Optimize Your CFA® Exam Prep By Leveraging Your Learning Style

Visual Learners

As a visual learner, you thrive when information is presented through imagery. You absorb information best through charts, graphs, images, and diagrams. While studying for the CFA exam, consider transforming complex topics into visual representations to enhance your understanding.

• Strengths: You’re particularly skilled at connecting complex ideas using imagery and spatial relationships.
• Challenges: You might find it difficult to engage with lengthy, text-heavy explanations or abstract concepts that are difficult to translate into visual formats.

Applying Visual Learning Strategies

Incorporate flowcharts to map financial analysis steps or create graphs to visualize market trends and ratios. Additionally, video tutorials and color-coded notes can further strengthen your grasp of the material.

Optimizing for Visual Learning With UWorld

These UWorld features are designed for visual learning:

• QBank: Engaging visual aids accompany each question, helping you deconstruct complex concepts.
• Formula Sheets: These concise, well-organized sheets offer quick visual references for key formulas and concepts.
• Video Lectures: Expert-led video lectures provide visually rich demonstrations and explanations, adding context and reinforcing your understanding.
• SmartCards and ReadyDeck Flashcards: ReadyDecks include visual aids, while SmartCards let you transfer visual aids from our QBanks to customizable flashcards.

Auditory Learners

As an auditory learner, you thrive in environments where you can hear and discuss ideas. To optimize your time, consider audiobooks, podcasts, or lecture recordings that cover relevant topics.

• Strengths: You’re adept at remembering information presented visually, easily recall details from lectures, and feel confident discussing ideas.
• Challenges: You might struggle to engage with text-heavy materials or maintain focus during silent reading.

Applying Auditory Learning Strategies

Reinforce your knowledge by listening to lectures, participating in discussions, creating mnemonics, and joining live Q&A sessions. Consider joining a study group, which will give you the opportunity to discuss key concepts and explain them aloud to others.

Optimizing for Auditory Learning With UWorld

These UWorld features are great for auditory learners:

• Video Lectures: Listen to expert explanations and discussions of key concepts, which you can pause, rewind, and replay as needed.
• Live Online Classes: Participate in live Q&A sessions and listen to expert-led discussions.

Reading/Writing Learners

As a reading/writing learner, you excel when engaging with text. To prepare for the CFA exam, consider taking extensive notes, summarizing chapters in your own words, and creating outlines or lists.

• Strengths: You’re skilled at analyzing and internalizing detailed text, which you retain and recall effectively.
• Challenges: You may find it difficult to retain information from auditory or visual presentations that lack written components. 

Applying Reading/Writing Strategies

You’ll benefit from taking thorough notes, summarizing chapters in your own words, and creating outlines or lists. Writing essays to explain concepts and deeply engaging with textbooks and the CFA curriculum will further enhance your retention and understanding.

Optimizing for Reading/Writing Learning With UWorld

These UWorld features are great for reading/writing learners:

• Study Guide: Access concise summary notes and focused study material that allow you to read and internalize key concepts in written form.
• SmartCards and ReadyDeck Flashcards: Create and customize flashcards to support reading and writing-based memorization and review.
• Formula Sheets: Quickly reference written formulas and definitions.
• My Notebook: Seamlessly take detailed notes as you study with a digital notebook.

Kinesthetic Learners

As a kinesthetic learner, you prefer hands-on experience. As you study for the CFA exam, this will manifest as applying concepts to real-world scenarios.

• Strengths: You thrive when you can directly apply concepts to practical scenarios.
• Challenges: You may struggle with traditional study methods that involve long periods of sitting still or passive learning.

Applying Kinesthetic Learning Strategies

Focus on practical applications of theoretical knowledge. This can include working on case studies, performing mock financial analyses, or using simulation tools that replicate real-world scenarios. Incorporating physical activity into study sessions, such as taking breaks to move around, can also help you maintain focus and retention.

Optimizing for Kinesthetic Learning With UWorld

These UWorld features are great for kinesthetic learners:

• Mock Exam: Engage in practice exams that replicate the actual test environment, allowing you to learn through experience and active problem-solving.
• Accelerate BootCamp Program: Participate in intensive, hands-on learning with comprehensive materials and expert-led problem-solving sessions that reinforce concepts through active participation.
• SmartCards and ReadyDeck Flashcards: Actively engage with content by creating, organizing, and reviewing flashcards.

UWorld CFA Accommodates All Learning Styles

Remember, your learning style is just one approach to studying — it’s not the only or the best way for you to learn. For instance, visual learners still need to read, and reading/writing learners can gain valuable insights from video lectures.

By offering a variety of resources, from visually engaging QBank questions and expert-led video lectures to interactive mock exams and customizable flashcards, UWorld provides the tools and flexibility to help you excel, whether you learn best by seeing, hearing, reading, writing, or doing.