Can I Learn Investing in 3 Months?

Once you’ve decided that you want to learn investing, you may wonder how long it takes to do so. While learning investing is a subjective process that varies from one individual to another, most individuals will find that it takes them between one and five years to fully understand the stock market. However, it’s possible to acquire basic investing knowledge and fundamental financial training in a much shorter time. Those who enroll in live coursework like bootcamps or certificates can often learn investing basics in as little as three months or less. Read on to find out more about some tips to expedite your learning process, as well as what to expect from your training.

How Much Investing Can I Learn in 3 Months? 

Learning investing can be an extremely rewarding process, one that will prepare you to make your own sound investments for the future or to apply your skills in a professional setting for clients or others within your organization. Although it takes most people at least a year or longer to become well-versed in investing strategies and best practices, it’s possible to learn the basics in just a few months. Those who already have prior financial knowledge, including financial literacy, will likely find the learning process easier and faster than those who are attempting to study complex financial concepts with no prior knowledge base.

The method of training you select will be a determining factor for how quickly you’re able to learn investing. Those who prefer to self-teach using online resources like YouTube videos, tutorials, or on-demand classes may find that it takes them much longer to develop a full understanding of investing. This is because no instructor is available in this type of training to provide individualized guidance or answer questions. Self-teaching resources can be a great starting point to introduce basic investing concepts like compound interest or provide an overview of the field of finance, but they typically aren’t sufficient on their own to provide a well-rounded financial education. This is why those who are interested in expediting their learning process can turn to live classes for more hands-on training. 

Enrolling in a full-time, live investing class is the most effective way to learn this skill set quickly and prepare you to use your skills in the real world. Live classes are available in person at training facilities around the country, as well as live online via teleconferencing platforms like Zoom. These programs typically take several weeks or months to complete (depending on whether you opt for part-time or full-time study). Depending on the course’s focus, students have the opportunity to focus on topics like financial modeling, financial analysis, financial accounting, or investing. Short coursework like Noble Desktop’s Stock Market Investing class is also available for those interested in spending a day exploring fundamental stock market investment topics, such as DCF analysis, P/E ratios, and financial statements. This class also provides students with the chance to gain real-world investing training by analyzing current valuation multiples and earnings releases of companies like Apple and Google.

How Can I Learn to Invest More Quickly?

Even though it takes most learners a year or longer to fully grasp the nuances of investing, there are several ways to speed up your learning process:

• Research is an essential component of investing. The internet provides thousands of real-time resources that can help individuals make well-informed trades. For some, though, the amount of information available can be overwhelming and result in analysis paralysis and, ultimately, indecision. It’s good practice for those who are new to investing and are researching stocks to focus on the essential information and disregard anything else. This discernment can take time and practice to develop but can make it much easier to gain proficiency with investing.
• The more you know about the market and how it works, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about investing and trading. Early on, when learning to invest, students are encouraged to devote time to studying the market to spot patterns that emerge. Doing so can help provide Investors with insights into when is the best time to make a trade and avoid spending or losing money.
• Free resources can be a great way to learn basic investing concepts. Students can explore specific investing-related videos on YouTube, such as short tutorials on the different types of interest, how to diversify your portfolio, or how to invest in bonds. Additionally, online tutorials can also break down complex investing concepts into easy-to-read lessons that learners can use to supplement their training.
• Online simulators are another free tool that can help students learn investing. These online simulators provide a risk-free way to try your hand at investing without having to risk a penny of your hard-earned money. Some online simulators provide real stock market values to simulate the actual market and provide students with a practical way to practice investing strategies before risking real money.
• Another resource that can help speed up the investing learning process is to consult sites like investor.gov. This page is run by the Securities and Exchange Commission and offers many excellent beginner-friendly resources for teachers and students that can be downloaded and printed. Content includes materials on how to calculate compound interest, understand diversification, manage credit, and tips for saving and investing.
• On-demand classes are another way some individuals choose to self-teach investing. Providers like Skillshare and Coursera offer self-paced coursework in a range of finance and investing topics, such as Bitcoin, cryptocurrency, options trading, financial statements, and income statements. These classes typically cost much less than live training and allow students to be in charge of their own learning pace.
• The best way to learn investing in a relatively quick time frame is through live coursework. Skills classes, bootcamps, and certificate programs are available to learners at all levels, even those who are new to investing or who have little financial experience. Courses not only provide hands-on training in key investment strategies and terminology but also provide learners with real-world investment examples so they’ll be able to put their skills to use upon graduation, either with their personal finances or in a professional setting.

What Investing Skills Will I Need to Learn After 3 Months?

While it’s possible to learn the basics of investing in three months or less, this timeframe won’t be enough for most learners to master this skill set in its entirety. After completing an introductory-level course on investing or graduating from a bootcamp or certificate program in financial analytics or financial modeling, further instruction may be necessary for some individuals, particularly those who will be putting their skills to use in the professional setting as an Investment Banker, Stockbroker, Investment Consultant, or Risk Analyst. 

Those who are interested in learning a more specialized financial skill set after their preliminary studies can enroll in intermediate or advanced-level classes that focus on a specific investing skill, such as angel investing or working with advanced Excel to create specific financial models. These classes build on the foundational skills that were taught in beginner-level training and help learners master more complex or niche investment skills.

Those interested in using their investing training in the professional setting may also wish to explore certification options. Several certifications are available for financial professionals. Each requires sitting for an exam that’s offered by a third party. Those who pass earn an industry-recognized certification, which can be included on their resume to show they’ve attained a level of mastery over the subject matter that was taught:

• To pass the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) exam, students must pass three challenging exams on topics such as economics, security analysis, and portfolio management and obtain at least three years of work experience.

• The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) requires that students have knowledge of more than 100 financial planning topics, such as taxes, retirement planning, estate planning, and insurance. 

• Those who pass the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam demonstrate that they have mastered advanced financial management and accounting topics like control, decision reports, and analysis. This exam requires completing multiple-choice and essay questions.
• The Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) test teaches test-takers about financial planning topics like insurance, income tax, and estate planning. It also requires that students have at least three years of work experience in finance.
• Individuals who pass the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) exam must demonstrate knowledge of ethics, risk measurement, due diligence, and asset allocation. 
• The Chartered Market Technician (CMT) certification requires participants to complete three exams and agree to follow the Market Technicians Association’s code of ethics. This certification focuses largely on technical analysis. 
• Those who pass the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam must also take tests on accounting, tax preparation, and other areas of financial planning.
• The Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) is intended for those who want to work in the Corporate Treasury Office. It is the only professional certification that focuses on cash management and is one of the premier credentials in treasury and corporate finance.

When opting for a certification in finance, it’s up to the student how they wish to prepare. Some opt to rely on their work experience or study on their own through self-teaching resources. Other individuals may prefer to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate program that will provide hands-on training to help them prepare to pass the test.