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 hear from him his preparation strategy, inspiration, and placement journey.
Why did you decide to pursue CFA?
I first came across the CFA designation way back in 10th grade. My father had shared a career chart with me, and the CFA stood out because of the kind of roles it could lead to — especially in investment banking and portfolio management. CFA could provide me a strong base for both Investment Banking and Portfolio Management. It was not just a certificate — it was a foundation for the career I wanted to build.
What steps did you take early on to build a foundation in finance?
I chose Commerce with Mathematics in school, which gave me a head start on the quantitative side. When I joined NMIMS for my BBA, subjects like derivatives and financial modeling helped deepen that foundation. Outside of college, I read extensively on my own — titles like The Intelligent Investor, Rich Dad Poor Dad, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, and Currency Wars helped me build a broader understanding of how markets and economies work.
How did QuintEdge help you in your preparation and placement?
QuintEdge played a huge role in my CFA journey. They provided structured mentorship that was tailored to my needs as an undergraduate student. The placement and career support was truly transformative. Mentors like Anmol and Yash Jain went beyond standardised approaches — they took the time to understand where I was coming from and gave me personalised guidance. That made all the difference.
How did you prepare for CFA Level 1? What was your daily schedule like?
I studied approximately 260 to 300 hours over a 4–5 month period. During college breaks, I would put in about 5 hours a day, and during regular weeks it was around 2–3 hours. My preparation had three clear phases:
- Phase 1 — Foundation building: Careful reading of the material, making sure I truly understood each concept before moving on.
- Phase 2 — Practice-heavy learning: Solving topic-wise questions to reinforce what I had learnt.
- Phase 3 — Mock-driven strategy: I took 5+ full-length mock exams to fine-tune my time management and identify weak areas.
What would be your advice to other BBA students planning CFA during college?
Start early — do not wait until after graduation. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to absorb the material without feeling rushed. Focus on conceptual understanding rather than memorisation — that is what really sticks during the exam. Solve as many practice questions and mocks as you can. Use your college breaks strategically for longer study sessions. And most importantly, do not hesitate to seek help when you are stuck. Having the right guidance can save you weeks of frustration.