If you want to succeed in your exams, preparation needs to be intentional and structured.
The reality is that most candidates pursuing professional certifications are juggling full-time employment alongside their studies. Some are fortunate enough to receive employer support through paid study leave or reimbursement of exam fees.
But what if that’s not your situation?
How can someone effectively manage a demanding career, family responsibilities, and exam preparation all at once? And more importantly, how do you maintain a sense of balance while doing it?
In this guide, you’ll discover how to:
- manage your time more effectively,
- improve retention and learning efficiency, and
- maintain a personal life while preparing for exams such as CFA, FRM, CAIA, CPA, CFP, or ESG certifications.
Below is a proven survival blueprint to help you balance it all. While we’ll reference the CFA exam for illustration, the strategies apply to any professional qualification.
Contents
#1. Set realistic expectations from the start
#2. Fit studying into your workweek whenever possible
#3. Make the most of your weekends
#4. Establish clear start and stop times for everything
#5. Experiment with different learning methods
#6. Consider supplemental study resources to save time
#7. Focus on active practice rather than passive reading
#8. Prioritize your well-being and maintain balance
#1. Set realistic expectations from the start
For yourself
First, accept that professional exams like the CFA are demanding. Temporary sacrifices in your personal life are almost inevitable. Earning a charter requires focus, persistence, and a high level of discipline.
Take an honest look at your available time and your ability to concentrate after long workdays. Overestimating what you can handle leads to frustration. Studying hard is important — studying smart is essential.
For your partner, family, and friends
Be transparent about why you’re pursuing the qualification and why it matters to you. Let them know there may be periods when you’re less available, occasionally stressed, or mentally preoccupied.
At the same time, reassure them that quality time still matters to you. Communication goes a long way in maintaining support throughout the process. And when they offer commentary on your preparation, patience helps.
For your employer and colleagues
If possible, speak with your manager about how your certification could benefit the organization. You may be able to secure financial support or time off around exam dates.
Also, make colleagues aware of your goals so they understand when you’re using lunch breaks or quiet periods to study. Setting expectations at work helps protect your study time.
#2. Fit studying into your workweek whenever possible
Everyone’s situation differs. You might be a new parent, working long overtime hours, or just transitioning from university into a demanding role.
What remains consistent, however, is the study commitment — roughly 300 to 350 hours over four to six months for a CFA exam. That breaks down to approximately 12–20 hours per week.
Given this commitment, you must be strategic. Reducing weekend pressure by studying during the week (even for one or two hours per day) can make a significant difference. The key is consistency and sustainability.
Here are practical ways to integrate studying into your weekdays:
- Wake up earlier and study before work. Early mornings offer quiet, uninterrupted focus. If you’re more of a night person, you’ll need to adjust your sleep schedule to maintain energy and concentration.
- Use commuting time productively. Instead of scrolling through your phone or watching shows, review notes or listen to recorded lectures.
- Take advantage of lunch breaks or quiet work periods. Reviewing flashcards or tackling a few practice questions can add up over time.
- Study for 1–2 hours after work (if realistic). This only works if your job allows you enough energy to focus in the evenings. If work leaves you exhausted, consider using weekdays for lighter commitments and preserving weekends for deeper study sessions (see step #3).
#3. Make the most of your weekends
Your weekend productivity will largely depend on how much you accomplished during the week. For many candidates, weekends provide the primary opportunity for extended study sessions and deeper focus.
If weekday studying isn’t feasible, you’ll likely need to dedicate substantial portions of your weekends to catching up.
Because weekends are also prime time for social events, it’s helpful to plan gatherings strategically. Schedule social time during natural dips in productivity rather than when your focus is strongest.
Extended weekend study sessions also help simulate exam conditions by training you to concentrate for longer stretches.
#4. Establish clear start and stop times for everything
Successfully balancing work, study, and personal life requires structure.
To stay on track:
- Create a detailed study plan. Map out your timeline to ensure you reach at least 300 study hours (more for higher levels). Tracking progress reduces anxiety and reinforces confidence that you’re covering sufficient material.
- Share your schedule with family or your partner. Let them know when you’ll be studying and when you’ll be available. Equally important — be fully present during family time to maintain goodwill and support.
- Set firm study boundaries. Decide in advance when you’ll begin and end each session. This builds discipline and mirrors exam conditions. It also prevents study time from spilling into work or family commitments, which can create tension and reduce focus.
#5. Experiment with different learning methods
Today’s candidates have access to a wide range of study formats. According to the CEO of Achievable (a test preparation platform) – Tyler York, incorporating multiple learning methods can improve comprehension and retention.
Reinforcing the same material through different formats enhances absorption. For example:
- Listening to audio lessons while exercising or during your commute
- Watching video lectures while traveling to work
- Reviewing flashcards during short breaks
Flashcards, in particular, are effective for utilizing small pockets of time. Their portable format breaks complex topics into manageable segments.
#6. Consider supplemental study resources to save time
Although additional study materials increase overall costs, they can significantly reduce reading time by summarizing content in a concise, structured way.
Tyler York explained that for time-constrained professionals, streamlined materials help prevent overwhelm from lengthy curriculum texts. They’re particularly helpful in earlier exam levels where foundational knowledge is emphasized.
That said, official curriculum resources remain valuable:
- End-of-chapter and in-text practice questions are essential.
- They provide deeper explanations for difficult topics.
- They are especially important when preparing for advanced levels.
A balanced approach often works best — concise summaries for efficiency, and original materials for depth where needed.
#7. Focus on active practice rather than passive reading
Instead of repeatedly rereading textbooks, adopt a more effective strategy: review the material once, then shift quickly toward practice questions.
The reasoning is straightforward. Reading is passive. Practice questions require active recall, which strengthens learning and memory.
Research consistently shows that retrieval practice significantly improves retention compared to passive review methods.
By identifying mistakes and correcting them, you strengthen understanding and increase exam readiness far more efficiently than by rereading alone.
#8. Prioritize your well-being and maintain balance
You cannot perform at your best if your physical or mental health deteriorates.
While improving your time management and study efficiency is essential, self-care remains equally important.
Keep these principles in mind:
- Get sufficient sleep. Sleep directly affects memory consolidation, comprehension, and recall. If you fall behind on rest, prioritize recovery — especially as exam day approaches.
- Maintain proper nutrition. Balanced meals support sustained concentration. Limiting alcohol during preparation can also improve energy and focus.
- Exercise regularly. Even light physical activity can boost mental clarity and productivity. Movement helps combat fatigue and enhances cognitive performance.
- Watch for burnout. Studying seven days a week for months can drain motivation. Signs include irritability, persistent fatigue, low drive, or emotional dips. Schedule regular breaks and monitor your progress to stay balanced and consistent.
Now it’s your turn! What strategies have helped you balance full-time work with exam preparation? Share your insights and experiences.
