CFA enrollment

CFA General
#1

Dear friends,

I would kindly ask for your advice. Having studied a BSc in Economics (Relevant Courses in Finance but not very thorough, Micro/Macroeconomics, Econometrics, Maths, Stats) and currently studying MSc in Corporate Finance (Courses: Securities/Futures/Options, Econometrics, Fixed Income & Equity Investments, Financial Markets, Corporate Finance, M&A’s, Venture Capital, Corporate Governance & Accountability, Portfolio Management, Advanced Financial Analysis) I am thinking of enrolling into one of the Kaplan’s programmes for December 2014 CFA Level 1. I am graduating in this summer, when all of the classes for Level 1 begin.

What intrigues me in the finance industry is the Investment Banking sector.

Do you think that my prior educational experience (no professional) will help my in some extent for Level 1?

Also, is it right to start with this after my MSc finishes? I am willing to study for it as I see this as a way to boosten my CV and also distinguish in some way from other students having only the MSc title.

Finally, how hard is it for someone like me (23 yrs old) with average intelligence level to study along with working?

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks!!

#2

CFA isn’t rocket science. You can definitely pass with average intelligence. L1 is a rehash of undergrad. But, be ready to put at least 500 hours for each L2 and L3.

#3

You could easily just sign up for L1 this June instead. Like stated above, L1 is just a rehash of undergrad and considering that you are also taking MSc courses you should be golden. I did L1 during my undergrad and will do L2 this year (during my MSc) and honestly 90% of the material I know really well from school so its mainly just a repetition. That being said, it is a lot of material to cover so you should not underestimate it. If I were you I would do L1 this June and go for L2 next June, gives you more time to spend on your new job in the first months and more time for L2.

#4

a ton of finance professinoals study while working. i knew a banker who worked 90-100 hrs a week, and still passed L1-2-3

#5

allright everything said is useful. would you go for on your own or would you join kaplan (or any other) classes? If on your own cfa official books are good ?

#6

I did on own using the kaplan schweser books. I think the classes are overpriced and not very beneficial.

#7

How does one work 100 hours a week? Assuming a 5 day schedule, that’ 20 hours a day, leaving 4 hours for sleep and everything else. Even a 7 day schedule would mean 14 hour days, which doesn’t leave much time for any sort of life, never mind studying.

#8

People exagerrate a lot how long they work. Study time is probably included in that total. There is only 168 hours in a week.

#9

Lea out of curiosity, what do you plan to do with the CFA program?

If you haven’t even heard of finance people working 100 hrs a week, then you haven’t heard much at all then.

100 hours a week certainly includes weekends. 14 hours days are NOTHING. 7am - 9pm is very typical for research analyst’s without even blinking.