Hi, Im considering taking the CFA (chartered Financial Analyst) exam. The pass rate for the CFA is pretty awful. Im interested in a prep class but I want to take one where I can see an improved pass rate from those who take the prep class. And for it to have any value the pass rate must be audited or verified in some fashion. Does anyone know about pass rates for the various prep classes, do they even publish them? Thanks.
What’s the CFA exam?
Analyst Forum - passing rate around 90% for regulars
maratikus Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Analyst Forum - passing rate around 90% for > regulars how did you come up with this number?
there were several discussions about passing rate based on results of AF regulars. From what I remember the number was close to 90%. I wouldn’t bet my house on that though.
There is really no reason to take a class especailly when you have 6 months to study.
you are more likely to fail if you take a class. you will rely too much on the class and not study enough.
Therefore the opposite is true. If both conditions are satisfied you will be less likey to fail.
From my own experience: participating on AF can become a waste of time at some point during your study. AF is far from a study instrument, but I do agree it is a great place to discuss/debate concepts or problems, as users tend to post the trickier or challenging questions they come around while studying. Going for a live class, a web class or study on your own time with CDs from third party providers like Schweser or Stalla, or only the CFAi text, is a matter of staying organized and/or needing some push to study to meet deadlines. Plus the CFAi text is way too detailed and time consuming for someone on time constraints. I took the CD version of Stalla, and I am pretty pleased. A few weeks ago I went to a free, live, Stalla workshop, and I know now that the CD is the best way of study. In the 3 hour live seminars you might end up wasting time with questions from, say, Accounting 101 (because not all candidates do prepare for the classes, but don’t refrain from asking basic questions that require 10 minutes of A-B-C explanations from the academic staff), while the CD lectures were absolutely great (especially those by Peter Olinto) .
I would not reccomend a class. Save your money and spend the extra time studying the material individually. There’s no secret formula to pass this test. Just grind it out and prepare yourself mentally for the fact that you most likely will have to take each level more than once.
Save the money and buy the online mock exams.
illcaprice Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I would not reccomend a class. Save your money > and spend the extra time studying the material > individually. There’s no secret formula to pass > this test. Just grind it out and prepare yourself > mentally for the fact that you most likely will > have to take each level more than once. I think this guy has the right idea.
The CFA Program was previously based almost entirely on self study. Recently however, the CFA Institute has developed partnerships with Universities and MBA Programs across the world where some segments of CFA candidates get the benefit of classroom training semester style. These students may have an edge over those who only study on their own. Also, for some students, who have an auditory learning stye and learn better in an interactive environment, classroom training may be very beneficial. You should consider CFA Level 1 Training Providers who offer classroom training, to augment your CFA preparation. Good Luck! Kaplan, Quartic, BPP, 7City and Finance-Grid offer training courses. There are no independent audits available yet of the pass rates. Those CFA Training Providers who have smester style programs with 72 hours, of twice a week training, over a 3 month period, are really the best bet. LSBF also does this in London. BPP and Kaplan have many phase wise programs. Finance-Grid has a 72 hourse, compreensive training program as per smester style, which begins in September. Good Luck to All! Sabdezar Ilahi,CFA
^ That’s gross. Are you auditioning for a job in CFAI marketing?
I can understand that many people have trouble getting their head round the requirements to pass the exam. If you are serious about it though, information from people who have gone through the process could be useful 
Yep, I have trouble getting my head around it…
Three of the CFA Partners that are part of MBA programs also offer a learning experience where students manage actual portfolios. They include Boston University, Cornell, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. CFA+MBA+exp managing money is a good combination to have while in school.
Totally agree. I would log on to AF for support (seeing how other people are doing and sharing frustrations can be very useful sometimes) and to get some feedback on specific doubts I had. I also watched the Stalla CDs (to have the freedom of when and where to watch them)and found them very useful. Just watching them is obviously not enough to pass the exam but they were definitely a plus. When reading the texts later, everything just went a lot quicker. Reading, and doing a zillion practice problems is important. So I suggest to definitely get a Qbank (schweser) or the Passmaster (stalla) . Those are my 2 cents…