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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.

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

Helllooooo @Shwebs, welcome!

@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 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.

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

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.

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

@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.

@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.

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 @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! 🙂

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!

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

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

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

Hi @Ashley! You’re almost there, enjoy the time off meanwhile 🙂

@kavadiba don’t worry it takes some time but you will get a hang of it.

Thanks @Sophie. I know it sounds quite a lot, but yes hoping there is repeated material, therefore making level 1 fairly straightforward. Do you think a qualified accountant could get through level 1 with reduced preparation?

Hello everyone, CFA level I candidate from Tanzania, ready to take your advice!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone. Came across this forum recently and thought I’d sign up – will be a level 2 re-taker next year 🙁

Hello! I just passed Level 1, I’m in Austin Texas

Hi @zspringer, welcome to our awesome community – we think you’ve come to the right place! 🙂

Hi everyone! I’m Joe from Denver, CO, US and will be sitting for Level 1(first time) in December 2013. I started studying with the Schweser program in June. I work as a retail wholesaler for UMAs/SMAs and VAs.

If memory serves me right… we have quite a few here @krafiei – meet @Franz who works in audit, @Nida_Shah00 who is a CA too and @gavinloudfoot,our hero studying for CA and CFA at the same time. @clwcain does FP&A too in healthcare IT. Any other accountants / auditors that I may have missed out?

Dominique –
I’ve been doing a lot of examination of test systems and other helpful tools.

The following schedule should work very well with the Schweser QBank materials. I might go into Turbo mode and just use the Schweser Notes and not read the books at all, but still do ScreenCasts. If that’s the case Sat & Sun are just Schweser notes, DB postings and move up QBank by one day. Disclosures: Your Mileage May Vary, Caution as contents are hot, Be careful when handling live rounds.

Starting 09/14 & 09/15
Sat & Sun
– MSA – Read like a banshee. Plow thru as much material as possible and watch the ScreenCasts.
– MSA – Write the first discussion topic for each class on Saturday and then a reply one on Sunday

Monday
Testing items
– MSA – run thru the review questions posted to level set for each course
– Schweser – run thru QBank ‘Basic’ level testing on the Ethics for this week (25-50 questions) for as many LOS’s as possible
DB items
– Write at least one reply topic for each course (DB is DONE and it’s only Monday!)

Tuesday
Testing items
– Schweser – QBank only – Basic + Intermediate for each current class (total of 25-50 each class)
DB items
– MSA – do another DB to max points (I never want to get below max points on DB… I think I’ll need every one I can get!)

Wednesday
Testing items
– Schweser – QBank repeat of Tuesday
– MSA – redo the Monday practice questions and rewatch ScreenCasts

Thursday
Testing items
– Schweser – QBank – full throttle: Basic + Intermediate + Hard 50 questions each current class
– MSA – redo the Monday practice questions if need be or just go to 75 questions for each class on QBank

Friday
– Take the scored Quizzes
– Schweser – Level set all (cumulative) previous weeks info with only Basic questions starting from the beginning of the course
– Define weak areas from the Schweser exams

Saturday/Sunday 09/21 & 09/22
– MSA – Read like a banshee. Plow thru as much material as possible and watch the ScreenCasts.
– MSA – Write the first discussion topic for each class on Saturday and then a reply one on Sunday
– Schweser (Sunday) – Repeat Friday testing and build confidence and take more questions or level up to Intermediate.

Monday and Tuesday are the same.

Wednesday is the same except add a second QBank of all previous weeks’ material to build confidence like the recent Sunday.

Thursday is the same

Friday is the same except the Schweser test this time is going to increase the difficulty to use Basic + Intermediate questions

As weeks move on, we follow this pattern. The only difference is the cumulative Q Bank tests will start to get longer and have all three levels of difficulty.

I am also going to use TimePrep to keep me on track and adjust accordingly.

FYI – this is the same structure I have used to pass every other exam I have taken over the last few years. S7, S66, FL Life & Annuity, CRPC, GMAT, etc. The onyl difference is not just using a test prep system but also a university degree… so it took some work around.

Let me know what you think.

Have a good evening!
– Peter

Hello everyone! I’m also a first time Level 1 candidate for December, and am from Denver, CO. Been following this forum for a couple months, but wanted to introduce myself. Hope studying is going well!

@Sophie, thanks.. 🙂

Lucas here, first time level 1 candidate.
Greetings from brazil ; )

Hi @handullz – thank you. Looks like you’re all geared up and ready to take the CFA challenge, looking forward to get to know you better 🙂

Hi @shickles, good to see you join us from south east asia! As a guide, it’s best to do end of chapter (EoC) questions after each reading, and leave the last month completely free for pounding those practice papers/questions under exam conditions. For level 1 you can do some Question Bank questions as well after a chapter, but that may slow things down. Your goal is to cover and finish all your readings with understanding, before hitting the practice questions like crazy – that’s what the last full month is for.

Hi guys, I’m from Belgium and I am going to do the exam in June. I am working in the banking sector and last year I started a PhD in economics (that gave up), so normally the courses are not new for me, but I know it’s going to take lot of time.
I started studying 3 week end ago and I’ve already done Quantitative methods and microeconomics part.
so, If you know other people from Belgium I will be very happy to discuss with someone. 🙂

I wish you good luck

Thanks @abhicfa, and welcome to the community!

Hi everyone, I am srinath from hyderabad, India. I have no experience in finance.Been to classes for 1 month.Its been interesting.I am here to find out more about this.Hoping to meet you on the forum soon.See ya

Welcome @3emilie – do start a new thread / discussion on a Paris study group, quite sure there are a few of us from Paris here 🙂

Yes I am. A little bit behind in my studying but taking the June test. @Sophie

Hi
Current role is in Financial Services and Personal Investments. BA-Criminology from Canada. Level 1 Candidate.
Interested to pursue credit risk and analysis.
Cheers

Hi guys,

My name is Abhishek Kumar and I am from Mumbai, India. I have registered for CFA Level 1 in june after getting the CFA Access Scholarship for 2014. I have done bachelors in Computers and am currently working as a credit analyst with State Bank of India. I have done a few courses on Investement Analysis and Portfolio Management, Economics and Banking.

I also blog here at http://www.foduzon.com and I look forward to having some great discussions with the great guys over here.

Hi everyone! Level 1 candidate here sitting for exam in the summer. I have been in financial services for 5 years and got my MBA last year. I look forward to joining the discussion. This is a great site.

@Maroon5‌ I figured out how to a couple of minutes after I posted that. Just hadn’t confirmed my email. Thanks though! Here is my new discussion: https://300hours.com/forum/discussion/1317/engineering-to-finance-help-looking-for-a-pre-level-i-basic-finance-book-to-get-familiar#latest Please feel free to comment if you have any suggestions:

Hi everyone,

I’m Khoi. I’m level 1 candidate. I’m from Florida. i will take the exam this December 6 at Atlanta Georgia so if any of you also taking it at Atlanta on that day, please shout out so we can say hi to each other on the testing day. Its good to know you all !!! 🙂

Hello @khoidang‌, @qball71‌ – welcome to the gang!

Welcome to all the new folks. Less than 6 months to go for all of us in Team December!

Hi I am vaibhav, a CFA June 2015 CFA lvl 1 aspirant. from where can i start ?

Welcome all new Associates!!!! 🙂

Hi @jmkwins‌ and welcome! How is Luxembourg? Good luck with the CFA 🙂 

Hi All, 

Level 1 first timer – taking exam in Dec 2014, and all excited about it !

Just finished reading Rachael’s book – Direct path to CFA and cant wait to get started – looking forward to some interesting times on this forum.

Hello all, I am Dennis, from NY, work in a hedge fund of funds on the operations side, but also involved in some investment due diligence. Passed L1 in december 2013, did not pass L2.

Hello @silentguy‌, good to have you join us here! good luck for Dec exams and hope to see you around in the forum more often 🙂

Hey guys, I just cleared Level 2, am really stoked about it, am going to sign up for Level 3 in 2015 the minute that opens up. I’m currently pursuing my MBA, so will somehow have to study and both study for CFA and my MBA concurrently! Appreciate any tips anyone might have for me! I’m a portfolio manager by trade and managed Pakistan’s largest privately held mutual fun, so would be happy to share my experience. @sophie Please share the pain!

HI There,

Taking Level-1 in December, from NY.

Hello @AlphaZa_99‌ @d3v1l_dare‌ – welcome to 300h!

Hi all, thought I might as well get the first post out of the way. Level 1 candidate in Phoenix area taking the first exam in December.

Babeena said:

I have registered for the dec,2014 level1 exam. Yet to begin my preparations. Will I still be able to crack it?

Start ASAP and work hard! Welcome to the forums, just post anything you need help with 🙂

@AlphaDoll‌ welcome! pretty awesome to have such a diverse background of people here…

Hello,

I am a CFA level III candidate. I would like to learn from all people here.

Thanks

Steven

Hello 🙂

Hey! I am IT Business Analyst from Ukraine, working on financial projects, and now also CFA Level 1 Candidate 🙂

Hi everyone,
I’m from Italy but leaving in Norway. Just registered for the level 1 in Dec 15. Thank you for all the useful info you provide.
Look forward to meet like-minded people. 🙂

PS: Is it possible to pay for the 300hrs CFA exam insight via Paypal?

Hi Folks; I am new and just signed on for the level 1 exam in December. From my reading it looks like I am a demographic outlier at age 46. I have a 3 small children but have a philosophy that you’re never too old to learn and improve. I also feel my studying and hard work can be an example for my kids. This forum looks awesome!

Hi All, I was thrown into the investment world in Dallas not necessarily by choice.  My background is in Real Estate and Academic Biblical Studies… So of course, I’m a shoo-in.  😐  But circumstances aside, I’m happy to be here and the opportunity at my firm is pretty good.  Therefore, I’m ready to play catch-up as fast as I can, so CFA level 1 is where I want to start.  I’m already overwhelmed but ready for a new challenge.

hello all, my name is namita and I’m new here. I’ll be taking Level I for the first time in December 2015.

Hello everyone! Studying for the level 1 in December. Started the Kaplan CFA exam prep this month. Excited to be a part of the community here!

Hi! :blush: I’m Sara and a first-time level 1 candidate (June 2016). I have a Master Science in Finance by Católica Lisbon and I work as an Equity Capital Market Analyst. I am totally new in this forum and I did not have much time to explore it, so I don’t know if this is the right place to publish that I would love to join or create a group study. So if you are interested to team up, please send me an e-mail. By the way.. any Portuguese here? :smiley: Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor! 😉

Hello all! I am a level 2 candidate. I used this website heavily to help me pass the first exam, so I decided it would be worth my time creating an account and joining in on the discussions! Look forward to seeing you around the forum and best of luck to all.

Hey there! I’m registered for the Level I exam in June 2016, based in Ottawa. Any other Ottawa candidates on here looking to create a little study group ?

Hello

Been stalking the site for a while – thought it was about time I joined. June 16 Level 1 candidate, work for a UK regulatory body in London. 

Hello everyone,
Tyler from Kansas City.
Registered for L1 in June. Ready to go.

Hello Everyone….I am a Chartered Accountant and currently working as Internal Auditor………really interested in feasibility studies and financial modeling…….Currently weighing my options to start CFA to change career path….I would Appreciate your advice…….

Hellooo Guys!….I’m new and also glad the be here!

Hi, all, got charter in 1993 now coach candidates on their metacognitive approach to study plan! Can share tips on reducing stress, anxiety, and doubt here on the forum. Answer questions too!

Hello out there!!my name is Moyo’.Iam a pre-level CFA ,self-schooled person from Johannesburg, South Africa.I would one day,hold a charter by 2025,then I would be 50.my fear is would I ever use my CFA in my life @ that age?

CFA Level 3 – in corporate finance.

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

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

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 :)>-

Hello @SidMenon, glad to have you join us!

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!

Hello @Carolyn, welcome to the gang! 🙂

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 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.

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

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

Hi, is there anyone from Joburg?

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

Welcome @reneelliott and @rocktheworld!!

Hellooozzzz @reneelliott and @rocktheworld!! :d

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

@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.

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…

@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?

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!

@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?? 🙂

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

@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

@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?

Everyone will have their strengths and weaknesses. 🙂

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

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

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

Hi @jinalajmera and @HPK welcome to the gang 🙂

Welcome @surajsn!

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

@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!

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

Welcome guys!

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

hello

@sophie thank u 🙂

Oh any reason for delaying it until then @yuvrajgohil?

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 @vanessaturner555!

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!]

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. :)>-

hiii. i am rohit from mumbai(india). want to crack cfa within 2 years

Hi Dan/@dpittle, welcome! Generally with full time job 6 months before is a good time to start, with about 15 hours study a week.

Basically say goodbye to your weekends for six months.

@Zee my level II exam disaster has left me in a total sour mood.

@sarah I wouldn’t worry about it just yet. 😀

Hello all, level 3 candidate here and freaking out even before the results are out…

It’s been a long time since i welcomed anyone. Welcome everyone!

How’s it going @FlaCfa? Great to have you here at 300HC 🙂 Seems like you’ve got lots of experiences to share with the community, looking forward to see you around more often!

Hi Everyone…resolved to take the L1 in Dec…no background in finance—work or edu…a science grad working in contact center…don’t know how things will turn out but I’m positive…

hello from Singapore

Hello all, I am a CFA level 1 candidate from Scotland. Currently doing a CA and taking on the CFA at the same time, anybody else in the same boat?

@Sophie – You are right, there is no such reason. It’s just that was a little keen on completing the Claritas programme before taking up CFA challenge as I feel that way I would be in a better position in understanding CFA level 1 syllabus being from a non-finance background and that will ultimately help me in clearing level 1. You don’t recommend taking up Claritas?? As you are well experienced so thought of taking your viewpoint.

Hi guys! I am Jackson from Singapore! will be taking my CFA Level 1 in the coming DEC 🙂

welcome @jackson90! What are you up to in Singapore?

@rushikesh welcome! Looking forward to seeing you around here!

We’ve actually found in our most recent CFA results analysis that candidates with prior finance educational experience do worse on average compared to other demographics. Our theory for that is not ability, but rather not starting early enough etc.

So it might be useful to start early and see what the syllabus is about in more detail – but with your background I’m sure it won’t be a problem! 🙂

Hi @Mfreema2!

Hello! I am a level 1 candidate based in NYC sitting for the December 13 test. Nice to meet you all!

Thanks @Sophie.
Technically, is a level 2 candidate someone who passed level 2 or someone who hopes he will? 🙂

Hi @zwzard, I can only imagine your frustration – it’s so near yet so far! But L3 is a tough one, have you sent your results to be analysed yet? Once we’ve collected sufficient data, we’ll be able to dig deep and produce a useful report for everyone.

@MattyJ just wrote a fantastic post about L3 tips which should give you good tips to tackle the next one!

@MattyJ, sorry, still getting used to typing in the forum…i don’t know if this will link to you or not Matt, but if it doesn’t would someone tell me how to direct a comment to another user please? 😛 thanks!
and yeah, saw that you’ve completed L2 🙂

Hello @zspringer. I hope you find the tips you are looking for.

Welcome to the forum!

Hi @maldon, good to see you here. I’m sure you’ll work hard for that 😉

Hello 300 warriors. 😀 I’m Jan from the Philippines. I have my own fair share of battling against that 300 hour threshold to earn at the very least an ounce of confidence to pass the exams. I am a level 2 candidate for June 2014. Hello hello hello everyone!!!!!!!!

@Franz I heard somewhere Canada has the second highest number of charter holders (after US). Which part of Canada are you from?

Hi @CFAaspirant, welcome to you all!

For all the new joiners, here’s the linkedIn group:
linkedin.com/groups/300-Hours-Community-5134627/about

Namaste! Hello! Hola!

I am a CFA Level 1 candidate and I am happy to be appearing for the CFA Level 1 exam during the December 2013 session.

Nice to meet you guys!

Hello all – I’m new here. I recently left the mining industry to take up a position in equity research and am looking to get some financial knowledge and qualifications under my belt as I have only a BSc (hons) in a mining related subject to my name at present. Looking to sign-up for June 2014 LI exam. Got lots of silly questions and some painful study to be done…

Hi all, my first post here. Taking Level III in June 2014. 🙂

Just a little determination…. and a whole lotta false motivation and sheer bravado!

I’m trying to get the others at Creighton over here as well. FYI it’s great for the Masters degree, but you really need a plan to attack the exam.

If I had any brain cells left after going through Reading 8 this past few days, I’d do a Covariance of the probability of passing L1 with Creighton vs Creighton + Schweser. Or a Bayes’ Formula since I went to Schweser after I decided on a study criteria based on Creighton.

Yeah, I gotta slow down or I’ll burn out by December! 8-} … Now where’s my TimePrep app? :-/ What there’s no more coffee!?!?!?!?!? :-w

Hi Everybody, Live in Vienna, lvl 1 exam this Dec in Zurich. fingers crossed!

Hello everyone! I have just been accepted as a level 1 candidate for June 2014. This is going to be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done!

Hello @Greenem, @Gebby, good to see you guys here and looking forward to get to know you both better 🙂

Hello!!!)

Awesome @davinrivai!

#ERROR!

Hi everyone. I am a Chartered Accountant and MBA in Canada. Nice to “meet” you here. Let’s work hard together toward CFA designation. And feel free to add me on linkedin.
Cheers,
Carol Hua Cheng

Hello @CarolHuaCheng, welcome to our community! Wow, you’ve studied loads, so why CFA then?

@Sophie I just got the books. Looking for the June 2014 intake

Nice and early @PMWAnderson!

Hi everybody!!! I am appearing for the cfa level 1 exam june attempt. I am really excited about it and i hope to be able to clear it in the first attempt. I also feel like sharing something about myself so here it goes!
I am a graduate in commerce. i like playing and watching football and man utd is the club i support. paul scholes and pirlo are my favourite players. i also play a litte bit of guitar, april come she wil by S N G my current favourite. i am new to the smart fone world and i am still getting a hang of it. stick tennis is my favourite game so far.
Cheers!!!!!!

Salut @servelv alors un autre francophone à Londres c’est drôle comme ça. Tu étudies où à Londres?

Hello @derekdg, good to see you here 🙂 We’re here to help, don’t gulp 😉

Hello @jarara – good to see you join our warm, friendly, slightly crazy community here 😀

And yes, Happy Thanksgiving to you too, and happy Friday people!

level 1… first time in here…

i tend to join forums for certain subjects b/c the people are honest and give the real advice.

I will be taking my level 1 in June ’14, and graduating with my MS-Finance in August ’14 (dont worry. my spring and summer semesters are breeze, part time enrollment. I’ll be fine!)

I hope to not only soak up the information, but hand out my own experiences and become a leader eventually.

Hi all. I’m kinda late because I just joined 4 days before my exam but nice meeting you all.

Hi everyone! I’m from Malaysia and I will be re-taking CFA LEVEL 1 in June 2014 after failing in June 2013 – I simply did not put in the effort then so I’m hoping I’ll do it right this time. I’m using ELAN (minus videos though), I’m almost done with Quantitative Methods (finished Ethics maybe about 2 weeks ago) so I’m certainly happy with my progress compared to last time!

I just want to know when is the best time to attempt practice questions, is it immediately after a reading or after finishing a whole topic area e.g. FRA? Thanks!

Hi from Dallas. I’m an analyst at a boutique firm and I just took level 1 yesterday.

Hi @bigdreams, welcome to the community! There are tons of candidates here who don’t have finance background but are doing well in the exams too – see our study here, in fact having no background whatsoever does put you in a strong advantage, counterintuitive I know! All you need for CFA is time and effort to understand the material, plus good exam technique which you’ll pick up easily here through the forum and blog posts 🙂

Hi everyone, level 1 candidate & M&A intern. Recently completed the Corporate Finance Qualification, how does the CFA compare in terms of difficulty? (obviously the material encompasses a wider range of subjects). Thanks

Hello @Pat_Halberstram, welcome to the community! Congrats on the CF qualification. I think there’s some overlap, of course as you said CF is only one small part of the whole CFA syllabus, which helps if you’ve learned that already. I’d say it’s slightly more difficult just because of the breadth of materials, but not something that can’t be done with discipline, effort and exam technique.

Hello @h0k1, great to see you join us 🙂 Happy holidays!

Hello @CFAcharterwannabe and @raviceo, welcome to the 300h community! Congrats on the scholarship @CFAcharterwannabe 🙂

Hi all. This is Rishi from India. Absolutely new to CFA. I have an MBA, and I have worked in the technology industry for almost 9 years now. I have been a technical guy, and now a technology solutions marketing guy. Finance was not such a strong point in MBA (actually accounting, pretty ok in financial analysis though), but was always intrigued by it. Want to take up classes for CFA, primarily to re-build on my fin knowledge, study alongside my wife who is preparing to take up CFA I in June of 2014, and then eventually appear for it by Dec 14 (Yeah! Gonna take my time!). Hope to see more such “tangential” folks like me willing to take up the challenge! Cheers…

Hello Everyone. I am from Pune, India and currently working in London as a Software Testing Lead. Planning for Level 1 in Dec’2014 to enhance knowledge in Finance. Awesome site btw.

I am a level 1 candidate. I will be taking the exam this June. I am also a MBA student, a Managerial Statistics Grading Assistant, and a Corporate Finance Teaching Assistant. I have been lurking around the site for a while and I really appreciate what this community has to offer. Hopefully I will be able to help someone as I have received tons of help already.

Thank you

@tony1101 – welcome! would like to see more lurkers participating! 🙂

Welcome @Aliaas! What do you do in financial services in particular?

Got my results this week;now as they allow us to put it-a LEVEL 2 Candidate. Looking forward to June the 7th 2014. Feels great to be among folks with similar intent. Godspeed to all for coming JUNE!

Hey everyone. First year B-schooler at a non-target in the beautiful state of California. Also intern at a mid-market PE firm to gain hard skills.
Excited to contribute and learn.

Hola Comrades,

Nice to meet you all. Just registered for CFA Level I on June 2014. Truly excited. Hope to thrash this exam soon.

All the best.

Good luck @wjrucker, we are here for you! Keep us posted on progress, and don’t hesitate to start a new topic to ask questions.

Hi everyone,
I’m a student starting my journey for the CFA qualification.

Hello @Substance, good to have you join us all. Good luck for the Level 1 preparations, and don’t forget to explore the Level 1 topics too in the forum.

Thank you @Sophie pleasure to be apart of 300hours, thanks for having me

Hi all I’m pre-cfa from Boston, want to start studying for level I ASAP, looking for guidance on review course and exam strategy!

Hi everybody, i’m a level 2 candidate (2nd time, 10th decile last year tho) in paris, working as a consultat. I was looking at the blog for a while but first time posting anything. Good to be here

Hey guys, I’m Frederick, a level 1 candidate for the December ’14 exam and currently working as a Money Market Trader at a German bank. Hope I’ll have and can contribute to enriching discussions. Already read a lot of the blog posts and find them quite useful, so I’m happy to be part of the community now 😉

Wehr geht es dir @EffEss! Wilkommen! 😀

Hi all,

I’m a software developer in Boise, Idaho, registered to take the Level I exam in December. My work deals mainly with fixed income; so far I haven’t had time to study a whole lot outside of that. I’m not sure whether I’ll end up working as a finance professional or not, but I’ve been very interested in finance since taking Eric Zivot’s computational finance course on Coursera last year. I hope to learn a lot from this site and hopefully contribute a bit as well!

Name is David l and have a Masters in Health Science and thought CFA would be a goal.

Hello everyone, Started prep for Level Dec 14 Level 1…

@Sophie Quick question = Is the CFA (+MBA) a good way to break into finance, for someone with a non finance background. Looking to end up in corporate finance or Equity research. What are your thoughts on this?

Hello @seanpinto‌, @vaibhavkapoor27‌, @tng2928‌, @sp2013‌ , @Steven_Elseroad‌, glad you’re joining us!

@seanpinto – we are fun 😉

@vaibhavkapoor27‌ – Check out our blog posts and forum topics (top left) to start!

@tng2928 – yay, reader turned commenter is always good. Sounds like CFA is a good investment for your career!

@sp2013 – Aw thanks. I’m sure you will, derivatives will always have a special place in my heart. It’s my first finance role there and I enjoy it because it’s an intuitive subject for me. It’s all about the hockey stick option payoff charts 🙂

@steven_elseroad – you’re in good hands here, we’ve lots of good study preparation tips on that all over the blog. 

hey @nik_11986‌ this article may help: http://www.300hours.com/blog/what-is-cfa-part-3-what-you-get-from-the-cfa-charter

And housing in the UK is not extortionate @Maverick‌? 😀

Welcome @Energy_geek‌ and @Gene‌! Good to know, we’ll guide you as best we can through the exams 🙂

Hello! About to start preparations for level I!

@lawrebr‌ welcome!

Hello @ommthree, congrats! That’s an amazing story on career transition, glad to have you with us.

Welcome @krishTa‌. @tushar23‌, @AlbertoMZ‌ !

 

Greetings,

This is John from Arkansas. It’s great to be a part of this forum and hear
about its members’ CFA experiences. I went to a small, Midwestern school for undergrad
and my MBA. Currently I work as a compliance regulator. I plan on taking Level
I in December 2015. Right now I’m reading Rachel Bryant’s book as a prep guide
(she’s how I became aware of this forum) and plan to begin studying before the
end of this year. I’m really looking forward to this experience and
contributing to the community.

Why the CFA?
Long term I’d like to do equity research or asset/portfolio
management. I really enjoy the analytical and quantitative side of finance (ask
me that after 300+ hours of studying and I may be less enthusiastic) and want
to keep my skills polished while gaining a qualification which will help me
with career moves down the proverbial road.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous and intimidated by the CFA
program, but I look forward to learning a lot about the material and myself
along the way.

That’s enough deep talk for now. Please do reach out to me if you think there’s
a chance I could be of assistance. And of course anyone in Arkansas looking for a
study group or otherwise, I’ll be checking this site regularly.

Best,

John

Will trade badge for cookie 🙂

Hello Everyone!! Would love to be a part of the discussions.. 🙂

@Babeena‌ @Zee‌ is right – if you work hard it’s possible. Good luck! (I like to think that, because of the MC-format, luck is indeed a good substitute for skill here 😉 )

Hi, 
I’m a level 2 candidate (June ’15). It’s my 2nd registration for this level but first attempt (was too busy the first time). I’m hoping to make it this time. 
Cheers
P. S: would also trade my badge for a cookie 

Hello,

CFA level1 candidate from Bahrain…is anyone over here is from Bahrain??

Hello people,

How’s everyone doing? I am Abhishek from New Delhi, India. Glad to be here. Hoping to learn a lot from all of you and on the way also help where I can. Will be appearing for June 2015 level 1exam.
So see you around. And yes, for all the Dec 2014 applicants all the very best!!

Hello, hello

My name is Shannon. I’ll be taking this wonderfully difficult (level 1) exam this December. Although my title is Financial Analyst, I really am learning to trade options. I’ve got my B.S. in Investments and am wanting to get my PhD in Economics one day. Totally excited to get to know all of you wonderful people. Feel free to reach out and ask me questions or even just get to know me. :smiley: 

Hi all!  I’ve just started my planning process and I’m a bit ahead of schedule as I plan to start studying in July15 for the Dec15 exams.  Just finished the CPA exams so taking a well deserved 5-6 months off before I throw myself into fire once again.  I have a finance undergrad and a good hodge podge of Corp Finance, Accounting and consulting experience.  (MBA & CMA too).  At a bit of a crossroads in my career and thinking it will be so great to get back to my investments/public finance roots; hence the shot at the CFA.  See everybody around the forum!

Hello from San Francisco. I’m taking the June 2015 Level I Exam. Looking forward to learn and share ideas with everyone here. Cheer!

Hello from Asia. Getting ready to register December 2015 Level 1. Cheers.

Hello! Just registered for Level 2. I’m looking to get organized a.s.a.p.

Hi everyone,

I am Ivana and I am in the USA. I’m a Level 1 candidate and I plan to take it in June 2015. I am barely on here since my job and studying keep me really busy! I am looking forward to reading posts and discussions on here. 🙂

Hi there, Born and bread South African writing CFA 1 in NYC, wrote 1 in 2008 and failed (many reasons for this) but on the stream to pass this time. Good Luck to All

Hello

Hi everyone, I am looking at starting candidacy next summer. I am currently a hs business teacher looking at making the transition to assset management.

Hi all, I am a Level 1 candidate (Dec 2015) in Chicago. Graduated college in 2010 and have been working full time since June 2011 for the same company in various middle office operations roles. I am signing up for the Schweser premium package that includes the live classes on Tuesday nights. I am interested in meeting up for study groups if at all possible.

Hello all. My name is Sean and I am from Canada. I recently completed my Finance degree and the Canadian Securities Course. Been studying for the CFA level 1 exam in December since March. It is pretty interesting! hope to talk to you all!

Hello All.
Is someone available for combine study of CFA level I in Dubai Marina?

I am a L2 candidate. Looking around this forum and it already feels like i am at the right place to get my queries answered.

Hello everyone.  My name is Mike, I’m a bit on the older side compared to most on this site (40) and sitting for level 1 this December.  I’m not in the industry, and doing this primarily because the subject matter interests me, and as ‘unemployment insurance’ should my job in my current industry end, and I find I can’t command the same salary I do now, I’ll have a very real option of switching careers.

Hi guys! I’m from Indonesia and I’m a CFA Level 1 Candidate. Wish me luck for the December exam!

Hi Everyone, i just cleared the Level 3 exam and had a question about references. The CFA site says “three professional references are required unless you have a reference from a regular member of the society to which you are applying. In that case, two professional references are required”. I know someone in what would be my local CFA society. However, while applying for the membership the application form does not give the option to choose that this particular reference is from the local CFA society. How does the system differentiate that 2 references are enough in this case?

Hello! An L1 candidate here, merely starting the CFA journey today. Pleasure to meet you all 🙂

I am Sam from Wisconsin, USA. Failed L2 in 2006 and then gave it up since it didnt directly help with my job, and we had our second kid at that time. Took up an investment job recently so decided to retake L2. Luckily CFA Institute gives credit for L1 that I passed in 2005. Plan to study using Kaplan Schweser primarily.

Hello everyone, my names Joe and I am a level 1 June 16 candidate. Beginning studies this month and hope to be an active participant on this site!

Hello Everyone. I’m a CFA Level 1 Candidate planning to take the exam June 2016. I’m a geologist based in Denver and working in the mining/mineral exploration industry.

Hi everyone. I am a level 2 candidate. I am from Malaysia and will took coming exam at the Singapore :#

HI I’m new here and can’t figure out how to start a discussion topic on the forum. Can someone help? 

Hi guys, i am a level 1 candidate from Paris, happy to see that i’m not the only one in this journey

hello I am level 1 candidate

Hi Everyone. I am here because I am scoping the possibility of retraining and CFA is one of the paths I am researching. My background is in SME management and politics, trained in both marketing and accounting. I’m just preparing for a MBA and am presently working in several charitable organisations.

Hey Priya26 I’m from Dorset too, although moved to London straight after graduating as you’re right – decent finance jobs are very scarce in Dorset (aside from the big JPM building near Bournemouth)!

Hello,

My name is Paul and I just failed CFA L1. Thought I had it and was just punched in the gut. I am turning here for the support I need to pass the next go around.

Hi Everyone, this is Rakesh here from Delhi, India, appearing for CFA L1 in June 2017 😉

Hello, this is Tanner from Memphis, TN. Passed Level I in my final semester of college in December, 2015. Wasn’t as lucky on Level II this past June. Attacking L2 again and looking for additionally resources to help me out.

Good day all! Passed Level I and II a lifetime ago… failed III multiple times (do your job or study… choice was easy). Life changes and I am now studying for level III again and planning on 900 hours of prep. (3 hours a day from now until the test.) Great to meet everybody!

Hi Everyone, planning to take my level 1 exam. I am a smart student but people scare the hell out of me… I will appreciate any positive advice. NB: Also interested in a study partner in New York.

Hey team. ACA looking to do Level 1 in December

Hi everyone, i’m first timer level 1 candidate for June 2018. I hope I can learn a lot from this site

Hello All! I will be taking the level one in December. I have yet to apply for the exam however! I’ll be coming back to 300 hours from time to time for info and support! 

Hey everyone. I’m new here. Writing level I in December 2018. I live in Cameroon and I hope this forum will be beneficial for my prep 🙂

Hello everybody. I am to prepare for level 1. I live in Vietnam and work for a stock exchange. Hope I can get through the long study with all your help 🙂

Hi All, my name is Aleksander, I’m a Norwegian Level 1 candidate. Glad to be a part of this, and have great expectations for the next few years. Also terrified of the amount of study material to get through in the next five months…

Hi there just completed my L1 registration and ready to ride this wave from the South African shores

Level 2 first timer here from India!

Hi all. Jacob here from India. Level 1 candidate for Jun, 2019.
Wishing everybody success, and thank you for this wonderful platform!

Hi all..nice to be a part of this informative website..

Hey there @zheng, @pd25, @Mohit84, @anuchitu  – welcome to the group!  🙂

Hi everyone,

I am preparing for my Level 1 exam in December 5, 2020. based in Toronto. Can anyone add me in the whatsapp group ? 416-859-9901. Much appreciated !

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

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…

BTW – what other badges are there? 🙂

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

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

There’s now a category called Rants. lol

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

Hi @Patty thats commendable! Goodluck :-bd

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

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

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.

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.

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 😀

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.

@Hello rocktheworld Welcome to 300hours.

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

Thanks @sophie and SidMenon!

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! 😀

Hi @Sascha! Good to see you back here 🙂

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

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

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

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

@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!

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

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 🙂

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?

@Vijay Thanks man. Appreciate your help 🙂

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

preparing for June… Bcomin Too nervous now…

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

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 @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 🙂

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?

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

🙂 HI

Welcome @yuvrajgohil! Are you taking Dec Level 1?

@sophie no will go for june 2014

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.