Just signed up for the CMA (Certified Market Analyst) exam and I'm trying to figure out a realistic study plan. I work full-time in equity research and I've got maybe 10-12 hours a week to dedicate. Most people online are vague about how long it actually took them - I'm seeing everything from 6 weeks to 6 months.
I scored around 68% on my first diagnostic practice test, which felt pretty rough. The quantitative sections were fine but the regulatory and compliance portions destroyed me. I haven't touched that material since university so it's basically starting from scratch on those topics.
Anyone who's passed recently - did you use any specific prep materials or mostly self-study? I've been looking at the official study guide but it feels dense. Also wondering if mock exams are worth buying or if free resources cover enough ground.
My exam date is in 11 weeks so I'm trying not to panic but also want to be realistic about whether that's enough time given where I'm starting.
The official guide is dense but it's the closest thing to the actual exam format. Third-party prep books sometimes cover stuff that doesn't even appear on the test. Stick to official materials and heavy practice question volume.
68% on a diagnostic isn't bad at all, you've got room to work with. I started at 61% and passed with an 81% on the real thing after 10 weeks. Consistency matters more than cramming - I did 90 minutes every morning before work rather than marathon weekend sessions.
11 weeks is enough if you stay disciplined. I'd suggest doing a full timed mock every two weeks to track progress rather than just drilling topic by topic. Seeing your percentage go from 68 to 75 to 82 over three mocks is genuinely motivating.
I passed last year with about 9 weeks of prep, averaging 12 hours a week. The compliance section is definitely the hardest part if you don't have a legal background - I'd budget at least 30% of your study time there. Don't skip the case studies, they show up more than you'd expect.
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