I managed to pass Level II with a good breakdown (> 70% in 7 sections including all the big ones, 3 between 50-70) in exactly three months. I attribute my success mainly to discipline and desire to pass (Unlike 90% of people taking the test, I've been wanting to take the test since sophomore year, when I learned that 1/5 PMs had their Charter) but also this little simple sheet I created.
The sheet is very simple. I don't think I have to explain much. So I will be brief.
1. Only you will be seeing this sheet, So you'll only be lying to yourself if you inflate hours. I used my iphone timer and paused every time I went to the washroom or took a break. That 10 hour day somewhere on that sheet was the equivalent of 15 hours from the time i left to study till I came back.
2. I like these sheet over using calendars mainly because it takes 30 seconds to input. You can also add a comment section to input your thoughts about the study session.
3. The statistics page helped me 'catch up' over the weekend. I would see my hours per day page on Friday and if it was under 3, I would try to get that avg to 3 over the weekend.
4. I HATED seeing 0 hours studied on a day. I think its only there once. This consistency in studying kept my brain in CFA®
mode the entire time. I think this was also a big part of my success.
I plan to use this for level 3. If you have any questions about my study experience, post below
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| CFA Study Tracking For Monkeys.xls 39 KB | 39 KB |
Thanks a lot, very helpful.
Was there any reason for going out of order? I see equity second to last which I believe was middle/near end of curriculum. And did that help?
this is really helpful. what book did you use to study?
this is really helpful. what book did you use to study?
Will be taking Level 1 in June and will try implementing this.
Jyong, order of study is really based upon personal preference. Many people go in the order as outlined by CFA or their study service provider. Others begin with their weakest or strongest areas. I recommend going in order as many of the quantitative methods formulas and lessons serve as building blocks for the other lessons (i.e. corporate finance, fixed income, etc.).
Yes, to each its own. I left the big sessions last because frankly, when I started studying, my head wasn't 100% in it. Come end of April, I was 100% CFA mode, so when it come to tackle FSA and Equity, I put my entire focus and effort on it. Furthermore, I left the big sessions to last because come test time they would be the freshest.
As for materials, I used only the CFAI books as well as mocks, and some of the older Schweser mocks. I did every single EOC question from the CFAI, some more than once.
Using only CFAI seems really intense - did you do the same for L1? Curious because I used Schweser and Qbank, supplemented with some CFAI (for ethics, FR&A and Debt/Equity) for L1 in December and found it to be plenty, though I won't know for sure until Jan 22. Feeling pretty good though as the actual exam seemed (to me at least) far easier than the CFAI mocks and I was passing those OK.
Thanks
How the hell do you even manage to study for over 7 hours in one day....
Good night sleep the day before, 5 -15 minute break after every 60-75 minutes of study, broke the day in two with a 90 minute lunch break, and lots of red bull
I also have experience with long term focus due to poker. I played the WSOP 2010 and lasted two days, the first day play was over 13 hours long with short breaks every two hours and one long dinner break.
I've failed Level II 3 times now. What did you use that helped the most. EOC questions? Schweser? Stalla/ Elan? Q Bank? Notecards? Sharp Class?
CFAI Books, EOCs, and Mocks
1/5 PMs have a CFA? I thought it would have been much more.
thx for posting the sheet.
Using only CFAI books seems like overkill, given the amount of detail in those books not tested in the exam. I had a great experience with Elan books (better than schweser IMO).
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