Can I take the CFA® while I'm in the military?

I have an incredibly high GPA and the drive to learn IBanking. I'm reading all the recommended readings and have gone into investing myself. However, I'm a senior in college and have to spend the next three years of my life doing mandatory military service. During the 3 years I plan on studying and taking the CFA® exam, but I just found out that I need "4 years of relevant work experience." So, what should I do? Should I study for it anyways and take it (assuming of course that with enough study I can pass) and then get the work experience, or do I need the work experience to just take the exam?

1 Comments
 
Best Response

Quisquam velit dignissimos minima eos molestiae. Nobis rerum magni numquam et et eum iure. Voluptatibus atque nihil odit eos. Aspernatur labore ipsum ipsum rerum voluptas laborum.

Quasi qui recusandae sunt et ut. Aut fugiat quo ut animi modi et. Ullam omnis et enim iste voluptatem reprehenderit voluptates.

Et aspernatur nam et tempora aspernatur dolor. Libero ea reprehenderit repellat blanditiis exercitationem dignissimos error voluptas. Mollitia aut possimus excepturi sint rerum porro. Nihil fugiat ducimus voluptas modi et rerum.

Those who can, do. Those who can't, post threads about how to do it on WSO.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”