IAI CB3 study plan

IAI CB3 · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

CB3 (content domains not enumerated in source)

Map the CB3 syllabus line by line and rewrite each learning outcome as a one-sentence question you must be able to answer
Define every core term in the CB3 body of knowledge in your own words and flag any term you cannot explain without notes
Build a personal formula and concept sheet covering the quantitative material you identify in the syllabus
Solve five introductory calculation or interpretation problems unaided and record every step of your working

A one-page syllabus map listing every learning outcome as a question, with a confidence rating of 1-5 beside each

Week 2

Work through the heaviest sub-topics identified in week 1 first, allocating at least half of this week's hours to them
Re-derive each key relationship or model from first principles rather than memorising the result
Answer 20 short applied questions under light timing and mark them against your own written reasoning
Write a half-page summary explaining the single hardest concept to an imaginary colleague

A marked set of 20 practice answers with a written correction note for every question you got wrong

Week 3

Consolidate the remaining lighter sub-topics so no part of the syllabus is untouched
Practise applying the main techniques to unfamiliar scenarios rather than recognisable textbook cases
Identify the three error types you keep repeating and write a specific countermeasure for each
Complete a 30-question mixed set in one sitting to test retention across topics

An error log with at least 15 entries, each tagged by cause (concept gap, misreading, calculation slip, time pressure)

Week 4

Review the error log and re-study every topic that produced two or more concept-gap entries
Attempt a full timed practice paper under exam conditions with no notes and no interruptions
Mark the paper strictly and calculate your score by topic area, not just overall
Rewrite your concept sheet down to the items you still cannot recall cold

A timed mock result with a topic-by-topic score breakdown and a ranked list of your five weakest areas

Week 5

Attack the five weakest areas from week 4 with targeted re-study and fresh practice questions
Explain each weak area aloud in under two minutes without referring to notes
Re-attempt every question you got wrong in the week 4 mock and confirm you now reach the right answer for the right reason
Reduce your concept sheet by a third by internalising the material you have mastered

A before-and-after record showing your score on each weak area's question set improving between week 4 and week 5

Week 6

Practise the exam technique of allocating time per question and abandoning questions that overrun
Drill the calculation types that appear most often until you can complete each in under the target time
Work through a second full timed paper and compare your topic scores with week 4
Study the mark scheme logic for written answers and practise structuring responses to earn method marks

A second timed mock with a written comparison against week 4 identifying which areas improved and which stalled

Week 7

Close out every remaining gap by re-testing only the topics still scoring below your target
Build a one-page final revision sheet containing only facts, formulas and definitions you have repeatedly got wrong
Complete 40 rapid-fire recall questions in short bursts to build stamina and speed
Rehearse the first five minutes of the exam: reading instructions, scanning the paper and planning time

A single-page final revision sheet that you can recite from memory in under ten minutes

Week 8

Sit one final full timed paper in the week's first half and mark it the same day
Spend the remaining sessions on light review of the final revision sheet only, avoiding new material
Confirm practical exam-day logistics: format, permitted materials, timing and identity requirements
Plan sleep and rest so you enter the exam rested rather than over-crammed

A final mock score at or above your target, plus a written exam-day checklist covering timing, materials and arrival

Week 2: You can explain every core CB3 term and relationship without notes and have solved at least five problems unaided

Week 4: You have completed one full timed mock and hold a topic-by-topic score breakdown with five named weak areas

Week 6: Your second timed mock shows measurable improvement over week 4 in at least three of the five weak areas

Week 8: Your final mock meets or exceeds your target score and your revision sheet is memorised