Most people, especially those who have committed a substantial amount of time to study and be prepared for this exam, probably do not use the 2 hour break between morning and afternoon sessions.
HOWEVER, and I am probably not the first person to have realized this, but if mock exams are anything like real exam (which I think they are), then you can take the max weighting for a topic-the percent of that tested in the AM. And based on WHAT was tested, have a sense of what might be coming your way in the PM to then review that particular area on break.
You are still guessing at what will be tested, but any advantage helps I think!
My counter-argument to this is that by test day, you’ve likely already put in 300+ hours of studying. An additional hour and a half is not going to make or break your test. However, the mental fatigue you start to feel towards the end of the PM session due to not having taken a break and not getting food in your stomach could be detrimental to your exam results
What I did for L1 is what I’m going to do for L2… I will sit in my car and eat a nice subway sandwich (which I purchased the morning)… Then I will drive to starbucks and get a double express over ice… Sip that down and then I will relax for the next hour!
Fair enough, but what if you are bordeline? My counter-counter if you will, is that the margin for error is razor thin at L2. so that hour and a half, studying topics say for instance (going over reduced form/structural models) when only one FI vignette has been tested in the AM and it was on Backward induction and calculating spot/forward rates, could result in you getting 3-4 more questions right which could be the difference.
I agree though, if you are already fatigued then yeah don’t push it. Food, rest, and a break will be vital.
I got super lucky this year and they moved the exam centre right next to my office in Downtown. I’m going to walk to my office at halftime, and take a 45 minute nap.
Studying over the break isn’t going to help you - in my opinion. You’re either prepared or not.
Emperical studies show that caffeine in moderate amounts is good for maintaining focus (just watch the sugar :)) and of course subway sandwich is what is really going keep you going! good call.
Last year, I showed up to the test center in the AM and FORGOT my adderall. Not the reason I didn’t pass, but needless to say, I was a mental wreck. During the break, I drove 40 minutes EACH way to grab it. TERRIBLE day. Knew I failed. hahah
I think that the last week of studying counts a lot. That’s when your focus is max. It was helpful to me at least, when I gave my level 1 last year cause that stuff showed up and I could solve it well.
Come exam day, its only gonna be a cup of black coffee(without sugar) in the morning and I shall see food directly at 5PM. Not Recommended but this worked for me. Food tires me out and clouds my thinking.
My house is actually just 10 mins from the test site… I could technically drive home… but I prefer to be closer to the site… What if I get hassled by a cop during the drive???
I tend to agree, but man, I just HATE that I never cracked 70, although had an average of 66 over 3 full length mocks for Schweser. However, 75 percent over 3 full length IFT mocks. And now, the AM session of CFAI Mock A, an 82 percent.
So for me, it’s like, which is it? Am I ready or not?
Going to follow same approach as what I did for L1 - go sit in car, eat some lunch, and watch a good show on HBO. Then slam a double shot espresso before heading in for the afternoon. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it!