Meet Tejas Kokcha, a driven and disciplined finance student who cracked CFA Level 1 during his undergraduate studies at NMIMS, Navi Mumbai. Born and raised in Delhi, Tejas took up Commerce with Maths in school and was always inclined toward understanding how financial systems work.
While still pursuing his BBA, Tejas managed to clear CFA Level 1 in his very first attempt. His journey was shaped by strong academic fundamentals, a disciplined approach to preparation, and timely-structured mentorship that not only supported his exam success but also opened the door to a finance internship—marking the beginning of his professional journey.
Let’s here from him his preparation strategy, inspiration, and placement journey.
Why did you decide to pursue CFA?
Tejas: The spark was lit when I was in Class 10th, actually. My father brought me a career chart with various paths in the finance domain—things like investment banking, portfolio management, and accounting, that’s when I first heard about CFA.
I spent a good amount of time reading about each of them, and that’s when Investment Banking and Portfolio Management stood out to me the most. The dynamic nature of these fields, the analytical depth required, and the problem-solving aspect really fascinated me and CFA could provide me strong base for both Investment Banking and Portfolio Management.
What steps did you take early on to build a foundation in finance?
It started with making the right academic choices—I chose Commerce with Maths in school to keep my finance options open.
Then during college, I made it a point to go beyond textbooks. NMIMS gave me exposure to a wide variety of subjects like derivatives, international finance, financial modeling, etc., and I made the most of that.
I also kept reading books, watching finance content, and staying curious about how markets operate. Titles like The Intelligent Investor, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, and Currency Wars gave me a bird’s eye view of everything—from financial markets to forex and derivatives. That broader perspective really helped me connect the dots beyond just the CFA curriculum.
How did QuintEdge help you in your preparation and placement?
The role that QuintEdge played in my CFA journey—and beyond—was genuinely transformative.
On the academic front, the CFA mentorship program gave me a structured and focused approach to such a vast syllabus. It wasn’t just about passing the exam; it was about actually understanding how financial principles work in real-world settings. The doubt-solving support and recorded lectures made the whole process a lot smoother, especially when I had to balance college assignments alongside CFA prep.
What truly made the difference though was QuintEdge’s placement and career support. The team was extremely approachable—I never hesitated to reach out, even with the smallest queries. Whether it was building a professional resume, identifying internship opportunities that matched my interest in core finance, or preparing for interviews, they were there at every step.
One thing I’ll highlight is their personalized mentorship. They didn’t treat it like a one-size-fits-all system. Instead, they understood my individual background, strengths, and goals, and helped align me with the right opportunities accordingly.
A special thanks to Anmol Sir, who always made time for personal guidance, and Yash Jain Sir, whose mentorship has shaped not just my CFA understanding but also my entire approach toward career-building in finance.
How did you prepare for CFA Level 1? What was your daily schedule like?
When college was off (during holidays), I devoted nearly 5 hours a day exclusively to CFA prep. During regular academic weeks, I managed about 2 to 3 hours daily, mostly in the evenings. Overall, I logged around 260 to 300 hours over a span of 4–5 months.
But it wasn’t just about clocking hours—it was about how I used that time. I broke my preparation into three clear phases:
Phase 1: Foundation Building
I began by reading each Learning Outcome Statement (LOS) slowly and carefully, using both the official CFA Institute curriculum and a third-party prep provider. I made condensed summary notes as I went—this really helped during revision.
I made sure I understood the why behind every formula. For example, I didn’t just memorize the DCF model—I tried to relate it to real-world company valuations I read about in the news.
Phase 2: Practice-Heavy Learning
Once I finished the first round of readings, I shifted my focus entirely to practice questions. This, in my opinion, was the game-changer.
I started solving questions topic-wise, reviewing where I went wrong and updating my notes accordingly. I tracked my performance across subjects like FRA and Quant, which needed more attention.
I also used spaced repetition: revisiting tougher topics every few days instead of leaving them for the end.
Phase 3: Mock-Driven Strategy
The last month before the exam was all about mocks and performance tracking. I attempted at least 5 full-length mock exams under timed conditions.
After each mock, I spent 3–4 hours just reviewing the mistakes, revisiting the concepts behind them. I even made a dedicated “mistake log” to avoid repeating errors.
I also simulated real exam-day conditions—no breaks, no distractions—just to get used to the pressure.
What would be your advice to other BBA students planning CFA during college?
I’d say—go for it, but plan it well. Don’t underestimate the syllabus, but don’t overthink it either. Here’s what helped me:
- Start early and be consistent.
- Focus on conceptual clarity—don’t just memorize.
- Solve as many practice questions and mocks as you can.
- Use your college breaks wisely for deeper study hours.
- And most importantly, don’t be afraid to seek help when you’re stuck.
Also, stay mentally balanced. CFA is tough, but very doable with the right mindset.
Tejas Kokcha’s journey from a curious BBA student to a CFA Level 1 achiever and finance intern reflects the power of early clarity, consistent effort, and the right mentorship. Quintedge proudly celebrates his success and remains committed to guiding many more Tejas’ as they take their first confident steps into the world of finance. Watch Full podcast to understand the secret sauce is our CFA student.
