New here? Don’t be shy. Say hello here and earn your first badge!

Hello all!

I’m Sophie from London, UK and a 300 Hours guest contributor. I did the CFA exams back in Dec 2009 and completed it on June 2011. I survived the CFA and know how it feels, so basically here to help out and share the pain (+ laughter)!

Level I first-timer here. Nice to be part of this forum!

Just starting out in my career as well so any advice on taking the CFA as well as doing well at work would be much appreciated!

mjgavilanes said:

retaking level 2. what’s the best material Schwesser and Wiley?

I was planning on going for Schweser, worked well for me in L1 but @ellieb19 is giving me doubts! Are there any differences in L2 that may call for a different provider? Schweser has a discount right now I think, so would want to decide soon.

Johannesburg in ZA here. Taking level 1 for the second time, didn’t quite make it last december.

Level 1 first time. Based in London – potentially interested in some study group action if there is any…

CFA Level 3 – in corporate finance.

Hi all

I’m currently at level 2 – currently doing finance for a startup.

BTW – what other badges are there? 🙂

Welcome all, @artyeasel I wish I was already Level 3!

Hello all, welcome to the 300 Hours community!

@fabian – you can get another badge by uploading a profile pic 🙂

tim here, level 2 for the first (and hopefully only) time…

Hi all, I’m a Level 2 candidate, looking to work in equity research.

Hi all! I’m a level 3 here – great to be part of the founding group! 🙂

Hey all, this is Dan, getting ready to pass level 1 right now. English is not my first language (I’m from Colombia) but I try to write the best I can.

Only 28 colombians got the CFA so far, so this is me wanting to be one of the first too 🙂

Hi all! I will be writing the level II exam. Looking for work, graduated a couple of years ago and worked a couple of jobs but nothing that would count towards the 4 years experience I need for the CFA.

hello @Dan, @Diya, welcome!

@christine Nope, we present the exams in the capital city – Bogota. It would be like an 8 hour trip in car from Medellin, but fortunately air transport is cheap. They are only available in June though, if I wanted to take one on december, I would have to travel to Miami.

@christine Not me; don’t know how many candidates… I know everyone is starting to recognize the certification and the exams, so it is starting to grow imo.

Helllllllooo there, Shwebs from South Africa, CFA Level I candidate and I’m here to claim my badge :D….

Helllooooo @Shwebs, welcome!

Thanks @Sophie…very well, looks like the community is growing!!

Yo @Shwebs, we do have a crazy and helpful bunch here so far. You’ll get to know us soon 🙂

@Reena: Cannot wait for the ranting funny posts :)… and not forgetting knowledgeable outlook on the financial industry!!

There’s now a category called Rants. lol

Hi Everyone. I’m a level 3 candidate. Would love to be helpful and learn more in the process. P.S. I might not be as active as I would like to given the upcoming Level 3 prep :)>-

Welcome @AjFinance! Glad to see you around

Howdy guys. I’m a Level 1 candidate writing the exam for the second time in June. Would love to learn a lot from varied experiences here.

Hello @SidMenon, glad to have you join us!

Hey there, Kevin here 🙂 Currently L2 and still drowning in my workload. Nice to meet you all!

Hi @Miux / Kevin, nice to meet you too!

Hola Amigos…

I’m Anant from India, currently working with a hedge fund in Singapore. I am a level 3 candidate. Would love to be part of intelligent discussion and enrich myself along with assisting people with their queries.

Not sure if I would be very active considering work commitments and upcoming level 3 exams (just started) but would try to contribute as much as I can. Cheers!

@anantjain87 thats great since you’re already working at a hedge fund. Do you mind telling us more about your educational and professional background?

Hi @anantjain87, glad you’re joining us 🙂

Hi All!

I’m Matt, a Level 3 Candidate.

Currently based on the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands having moved across from London in June 2012 to enhance my career. I’m an Assistant Vice President for a global bank where I work as a Relationship Manager specialising on fiduciary companies and their underlying clients.

Good to meet you all, and good luck to all taking the June 2013 exams…let’s hit them hard!

M

Hello @MattJuniper, great to have you join us. We have a couple of Level 3’s around too. @AjFinance, @jimmyg, @artyeasel. I’m sure you guys will nail this, good luck!

Hi Everyone, I am a fist time level 1 candidate, I work in the industry but know so little, so I’m basically trying to expand my knowledge in finance.

Hello @Carolyn, welcome to the gang! 🙂

Hi, I´m a working mom of 2, from Perú, level 1 candidate, wish me luck!

Hi @Patty thats commendable! Goodluck :-bd

Hello people.Calvin representing South Africa here.Registered CFA level 1 for December; looking forward to smash it!!

Hello @Calvin! I’m a Level 1 too (but June), admire your discipline to start to early!

Hi Calvin! Welcome to the gang 🙂 @Shwebs, you have a fellow South African here doing Level 1 too!

Hi all. I cleared level 1 in Dec 12. Thought to give sometime for myself so giving level 2 in June 14, in between plunging into reading loads of novels(my interest) & FRM as I dont have MBA after bachelors, so thought to have CFA&FRM as degrees. Working as research analyst since 2+ years.

Hi @imdnextbuffet! Pity you’re not joining us for Level 2 this June, but you have ample time to prepare then.

Hi @imdnextbuffet! Pity you’re not joining us for Level 2 this June, but you have ample time to prepare then.

Hi @reena, I know, I had thought so much on this matter once I received my results, me being lazy bum thought to give some time to myself and plunge some brownie time into novels and I was kind-off unsure too regarding, will I be able to cope up with the L2 in matter of 4 months? As I am full-time employed, time was insufficient for mediocre guy like me to attempt the exam & clearing it off.

Hi all. I cleared level 1 in Dec 12. Thought to give sometime for myself so giving level 2 in June 14, in between plunging into reading loads of novels(my interest) & FRM as I dont have MBA after bachelors, so thought to have CFA&FRM as degrees. Working as research analyst since 2+ years.

@imdnextbuffet Welcome! We’re testing out a Book Recommendation section so would love to hear your recommendations! @DollarsToDonuts is also looking at equity research so would love your opinions on this (thread here).

Thanks I just did.

LOL @imdnextbuffet, so not mediocre, in fact it should have been a breeze given you’re in equity research!

LOL @imdnextbuffet, so not mediocre, in fact it should have been a breeze given you’re in equity research!

Never judge book by its cover, so I would say never think just because one is working in “a” particular field can excel in their exams with an ease. I have this unique case, where a friends friend who was IIMA grad failed CFA Lvl2. Having job in the said field will give some ease but not that easy as far as my ability to crack the exam goes. May be I’m too conservative in approach so like to take least risk possible hence deferment of exam.

@imdnextbuffet I read somewhere on the internet, there are people who have an MBA from Ivy league B Schools find it difficult to clear the CFA exams. There are some who even drop out. It also mentioned that maybe its partly due to the fact that they tend to discount the difficulty level of the exam.

@imdnextbuffet I read somewhere on the internet, there are people who have an MBA from Ivy league B Schools find it difficult to clear the CFA exams. There are some who even drop out. It also mentioned that maybe its partly due to the fact that they tend to discount the difficulty level of the exam.

That’s exactly what I meant. Even an average guy can clear the examinations all at one go, if he/she keeps himself grounded, has a solid plan in first place and sticks to it till he/she dies.

Since I do have a finance background, I can say with confidence that a lot of what I did in university it repeated in the CFA curriculum (so it is embarrassing on our part to do so poorly) – actually in level I there was barely any new material but I still had to study due to the sheer volume of the material!
Also I feel that the CFA exam is just one memorizing game – but that might just be me.

Also I feel that the CFA exam is just one memorizing game

It’s not just you, I definitely agree! 🙂

Hi, I’m from Wisconsin and taking Level I in June. I had a few personal setbacks over the last 4 months and just getting started. I feel overwhelmed at this time, but I’m going to figure out a study regimen and give it all I’ve got. I’m looking forward to this forum.

@CFACountdown just go for it. It can be tough when you have problems and issues on the personal front. I’ve had my share. Just put your head down and work towards your goal, thats all we can do. Like someone had said “I’m not saying it won’t be tough, but it’ll definitely be worth it.” Goodluck :-bd

Hi @CFAcountdown! Don’t worry, I’m a Level 1 for June too, feel free to ask any questions you have here in the forum. We’re in this together!

Level Iii candidate here from the U.K. Working in financial services for almost 3 years now.

Hello @cfaguru! Awesome to have you join us 🙂 What do you do in financial services specifically?

Hello! Just joined. Starting the level 1 this December. I think this is such a great resource. By far, the best community and blog I have seen!

Ooh you made our day @TonyPetrunin. Welcome to the group 🙂

Hi all – I’m also part of the 300 Hours team, and am the semi-techie around here. If you have any bugs or feature requests you can direct them to me via PM or just start another discussion 😀

@christine is there anywhere to see the current total number of registered users? And how about a graph of this over time?! Obviously as analysts this stuff is important to us! 😀

@MattJuniper there are analytics, of course! We’ll be posting in the Members’ Area when we hit certain milestones 🙂

Yea it’d be nice if you let us know @Zee – kinda feel part of the team here since we’re here from the start.

Hello! Just joined. Starting the level 1 this December. I think this is such a great resource. By far, the best community and blog I have seen!

Welcome to the community.

Welcome @TonyPetrunin! You’re absolutely right about this being the best forum out there!

Also I feel that the CFA exam is just one memorizing game – but that might just be me.

Definitely not just you. I don’t find the CFA material necessarily tough – the concepts taught aren’t necessarily difficult to understand. It’s remembering all of them at the same time to take a 6 hour exam that’s the challenge.

@zee +1

Hi, is there anyone from Joburg?

Hi @reneelliott yep! @shwebs and @hairyfairy are! Welcome to 3HC!

Hi

@Hello rocktheworld Welcome to 300hours.

Hello @reneelliot and @rocktheworld! Glad you’re joining us 😀

Howzit @reneelliott!! 😀

Welcome @reneelliott and @rocktheworld!!

Hellooozzzz @reneelliott and @rocktheworld!! :d

Hi all,
This is Ricky level1 candidate. Glad to be part of this forum and hope getting useful tips out of it! 🙂

Hi @mcricky! Welcome to the community, I’m sure you’ll learn loads here. We have a friendly, helpful bunch of people here 🙂

Welcome to the best CFA forum you’ll ever come across, @mcricky!

Thanks @sophie and SidMenon!

Hey everyone! I’m taking my level1 in December 2013. I am coming from a non-finance background. Glad I found this wonderful team. This is definitely resourceful as I am starting to gather forces for my battle. 😀

Hey @codebreaker! Glad you’re joining us. No worries, with hard work you can pass the CFA, regardless of background. Feel free to ask questions or join the conversations!

welcome all!

Welcome @codebreaker. I hope one day your name changes to @cfabreaker! 😀

Hello All! I am planning to give my level 1 from Mumbai, India. Planning and hoping to pass CFA in 18 months!! Is it actually do-able?

Of course @sagarshah_31! @sophie did it (finished a few years ago), and there are quite a few in this forum who are well on the way! 😀

Speaking from experience @sagarshah_31, YES! Awesome that you’re joining us here 🙂

@sagarshah_31 Sophie has posts explaining how she awesomely did it. Here’s to begin with: http://www.300hours.com/1/post/2012/10/cfa-in-18-months-part-i-how-why-i-did-level-i.html#.UWFerKKZtqw

You can follow up on the rest on the 300 hours blog.

Hi all! I am Sascha from Austria, currently based in London and trying to break into AM. CFA lvl I (June) candidate. Looking forward to being a member and contribute to the community 🙂

Hi @Sascha! Good to see you back here 🙂

@sascha what role are you currently in?

@Zee Non finance related. I am working as a “Language specialist” for an online company right now in London, and technically I am still a student. Will graduate in June/July.

@sascha that’s awesome! I used to be in finance but am now out of it, also in tech 🙂

Welcome aboard, @Sascha! This forum is more than a forum now. You’ve entered at the most exciting times 😛

Welcome aboard, @Sascha! This forum is more than a forum now. You’ve entered at the most exciting times 😛

Sunday evenings are growing to be a bit too much excitement for me…

Seriously @Zee. My break day is full of excitement, luckily for me! 😛

@SidMenon Thanks, glad to have joined. I guess it will get even more exciting when June approaches 😛

@Zee Cool! How do you like it compared to finance?

@sascha I love being in tech, that’s just who I am! I do still use finance expertise every now and then though so the CFA is super-handy.

Hello all. I am Vijay based in Singapore. Working with a bank in compliance function. (AML, KYC and all). Aiming for level 1 in December. Giving the exam in June also for experience. 🙂 Hopefully I will pass in June (only 30% possibility). If not I am confident I can clear lv1 by December.

Hello @Vijay! Welcome to the community 🙂 So you’re taking the exam in June as well? Wow, I like that attitude, you never know!

Welcome @Vijay. Admire your attitude! Don’t worry, we know you’ll do your best 😀

Hello all.
I will be giving Level 2 second time. I am here to provide my help in any way i can and also to enhance my understandng of the material theoritically and practically. All the best to all of you!!!

Hi @deepika! Welcome to the gang 🙂 Feel free to ask a question or start a new discussion, we are a helpful bunch here and there’s a lot of Level 2’s around too 🙂

Welcome @deepika!

Thanks @Sophie, @SidMenon & @christine. Welcome @deepika.

I have gone through some of the discussion here and the conversations are quite informative and helpful. Glad to see people ready to help with answers / data in best way they can. I am getting addicted to this place. 🙂

Aw thanks @Vijay. I think that’s the spirit we wanna foster here – just being helpful. We had legendary Sunday evenings too (GMT) where it was close to the announcement of the weekly winner of Elan’s 11th hour guide and our Analysis Report. It’s always good fun!

@Sophie You didn’t say legendary the right way 😛

Indeed @sidmenon. It should be LEGEND – wait-for-it – DARY

@Sophie, are you a BOT? 😀 I get responses from you & @SidMenon almost instantaniously. 🙂 I see you are based in London. How can a get a response at 5AM UK?? 🙂

Yep – @sophie’s just a bot randomly cycling through a database of responses that I coded up 😀

That would be a genius idea though – to have a resident bot mascot.

Hey all, new here as of yesterday. My name is Brett and I’m from the DC area. I am a CFA Level 1 candidate taking the December exam. Excited, nervous, and a little scared….

@bamoran89 welcome!
Hopefully we can dispel some of your nervousness. If you have any questions ask away.

Welcome @bamoran89! Just let us know if you’re unsure or nervous about anything – we’ll try our best to help!

@vijay – contrary to popular believe I’m not a BOT/Vampire/werewolf/zombie, but just an early riser! 🙂

Yo @bamoran89! Don’t worry, you’re in good hands here 🙂

Welcome @bamoran89! You have nothing to worry about, now that you’ve joined this forum! 🙂

So guys, I just ordered all my Schweser package and am ready to start studying but I have a general question about the exam. How much of an advantage does having a finance degree / background give an individual?

@barmoran89 excellent question!
According to 300hours’s analysis it is a disadvantage. Imagine my shock because I also have a finance background.
But worry not I think the disadvantage is mostly due to overconfidence. Don’t discount the difficultly of the CFA exam because you have a finance background.

You can get a detailed report here http://www.300hours.com/cfa-results-analysis.html

@bamoran89 – a finance background does have an advantage in the sense that the materials are familiar, but according to this interesting study, this somehow led to lower performance on average, most likely due to complacency and overconfidence, as @diya mentioned.

Now that you know that, the lesson here is not to take the materials too lightly even if we have learnt them before!

Welcome @bamoran89. Enjoy your 300 hours. 🙂

@Vijay since @barmoran89 has a finance background hopefully it is much less than 300 hours.

Very true @Diya. As someone rightly said, Level 1 tests the breadth of your knowledge. Not the depth of it. 🙂 It will be a cake walk if you have finance background.

@Vijay I have a background in finance and trust me it was not a cakewalk.

Ohh.. Common misconception then? I am doing my executive MBA in finance (completed all modules and going to do dissertation after June CFA exam). To be honest, it helped me greatly with Quant, FRA & Corp Finance. It took considerably less time for me to complete these subjects for CFA prep. Not that I master those subjects 😀

Gosh, that’s a hardcore schedule @vijay! Where are you based then?

@Vijay some topics were exceptionally easy but FRA kills me since I wasn’t too exposed to that and my understanding of fixed income is also a little shaky since never did much of that in university either.

I find ethics really easy, but I think that is mostly due to the random ethics course and a couple law courses I took.

Everyone will have their strengths and weaknesses. 🙂

@Diya, Lucky you. I am really scared of the ethics questions. I am having a kind of mental block I guess. Though people say that subject is test of your English and common sense, I have been consistently avoiding that subject. But now the time has come and I just started it today. 🙂

@Sophie, I am based in Singapore.

@Vijay not really lucky. FRA is worth more! How is wished that I had picked up a few more accounting courses….
or maybe not…doing it once is painful enough. Plus FRA is useful while ethics is is pretty limited applications.

Wow, how’s life in singapore like @vijay? Maybe you can start a new thread, think some of us here like @Ajfinance are looking at overseas work options or even considering an MBA, so it would be great to hear about your experiences 🙂

Wow, how’s life in singapore like @vijay? Maybe you can start a new thread, think some of us here like @Ajfinance are looking at overseas work options or even considering an MBA, so it would be great to hear about your experiences 🙂

+1

Ohh.. Common misconception then? I am doing my executive MBA in finance (completed all modules and going to do dissertation after June CFA exam). To be honest, it helped me greatly with Quant, FRA & Corp Finance. It took considerably less time for me to complete these subjects for CFA prep. Not that I master those subjects 😀

@Vijay Hectic schedule indeed. But I bet it would be worth it 🙂 Where are you doing your MBA from?

@sophie, yeah living in Singapore is cool. If you can take only two weather conditions across year. It’s either hot or it’s raining. 🙂 may be I should start a new thread as u suggest. 🙂

@AjFinance, sure mate. I will be more than glad if I can be of any help to find a job for you here. I did (technically am doing 🙂 ) my MBA from SPJain You have many more options here. Like Insead, SMU etc. Drop a note.

Hi Everyone, Just signed up for Level 1 Exam Dec 2013, I have a background in Investments so hopefully can share some thoughts and tips with everyone here at 300hours

Welcome @Gary, and congrats on signing up! @rhino6187 and @bamoran89 also just signed up. Let us know if you have any questions, and we’ll be picking your brain I’m sure for investment advice! 🙂

Hi Gary! Glad you’re joining the 300Hours gang 🙂 Feel free to check out the various discussions, there’s quite a few useful tips floating around under the “Best of” section, or start a new discussion thread on the top far left.

If you’re feeling competitive, you could always try to win the weekly competition 🙂

@Vijay Thanks man. Appreciate your help 🙂

@Gary. Welcome to the club. Let me steal @Sophie ‘s words. “You are in safe hands” 🙂

@Vijay, aren’t you the one who doesn’t sleep now? Are you a bot? 🙂

Hahaha. I sure am @Sophie. I just joined you. 🙂

hey, Jinal here, preparing for L-1 June 13,
do passon Important Info if u have any!

Wow I miss a few days and there’s so much going on. Hi @jinalajmera!

Hey @jinalajmera! Have a browse through the discussion topics, I think you’ll pick up a lot of good tips. Try CFA Level 1 Topic picks to start.

Hello @Jinalajmera

Hi this is Hariharan from India… Preparing for cfa level 1… Hope to clear it the first time.. 🙂

Hello @HPK, glad you’re joining us here! Are you preparing for Level 1 June or Dec?

preparing for June… Bcomin Too nervous now…

Hello @HPK, don’t fret, you have a whole helpful community here experiencing the ups and downs of CFA too. There’s a lot of good tips here, feel free to check out discussions, especially CFA level 1 ones for you.

Hi @jinalajmera and @HPK welcome to the gang 🙂

Welcome @jinalajmera and @HPK!

@HPK Don’t worry, you are in perfect hands here.

Hello Friends. I am a Level 1 Dec candidate. Starting my prep this week. Any help would be much appreciated

@surajsn welcome to 300hours.
What type of help?

Welcome @surajsn!

Hi @surajsn! Wow, you’re an early starter, but that’s a good thing. There’s quite a few Dec Level 1’s here too like @bamaron89 and @Gary. Welcome! 🙂

Hello @surajsn. Welcome to the gang. Feel free to post any questions you may have. We have so many experts here. (I am not one of them) 😀

Welcome @surajsn! In my head i automatically keep saying your name as “Suraj-san” 😛

@vijay ah, but you feel the Level 1 pain that all us candidates share…

@hairyfairy. Sure I do feel it. But the soothing point is that I still have 230 days for the exam. 🙂

@Vijay 40 days! 40 days! You can do it! :-bd

Nah @vijay, don’t use that as a backup. The only way to pass this round is have no backup plan!

Thanks @SidMenon.
Very true @Sophie. I am giving my best shot. 🙂

@Vijay 40 days! 40 days! You can do it! :-bd

@SidMenon and @Vijay add to that Rocky’s “No Pain…No Pain… NO PAIN..” 😀

hi all…I am a level 3 candidate from Mumbai. Cleared the last two levels in the past 2 years and trust me it was grueling 🙂
M just glad its 1 last month to go(hopefully!!)
Working with MSCI currently…I have started my practice on time:) ;;)

Hi @sankrutimehta, glad you’re joining us! Sounds like you’re on the right track 🙂 Feel free to browse the CFA Level 3 topic picks, ask any questions, or help others out 🙂

Hi Everyone ! am L3 candidate and struggling away ….! Many thanks to the immediate and very helpful replies i got today. Am very impressed with the site and the quality of output. Fantastic effort ! Congratulations and thank you ! Finding i cant remember what stuff i had done some weeks ago. sometimes mind is a blank when i thought i got down a concept well..eeek ! I find the return requirement most hard to nail. What do i do, just do the past exam papers ? Many thanks for your dedication and support !

HI everybody..I have just registered for my Level 1 in December. I am based out of NY. Looking forward to learning from every body here.

Hi, dannimac, Vancouver- just decided today to tackle it. Skeered.

Hi @adossa3, thanks for your kind words 🙂 That’s what the last practice month is for, so keep us posted on how you’re getting on!

Hello @kidwaibhai, @dannimac – welcome to the community! We have quite a few Level 1 Dec here already so you’re not alone! And as usual, don’t hesitate to ask questions and help others too in the community if you can!

Welcome guys!

L3 Candidate here. Living in NYC area, just moved here from Michigan; currently working in a retail branch of a major bank (looking for analyst positions!). I’ve been lurking for a while, but it’s nice to finally post!

Happy studying everybody.

Hello @padniaki, glad to finally hear from you then! Good luck, it’s the last level, hang in there!

Hi all, I am a level 1 candidate planning to give the exam in Dec 2013. I have a masters in economics with a major in financial economics, and have five years experience in the finance sector. Out of which two were. as a financial analyst in a hedge fund and three were as a functional specialist in an IT firm which dealt in financial software products. I an currently a stay at home mom with a five year old and a two month old. I am hoping to get back into my career in a year or two and hence the plan for CFA

Hi @shchan, welcome to the community! We have quite a few Level 1 Dec here already like @Gary, @tonypetrunin, @bamoran89, @kidwaibhai, @dannimac, feel free to check out the topics or ask any questions.

Studying for CFA during this time seems like a great idea given all you have to juggle so far! @Katy and @Marc are parents too and we still don’t know how you guys do it – it’s amazing!

Hello people … I am a level 1 Dec 13 guy … I am in my final year of college … Looking forward to some excellent discussions with enlightened people ‘ere… Already found one @sophie

Welcome @singhanand98! There’s quite a few Dec Level 1’s here already, as @Sophie mentioned above. We are normally a chatty bunch but have bunkered down slightly during this crucial month. :-B

Sitting for Level I in December. Wondering how people schedule out their time/if there was a good study schedule out there?

Hello @sakitime, welcome! There’s quite a few Level Dec 1 here already, why not you start a new discussion (see top left yellow button) to ask the community that question?

Hello All. CFA L1 December Aspirant. Hoping to make new friends here

Welcome @dipeshrjain! I’ve no worries about that, we’re a friendly bunch. Are you a student or taking the CFA while working?

Welcome @sakitime and @dipeshrjain! Hope your stay here is pleasurable and permanent 😛

Welcome to all @dipeshrjain, @sakitime, @singhanand98, @shchan, @padniaki!

Hi Everyone! My name is from Rochester, NY. I plan on taking the CFA Level I Exam in December, 2013. I just started prepping and hope everyone will be helpful in this long, hard, and adventurous journey.

Hello @tuk2jay – welcome the to team! I look forward to see you around in discussions. There’s quite a few Dec Level 1’s here already in various threads. 🙂

Hi everyone: I guess this is what happens when I’m posting on here late at night when I’m tired. My name is Jacob.

hello

Hi @yuvrajgohil! Welcome to the forum 🙂

🙂 HI

@Reena thank u 🙂

Welcome @yuvrajgohil! Are you taking Dec Level 1?

@sophie no will go for june 2014

@sophie thank u 🙂

Oh any reason for delaying it until then @yuvrajgohil?

Hi, I’m a level 1…just starting out…graduated in mech engg and dip in mgmt and work in a developmental financial bank….hope we learn from each other and wish everyone a good ride……..

Hello @Rejis! Good to have you here, welcome!

Hi, I am from India and CFA level 2 candidate. What is best study strategy for last 15days i.e. 15th May 2013 to 1st June 2013.

Hello @trivikyat – welcome! Do start a new discussion on that, i’m sure your fellow Level 2 peers will discuss/share their ideas.

1st time Lvl 1 Candidate. I graduated with my MBA (concentration in Finance) early last year, and work as a Portfolio Analyst for a large Investment/Asset Management firm (+$2 Trillion in AUM). I work a LOT (over 100 hour per week w/ studying), and I really enjoy reading your posts, Sophie. I have followed many of your tips on prioritization and draw parallels to my own experience. Best of luck to everyone! I’m off to go study FRA (again). Lol

Hello @Mattunderwood! Welcome to the community, and thank you for your kind words! We look forward to see you more around the discussions too. It’s tough with those hours and work, but weekends help!

@Sophie, absolutely! It’s good to have a group that can help with celebrating wins and venting frustrations.
We’ve all been there…

@MattUnderwood: Welcome here!! Do let us know if you have any doubts..All the best to you too!! 😀

Hi Everyone, I am a level 2 candidate, India. ‘m working as capital market analyst.

Welcome @niravjoshi1988 – are you taking Level 2 in 2.5 weeks time?

not in 2.5 weeks time. ‘hv been preparing since a month but I was not aware about 300hours.com. Joined it just now. Much useful resource. Got clarity for few difficult concepts….

Wow, you’re starting very early then @niravjoshi1988!

… yet not at much better position… :-SS — 2.5 weeks left…

I’m a Level 1 candidate sitting for the June 1st exam for the first time. I’ve been studying since November. *fingers crossed* that this works out.

Hello @ajost14, welcome! I’m sure your hard work will pay off 🙂

I live in Damascus – Syria, and there is nothing like preparing CFAL1 under bombing. >:)

Welcome @Tarek! Yes that’s a little hardcore indeed, hope you’re doing ok there!

Hello everyone. I am a Dec Level 1 candidate. Learning is all I am here for. Also advise if CFA is the right decision at age 26 as I do not have any experience in finance??

Hi @sagar87 – welcome to the friendly community 🙂 Do start a new thread on your question and give a little more background

Hi all, I just signed up and am now studying hard for the level 2 exam in 10 days. Good luck to everyone participating! 🙂

Hi MM12 – welcome to the community! I assume you meant you just signed up for the forum, not the exams 😉 Best of luck!

Hello all, I’m from Kathmandu, Nepal and Level 1 candidate.

Hey @dreamzsnet – welcome to the gang! Are you taking Level 1 in December?

Hi all! level 2 candidate, from Australia

Hello @jhtan, welcome! How is preparation coming along?

Hi everyone!
Im a Level 1 candidate and hope to learn as much as I can.

Hi @ropastor, welcome to 300HC! I’m certain you will, there’s a fun bunch over here and lots of good posts floating about. Feel free to start new discussions too.

Hello.
My name is Chris. With nearly a decade in corporate FP&A I’m exploring whether the CFA is the right next step for me. From what I’ve read of the site so far, this looks like a good place to do some of that exploration.

I look forward to contributing.

Welcome @clwcain! Are you looking to move away from FP&A?

Hello Chris (@clwcain) – glad you’re joining us 🙂 For FP&A, what are you thinking of in terms of next steps?

@Zee, actually the opposite. I successfully transitioned from FP&A to healthcare IT a few years ago. The industry experience has been very good, and my company has been very good to me, but I don’t see staying in this part of the industry as a good long term fit. And, although I never thought I’d say this, I miss aspects of FP&A.

My background is very non-traditional and that continues to be a stumbling block in both interviews and career advancement. So I’m looking at the CFA to both mitigate some of the persistent “negatives” and to open up some avenues that are currently closed off to me.

For where I’m at in life, it seems a more cost-effective option than a traditional MBA and I’ve been very impressed with the Charterholders with whom I’ve worked in real life.

Thanks for asking. And thanks for the the warm welcome @Zee and @Sophie.

Hello! I am an analyst from Memphis and glad to come on board! Looking forward to exploring around the forums.

Awesome @clwcain, thanks for sharing your story with us. I think it’s inspiring for candidates here looking for career switch too 🙂

Hello @connectconnect, welcome to 300HC! I bet I’ll see you around pretty often 😉

Hello all,

I found 300 Hours through Lisa Pollock’s post on Alphaville – and am finding it very useful so far. I’m currently a chartered accountant (hence the username) and am sitting Level II on Saturday.

Hello @Beancounter! Good to see you here, welcome – love the username 😉 Best of luck for Saturday!

Hello frds, I`ve registered for December CFA Level 1 exam in the beginning of March, have done max 5% of all material:(.
I did my best to develop a study schedule, but with work I can`t still imagine how to manage my studies as I should.
Happy to find this forum, I`ve already found so many interesting advices.

Hello @Lilas, welcome! You have a few Dec Level 1 friends here already, and don’t worry – we’re here to help 🙂 Feel free to start a new discussion thread (big yellow button on top left) on your questions too.

Dear Sophie, I`m very grateful to you for the welcome message. The info. noted, thank you!

I’m near Madison, WI in the US.

I’m 85% sure I’d like to go for the Level 1 in June of 2014. It would be my first time taking the test.

Hello @BobBarkerPlaysPlinko – welcome to 300HC! Why not Dec Level 1?

Helloooo guys,DevD here.I will be appearing for Level 1 this December from Dubai,UAE.Just completed my BBA and started skimming materials.Nice to read posts by supportive peeps like@sophie @christine.Wish you all best of luck.

Hi guys, I just offered my L1 exams. I followed 300 Hours all these days and think its an awesome platform. Was free riding on all the comments all this while- too lazy to register I confess 😉 Am from Bombay, India. Earned my masters in law a brace of years from an Ivy League law school; Where the finance bug bit me hard. Decided to take the plunge even as I continue to grow in my original profession. Earn my living as a Corporate lawyer.

On a last note, Thank you Sophie for all the wisdom. You’re my hero.

Hi guys, I just offered my L1 exams. I followed 300 Hours all these days and think its an awesome platform. Was free riding on all the comments all this while- too lazy to register I confess 😉 Am from Bombay, India. Earned my masters in law a brace of years from an Ivy League law school; Where the finance bug bit me hard. Decided to take the plunge even as I continue to grow in my original profession. Earn my living as a Corporate lawyer.

On a last note, Thank you Sophie for all the wisdom. You’re my hero.

Welcome @RonCoase!

Come on free-riders / lurkers, join in the fun! 😀

Hi there,

I am an accountant in Stamford, CT (USA) and have been following the blogs and postings here for a while. I just took the level 1 exam a few days ago and I’m exhausted (although that’s mostly from all of the golf and drinking I’ve done since the exam, haha). Although I studied a lot for the exam, and I don’t think there was much that was unfair about what was asked, I’m afraid I may have failed because I grossly underestimated the stress on test day and how tough it is to be totally locked in under the circumstances. I guess we’ll see in 8 weeks.

Hi @John! welcome to 300HC 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the post exam celebration! Yea, not much you can do now but wait for the results, might as well take the time off and enjoy the summer while waiting…

Hey all, I’m Vanessa. I’m a Level 1 candidate.
I’m looking forward for guidance as I will be giving my exam in December. 🙂

Hi @vanessaturner555!

Hi guys! Nice to relax after the exams.

Hello @vanessaturner555 and @wemi_pearl007 – welcome!

Hello folks, I’m David, I’m a product controller and have just sat Level I! Why does that sound awfully like I’m introducing myself on ‘Take Me Out’…

hehe yo @djwestwood!

Wey hey! @Sophie left her light on 😉

@djwestwood

Hi All!
I am a level 1 Dec candidate from London. I had been struggling on n off to keep up the motivation all by myself, but now am glad to be a part of the cfa family here. 🙂

Welcome @nora! Quite a few of us are based in London too!

Hello @nora, welcome! We can’t blame you, the weather is glorious (finally)! Glad you’re joining us, I’m sure the discussions here will inspire and provide some motivation 🙂

Hello everyone, stumbled across this neat website through a mention on a CFA related LinkedIn group 🙂

I’m writing from Toronto, Canada. Registered for Dec Level 1 (first time). Almost done my B.A. Business Economics and been active in financial markets since ’08. Felt like doing CFA 1 for personal satisfaction, so here I am. Some of you may be thinking there’s plenty of other ways of achieving “personal satisfaction” lol, but I love my finance and love to take challenges head on.

[Oh yeah, and I’m currently unemployed, but not really sure where to start looking to be honest!]

Welcome to 300hours @metalhe4der!

I’m also from Toronto and much in the same situation as you. Hopefully the job search will pan out and you will find something soon!

Hello @metalhe4der! Hopefully CFA would enhance the job searching 🙂

Hey @zee & @sophie
How you guys doing?

Hey @vanessaturner555 – we’re doing all right! It’s nice and sunny here in London, where are you from?

Felt like doing CFA 1 for personal satisfaction

“CFA Level 1 exam” …. Standard VII(B), hehe :-B sorry, I’m trained to nitpick. :)>-

Nice to know that @Sophie ! I’m from LA.

@vanessaturner555 hey, I’m just a couple hours away in Scottsdale, AZ. The CFA Society of Los Angeles has a nice prep course you can check out. I’ve heard good things. How’s the job market out there in LA? I know Newport Beach is a decent size hub over there.

Hey @Lagarta ! Thanks I’ve heard about that, I’ll definitely check it out now. Well I hardly have idea about the job market at the moment. You planning to apply?

@vanessaturner555 Yeah I would recommend that as a possibility for you. I am (thankfully) happily employed and doing what I love over here. Probably not going anywhere else unless it’s a PM job somewhere, and it may take a few years for that. 😀

hi all. I am CFA level 1 candidate. Can anyone guide me how to start prep?

Our Commandments would be a good place to start!