When should we progress to practice exams?

I’d say latest 1 month before is ok. Too early you may not be prepared enough for the papers and get discouraged! Depends how many you’re attempting too…

Yikes, I gave myself 2-3 weeks only. looks like I may have to rejig things around to make time. Always good to have some buffer

I did 6 practice exams for my level 1. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to take and grade it (if you’re looking through the answers properly) so make sure you have enough time. I used to take a whole day just to take the paper, and another whole day to grade it (but I think i’m unusually slow…)

I did approximately 12 practice exams for level 1 (and then I went back and redid some). It helped me memorize all the formulas and have them at my fingertips. I spent approximately five weeks doing review because I need formulas hammered into me. Mind you I finished the exams on exam day in approximately 4 hours and went home early. I thought that 6 hours was too taxing….

Mind you I finished the exams on exam day in approximately 4 hours and went home early. I thought that 6 hours was too taxing….

My hero and inspiration! That’s a lot of solid work @Diya, glad it paid off.

@hairyfairy I passed the first level on my first attempt.
I failed quants, I sulked for a few days but I didn’t have too much time to dwell on it because then I received the level II material.

@diya did you get >70% for all other categories??

Generally try one out (with no pressure on grading) as soon as you finish going through the entire syllabus. Then review the syllabus again, then start hitting the exams full-on.

@TacheMan that will remain secret forever! lol I think I hit the middle category for fixed income. I don’t recommend doing what I did. I studied for a total of 8 weeks full time but I disappeared from reality for that time. No fb, no friends, no partying, everything was CFA related.
I took the Dec exam @hairyfairy

I made the mistake of doing practice exams for just 2 weeks last time. Planning to do ’em the entire last month before the June exam this time!

How many are you planning to attempt @sidmenon?

As many as i can @policedog! Till i feel really really good about the exam.

If you’re reusing the 2012 materials I would recommend getting at least the 2013 practice exams though.

Yeah, i am planning on doing that. For the practice exams, i’ll get some new material with the 300hours discounts available.

Practicing is the general advice given on the blog so I’d overweight the practice exams. 🙂

@diya, CFA in 18m goal I hope? 😀

Yeah, i will definitely pay more attention to practicing. Thanks 🙂

As many as i can @policedog! Till i feel really really good about the exam.

Will keep everyone’s advice in mind and start ASAP.