CFA Questions

Has there not been a CFA forum on here? Especially with the test creeping up for so many people there should be.

I read somewhere that the battery life for one of these Texas Instruments BA II Plus (I have the Professional but not sure it matters) calculators is 1500 hours. Considering what a pain in the ass it would be to find or learn how to install a backup battery on this thing (the battery is unique), I'm planning on rolling the dice on the one battery during the test. Anyone have any experiences or knowledge to share as to why this may not be that good of an idea?

I bought it in Feb and have used it for far less than 1500 hours.

Thanks

14 Comments
 

Just buy a new one you cheapskate

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

just don't show up with a spare battery and a mini-screw driver (the Institute actually allows this). you will look like an absolute tool.

Money Never Sleeps? More like Money Never SUCKS amirite?!?!?!?
 

I've always had two calculators in the exam hall for the CFA exams. You look like a tool, but if you've invested 300+ hours studying for any one of the levels you'd be a fool not to have a backup. Just throw a new battery in the calculator and buy a second one.

Worst Case Scenario: Your one calc fails. You fail the exam. 300 hours of your life wasted. $1,000 of exam fees and prep material wasted.

It's possible, although unlikely, that you could pass L1 without a calc. L2 would be impossible without a calculator.

 
trailmix8heh, if your batt runs out, then god does not want you to pass the test. Besides you can do most math (including any CF/TVM crap) on paper. Only thing I can think of that you probably can't do on paper is the continuous distribution problems.

What? You're telling me you don't know e to 10 decimal places....pussy.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

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