12 Comments
 

What prep materials are you using? I personally used Knopman which was great. Whatever you use, read that book entirely - skimming is fine (try to see all the material covered at least 1x). Then start taking practice tests as soon as you can. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like you’ve studied enough to to take a full practice exam. Just get exposure to the questions and read the explanations for both what you answered correctly and incorrectly to reinforce the content. SIE is broad so pay attention to topic weights.

 

Aaleon

Thanks for the advice! I'm using ExamFX - I read it's the best overall.

Where did you read this?  I moderate two groups focused on FINRA/NASAA exams and most feedback on them is bad.

 

A month should be plenty. I studied for like 13 days and passed. Non-finance and accounting background, though I was familiar with the topics from learning about them over the years.

I only used the Knopman Marks book. No other online materials other than free practice tests.

I read through the entire book and worked through the book Qs. 

I'm currently studying for the Series 86 and that's a whole nother beast. God damn these FINRA exams

 

I'm sorry to report that I've never taken it, but it seems painfully stupid. Just read the materials and sit.  I presume it's still two sits then a mandatory 6mo waiting period like the 7 & 63 were back when I took them, right?

I've honestly never heard of anybody failing it, but then again behavioral psychology suggests that they just might shut up about it when they don't pass.  People talk about not passing the CFA exams all the time, but there's a certain honor in that.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 
Most Helpful
Whatever1984

I'm sorry to report that I've never taken it, but it seems painfully stupid. Just read the materials and sit.  I presume it's still two sits then a mandatory 6mo waiting period like the 7 & 63 were back when I took them, right?

I've honestly never heard of anybody failing it, but then again behavioral psychology suggests that they just might shut up about it when they don't pass.  People talk about not passing the CFA exams all the time, but there's a certain honor in that.

I have never met anyone who said it was an honor to fail a CFA exam but I know what you mean.  

 

financeabc

I have never met anyone who said it was an honor to fail a CFA exam but I know what you mean.  

I did band 10 my first go-around on level 3.  It sucked, but is still a good story.  You got there, you tried and you aren't a pansy-ass quitter like 1/3 of people who sign up.  The head of tax at Betterment signed up for level 1 three times without ever sitting.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

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