CFA CFA Level 1 When should we progress to practice exams?

When should we progress to practice exams?

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    • hairyfairy
      Participant
        • Undecided
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        When is a good time to start? I’m thinking about 2 months before, but that might be too early. thoughts?

      • hairyfairy
        Participant
          • Undecided
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          That’s awesome @diya. Did you take Dec or June?

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          @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

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

          • Snippy
            Participant
              • CFA Level 2
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              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!

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

              • hairyfairy
                Participant
                  • Undecided
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                  Holy 12 practice exams @diya! What was your scores in the end for CFA level 1?

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                  @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.

                • Maroon5
                  Participant
                    • CFA Level 1
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                    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

                  • Maroon5
                    Participant
                      • CFA Level 1
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                      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.

                    • policedog
                      Participant
                        • Undecided
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                        How many are you planning to attempt @sidmenon?

                      • Snippy
                        Participant
                          • CFA Level 2
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                          Yeah, i am planning on doing that. For the practice exams, i’ll get some new material with the 300hours discounts available.

                        • Snippy
                          Participant
                            • CFA Level 2
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                            Yeah, i will definitely pay more attention to practicing. Thanks 🙂

                          • tacheman
                            Participant
                              • CFA Charterholder
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                              @diya did you get >70% for all other categories??

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                              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.

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                              @diya, CFA in 18m goal I hope? 😀

                            • tacheman
                              Participant
                                • CFA Charterholder
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                                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.

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                                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…

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                                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…)

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                                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….

                              • Snippy
                                Participant
                                  • CFA Level 2
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                                  As many as i can @policedog! Till i feel really really good about the exam.

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