had to find the answer to that question, simply estimate that you would need to study 15-20 hours a week to finish the CFA Program in 18 months, depending on your background and how well you know finance.

Final Words

It’s very hard indeed but it is possible to become a CFA Charter holder in 18 months. If you’re disciplined, systematic, strategic, you can accelerate your finance career and join an elite pool of investment professionals.

This accelerated program is perfect for: