The CYA only needs testing once a summer (or so), it stabilizes chlorine so you would see your chlorine getting gobbled up at an increased rate.
Getting the chemical values in line the first time can be challenging since your basically learning on the job, but once you get them where you want them the maintenance is pretty straight forward (barring anything out of normal happening). After a few weeks of dealing with minor day to day fluctuations you'll start to see how the chemicals effect the water. Its this understanding thru experience that takes a bit of time but provides all the knowledge, which brings me back to the first sentence above, once your on top of your regular chlorine consumption you'll know when something is going wrong.
Keep on trucking, your getting there!!
PS, I keep a small book with all my levels, I write them down at every test, after awhile you will see the patterns and fluctuations and know what is normal for your pool. I recommend tracking things for a bit, eventually it will become engrained.