'Audible' timers - Guidance

CFA General
#1

So I have been practicing my mocks with a stop watch which helps me to be within time limit for each section (time is an issue for me so I really need it). However there is a beep sound whenever I start and stop the chrono which I use in between all sections. Will this be allowed. (I have tried all possible ways to do away with the noise but in vain).

Need some guidance from the ones who have exprienced the exam. Thank you.

EDIT: So I need to know when CFAI mentions “audible alarms and/or audible timers must be turned off” are they referring only to a continuous beeping sound or even the slightest single beep sound?

#2

Any suggestions, really need to know. Thanks

#3

No sound of any kind is permitted for alarms. See if you can find a watch that has a visual alarm, like a flashing light.

#4

I hate people who used alarms and pretended like they didn’t know. Why affect other people for the benefit of yourself only. Just look up at the clock, it’s takes less than 1 sec.

#5

I have never been in an exam with as strict monitoring as the CFA. My passport and calculator were checked over 5 times each, and I was told off 4 times for not covering my answers with the question booklet. The constent distractions actually cost me a fair bit of time. Chances are the watch will get confiscated immediately and they’ll watch you like a hawk hunting a rabbit for the rest of the exam.

As WhyStudy mentioned, it’s also really inconsiderate as it will distract everyone in the immediate area. Just keep track of time the old fashioned way.

#6

Although its not an alarm in the real sense, just a beep sound, but I understand it could be a distraction. Great. Thanks for the inputs.

Will use one of those analog stop watches…

#7

L1 was a long time ago for me, so I have no idea how many “sections” there are. How often are you starting and stopping your timer? I’m thinking that you’re wasting some valuable time if it’s more than 3 or 4 times per hour.

#8

Well that takes like 3 seconds to start and stop. I timed that. And a total of 30 seconds, 45 max.

#9

Do you not realize that the beeping would be a bother to the other test takers?

Seriously, does the thought just not come to you?

Why do you even need to ask?

Don’t use a beeping timer for the sake of being considerate if nothing else.

#10

Well it did occur to me, but then it also occured to me that the single beep would be much softer than an average coughing sound and much much softer than an average sneeze. It was never a beeping timer, just the click/beep of starting and stopping the timer. That much for distracting others.

Hence the clarification.

Anyway its been taken care of. Thank you for your valuable comments.

#11

You timed how long it takes you to time yourself? I think you have crossed over into a very dark place. Smash your stop watch with a hammer and just trust your knowledge of the material.