Is CAIA do-able as an undergrad?

Im only a Sophomore at an Undergrad non-target biz school and am interested in taking the CAIA while I am an undergrad. I feel the only benefit from this qualification is doing it while I am at a young age, as it will help directly out of undergrad but not really so much later in life. Is this test do able while I am taking core Finance courses and doing exams and all that? Should I wait until I am older? I find the contents of this test very interesting, and would love to obtain this certification.

2 Comments
 
Best Response

I think that your interest in this test may be misplaced. It's for a very specific type of job - alternative asset management and valuation - and doesn't carry much weight elsewhere. Additionally, you may consider doing a little more research into what the test is actually on; you won't learn much of the concepts behind it until later in your academic career (probably late junior year or during senior year).

Given all that, I think the cost-benefit relationship is pretty clear: you're better off focusing on absolutely anything else besides the CAIA right now and until considerably later in your career. To put it simply, if the CFA is a niche designation (which many people consider it to be, myself included as a CFA candidate), the CAIA is even more niche and will carry even less weight for someone at your level (however impressive it would be to have a 23-year old CAIA charterholder).

Plus, I was sure you needed a college degree to even begin the program? You should read the curriculum more thoroughly, as eligibility requirements are certainly described somewhere.

Definitely wait for a more experienced monkey to comment, but I think this is a more appropriate way to look at things.

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