CMT study plan: hours, timelines and a weekly schedule
Last checked October 16, 2026 · Sources: CMT Association 2026 Program Guide (PDF), registration page and CMT Program
A good CMT study plan starts from the CMT Association’s suggested hours: 40 to 100 hours for Level I and 100 to 140 hours for Level II. Spread over about three months, that’s roughly 3 to 8 hours a week for Level I and 8 to 12 hours a week for Level II, by our arithmetic. Because you can take only one exam per window, and exams run in June and December, the fastest path through all three levels takes about a year.
How many hours to plan for each level
| Level | Format | Suggested hours | Per week over 12 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | 132 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours | 40 to 100 | About 3 to 8 |
| Level II | 170 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | 100 to 140 | About 8 to 12 |
| Level III | Multiple choice and short answers, 4 hours | Not stated | Plan at least as much as Level II |
Suggested hours from the CMT Association’s 2026 Program Guide. Weekly hours over 12 weeks are our calculation.
Use the lower end of the range if you already work with charts and indicators, and the upper end if technical analysis is new to you. The Level III figure isn’t published, so the suggestion above is ours: it’s the most integrated level and adds short written answers.
Your CMT study plan timeline
Because the CMT Association allows one exam per window and offers exams in June and December, the quickest route is one level per window: for example, Level I in December, Level II the following June and Level III that December. Working backward from your exam date, start Level I study about three months out, and Level II and III study as soon as you’ve passed the level before.
Register early to get the lowest fee ($875 versus $1,475 late) and access to the included curriculum sooner.
Read the Program Guide's sample questions for your level to see the style and depth, then skim the curriculum's structure.
Work through the curriculum in order, a set number of hours each week. Use Optuma to apply each tool to real charts.
Review weak areas, redo the sample questions, and practice under time limits. For Level III, practice writing short answers.
A sample week (Level I)
- Two weekday evenings (about 1.5 hours each): read a curriculum chapter and take notes on key terms and formulas.
- One weekday evening (about 1 hour): apply the chapter’s tools on real charts in Optuma.
- Weekend (about 2 to 3 hours): review the week, then practice questions on the material.
That adds up to roughly 6 to 7 hours a week, or about 75 hours over 12 weeks, in the middle of the suggested Level I range. Scale it up for Level II.
What to study with
Your registration includes the official curriculum, Optuma and Nasdaq Dorsey Wright research, according to the CMT Association, and the Program Guide has free sample questions for every level. UWorld’s CMT course, once a popular add-on, has been discontinued. Our best CMT prep page explains how to get the most from what’s included.
Includes the curriculum, Optuma and research access. Late registration for December 2026 closes November 4.
Register on CMT AssociationCommon questions about CMT study plans
How many hours should I study for the CMT?
The CMT Association suggests 40 to 100 hours for Level I and 100 to 140 hours for Level II.
How long does it take to pass all three CMT levels?
About a year at the fastest, since you can take one exam per window and exams run in June and December. Most people take longer, and the charter also needs three years of approved experience.
Can I take two CMT levels in one window?
No. The registration page says candidates can take only one exam per window.
What should I study from?
The official curriculum included with registration, plus the Program Guide’s sample questions and Optuma for practice on real charts.
See also our CMT exam guide, CMT exam fees and format and CMT charter requirements. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with the CMT Association.