The CFA Level 3 essay questions (constructed response) tends to be many candidates’ Achilles heel, even when they accurately self-grade the essay practice questions during practice.
However, there is a quick way to substantially improve your constructed response section’s performance.
Knowing the best strategies on how to answer essay questions is almost as important as knowing the actual CFA curriculum content, and a lot of candidates don’t stop to think about this enough.
That’s why, we have put together an ultimate guide to answering CFA Level 3 essay / constructed response questions better.
Check it out!
CFA Level 3 has a mix of constructed response (essay) and item-based multiple choice questions (MCQ).
Item-set based multiple choice questions (MCQ), whereby questions in each item set must be answered based on the information in the vignette. Each item-set has 4-6 questions related to it. Each question is worth 3 points.
Recently, CFA Institute has sensibly decided to mix both constructed response and MCQs in each Level 3 session to help candidates average things out and complete their exams better.
CFA Level 3 exam will take 4 hours and 24 minutes, split into 2 equal sessions of 2 hours and 12 minutes each:
For some CFA Level 3 example questions, see this item set sample provided by CFA Institute, as well as sign up for our free CFA Level 3 practice test to get more questions!
Before we go through various strategies and tips on how best to answer CFA essay questions, it is worthwhile taking a step back to understand the main cause of CFA Level 3 failure:
To minimize the risk of failure, do create your personalized CFA study plan that fits around your worklife, expect at least 350 hours of quality studying time (including practicing mock exams) and be mindful of the LOS you need to know as you go through each chapter.
OK assuming those are covered, let’s take a look at the top tips on how to approach CFA essay questions better.
CFA LOS Command Word | Definition |
---|---|
Analyze | To examine the constituent parts of something and how the parts relate to each other and to the whole. |
Calculate | To compute, to determine by mathematical processes |
Compare | To state the similarities and differences between |
Contrast | To state the differences between |
Define | To state exactly the meaning of |
Demonstrate | To show practical mastery of |
Describe | To state characteristic features of something, to portray it in words |
Determine | To decide on through analysis of alternatives, to find or ascertain definitely |
Discuss | To examine critically from various points of view, considering pros and cons and relevant details |
Estimate | To determine an approximate value for something; to reach an informed but possibly imprecise evaluation of something |
Evaluate | To reach a conclusion about something by application of knowledge and judgment |
Explain | To make clear and intelligible, provide insight into |
Formulate | To express in a precise form; to devise |
Identify | To recognize, to correctly pick out or name |
Interpret | To explain the meaning or implications of something, to reach a conclusion about something by application of knowledge |
Justify | To provide good reasons for, to show to be valid or appropriate |
Recommend | To advise as suitable or fit for purpose |
If you’re not sure of the answer, type your best guess down (don’t leave anything blank as there are no negative marking), and come back to it later if you have time. Then move on to the next question. Don’t dwell on it and waste precious time.
Well known abbreviations can be used, especially when they’ve been used in CFA curriculum, e.g. PV for present value, arrows to indicate up or down (↑ or ↓) in answers are fine.
Pulling all of the above together, this is how we recommend to approach each CFA essay question:
Are you facing your CFA Level 3 this exam cycle? Hope the above helps your constructed response strategy! We also have a free Level 3 practice exam for you that you can take now.
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View Comments
Thanks for the information!
You're welcome Felicity, best of luck!
Thanks for putting together this wonderful article!
Do you think it's better to scribble formulas on paper before entering them into the white text or is it better to directly type them on the computer to save time?
I sometimes prefer scribbling to get the logic right but am worried this may waste time. Thanks!
Hi Husain, I think typing them into the computer as you go along is better as there isn't much time to waste. Unless it is for a longer formula that may benefit from writing down quickly and copied across in the computer, my personal view is typing it directly should be fine. As long as the answer you calculated and/or written answers are correct, full scores are given
I found this article helpful and intend to come back to it as I do my mocks over the next 4 weeks.
Thanks Pope, best of luck, last stretch now in your CFA journey!
Hi all,
I understood from some videos that the past exam essay question, at least until 2018 sessions, are available online for practicing.Do you know where are these available?
Thank you all
Hi Team, do you know if you can highlight on the vignette? In Kaplans Sim, I can highlight the questions but not the vignette.
You currently cannot highlight in the vignettes, but CFA Institute has mentioned this is being looked at:
Original discussion here: https://300hours.com/f/cfa/level-2/t/highlighting-text-on-the-vignette/
There are some shortcomings, but overall a great article, thanks a lo.
Good tips but some of them are not useful given the CBT testing environment ( eg: underline key words , writing out formula etc )
Would be better if the tips are more relevant to 2021 testing conditions.
Thanks.
Hi Ty, thanks for spotting that! The general gist and advice still applies, I've updated the underlining to highlighting now, as there's such a feature in Prometric's CFA exam interface.