Advice from experienced candidates

CFA General
#1

Hello guys , i need your help from your previous experiences in cfa exams. I took level 1 last Saturday .

I was well prepared but i will probably fail because in the afternoon I was exhausted, my head was burning and I did many mistakes on simple things I didn’t use to struggle with. I just can’t stop blaming myself for having done so many mistakes in PM session …sad :frowning_face:

do you have an advice for this kind of situation ? Did you experience that on your cfa journey in PM sessions ? I don’t want to face the same issue in December :frowning: .thanks again !

#2

The exams are as much about endurance as they are about knowledge.

You can build up your stamina by taking mock exams under test conditions: give yourself 3 hours for the morning session, a 2-hour break, then 3 hours for the afternoon session. You may have to do this several times, but it will help.

#3

Load up on caffeine for the afternoon session.

#4

Do about five practice exams. It’s tough. You will feel mentally tired after the first. You will make the simple mistakes and you will learn. It is like running for a marathon; a mental marathon. Training = mocks. By the fourth and fifth mock you will be hitting 70+ which is less stressful and less time to review your mistakes as you become more proficient. I always tired putting myself under more stress for the first three mocks and then relaxed a bit after that…I was even watching Star Wars in the background and doing a timed exam for the fifth exam.

#5

Yeah, this is the correct answer. I recommend caffeine pills. Just don’t pull a Jessie.

#6

Thank you all for your replies …I will train hard on doing more full mocks days for December to suceed in my PM session .

AM was fine and I even had 20min left to review…but in the middle of PM session my head started burning like crazy…lol

#7

So, why do you think that isn’t happening to others? Exam is graded on curve. If you were well prepared you have a high chance to pass. I would count this to beginner’s irrational fear.

#8

In addition to coffee, any kind of high fiber/bran muffin would serve as excellent brain food on exam day.

Maybe even 2.

#goodluck

#9

Before going “high fiber”, check out the capacity of the test center bathrooms …

#10

When I was getting ready for level 1 I did both CFAI mocks with review in one sit. No stress and pain in levels 1 and 2 whatsoever, level 3 is a different story after AM session my head was on fire. Long story short, mocks are available before the exam.

#11

LOL. Sweep the Leg for the win. Although I doubt he is old enough to get it.

Just do practice tests man.

Also, not to be a debbie downer, but if you worked your arse off and can’t pass Level I, just quit now. Level II will beat you to a pulp.

#12

Choke the chicken during lunch. Worked for me.

#13

in bathroom?

#14

Better in the cantine. Assert dominance among your fellow candidates and disturb them prior to the PM.

#15

yes do more mock exams next time to get used to the two 3 hour blocks. I would do 6-7 minimum in addition to the CFAI mock. Try to get a good night’s sleep and make sure you eat/drink well during the lunch break. Not much more you can do.

#16

your nutrition was probably lacking during lunch.

Hey, this place is great! A whole crop of newbs to get WOKE! Hmmm,what to start with. The mind fairly reels.

Image result for mr burns excellent

#17

peto charlie is back!!!

#18

Omg you was right , I confortably PASSED !!! :grin:

Indeed it was an irrational fear!

#19

Congratulations! Now face the blue dragon in level II.

#20

avoid pcp