Develop a study plan six months before taking the exam. Focus on concepts rather than mathematics. If you feel overwhelmed, study with breaks. If you are interested in taking the CFA Level I exam, review the CFA Level I exam requirements to see if you are ready to enroll.
One of the most important ways to prepare for the CFA Level I exam is to have enough time to study. Considering the same amount of study time for one level of the CFA exam (an average of 300 hours), it is more effective to spread studies over time, rather than accumulating them over the last month. In the case of CFA exams, in my experience, it's difficult to take the tests without first reading the materials to gain a basic understanding. The best way to study for the CFA Level I exam is to follow the curriculum of the CFA program and have enough time to learn the material with the ideal learning style.