CFA - Level I - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Flames89 · 08-21-2007, 06:35 AM

Just thought I would turn to my trusted CPers for some advice.

Anyone here done their CFA Level I?

It is Aug 21st, and the exam is Dec 1. Is there enough time for me? I have a full time job, but just completed my MBA with a major in Finance in May.

Damn me and my procrastination...

firebug · 08-21-2007, 07:46 AM

Yes, it can be done.

Get the schweser note package and don't worry about the cFA stuff.

For level 1 it is more about breadth than depth.

My schedule for the june writing was:
April 2hrs/day M-F
May 4hrs/day M-F
Week of exam 6hrs/day S - Th
Day before exam - no study.

Don't over stress the exam, it is not that tough. However that doesn't mean it is easy either.

Fozzie_DeBear · 08-27-2007, 12:45 PM

I am considering doing the June 2008 level 1 exam and now they are making the purchase of CFA materials mandatory...nice

In any case, anyone want to sell their old schweser books and (especially) CD's?

Finner · 08-27-2007, 05:10 PM

I'm definately planning on doing my CFA in a year or two.

My current job calls for me to do my CSC, CPH, Options and Derivatives licensing courses (the first two i've finished) so i have to finish those off before i can try for the CFA.

Anyone know quite how difficult the CFA is? How much time would you need to devote to studying for it? I'm still in university so i don't have a ton of time as is.

flamingchina · 02-09-2010, 07:21 PM

Anyone doing there CFA this year?
Working on Level 1 for june.

fundmark19 · 02-09-2010, 07:30 PM

I was reading on a CFA 's website that to finish off level 3 pass rate is like 23 percent or something like that? From people who I have talked to at my work they have said it is alot of work and quite difficult. Luckily for me I have 4 years left of work experience before I can even think about starting the program thanks to not going to university. So I got 4 years of pre CFA studying to do!

Tyler · 02-09-2010, 07:30 PM

My buddies just failed it for the second straight time.

Apparently its hard as balls. Especially when you have a full time job.

flamingchina · 02-09-2010, 07:39 PM

Yeah, one of my coworkers just failed the Level 1 in December. She was pretty heart broken.

fundmark19 · 02-10-2010, 08:17 AM

Another friend of mine failed it twice I think to. Im assuming if it was easy more people would get it then dilute the significance of having it

firebug · 02-10-2010, 09:17 AM

I am thinking of writing my Level II this year.

I have enrolled for the second level twice but never actually sat the exam. Every time I write the check work gets busy and I have no time to study.

Then last year I had lots of time but no motivation to even enroll.

Such is life I guess.

~Firebug

Slava · 02-10-2010, 09:38 AM

Just out of curiosity what do you guys do for a living that makes you want to do the CFA? I've thought of doing it a few times, but always opt out.

I get it if you don't want to post here what you do btw.

red sky · 02-10-2010, 10:36 AM

Passed Level I on my first attempt in 2008. Failed Level II this past June and am currently studying for the exam this coming June.

My one piece of advice: don't underestimate it. Level I is passable if you put in the time. For a lot of people there is a lot of review from Post Secondary education. Level II is a whole different animal...

Flames89 · 02-10-2010, 11:33 AM

Wow. What a bump. I was reading the first post thinking to myself "what a poor s.o.b"! Ha!

Well, yes it was possible. Passed Level 1 that December. Passed Level 2 the following June, and Level 3 the June after.

Advice? I used Schweiser. Get through all the material a month before, then hammer questions. I recommend the Schweiser Question Bank for that, or old exams. Just do them. Endlessly.

Rinse repeat for all three.

IliketoPuck · 02-10-2010, 11:53 AM

Planning on going for my level 1 in June this year.

Study plan is something like this

Finish all 6 books by the start of May, and rock practice questions for a month, write the exam. FML.

On a scale of 1-10 how hard is this exam? I graduated with a finance degree, so I'm not clueless with regards to the world of finance.

fundmark19 · 02-10-2010, 12:23 PM

People at my place of buisness with CFA are Portfolio Managers or research analysts. I am at a private Wealth Managment firm. Hope that helps out!

Ice_Weasel · 02-10-2010, 01:35 PM

I passed level I a few years back, then didn;t pursue beyond that.

My advice...use the schweser materials and crank out as many practice exams as you can get your hands on.

IMO its all about discipline. Make a program that includes 250 hrs of study time, with 25-50 of those doing exams. If you are committed and put in the time, you will pass. Yes this means 8 hrs per day on most weekends, there is no other way if you are working.

IliketoPuck · 02-10-2010, 02:08 PM

Yea, I just got my materials at the start of February, and have been working on them pretty diligently. The plan is 2 texts/month and then the month before the exam review and practice exams.

J pold · 02-10-2010, 02:13 PM

This thread interests me as this is one options I'm considering once I get my degree, would you guys recommend it doing right after university?

Cowboy89 · 02-10-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J pold

This thread interests me as this is one options I'm considering once I get my degree, would you guys recommend it doing right after university?

If you're a finance grad then most definately YES. You're Level I experience will be more difficult the further away from school you are when you decide to start because a lot of the concepts are similar and you will want to avoid going through a period of re-learning material.

IliketoPuck · 02-10-2010, 02:25 PM

I graduated in June '09, and took a couple months off before trying it out. The one interesting thing about the level 1 is that you can write it in December of every year, and if you are motivated, conceivably you could finish all three levels in 18 months.