Download Free CFA Level 1 Notes PDF (Sample Pack)
Most candidates search for free CFA Level 1 study material PDF or summary notes PDF when they feel short on time. To give you a head start, we’ve created a free sample pack from our Battle Ready Summaries.
The sample PDF includes pages from Ethics, Quantitative Methods, and Financial Reporting & Analysis so you can see exactly how our flowchart-style layouts and bullet points work.
Upgrade to the Full CFA Level 1 Battle Ready Summaries
The free sample shows only a small portion of what you get in the full FinQuiz CFA Level 1 Battle Ready Summaries. The complete package covers the entire Level I curriculum in a consistent, visual format that you can use alongside:
- CFA Institute official curriculum
- Kaplan Schweser notes and question banks
- FinQuiz notes, question bank, and mock exams
Instead of rereading hundreds of pages before the exam, you can rely on concise summary pages that highlight key formulas, definitions, and concepts for each reading.
What you get with Battle Ready Summaries
- Flowchart-style, color-coded summaries for every CFA Level I topic area
- Bullet-point structure for fast scanning and active recall
- PDF format – easy to use on any device and printable
- Organized by LOS and reading for quick cross-reference
Use them for:
- Your second or third pass through the material
- Final 4–6 weeks of intensive revision
- Quick refreshers before tackling question banks and mock exams
See Inside: How the Summaries Are Structured
Each Battle Ready Summary page is designed to make complex topics easier to visualize and remember. Instead of dense paragraphs, you’ll see:
- Flowcharts connecting core ideas, processes, and decision rules
- Color highlights for formulas, definitions, and exam tips
- Bullet points that focus only on what’s likely to be examined
- Clear headings that match the CFA Program curriculum structure
This makes it easy to review an entire reading in just a few minutes and quickly spot areas you still need to practice.
The free sample PDF shows real pages from Ethics, Quantitative Methods, and FRA. Look at how:
- Formulas are boxed and color-highlighted
- Key steps in calculations are broken into short bullets
- Important exam cautions are called out in the margins
How to Use Battle Ready Summaries in Your Study Plan
Battle Ready Summaries are not meant to replace full readings or question practice. They are designed to sit on top of your main study materials and make your study time more efficient.
1. While studying the curriculum
- Read the official CFA Program curriculum or Kaplan/FinQuiz notes for depth.
- Use the relevant summary page immediately after each reading to consolidate what you’ve learned.
- Mark any sections that felt unclear so you can revisit them later.
2. During question practice
- Keep summaries open while solving questions from a question bank or end-of-chapter problems.
- When you miss a question, go back to the matching summary page instead of the entire reading.
- Highlight formulas and concepts you keep forgetting.
3. In the last 4–6 weeks before exam day
- Switch to a “summary first” approach: scan the summaries for each topic, then drill questions.
- Use 10–15 minute gaps in your day to review 1–2 pages on mobile.
- Before mock exams, quickly flip through all summaries for a topic to refresh your memory.
Battle Ready Summaries point you to the formulas that matter most. For a dedicated formula reference, you can also use the FinQuiz CFA Level 1 Formula Sheet alongside your summaries.
What’s Included in the Full CFA Level 1 Battle Ready Summaries
- Coverage of all Level I topic areas: Ethics, Quantitative Methods, Economics, FRA, Corporate Finance, Equity, Fixed Income, Derivatives, Alternative Investments, and Portfolio Management.
- Organized by reading and learning outcome statements (LOS) to match the CFA Program curriculum.
- Flowchart-style diagrams for processes such as financial reporting adjustments, time value of money, and portfolio construction.
- Color-coded callouts for formulas, key definitions, and typical exam traps.
- Downloadable PDF format – use on laptop, tablet, or phone, or print specific sections.
- Designed to reduce rereading time so you can focus more on question practice and mock exams.
- Suitable for both first-time candidates and retakers who need a more structured revision tool.
Ready to see the full package?
View Full Battle Ready Summaries