CFA level 1 exam - 5 months?

Hi Everyone, 

So I’d like to take the CFA level 1 exam in February. As I would like to take the gmat exam and have all my application material before Sept 2024 so I can apply to business schools in the UK. I’d like to apply early to improve my chances. I went to an Ivy. 
 

I work at a great name bank and have switched divisions. I don’t have much finance background, but somehow managed to pass the series 7 with no knowledge. 
 

I can sit down a grind, but at the same time my income isn’t that great when I consider all the study loans and dumb credits cards I am paying off ASAP. In fact I’m probably even tight on money to even pay for this CFA course lol. 
 

Is 5 months of studying doable for the CFA level 1? 1) having it by February I think will improve my current job stability since I’d be more useful and have more credential and maybe a better relationship with my bosses

2) will look good for mba application 

another question: does CFA level one percentile even matter? Does an mba program like Cambridge university care if I got 90th percentile or not?

What CFA courses do you recommend? 

the following date for CFA would be May but I feel like it’s way too close. 
 

I want to be able to start mba school when I’m 28. I definitely don’t want to wait until I’m 29. 

Thank you!