Well, we are now just a few days from test time for the CFA® exams and I don't doubt that everyone is super excited and fully prepared! Okay, that's probably an overstatement as most are probably anxious and feel like there's still plenty left to master. Going into CFA® level 2 redux, I can relate.
I thought I'd share some common platitudes (with a slight twist) to get you ready for exam day!
Relax: You've heard this one a million times I'm sure but that's because it's incredibly important. Ever meet and have a conversation with a nervous person? If so, have you ever walked away from said conversation thinking, "Wow, that totally twitchy person is definitely super smart and has it all together!" Or, were you quietly wondering when their addiction to meth began? This is why it is important to relax. Nervous people aren't known for their academic skills.
Don't Beat Yourself Up: The CFA® exams are long and they test a lot of different topics. If you come across a question you don't know, don't get angry with yourself because, more often than not, you'll have scores of questions left to do. Try your best, if it doesn't work out, move on. Beating yourself up isn't going to make you magically learn something, it's going to screw up the rest of the test.
Forget About Pass/Fail: If everything is going well during the exam, do not start thinking about how you're totally going to pass. Also, if the exam is going poorly, do not start thinking about how you're totally going to fail. The results of the exam don't come out for at least 8 weeks and thinking about how you've done any time prior to you turning in the PM portion of the exam will only distract you. Keep it simple and focus on the exam, only.
Relax: Seriously, relax.
Good luck to everyone next weekend! WSO has some of the smartest people on the internet and I don't doubt that everyone has prepared adequately. I won't say that I'm sure you all will pass because those tests are ridiculously hard and plenty of very smart people fail them every year. Also, let's be honest, we all hate it when people say, "I'm sure you'll pass! You're super duper smart and stuff!"
How are all you monkeys feeling with 10 days left? Anyone feeling "okay"? Panicked?
Got a decent amount of pre-test anxiety setting in, providing some solid motivation. Been able to score mid to low 70s on full length practice tests with about an hour to spare on both sections. Still work to be done though, I'll probably log another 50-60 hrs of cramming M-F next week to polish off some sections.
I've accepted that I will fail. I don't believe my good luck can get me through all three without some pain.
I am not taking the exam but GOOD LUCK everyone.
I'm getting more excited as the day gets closer. After 250+ hours of studying for this crap (L2), I'm just ready to get my life back. Can't wait to have a 'blackout party' at the closest bar. Glad I can walk to the exam...
Getting married, moving and starting a new job at the same time as the CFA was a bad idea... 54% on my practice exam last night. Hopefully I can find another 15% in 10 days!!!
Scoring in the low to mid 70s on the official CFA mock exams and will continue grinding questions up until the test.
I'd highly recommend the Schweser mock exams, they're more difficult (IMO) than the CFA ones and will stretch your knowledge, helping you learn more.
Good luck everyone!
Taking CFA Level 1 this June. Any last minute advice. Haven't looked at the CFA curriculum for the past 3 weeks. I am just going through the Los, which I think should have done from the beginning.
Dude you have to learn from practice tests at this point, you don't have time to review all the LOS. Start hitting little 60 ? practice tests for each section in order of importance, scoring as you go with explanation (assuming here you have a test bank). Write down the solution to every ? you get incorrect in a section, then retake another 60? practice test in that section until you can score a 70 then move on.
Hey Mr. Bananas,
Thanks for the advice.
I think that's the overall strategy I have on my mind. I can easily score 50% I am just thinking how I can get that 20% up. I am just going to give my best shot.
Have you completed your CFA?
Cheerios
Has anyone noticed some of the Schweser exams are easier than others? Obviously, you can get lucky on any given exam by having things in your wheelhouse, but I'm just wondering if Schweser puts easy tests for the first couple tests in volume 1 so as to not blow your confidence early?
You mean in the online test bank? Hit advanced options and uncheck "beginner" questions.
I passed my CFA last year. This next week I will be doing absolutely nothing. I might throw a BBQ this weekend if it stops raining, or maybe i'll stay home and read some books. Enjoy the exam, and if it's not L3 you are passing, well... Sucks to be you!!!
Now just imagine being in my position next year - that should give you enough motivation to pass! AT this stage, do as much practice questions as possible, and re-read the ethics two days before the test. Best of luck.
Taking Level II, but as we all worry about the exam the day before just think about this . . . 70 years prior most of us would be seasick and scared shitless in an LCVP about to drop ramp on the beaches of Normandy.
So life is good.
Taking L3. Must pass this before the baby pops out.
Thus far completed six 3-hour Schweser practice exams (mid 70s, one mid 80s) did both the CFA mock exams over the weekend - 68% and 76%..so all over the place, but amped to get my first crack at L1 done.
I thought the CFA ones were a bit more challenging, but perhaps just because the format was a little different? At any rate, as a full time worker at a demanding job + part time grad school + running a website + CFA studying, I'm looking forward to repairing lost friendships.
Maybe I'll write a post about time management and a more unique approach I took (IMO). Good luck to everyone; I'll be at McCormick in Chicago.
I passed Level III last year and let me tell you, the feeling of finishing the entire program lone is so worth it.
Writing Level III myself. Average scores around 70% on Schweser practice exams and mid to high 70's on the CFAI past exams and mocks...feeling pretty good about this exam at the moment.
What? I thought the exam was in the next two weeks!
Hope it went well for everyone. Finishing level 3 last year felt pretty incredible....
Will be taking FRM in Nov. Thank you I actually need this.
How'd everyone make out today?
There were a few surprises. However, overall it was fair (L2)
I thought it sucked. Quite a few surprises for me (Level 2)
Level 1 was shittingly easy so I guessed all my answers.
Level 1. AM was much easier than PM.
Exactly! after PM, I was like shit, gone. retaking in december
Don't be that optimistic. Who knows lightning might strike!
Agreed. I was talking to some buddies after- let some easy points on the table thinking some q's couldn't possibly be so simple. Anyways, it's over with for now
Rofl I thought pm was much easier
First time paying to be raped like that. Could probably sign up for December without even waiting for the results.
Sat for level 2. Thought it was pretty fair overall with the exception of a few questions. I thought the Kaplan mock exams were actually a little more difficult than the actual exam.
Cautiously optimistic I passed. I'd say 65% chance or so. You never really know with these things.
Think I passed Level 3. The year that I failed Level 2, I got blackout drunk. The year that I passed, I just had a mellow night. Last night was mellow. Therefore, I must have passed.
Sounds like Representativeness bias to me bro. Good luck.
i actually thought PM for level 1 was a lot easier than AM. Pretty sure I failed. Awesome.
Level one- I thought the exam was more straightforward than the schwesier mocks and CFAI mocks. However, my friends who studied with me, even one who was getting 80's on mocks, thought the exam was harder than mocks.
L1 - I also felt that AM was tougher than PM. I was also scoring pretty well on every mock exam I could get my hands so I was very surprised to feel unprepared after the AM session.
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