So what now?

But we need at least 6 months for Level 2. I will be starting studying for Level 2 right after this week. My results are 50/50 as well but that’s mostly because I got nervous and messed up on the test rather than not knowing the material.

Thanks! haokaiyang in Boise!  I definitely needed their hugs when the test was done!  I admire anyone who takes on the CFA and has the persistence to see it through.  It’s a test of endurance for sure.

You guys could spend the weeks until the results revising the level 1 material. It’s a win-win because: 

If you clear level 1 in January, you can confidently start with level 2 right away, as you will have already brushed up on level 1 concepts!

If you don’t clear level 1, you will have revised a significant amount of portion. You could finish the rest by February end or mid March. That way you’ll have approx two and a half months for revision and mocks, which is a very comfortable position to be in!

@DigitalWizard @edmundbp83‌ I am not experienced. I appeared for the December 2014 attempt as well and I am looking at 50/50 chances. So I gave it a thought, and decided to revise level 1 concepts! 

Hope this helps,  

Jessica 🙂

I am in the same boat, anyone with experience have some thoughts?

I think @Sophie‌ only started studying after she got her (Dec) L1 results – just another data point for those who are thinking of start on L2.

I am very conflicted as well. I went into the exam with good mock scores only from the last week of study–prior to this they were all sub 60. I was feeling like I’d had a break through the week prior to the exam, but it wasn’t such a great breakthrough (I guess) because I don’t feel as though the exam went well. I’d like to say 50/50 but I’m not that optimistic. That said, at least I returned for the second half of the test which the person sitting next to me did not! I think I will take this week off and then return to studying. I don’t know how, should I actually pass Level 1, I’d manage to study for II by June. I guess that’s the good problem to have.

Any advice on where to obtain more mock exams for practice. I relied too heavily on the Schweser test bank during my early studying but the questions are too easy. By the time I got to the mocks I was a caught a little short. The Schweser mocks are decent, and I obviously took both CFA mocks, but based on my learning style I’m thinking I need to get my hands on another 4+ mocks if I need to retake Level 1.

I’ll mention that I’m a working mom and that I had about 20 years on most of the test takers in the room. Had I had another 20 hours of study I think I would have done much better. Oh well, things work out for a reason I guess.

Its interesting to hear what everyone has to say about this! I agree with @edmundbp83‌, I think I’ll either be doing Level 1 again in June or (fingers crossed!!) moving on to Level 2. 1.5 years seems a long time to wait to do Level 2 and I’ve kind of got into the study habit so it makes sense for me to continue.

I can’t and don’t want to wait too long to start again. I’m unemployed right now and might start working soon so might as well take advantage of the free time. Besides I’ll be going to my village for about 15 days of Christmas so I’ll be even more jobless then. I’ll probably buy some third party stuff again and then study while on holiday. I’d study anything right now other than Level 1 stuff again.

Btw everyone says that L2 is tougher than L1 and the way I’ve had to study and fared for the exam I’m not going to take my chances and wait for the results. Even if I fail it’s going to be in Band 9 or 10 so probably just a little hardcore revision 1 or 2 months before the exam will be enough to get me across the line next time. If I pass then all well and good.

What worked for me was to take the time off completely as @mattyc advised. Wait for the results and then go hard for 4 months on L2!  I do think the mental break was necessary to prepare me for the intensity required for level 2 prep. The last month and a half before the exam was crazy.

It may seem like a risk to only study for 4 months rather than dive in and get the full 6 months as prescribed by many, but you need to ask yourself what is the risk of burning out early if you don’t take a break? I think 4 months of intense prep after a 2 month rest is better than 6 months of average (at best) prep.

Worked for me.

My $.02, give yourselves a few weeks off.  You dont really need to review L1 concepts for L2, plus L2 is a monster so you dont want to burn out by wasting time on L1 stuff.  Go to the movies, reconnect with friends and wait for results day. 

im taking a much needed break. ive been studying for the past 5 months and already felt as if i was burning out towards the end. also, i feel like taking a break will give you time to put everything in perspective and give you a clean slate when you start studying for whatever level (hopefully II) when you get your results. sometimes you can overcomplicate things by focusing in too much on it, and stepping away for a bit will give you much needed clarity. id prefer to start my revisions with a fresh set of eyes.

I’m also planning to take a break. While I think (hope?) my chances of passing L1 are better than 50/50, I have no desire to take L2 in six months. In fact, just reviewing for L1 was hard for me because I was so sick of studying. I would be much more sanguine about my scores had I taken more time to review financial statement analysis, but I just couldn’t find the motivation. Now that the exam’s finally over, I want to take some time to do all the things I’ve been putting off to make time for CFA studies.

@desantol Props to you for taking on the CFA challenge as a working mom! There were a couple older test takers in my test center as well. I hope you pass!

Haha. I really like @mattyc‌ advice about taking the days off. Maybe I’ll do that instead of going through level 1 concepts. Now that the exam is over, those books look much more daunting!