63 Comments
 

Depending on your background and job this will vary. I was already 6 years out of school when I started studying, so it was a bit of a shock to get back into that type of mentality. I also work in PWM, hours aren't crazy and I did a lot of my studying damage during the weekdays (my social life did take a major hit)

I studied my ass off, put in over 300 hours for each level and made sure I wasn't going to have to do this again. I used Kaplan Schweser material while also taking a weekly class. The class really helped keep my studying on track. Level 1 i didn't touch CFAI material (outside of the one mock), for level 2 I still used Schweser but also reviewed CFAI fairly often. Take as many mock exams as possible.

By April I was completely drained, mentally and physically, those last 2 months were hell, especially as the weather got nicer. Keep up a gym routine and eating relatively healthy as well, this will help. PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

From what i've heard, its highly unlikely anything changes, but if the $100 is worth the peace of mind, go for it. To me it seems like you are just delaying the inevitable

Array
 

I agree, especially considering its a multiple choice exam. It's not like they could have mis-judged your answers, so you're just hoping the computer misread your answer sheet, which seems unlikely.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

May catch flak for this, but it seems like L1 is chicken shit largely ex-post. While studying for it, I was personally surprised by the breadth of the material -- there was just so much of it. Studying for it certainly took up a healthy amount of time. Now having taken it though, and comparing vs L2, it does appear relatively easy.

What was the famous AF comparison? L1 is to L2 as a Swedish massage is to castration by way of cheese grater?

In any case, congrats to all who passed. Those who didn't, re-group.

 

That's basically what I've done. Passed level 1 and 2 on the first try, waiting to hear from 3. Are you working right now, or in school?

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

Congrats everyone. Was expecting a fail for L2... got that sweet, sweet "Congratulations!" email instead. Was 100% ready to accept defeat and retake it next year, but just happy to be through it. For everyone not so fortunate, keep your heads up. This series of exams is a mother and no easy feat. Keep hustling and good things will come.

 

Congrats to everyone who passed the L3. Now...you're free. For the rest of us, we still have a long road to go. I am planning to take L1 during my senior year. Any recommendations? Anyone would like to team up and study together?

 

Passed L1, over 70% in all but quant, accounting, ethics and fixed income which were 50-70%. Was scared shitless I'd fail given how easy the test seemed and the fact that I probably had about a week to study, but apparently I did enough or was lucky enough :D

 

A user above stated that you need job experience in order to take the level II exam. I tried looking for the requirements on the website, but I couldn't find anything. I am currently studying for the level I in December, and I don't want to find something that can hurt my chances for level II last minute.

 

Nope. You just need to have completed undergrad and Level I by the exam date. In order to receive the charter you need 48 months of relevant work experience.

 
"ohnojustgo12"

Nope. You just need to have completed undergrad and Level I by the exam date. In order to receive the charter you need 48 months of relevant work experience.

Thank You for the ease of mind!

 

A little late to the reveal party, but judging by everyone else's responses, I must have barely passed L1. Though a pass is a pass in the grand scheme of things. Onward to L2

(50%): Derivatives, Fixed Income Investments (51%-70%): Financial Reporting & Analysis, Portfolio Management, Quantitative Methods (>70%): Alternative Investments, corporate finance, Economics, Equity Investments, Ethics & Professional Standards

 

Passed thank the lord. I failed L2 twice and just studied a shit ton to try and ensure this would be my 5th and final time sitting for the exams.

When I was taking practice essays I found I was getting bogged down on Individual PM and decided to leave those for last on the exam. Try that for some practice essays and see if it works for you. I hit all the questions in the AM (barely) and did OK on Individual PM even though I had to half-ass a couple towards the end.

"Some things are believed because they are demonstrably true. But many other things are believed simply because they have been asserted repeatedly—and repetition has been accepted as a substitute for evidence." - Thomas Sowell
 

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"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

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