Results Survey

I’ve completed all the content up until fixed income, I’m currently halfway through fixed income. I still have derivatives, alternative investments, portfolio management, and ethics left. My strategy was read CFAI content, watch MM lectures and go straight to CFAI End of chapter MCQs. As I’m running shorter on time, I’m mainly watching MM videos and going straight to MCQs to save time. I would really appreciate any suggestions, advice or study tips. 🙏🏽

For context, I work a 9 to 5 as a Financial Advisor for a Big 6 Bank, Mon to Friday with weekends off. I’ve got my CSC and CFSA. Typically I study 1-2 hrs per day and aim to get 4-6hrs of studying done over the weekend. Work can be quite demanding and often times I’m left too drained after work to study. I still manage to put in at least half an hr on those days. I have the last 9 days before exam day off in order to fully hone in.

As we are getting closer to May 20, I’m getting more and more anxious whether I will be able to cover everything as well as review everything from beginning briefly and then do mocks. If you were in my shoes, how would you tackle this?

I have seen the line "A CFA charter is the same as an MBA" thrown around this sub so many times since I started this process last year yet it is blatantly untrue. It almost feels like a cult just trying to convince itself that the reward is worth the suffering.

The saying at face value makes zero sense AT ALL. MBA is a Master's of Business, not Finance. The CFA does not require learning about marketing, operations, organization behavior, IT, etc. None of these are topics covered by the CFA.

Topics The CFA covers way more in depth than MBA course would include trading strategies, hedges, arbitrage situations, etc. Maybe there is a low level 25% crossover between what is taught but in no way is a CFA charter even close to an equivalent to an MBA or vice versa.

This doesn't mean 1 is better than the other, just that they are not the same thing and this sub should stop saying shit that isn't true.

CFA just rescheduled my appointment without even asking. It would seem that we now need to make sure we’re free for the whole exam window in case this happens. Absolutely terrifying.

I heard that the difficulty level for CFA L2 is much harder than L1. Previously used kaplan. Will kaplab/schweser be a good choice for L2? Are there any recommendations or better alternatives besides kaplan?

What is the idea behind solving this with a calculator? I always seem to confuse the N for the sale price and ytm for the PV of reinvested coupon! Thanks in advance.

As my 3rd semester wrapped up, my professor reached out and recommend I complete my CFA level 1 during the summer.

I hear story’s of some people who had minimal financial background being able to pass the first level is ~500 hours. I’m no genius, but I’m also no idiot, and I’m doing fairly well in school (3.8)

I would like to complete level 1 this summer, but I also work 2 jobs. if I’m decently knowledgeable of finance can I pass with the CFA is less hours? Or is the test full of new material I would need to study?

I ran a few practice tests (I know they aren’t the exact same) but they don’t seemed ridiculous in anyway. For example, the Quantitative Methods unit (TVM, NPV, IRR, DDM) i can do in my sleep. For the econ portion, I’m a econ minor and feel good about that. For Equity (mutable, valuation, CAPM) I have applied everywhere. I think you get the point.

Overall I understand and can apply most things from the outline. Do you think this is something I can knock out this summer?

So I’ve been studying pretty much for 2 months now, just have fixed income, FSA and ethics left.

My background is in Political Science, but I am familiar with many finance concepts through trading, IB and PE internships, and following macroeconomics + markets daily — also good accounting basis (besides GAAP + IFRS policy).

I have nearly 40 days left and feel like i need to completely review all math equations again, as they leave my memory pretty easy.

I plan on committing 4-8 hours a day to study in this period and am curious if anyone else can attest to this being adequate time to feel prepared for the test.

I really don’t want to defer — theres just so many formulas I honestly question how I can manage to learn them all.

I’m a pretty good crammer historically, but feel like there’s too much breadth to cram this stuff.

Thanks

Ive studied genuinely too much for this exam and have an average of 70-72 in 8 mocks of CFA. People still tell me that it’s never a certain thing you’ll pass no matter and I simply can’t get over the feeling of failing after putting in so much. There’s so much conflicting opinion on this, some people saying getting 70 consistently is almost a certainty, and others say at least 75% is what you should target. Whereas some say mocks r easier and others say exam would be a bit tougher. Passing the exam for me is quite important and I genuinely think doing CFA with my job would eventually pave the way for me but at times I feel so much anxiety thinking I may fail despite putting in the efforts. I don’t know exactly what I’m looking for but genuinely any sort of perspective or advice from people who’ve gotten these scores or who’ve done the real thing.

I am registered to take the L1 test in Brussels in may 14. And I have just received an email from prometric informing me that my test was cancelled and that if I am receiving this email, that’s because of unforeseen circumstances such as weather, technical issues etc. Now when I check my CFA registration in my CFAI account, I only see that I am registered, I can’t reschedule, and I don’t see any other detail about date/location/reschedule option as I used to. Did this happen to anyone else before ? Or is someone here from Brussels by chance ? I intend to call them but I can’t before 3 pm (Brussels time) taking into account the time difference. In the meantime I am a bit panicking because it’s been 6 months that I am attached to this date. Thank you in advance for feedback !

As I see the surface, it looks common that people start their careers after L1. Then there is another group that goes till their L3 completion and finds a job.

So which is the better way to build a good career, and how does the market see both these cases?

I have registered for cfa nov 2025. I have purchased a standard pack with digital curriculum. However I am unable to find the pdf version of the curriculum. Are the lessons and digital curriculum same? Please guide me.

Since studying for the CFA I've realised that ethics really do play a fairly important part in the investment management industry. I personally like to dive a bit into philosophies of ethics.

I'd just like to ask all the CFAs (charterholders and candidates) and professionals who have practical experience in the industry if:

1. They've ever found a loophole to some of the ethical guidelines put forth by CFAI?

2. If anyone thinks there's a gap that needs to be filled into the Ethics curriculum. In the sense that has someone come across a specific situation that was not covered under the ethical guidelines?

3. Would you personally add a certain guideline to the already existing ethical framework.

Sorry if it's a tedious question.

Hey everyone — I’m currently studying for CFA Level 1 (planning to take it next year), and I’ve been seeing a lot of people mention doing FRM either after or alongside CFA.

Just curious — if CFA is considered the gold standard in finance, especially for roles like investment analysis, portfolio management, etc., why do so many people also go for FRM? Isn’t CFA already covering a decent amount of risk management content?

I get that FRM is more specialized, but can’t you still work in risk roles after doing CFA without needing the FRM designation? Or is it just for extra credibility or to stand out more?

Would love to hear from people who’ve done both or are planning to — what made you decide to go for FRM too?

Dear all, I was practicing from the LES and wanted to know if the questions/topics that are more tested in the LES are more important?

For example, in income statement of FSA, many questions are from EPS instead of revenue recognition. So, can I infer that EPS is more important?

Really trying to figure out the most effective way of studying. I just passed the CFP exam, have some knowledge but no where as in depth as needed for the CFA. I’m using meldrum for level 1 and really just looking for what’s going to be most effective for me. Should i still use the CFAI material for readings? Just focus on the Meldrum videos? What usually makes the most sense?

Sourcing the community for the first time as I tried searching for an answer to this but not having any luck. Thanks in advance. How can I tell whether this is a one-tailed or two-tailed test? CFAI answer not very helpful...(answer is A for two-tailed test)

So I’m a 2nd year finance major, should I pursue CFA, if yes then which attempt should I give and where should I study from? And how would this benefit me? I need an elder sibling to explain it very genuinely to me

Happy I got the cfa scholarship. Coming from a non-finance background student how should I best use my time to study? Anyone have a good study plan to follow? I have beginning of May until end of August off of school so I’m looking to hit anywhere between 3-6 hours a day of studying. Advise me please. Thanks a lot.

Failed my 2nd attempt while working full time and doing a masters. Disappointed the Ethics curve didn't work in my favor this time around. (Didn't even come close the first time I took it).

Might be a dumb question but does anyone else struggle through the CFA website clicking multiple links to finally find the link to get into the learning ecosystem? Trying to find an easier way to access it.

Hello! I’m a financial advisor, I’m currently studying for the CFA level 1. I have not formally registered yet as I want to put all the chances on my side to succeed because it’s no cheap exam. So I bought all the books from the 2024 edition and studying it (Can someone confirm if there is a big difference in the material from 2024 to 2025?). Well the thing is that I am limited to the exercises in the books, is there people willing to share study material or have recommendations for free or fairly priced exercises? My goal is to be able to write the one right before the end of the year or February 2025. Any assistance will be hugely appreciated.

For those who have taken the mock exams, what is the comparison to the actual exam? I have the practice pack, any difference between free mocks and the practice pack mocks compared to the exam?

Scored a 63% on the first free mock, but put in minimal effort and no review before. Just tried to get an idea for where I’m at. Found it the same or lesser difficulty compared to the EOCQs.

Thoughts?

( photo 1 = first attempt, photo 2 = second attempt )

Did I have to go for another ride ? Maybe in august ?

I literally not improve on my second attempt, I’ve just been worse, I don’t know why, my mock was 70/75% mean, I think that may something goes wrong personally, so I was wondering if august will be ok, planning to go through all of the salt solution for the next 30 days, and then hammering qbank / mock

I am in 2nd semester of Bcom program delhi University Am i eligible for Student Scholarship ? Website shows only MBA student eligible. Anyone got scholarship who are studying in Delhi University with Bcom program course?

Hi all,

I have 30 days left and feel like i’ve forgotten topics i’ve studied ages ago. I have 5 mock exams and plan to start my first one next weekend after reviewing the content the second time.

Should I continue with this plan or should I just start nailing practice questions blindly?

Open to all suggestions.

Thanks.