Bhavya Shah’s CM1 Journey: Planning Better, Preparing Smarter

From an Early Start to 77 Marks in CM1 — A Journey of Better Preparation

Starting actuarial preparation after Class 10 can be a great opportunity, but it also comes with an important challenge: how do you balance professional exam preparation with Class 11 and Class 12 studies?

For Bhavya Shah, this became an important part of his actuarial journey.

Bhavya started preparing for CM1 after his 10th Board examinations, with the aim of appearing for the September 2025 examination. However, managing his preparation alongside his regular academics proved challenging, and he decided not to rush into the examination.

Instead, he stepped back, reassessed his preparation, and planned for the April 2026 CM1 attempt.

A Better Plan for April 2026

For his second preparation phase, Bhavya approached the examination with a more structured plan. Along with CM1, he also enrolled for CB1 for the April 2026 attempt.

Managing two professional papers alongside school academics required careful scheduling and prioritisation.

This time, the objective was not simply to complete the syllabus—it was to become genuinely exam-ready.

Understanding What Matters in CM1

One of the important lessons from Bhavya’s preparation is that CM1 requires attention to both conceptual understanding and application.

Students preparing for CM1 should particularly focus on:

• Understanding the underlying concepts before moving to lengthy calculations.
• Identifying chapters that require repeated numerical practice.
• Practising Paper A questions with a focus on method and accuracy.
• Giving sufficient attention to Paper B, where familiarity with the software and efficient working can make a significant difference.
• Revising previously completed chapters instead of continuously moving forward.

CM1 preparation becomes much more effective when students know what to prioritise and how to test their understanding.

Why Chapter-Wise Tests Matter

Completing a chapter does not necessarily mean that you are ready to answer examination questions from it.

Chapter-wise tests help identify this gap.

After studying a topic, students should test themselves without referring to their notes. This helps reveal:

What I know → What I can apply → What I still need to improve

For Bhavya, a structured testing approach became an important part of preparing for the final examination.

The Importance of Mock Examinations

Mock examinations serve a different purpose from chapter-wise tests.

While chapter tests measure topic-level understanding, full-length mocks test examination readiness.

They help students experience:

• The pressure of completing the paper within the available time.
• Switching between different types of questions.
• Managing calculations efficiently.
• Deciding when to move on from a difficult question.
• Reviewing answers within the remaining time.

A strong CM1 preparation strategy should therefore move from chapter practice → chapter tests → full-length mocks.

Building Typing Speed for Paper B

For students taking the computer-based component of CM1, typing speed should not be ignored until the final weeks.

The objective is not simply to type faster. Students should become comfortable with:

• Typing mathematical explanations efficiently.
• Using the required software confidently.
• Formatting answers clearly.
• Working with calculations without repeatedly stopping to think about basic computer operations.

Even 15–20 minutes of regular typing and software practice can gradually improve confidence and reduce unnecessary time pressure during the examination.

The Result

Bhavya appeared for the CM1 April 2026 examination and successfully cleared the paper with an impressive:

77 MARKS

His result is a reflection of a more structured preparation approach and the decision to take the examination when he was properly prepared.

Why S.MONK?

Bhavya’s journey also highlights why choosing the right coaching environment can matter, particularly for students beginning actuarial science at a young age.

At S.MONK, students preparing through classroom coaching receive a structured learning environment where concepts can be discussed directly with experienced faculty, doubts can be addressed, and preparation can progress systematically from learning to testing.

For students who prefer offline actuarial coaching in Mumbai, this combination of classroom learning, faculty support, study material, tests, and examination-focused preparation can provide a strong foundation for the actuarial journey.

The Journey Continues

After clearing CM1, Bhavya is now preparing for the CS1 examination for September 2026.

His experience demonstrates an important principle for young actuarial aspirants:

Starting early is valuable—but learning how to plan, prioritise and prepare effectively is what turns an early start into meaningful progress.

Congratulations, Bhavya Shah!

From starting actuarial preparation after Class 10 to successfully clearing CM1 with 77 marks, Bhavya has taken an important step towards his actuarial career.

We at S.MONK – School of Actuaries wish him the very best for his CS1 September 2026 attempt and the milestones ahead.

Start early. Prepare strategically. Test yourself. Keep progressing.