1 · Free on the web
Ethics course
Four guided English videos, the 247-page slide deck and an 11-question first-module sample with worked explanations.
Open the Ethics course →Preparing for Level II?
Our separate 2027 Level II app is being prepared for Apple devices. It has its own lessons, case-based practice and purchase. Level I purchases do not unlock Level II. See Level II and ask about testing.
CFA & finance
Quality finance teaching should not have to cost a fortune.
Study the 2027 CFA® Level I curriculum with JS Insights without paying for the teaching. The Ethics course is free on this website; all ten subjects are taught free in the JS Insights Level I app for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android. Pay only if you choose to unlock the complete question bank and mock exams.
How the pieces fit together
One Level I course, three ways in.
The Ethics course, the app and complete practice are the same JS Insights course at different depths. Start wherever suits you; nothing requires an account.
2 · Free in the app
All ten subjects
JS Insights Level I teaches the whole 2027 curriculum: 1,214 narrated slides, 438 lessons, 192 formula cards, notes and selected practice.
See the app →3 · Optional
Complete practice
One in-app purchase unlocks the complete 1,707-question bank and mock exams. No subscription; the current UK price is £24.99.
Compare free and paid →Why JS Insights teaches this way
An opportunity received, passed forward.
While working in academia, JS Insights founder Dr Jiajing Sun received generous educational support from CFA Institute. She became a CFA charterholder in 2013, and the support she received over the years stayed with her. JS Insights is one way of giving something back: high-quality finance teaching should be available without forcing every learner to buy an expensive course first.
Drawing on her university teaching, quantitative research and professional finance experience, she organised the current curriculum into a complete learning route. The teaching, knowledge summaries, formula support, recorded explanations and note-taking tools are free. A one-time purchase unlocks the full practice bank and mock exams, helping to meet the continuing cost of writing, checking and maintaining the course.
Available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad & Android
The complete teaching course is free on every device.
Use the Windows or Mac edition for a bigger study space, or follow the same organised course on iPhone and iPad. Read every subject, listen to the recorded teaching, review key concepts and formulas, and keep notes beside the lesson. The Android phone and tablet edition is available on Google Play.
Led by a CFA charterholder
Dr Jiajing Sun, CFA
JS Insights was founded by Dr Jiajing Sun, a CFA charterholder since 2013 and a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (FIMA). She holds a PhD from the University of Liverpool and has taught in UK higher education.
Her work spans financial econometrics, time-series analysis, quantitative methods, risk modelling and environmental economics. She writes, organises and reviews the JS Insights finance courses as an educator: the aim is rigorous, understandable teaching at an accessible price.
Tutoring and downloads
One-to-one support, and two free reference documents.
Tutoring is arranged by email and shaped around your syllabus, deadline and current level. The two PDFs below are original JS Insights material and free to download.
CFA Level I Orientation Guide
A structured guide to the CFA Level I exam, topic weights, study planning and how to approach preparation.
CFA Level I Formula Sheet
A compact reference sheet for key CFA Level I formulas and quantitative relationships.
Also free
Sustainable Investing Certificate course
Eight free Learning Module 1 lessons, 157 slides, eight sample questions and a 2026 update, with all eight modules in the CFA ESG Sustainable Prep app.
In development
Six training areas we are building out.
These are not yet offered as scheduled courses. The descriptions show the intended scope so you can judge whether one fits your goals — for students in economics, finance and quantitative methods, for professionals preparing for CFA examinations, and for teams that want sessions on a defined topic.
CFA study support across the curriculum
Structured help across all three levels: study planning, topic review and practice-question walkthroughs spanning quantitative methods, economics, financial statement analysis, ethics, fixed income, equity and portfolio management. The aim is to clarify difficult material and build steady study habits, not to predict questions or promise a result.
Quantitative methods & financial econometrics
Foundations and applied practice in the methods finance relies on: probability and statistics, regression and inference, time-series analysis, and model specification, estimation and validation. For those who want to understand the methods properly rather than apply them as a black box.
R for finance
Applied R for financial data work: importing and cleaning data, computing returns and volatility, statistical and econometric modelling, visualisation, and reproducible research workflows. Suited to coursework, dissertations and empirical finance projects where results need to be transparent and repeatable.
Python for finance & data
Practical Python for finance and data analysis: working with pandas and NumPy, cleaning and structuring datasets, returns and risk calculations, basic forecasting, and clear charts and reporting. Aimed at building working skills that transfer to internships, research and analyst roles.
ESG & sustainable-finance analytics
An introduction to working with ESG and sustainable-finance data: what the main data sources and ratings measure and where they disagree, how to handle the data carefully, and how to read ESG analytics critically rather than at face value. Framed around method and evidence, with no view taken on any specific product or investment.
Risk & volatility modelling
Workshops on the modelling behind risk measurement: volatility models, value-at-risk and related measures, monitoring methods, and the assumptions and limitations behind each approach. The emphasis is on understanding what a model can and cannot tell you, and on validating it honestly.
Delivery
How training will work.
Sessions run online, or in person where practical. Schedules, group sizes and fees are confirmed as each programme launches.
One-to-one
Focused support shaped around your syllabus, deadline and current level.
Small-group cohorts
A small number of learners working through a topic together over a series of sessions.
Workshops
Short, single-topic sessions, such as R for finance or volatility modelling.
Teams and institutions
Tailored corporate and classroom sessions designed for a team, course or department.
CFA Program FAQ
CFA Level I exam: common questions.
Practical answers on eligibility, exam format, study time, calculators, identification and scheduling. Check the current CFA Institute policies for the exam window in which you register.
What is the CFA Program, and how many exams are there?
The CFA Program is a professional investment education programme administered by CFA Institute. It has three sequential levels: Level I builds foundational knowledge, Level II emphasises analysis and evaluation, and Level III focuses on integration, judgement and portfolio decisions. Passing all three exams is part of becoming a CFA charterholder, but it does not by itself award the charter.
Who is eligible to register for CFA Level I?
Candidates must meet one of CFA Institute's education or professional-experience routes. These currently include holding a bachelor's degree, being within 23 months of the expected graduation month for the selected Level I window, or having an eligible combination of at least 4,000 hours of professional work experience and/or higher education over three sequential years. Review the current CFA Program policies before registering.
Can I take the CFA Level I exam online from home?
No. CFA Program exams are computer-based, but candidates take them at approved proctored test centres. Registration and appointment scheduling are separate steps, and preferred locations and times are subject to availability.
What is the CFA Level I exam format?
Level I has 180 multiple-choice questions split into two sessions of approximately 135 minutes, with 90 questions in each session. Each question has three answer choices. CFA Institute suggests allowing about 90 seconds per question, and there is no penalty for an incorrect answer. See the official Level I exam guide.
How much time should I spend studying for Level I?
CFA Institute reports that successful candidates spend more than 300 hours on average preparing for each level. This is a benchmark rather than a guarantee: your timetable should reflect prior finance knowledge, work commitments, study speed and the time needed for practice and review.
What is a Practical Skills Module, and is it compulsory?
A Practical Skills Module (PSM) is a hands-on component that connects the curriculum with applied professional skills. Candidates must complete at least one PSM at each level to receive their exam result. CFA Institute says each module takes roughly 10 to 20 hours, so it should be included in the study plan rather than left until results day.
Is there a fixed CFA passing score?
No universal percentage, such as 70%, is guaranteed to pass every administration. CFA Institute establishes a Minimum Passing Score through a standard-setting process and uses equating to account for differences in exam difficulty.
Which calculators are allowed in the CFA exam?
CFA Institute permits the Texas Instruments BA II Plus family, including the BA II Plus Professional, and authorised Hewlett Packard 12C variants. Candidates bring their own calculator and should learn its functions before exam day.
What identification do I need on exam day?
You need a valid original international travel passport. It must be current, machine-readable, include a recognisable photograph and match the name in your CFA Institute account. A name mismatch can prevent admission, so check the current identification policy well before the exam.
What is the difference between registering and scheduling?
Registration enrols you in an exam window and involves paying the applicable fee. Scheduling is the separate step in which you select an available test centre, date and appointment time. Paying for registration does not mean an appointment has automatically been reserved.
Does passing Level III automatically make me a CFA charterholder?
No. Passing all three exams completes the examination component, but candidates must also meet CFA Institute's qualifying work-experience and membership requirements before they may use the CFA designation.
Should I use only a third-party question bank or study app?
No. The current CFA Institute curriculum is the authoritative source for examinable content. Independent apps, explanations and question banks can support active recall and repeated practice, but they should be used alongside the official curriculum and policies for your exam year.
Important notes
Independence and what we do not promise.
JS Insights is an independent UK education and training company. It is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or accredited by CFA Institute. “CFA” and “Chartered Financial Analyst” are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Training is educational and does not constitute investment advice. We do not guarantee exam results, career outcomes or investment returns; all study and investment decisions remain your own. The programmes marked as in development are not yet offered as scheduled courses, and schedules and fees are not final.