Is it too late to start studying for CFA Level 1 (Dec 2011)? understand, interested, registered, studying, planning

cross-ied

Short backstory on myself. I am a CA (Chartered Accountant, Canada) who is interested in pursuing the CFA designation now. I understand that I need to commit atleast 250 hours between now and the exam date in Dec 2011. Hours wise that gives me roughly 13 hours a week to study.

I'm also planning on taking the Stalla course being offered, which begins Jul 23/2011.

I haven't registered with the CFAi yet, but I am sitting in the middle between my choice of going for it and writing the Dec 2011 exam, or leaving it and writing the Jun 2012 exam instead.

Your thoughts and comments?

chetan86

Dude take it in Dec! More than enought time.

bapswarrior

go for June 2013 brah.

leadcfa

First off, what is the harm in appearing now in Dec and reappearing in June if at all you don't pass? You hardly loose anything except few bucks.

Second, don't interpret the number of hours literally. No of hours required are very subjective, and depends upon your capability to grasp the concept. That said, five months are more than enough to study for level 1 if you are planning to study using one of the preparatory materials; however, if you are planning to study using CFAI books, then it may be a little stretch, but I think you should be able to pull it through.

Most importantly, being CA, you should not require as much time as a guys with no background requires, so just go for it!

lc26mizzou

I'm a CPA myself also and am going to start studying next week. We all could do it!!

scr879

People were asking this same question TWO months before the June 2011 exam! You have FIVE!