Carson

I passed level I in December 2010 and gave level II in June. I started studying for level II in Feb and I think that its quite manageable. Since I was NOT working I had enough time to completely cover the entire material (Schweser except ethics) thrice and do 4-5 mocks too. I don't think having more time would have made too much of a difference since I feel good about my chances of passing the exam.

Giving the exam within a gap of 6 months actually helps a lot since you don't have to go back to revise the level I concepts. Level II builds on level I and this year there were a few topics in FRA which were reprinted from the level I curriculum and there are lots of other topics that have a few parts that are from level I or heavily built on the level I curriculum.

I hope this helps you in making your decision.

spreads

Never hurt to give yourself a try. If you did manage to pass level 2, you will save a lot of time like doing your level 3. I say go for it. Never do anything with an undecided heart if you are prepared to have absolutely no life for one whole year.

firat

For me the biggest obstacle from Dec L1 to Jun L2 is getting going right away once you receive your L1 passing results in late Jan. If you take a week to celebrate, another week to debate jumping into L2, then ordering it and taking another week to get the books, all of a sudden it's pushing late February and you haven't cracked a book yet.

This is what happened to me as I await my failing grade on L2. I honestly believe I was a solid studying weeks away from a passing level of knowledge. And to note, I did study about 100 more hours on L2 than L1.

noel

Biffy, how much did you study for L2?

jcole21

either you get lucky on LII and they test the subjects you know well or you study for a long time that all topics are 2nd nature OR you sit, fail, retake and pass because the material becomes 2nd nature to you.

Theres no easy way around LII.

dvilayphet

hi, i just shared my experince

i am not from Finance/Investment line, i work in sales & marketing lines about 13 years

investment is my interest. partly because it deal with my hard earn money, i read quite a number of book, news during free time

i sat for Level 1 last Dec, got my result in Jan, i got quite a good pass, all subjects above 70, except corp finance, i decided to take up the challenge ( gamble ) for June level 2

i am very commited & has strong desire want to pass level 2,

i left my previous job in Mar, have 3 months full time study, i spent average 8 hours per day until the exam

the feeling is quite good after the exam ( cross my finger )

cjs238

And what will you do if you get awarded the cfa charter?

PieMan

step Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> hi, i just shared my experince
>
> i am not from Finance/Investment line, i work in
> sales & marketing lines about 13 years
>
> investment is my interest. partly because it deal
> with my hard earn money, i read quite a number of
> book, news during free time
>
> i sat for Level 1 last Dec, got my result in Jan,
> i got quite a good pass, all subjects above 70,
> except corp finance, i decided to take up the
> challenge ( gamble ) for June level 2
>
> i am very commited & has strong desire want to
> pass level 2,
>
> i left my previous job in Mar, have 3 months full
> time study, i spent average 8 hours per day until
> the exam
>
> the feeling is quite good after the exam ( cross
> my finger )


cross the finger

RepoToronto

What will i do after i get my charter ?

This is the question I probably need to ask myself after 3 yr later,

Suppose I clear level 3 next yr, work 2 - 3 yr in finance/investment line, which I don't know will be realized or not...

Can I study CFA for interest ? I just like the subjects and enjoythe fun during the process

Valores

I agree with the person who said you should first focus on Level 1. Like all athletes (who really are modern day sages) say take it one game at a time.

However, if you are serious about doing Level 1 & 2 in six months, you should start studying in Jan for Level 2. If you can knock out most of the first book for Level 2 (which is Ethics, Econ & Quant) before the results for Level 1 come out, you will be in a great position.

I didn't start prep for Level 2 until i got my results from Level 1, and in hindsight wish I had an additional month for review.

All the best.