# Exam Study Plan: [Exam and level], [Exam window]

> A personal study plan for a professional finance or accounting exam:
> CFA® Program (Levels I, II and III), FRM® exam (Parts I and II),
> ACCA Qualification exams and the US CPA Exam. It turns the published
> topic weights into an hours budget, a phased calendar, a practice and
> mock-exam plan, a review routine, an error log, a tracker for required
> skills modules, exam-day logistics and a retrospective. Topic names
> and weight ranges are stated as plain facts as published by each exam
> body when checked on 2026-10-25; they change, so check the official
> page for your exam window before you rely on them. This template is
> not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam body and contains no
> curriculum content. Replace every `[bracketed]` value and every row
> marked *Example*. This is a document format, not financial,
> investment or career advice.

<!--
Guidance: How to use this template
- Fill section 1 (dates) and section 2 (the facts table for your exam)
  first, from the official candidate pages and your registration
  confirmation. Everything else is planned backwards from the exam date.
- Do the baseline self-assessment in section 3 before budgeting hours.
  The weights tell you what the exam rewards; the self-assessment tells
  you where your hours buy the most marks.
- Keep the plan alive: update the weekly log (section 6), the error log
  (section 9) and the KPI table (section 12) every week. A plan that is
  not updated after week 3 is no longer a plan.
- Do not paste learning outcome statements, curriculum readings,
  official practice questions or mock exams into this document. Refer to
  them by their reading or module number in your own study materials.
- Related templates: Study Guide (`academic/study-guide`) for the
  per-topic notes, Finance Formula Sheet (`finance/formula-sheet`) for
  your own formula summary, Habit Tracker (`personal/habit-tracker`) and
  Weekly Review (`personal/weekly-review`) for the routine.
-->

## Document control

<!-- Guidance: Record the exam, the window and the dates that cannot move. The "weights checked on" date matters: weights and topic names change between windows. -->

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | [STUDY-001] |
| Candidate | [Name] |
| Exam and level or part | [CFA® Program Level I / FRM® exam Part I / ACCA [exam code] / CPA [section]] |
| Exam window or appointment | [Month YYYY] / YYYY-MM-DD |
| Registration deadline | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Scheduling or appointment deadline | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Required module deadline (if any) | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Total study hours budget | [Hours] |
| Study weeks available | [Weeks] |
| Topic weights checked on | YYYY-MM-DD at [official page name] |
| Version | [0.1] |
| Status | [Draft / Active / Paused / Exam taken / Closed] |
| Owner | [@candidate] |
| Approvers/reviewers | [@mentor or study partner] (optional) |
| Last updated | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Classification | Personal |

### Approvals

| Role | Name | Decision | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | [@candidate] | Committed | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Study partner or mentor (optional) | [@name] | Reviewed | YYYY-MM-DD |
| Employer sponsor (if study leave or fees are funded) | [@name] | [Approved / Not applicable] | YYYY-MM-DD |

### Revision history

| Version | Date | Author | Change summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | YYYY-MM-DD | [@candidate] | First draft after baseline self-assessment |
| 1.0 | YYYY-MM-DD | [@candidate] | *Example:* Plan locked after registration |
| 1.1 | YYYY-MM-DD | [@candidate] | *Example:* Week 6 replan: two weeks lost to work travel, review phase shortened |

## Contents

<!-- Guidance: Keep this list aligned with the headings. -->

1. [Exam selection and key dates](#1-exam-selection-and-key-dates)
2. [Exam facts at a glance](#2-exam-facts-at-a-glance)
3. [Baseline self-assessment](#3-baseline-self-assessment)
4. [Hours budget by topic](#4-hours-budget-by-topic)
5. [Phases and calendar](#5-phases-and-calendar)
6. [Weekly schedule and log](#6-weekly-schedule-and-log)
7. [Practice questions and mock exams](#7-practice-questions-and-mock-exams)
8. [Review and spaced repetition](#8-review-and-spaced-repetition)
9. [Error and weak-area log](#9-error-and-weak-area-log)
10. [Required skills modules and other requirements](#10-required-skills-modules-and-other-requirements)
11. [Plan risks and wellbeing](#11-plan-risks-and-wellbeing)
12. [Progress tracking and KPIs](#12-progress-tracking-and-kpis)
13. [Exam-day logistics](#13-exam-day-logistics)
14. [Retrospective and next steps](#14-retrospective-and-next-steps)
15. [Glossary and references](#15-glossary-and-references)
16. [Standard and licence note](#standard-and-licence-note)

## 1. Exam selection and key dates

<!-- Guidance: Answer: which exam and level, which window, why now, and which dates are hard deadlines. Pitfall: planning from the exam date only and missing an earlier deadline such as a scheduling cut-off or a required module that must be finished before results are released. -->

State why you are taking this exam now (career goal, employer requirement, credit toward a qualification) in one or two sentences. A clear reason helps when motivation drops in the middle weeks.

| Date | Event | Hard or soft | Source | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YYYY-MM-DD | Registration deadline (standard fee) | Hard | [Official page] | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Final registration deadline (higher fee) | Hard | [Official page] | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Scheduling or seat booking deadline | Hard | [Confirmation email] | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Study start | Soft | This plan | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | First pass complete | Soft | Section 5 | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Mock exam 1 | Soft | Section 7 | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Exam day | Hard | Admission ticket | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Required module completion (if applicable) | Hard | Section 10 | [ ] |
| YYYY-MM-DD | Results release (expected) | Fixed | [Official page] | [ ] |

*Example:* a candidate sitting Level I of the CFA® Program in an early-2027 window starts on YYYY-MM-DD, books the seat in the first week, plans 300 hours over 16 weeks and finishes the required Practical Skills Module before the expected results date.

## 2. Exam facts at a glance

<!-- Guidance: Keep only the table for your exam and delete the others. The tables give names and weight ranges as published when checked on 2026-10-25. Re-check the official page for your window and record the date in Document control. Pitfall: using last year's weights from a forum post or an old prep book; prep-provider summaries may lag the official page. -->

### 2.1 CFA® Program

Level I format: 180 multiple-choice questions in two sessions of 90 questions, 135 minutes each. Topic names and weights change for exams from February 2027; the previous names and weights are shown for candidates still sitting a 2026 window.

| Level I topic area (2027 name) | 2027 weight | 2026 name if different | 2026 weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 10-15% | | 15-20% |
| Quantitative Methods | 11-14% | | 6-9% |
| Economics | 6-9% | | 6-9% |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 11-14% | | 11-14% |
| Corporate Finance | 6-9% | Corporate Issuers | 6-9% |
| Equities | 11-14% | Equity Investments | 11-14% |
| Fixed Income | 11-14% | | 11-14% |
| Derivatives and Risk Management | 6-9% | Derivatives | 5-8% |
| Alternative Investments | 6-9% | | 7-10% |
| Portfolio Construction | 8-12% | Portfolio Management | 8-12% |

Level II format: 22 item sets of four multiple-choice questions each, in two sessions of 132 minutes.

| Level II topic area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Methods | 5-10% |
| Economics | 5-10% |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 10-15% |
| Corporate Finance | 5-10% |
| Equities | 10-15% |
| Fixed Income | 10-15% |
| Derivatives and Risk Management | 5-10% |
| Alternative Investments | 5-10% |
| Portfolio Construction | 10-15% |
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 10-15% |

Level III format: 11 item sets and 11 constructed-response (essay) sets, in two sessions of 132 minutes. Candidates choose one pathway.

| Level III component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Asset Allocation (core) | 15-20% |
| Portfolio Construction (core) | 15-20% |
| Performance Measurement (core) | 5-10% |
| Derivatives and Risk Management (core) | 10-15% |
| Ethical and Professional Standards (core) | 10-15% |
| Chosen pathway: Portfolio Management, Private Markets, or Private Wealth | 30-35% |

### 2.2 FRM® exam

Weights below are from the 2026 study guide; the next year's guide is usually published around year end, so check it before you plan a later window.

| Part I topic area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Foundations of Risk Management | 20% |
| Quantitative Analysis | 20% |
| Financial Markets and Products | 30% |
| Valuation and Risk Models | 30% |

| Part II topic area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Market Risk Measurement and Management | 20% |
| Credit Risk Measurement and Management | 20% |
| Operational Risk and Resilience | 20% |
| Liquidity and Treasury Risk Measurement and Management | 15% |
| Risk Management and Investment Management | 15% |
| Current Issues in Financial Markets | 10% |

### 2.3 ACCA Qualification

The qualification is being redesigned. Use the column that applies to you and confirm your transition route on the official student transition page.

| Level | Current structure | Redesigned structure |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Applied Knowledge: Business and Technology (BT), Management Accounting (MA), Financial Accounting (FA) | Knowledge: K1 Financial Accounting, K2 Management Accounting, K3 Business Law, plus a Responsible Business Management module |
| Middle | Applied Skills: Corporate and Business Law (LW), Performance Management (PM), Taxation (TX), Financial Reporting (FR), Audit and Assurance (AA), Financial Management (FM) | Expertise: E1 Taxation, E2 Financial Reporting, E3 Audit, Risk and Control, E4 Finance and Investment, E5 Performance with Data Analysis, plus a Digital Tech and Innovation module |
| Final | Strategic Professional: Strategic Business Leader (SBL), Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) and options | Strategic Professional: S1 Business and Sustainability Reporting, S2 Strategic Business Leader, one option, plus an Ethical, Sustainable Leadership module |
| Ethics | Ethics and Professional Skills Module | Embedded modules as above |
| Transition dates | Current Applied Skills exams last sat in June 2027 (as published; check the official page) | New exams from 2027 (check the official page for the first sitting of each exam) |

### 2.4 US CPA Exam

Since 2024 the exam has three Core sections and one Discipline section chosen by the candidate. Content area weights are set in the official blueprints; read them there rather than from third-party summaries, which often disagree.

| Section | Type |
|---|---|
| Auditing and Attestation (AUD) | Core |
| Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR) | Core |
| Taxation and Regulation (REG) | Core |
| Business Analysis and Reporting (BAR) | Discipline (choose one) |
| Information Systems and Controls (ISC) | Discipline (choose one) |
| Tax Compliance and Planning (TCP) | Discipline (choose one) |

Credit windows, testing windows and eligibility rules differ by state board. Record the rules of your board in section 10.

## 3. Baseline self-assessment

<!-- Guidance: Before you budget hours, rate each topic honestly: prior study, work exposure and a short diagnostic quiz score from your own question bank. The aim is to find where an extra hour buys the most marks. Pitfall: rating topics you enjoy as strong and skipping the diagnostic. -->

Rate each topic on a scale of 1 (new to me) to 5 (use it at work every week), and set an adjustment factor between 0.8 (strong) and 1.3 (weak). Factor 1.0 means you plan the hours the weight alone suggests.

| Topic | Prior study | Work exposure | Diagnostic score | Rating (1-5) | Adjustment factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Topic] | [Course, year] | [None / some / daily] | [0]% | [1-5] | [0.8-1.3] |
| Quantitative Methods *(Example)* | Undergraduate statistics, 6 years ago | None | 45% | 2 | 1.3 |
| Financial Statement Analysis *(Example)* | Accounting degree | Monthly reporting at work | 72% | 4 | 0.9 |
| Ethical and Professional Standards *(Example)* | None | Firm compliance training | 55% | 3 | 1.0 |

Write two or three sentences on what the baseline tells you: which topics are both heavily weighted and weak (top priority), which are heavy and strong (maintain with practice), and which are light and weak (learn the essentials, do not over-invest).

## 4. Hours budget by topic

<!-- Guidance: Split the total hours across topics in proportion to the midpoint of each weight range, then adjust for the self-assessment. Keep a reserve of about 10% for slippage and mocks. Pitfall: spending hours in the order of the books instead of in proportion to marks. -->

Choose a total budget $H$ that you can sustain each week (see section 5). Set aside a reserve $R$ for mock exams and slippage, and allocate the rest by weight midpoint $m_i$ and adjustment factor $a_i$:

$$
h_i = (H - R) \times \frac{m_i \, a_i}{\sum_{j} m_j \, a_j}
$$

The midpoints of published ranges do not add up to exactly 100%, which is why the formula divides by their sum rather than by 100.

*Example: Level I of the CFA® Program (2027 weights), H = 300 hours, R = 30 hours, all adjustment factors 1.0. The midpoints add up to 102.5.*

| Topic | Weight range | Midpoint | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethical and Professional Standards | 10-15% | 12.5 | 32.9 |
| Quantitative Methods | 11-14% | 12.5 | 32.9 |
| Economics | 6-9% | 7.5 | 19.8 |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 11-14% | 12.5 | 32.9 |
| Corporate Finance | 6-9% | 7.5 | 19.8 |
| Equities | 11-14% | 12.5 | 32.9 |
| Fixed Income | 11-14% | 12.5 | 32.9 |
| Derivatives and Risk Management | 6-9% | 7.5 | 19.8 |
| Alternative Investments | 6-9% | 7.5 | 19.8 |
| Portfolio Construction | 8-12% | 10.0 | 26.3 |
| **Topic total** | | **102.5** | **270.0** |
| Reserve for mocks and slippage | | | 30.0 |
| **Plan total** | | | **300.0** |

*Example adjustment:* if Quantitative Methods gets a factor of 1.3 and every other topic stays at 1.0, the denominator becomes 106.25. Quantitative Methods then receives 270 x 16.25 / 106.25 = 41.3 hours and each topic with a 12.5 midpoint receives 270 x 12.5 / 106.25 = 31.8 hours. The total stays at 270 hours; extra time for a weak topic always comes from the others.

Hours budgets published by exam bodies or prep providers are averages. Use your own pace from the first two weeks to correct the budget, and record the change in the revision history.

## 5. Phases and calendar

<!-- Guidance: Plan three phases: first pass (learn every topic once), practice and review (questions by topic, close the gaps), and mocks (full timed exams). Work backwards from exam day. Pitfall: a first pass that runs into the last two weeks, leaving no time for full mocks. -->

| Phase | Share of hours | Weeks | Start | End | Exit criterion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First pass | [60]% | [n] | YYYY-MM-DD | YYYY-MM-DD | Every topic studied once; topic quiz above [60]% |
| Practice and review | [25]% | [n] | YYYY-MM-DD | YYYY-MM-DD | Question bank accuracy above [70]% in every topic |
| Mock exams | [15]% | [n] | YYYY-MM-DD | YYYY-MM-DD | Two full mocks above [70]% under exam timing |
| Taper | Light | [n] days | YYYY-MM-DD | Exam day | Formula sheet and error log reviewed |
| Example *(fictional dates)* | 180 / 75 / 45 hours | 10 / 3 / 3 | Week 1 | Week 16 | As above |

The weekly load is the plan total divided by the study weeks. In the example, 300 hours over 16 weeks is 18.75 hours a week, for example two hours on three weekday evenings and six and a half hours on each weekend day (6 + 13 = 19 hours, a small buffer above 18.75).

```mermaid
gantt
    title Study calendar (Example, fictional dates)
    dateFormat YYYY-MM-DD
    section First pass
    Ethics, Quant, Economics          :a1, 2026-11-02, 21d
    FSA and Corporate Finance         :a2, after a1, 21d
    Equities and Fixed Income         :a3, after a2, 14d
    Derivatives, Alternatives, Portfolio :a4, after a3, 14d
    section Practice and review
    Topic question banks              :b1, after a4, 21d
    section Mocks
    Mock 1 and review                 :c1, after b1, 7d
    Mock 2 and review                 :c2, after c1, 7d
    Mock 3 and taper                  :c3, after c2, 7d
```

Put fixed commitments into the calendar before study blocks: work peaks, travel, family events and holidays. A week with no study is acceptable if it is planned; an unplanned lost week needs a replan entry.

## 6. Weekly schedule and log

<!-- Guidance: Fix the same study slots each week so that studying becomes a routine rather than a daily decision. Log actual hours honestly; the gap between planned and actual is the most useful number in this plan. Pitfall: logging time spent with the book open instead of focused time. -->

| Day | Slot | Planned activity | Planned hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | [19:00-21:00] | [Reading or video for topic] | [2.0] |
| Tuesday | [19:00-21:00] | [Questions for topic] | [2.0] |
| Wednesday | [Rest or catch-up] | | [0.0] |
| Thursday | [19:00-21:00] | [Reading] | [2.0] |
| Friday | [Rest] | | [0.0] |
| Saturday | [08:00-14:30] | [Block: reading and questions] | [6.5] |
| Sunday | [08:00-14:30] | [Review, error log, spaced repetition] | [6.5] |

Weekly log:

| Week | Planned hours | Actual hours | Topics covered | Questions done | Accuracy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W01 | [h] | [h] | [Topics] | [n] | [0]% | [Notes] |
| W01 *(Example)* | 18.75 | 16.0 | Ethics (part) | 60 | 58% | Late start Monday; caught up Sunday |
| W02 *(Example)* | 18.75 | 19.5 | Ethics, Quant (start) | 85 | 63% | On track |

Rule for replanning: if actual hours fall more than 15% behind plan for two weeks in a row, replan the remaining phases and record it in the revision history. Do not silently push everything later.

## 7. Practice questions and mock exams

<!-- Guidance: Questions are where marks are won. Plan the volume per topic, and schedule full timed mocks under exam conditions with at least as much time to review each mock as to sit it. Pitfall: doing mocks too early to "see where I am", then running out of fresh mocks for the final weeks. -->

| Item | Plan |
|---|---|
| Question sources | [Official practice materials, prep provider bank, own questions] |
| Questions per topic in first pass | [n] |
| Questions per topic in review phase | [n] |
| Number of full mocks | [n] |
| Mock conditions | Full length, timed, exam-style breaks, no notes, approved calculator only |
| Review time per mock | At least equal to the sitting time |

| Mock ID | Date | Source | Score | Weakest topics | Review done | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-01 | YYYY-MM-DD | [Source] | [0]% | [Topics] | [ ] | [Actions] |
| M-01 *(Example)* | Week 14 | Prep provider mock A | 64% | Fixed Income, Derivatives | [x] | Redo duration and forward questions; add to error log |
| M-02 *(Example)* | Week 15 | Official mock | 71% | Derivatives | [x] | Two extra hours on derivatives pricing |

Track accuracy per topic, not only the total score. A total of 70% can hide a topic at 40% that will cost marks on a different question mix.

## 8. Review and spaced repetition

<!-- Guidance: Review each topic at growing intervals so that early topics are not forgotten by exam day. Keep flashcards for definitions, formulas and rules you get wrong. Pitfall: re-reading notes, which feels productive but tests nothing; retrieve from memory instead. -->

Use a fixed review rhythm after you first study a topic: review after 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 30 days, each time by answering questions or recalling the key ideas from memory before checking. Adjust the intervals when a card is easy (longer) or wrong (back to 1 day).

| Topic | First studied | Review 1 (+1 d) | Review 2 (+3 d) | Review 3 (+7 d) | Review 4 (+14 d) | Review 5 (+30 d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Topic] | YYYY-MM-DD | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| Ethics *(Example)* | Week 1 | [x] | [x] | [x] | [x] | [ ] |

Keep a personal formula sheet as you go and rewrite it from memory once a week. Finance Formula Sheet (`finance/formula-sheet`) is a starting point; your own version, in your own notation, is what you will remember.

## 9. Error and weak-area log

<!-- Guidance: Log every question you got wrong or guessed, with the reason. Patterns in the reasons tell you what to fix: knowledge gaps need study, misreads need technique, time pressure needs speed practice. Pitfall: logging only the topic and not the reason. -->

| E-ID | Date | Topic | Question source and number | Reason | Correct idea in my own words | Fix | Retested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-001 | YYYY-MM-DD | [Topic] | [Source, number] | [Knowledge / misread / calculation / time] | [One line] | [Action] | [ ] |
| E-001 *(Example)* | Week 4 | Quantitative Methods | Own bank, Q17 | Calculation: used annual rate with monthly periods | Match the rate to the period: divide the annual rate by 12 and multiply years by 12 | Five more annuity questions | [x] |
| E-002 *(Example)* | Week 9 | Fixed Income | Own bank, Q42 | Knowledge: sign of the convexity adjustment | For a bond with positive convexity, the convexity term raises the duration-based price estimate whether rates rise or fall | Rewrite formula card | [x] |

Summarise the log every two weeks: count errors by reason and by topic, and choose the top two fixes for the next fortnight.

## 10. Required skills modules and other requirements

<!-- Guidance: Some programmes require more than passing the exam. Track every requirement that can void or delay a result. Pitfall: leaving a required module until after the exam and missing the deadline when results are released. -->

| Requirement | Applies to | Deadline | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Skills Module (one per level; a module cannot be reused at another level) | CFA® Program | Before results release, otherwise the result is not released | [Not started / In progress / Done] | Each module takes about 10 to 20 hours; check the module availability table for your level |
| Ethics and Professional Skills Module, or the embedded modules after the redesign | ACCA | [Date per official page]. *Example:* if transitioning, complete the current EPSM by mid-July 2027 (date to be confirmed on the official page) | [Status] | [Route] |
| Work experience requirement | [Programme] | [Date] | [Status] | [Notes] |
| Identity documents match registration name | All | Before exam day | [ ] | [Notes] |
| State board eligibility and credit validity | US CPA Exam | [Per board] | [Status] | [Board rules] |

Module names published for 2027 include Financial Modeling and Python Programming Fundamentals at Level I; Python I, Python Data Science and AI, and Equity Analyst Skills at Level II; Portfolio Development and Construction and the pathway modules (Macro Insights for Investing, Due Diligence, Managing Private Wealth Clients) at Level III. Availability by level changes; check the official module table before you choose.

## 11. Plan risks and wellbeing

<!-- Guidance: List what could derail the plan and what you will do about it. Include sleep, exercise and family commitments: a sustainable plan beats an ambitious one. Pitfall: planning seven-day weeks with no buffer, then losing motivation after the first missed week. -->

| ID | Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation | Trigger to act |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR-01 | [Risk] | [L/M/H] | [L/M/H] | [Mitigation] | [Trigger] |
| PR-01 *(Example)* | Quarter-end work peak in weeks 9 and 10 | High | Medium | Pre-load hours in weeks 7 and 8; weekend blocks only during the peak | Two weekday slots missed in a week |
| PR-02 *(Example)* | Illness | Medium | High | 30-hour reserve; drop light topics to essentials | More than three days lost |
| PR-03 *(Example)* | Burnout | Medium | High | One full rest day each week; exercise three times a week | Accuracy falls two weeks in a row |

Write down the minimum viable plan: the hours and topics you will protect if everything goes wrong, so that a bad month reduces your score rather than ending your attempt.

## 12. Progress tracking and KPIs

<!-- Guidance: Track a few numbers weekly and compare them with targets. Decide in advance what result in which week triggers a replan, a deferral or a change of exam window. Pitfall: tracking hours only, which measures effort, not readiness. -->

| KPI | Target | W04 | W08 | W12 | W16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative hours versus plan | 100% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% |
| Topics completed in first pass | [n] by W10 | [n] | [n] | [n] | [n] |
| Question bank accuracy (rolling 2 weeks) | 70% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% |
| Lowest topic accuracy | 60% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% | [0]% |
| Mock exam score | 70% | | | [0]% | [0]% |
| Open error-log items | Falling | [n] | [n] | [n] | [n] |

Deferral rule: if the latest mock is more than [10] percentage points below target [three] weeks before the exam, decide whether to sit, defer (if the exam body allows it) or sit for experience. Record the decision and the reason.

## 13. Exam-day logistics

<!-- Guidance: Remove every avoidable risk on the day. Read the official candidate rules for your exam for permitted items and identification; rules differ by exam body and change. Pitfall: an approved calculator with a flat battery or an expired passport. -->

| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Admission ticket or appointment confirmation printed or saved as required | [ ] |
| Identification document valid and matching the registered name | [ ] |
| Approved calculator model checked against the official list, with spare battery | [ ] |
| Calculator settings checked (decimal places, payments per year, begin or end mode) | [ ] |
| Test centre address, route and travel time tested | [ ] |
| Arrival time planned with buffer | [ ] |
| Permitted items packed; prohibited items left at home | [ ] |
| Sleep and meals planned for the day before and the day of the exam | [ ] |
| Break plan between sessions (food, water, no topic discussion) | [ ] |

Remote-proctored exams need a separate check of the computer, camera, room rules and internet connection a few days before.

## 14. Retrospective and next steps

<!-- Guidance: Write the retrospective twice: right after the exam (how it felt, what surprised you) and after results (what worked, what to change). The second part feeds the next level's plan. Pitfall: skipping it after a pass, when it is most useful for the next level. -->

| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Result and date | [Pass / Fail, band if given], YYYY-MM-DD |
| Hours actually studied | [h] versus [h] planned |
| Which phase helped most | [Answer] |
| Which topics underperformed and why | [Answer] |
| What I would change in the next plan | [Answer] |
| Next exam, level or module | [Exam], [window] |
| Plan for the gap between exams | [Rest, revision, required modules] |

If the result was a fail, compare the topic bands with your error log before you decide on the next window. Most retakes succeed by changing the method (more questions, earlier mocks), not by adding hours to the same method.

## 15. Glossary and references

<!-- Guidance: Keep definitions short; link the official pages you used and the date you checked them. -->

| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Constructed response | Written answer to an open question, marked against a rubric |
| Error log | List of questions answered wrongly, with reasons and fixes |
| Item set | A case or vignette followed by several questions about it |
| Mock exam | Full-length practice exam taken under exam timing |
| Pathway | Specialisation chosen at Level III of the CFA® Program |
| Spaced repetition | Reviewing material at increasing intervals to strengthen memory |
| Weight range | Published share of the exam allocated to a topic, given as a range |

References (check the current versions; do not copy their content):

- Official candidate pages for Levels I, II and III of the CFA® Program, and the Practical Skills Modules page (facts checked 2026-10-25).
- FRM® exam study guide for 2026, published by GARP (facts checked 2026-10-25).
- ACCA student transition page for the redesigned qualification (checked 2026-10-25).
- AICPA and NASBA pages for the CPA Exam blueprints and state board rules (names only).
- Related templates: Study Guide (`academic/study-guide`), Finance Formula Sheet (`finance/formula-sheet`), Lecture Notes (`academic/lecture-notes`), Habit Tracker (`personal/habit-tracker`), Weekly Review (`personal/weekly-review`), Goal Tracker (`personal/goal-tracker`).

## Standard and licence note

Structure aligned with general study-planning practice. Exam names, level and part names, topic area names, weight ranges and exam formats are stated as facts as published by the exam bodies when checked on 2026-10-25; no curriculum, learning outcome statement, reading, practice question or other content of any exam body is reproduced or paraphrased. All text is original. Check the current official version of each exam's topic outline, format and rules before relying on this plan. This template is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by CFA Institute, GARP, ACCA, AICPA or NASBA. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute. FRM® is a trademark owned by GARP. Other names are the property of their owners. Template licence: MIT.