Hi all, So I wanted to fit GMAT studying inbetween Level I and Level II. Level I I didn’t really start studying until March and I felt a little unprepared come test time but still passed. This time around I would like to start studying for Level II around December or January at the latest but I see a lot of people getting started on here much earlier. I wanna go to B-school within the next 5 years and I think I can get a 700+ if I put in the 12-14 weeks I’m planning on devoting but don’t wanna be too burned out for Level II studying. Has anyone fit GMAT studying inbetween CFA exams and how prepared/burned out were you for one or the other? Thanks all, jb
good luck, Lv2 is a beast compared to Lv1. I went from studying in june to dec for Lv 1 and then Feb to june for Lv2. I had a very tough time in that short time span for Lv2. 1- i got really burnt out the last month, were i didnt even want to pick up a book 2- it took alot of effort for me working all day and staying up till mid night studying every single day good thing is i passed and on to Lv3. so it is possible but i wouldnt want to do it again like that, Lv2 is a different animal reading the item sets and figuring out answers.
Sounds like a plan! I just started this week readings for CFA Level II. I know it seems a bit early, but I work full time, travel a lot for work, and am completing an MBA and MS at the same time. All things considered, I need an early start to juggle the work load. Follow my CFA journey @ TheGlover.net
I’m doing the exact same thing lol
TheMBAGlover Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sounds like a plan! > > I just started this week readings for CFA Level > II. I know it seems a bit early, but I work full > time, travel a lot for work, and am completing an > MBA and MS at the same time. All things > considered, I need an early start to juggle the > work load. > > Follow my CFA journey @ TheGlover.net you prob have zero social life. enjoy ur life a little you only live once.
hahaha good point Johnny…I’m also contemplating the same plan. I passed Level I last June and spent the next year looking for a job. I just got my Manhattan GMAT “box of fun” in the mail last week and I’ll hopefully start studying next week. I’m aiming for the end of the year to take the GMAT. The real question is if it’s possible to jump into Level II studying right after that. Something to think about: There are two noteworthy sign-up cutoffs to keep an eye on. Sept 21st and mid-February. The difference in price isn’t huge (~$95 I think). I’m thinking of waiting and missing out on the first sign up. That way, I can see if I still have some gas left in the tank to take on Level II studying. Thoughts?
I haven’t registered for Level II yet either robber but I need to register by Wednesday if I want my employer to reimburse me for passing and they give me a $1000 Kaplan credit so I’m probably just going to sack up and do it. I also got my Manhatten books (all 8) in the mail a few weeks ago but haven’t started studying yet. I guess I need to start studying tomorrow if I wanna take it by Dec then cool off for a few weeks and start studying for Level II. I’m gonna follow the study format this guy used: http://www.getintobschool.com/gmat.html
Take this with a grain of salt bc I haven’t passed level 1 yet, but I just finished B school. If you’re planning on plunging in full time for an MBA I think the gmat is more important right now, but a lot depends on your current work experience, desired school, and desired field. If I could do it again I’d have retaken the GMAT several more times. I had a GA in an admissions office and never once heard someone comment on a GMAT score being “too high” or if a person took it more than once but I have seen applications tossed or scholarships skipped bc GMAT wasn’t impressive enough. Re the field you want to enter: Since this is a CFA forum I’m assuming you’re not a budding consultant, but my friends who went that route ended up retaking GMAT during business school just so they could put it on their resume.
I did what the OP was thinking of doing in 2009, took Level 1 in the summer, studied 1-month for the GMAT (took it in November), and took Level 2 in 2010. I don’t think there’s much chance to get burnt out. The GMAT is an aptitude test, not something you really should have to study more than a month for (your score might dramatically change in the month if you learn shortcuts that providers like Manhattan GMAT teach you but its not likely that you’ll go from a 500 to a 750 by studying for 3+ months). I think Manhattan GMAT was a good prep source, especially the advanced sections (facilitated a 700+ score). Best of luck…
johnny buzkill, good luck you bum ya.
texcfa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I did what the OP was thinking of doing in 2009, > took Level 1 in the summer, studied 1-month for > the GMAT (took it in November), and took Level 2 > in 2010. > > I don’t think there’s much chance to get burnt > out. The GMAT is an aptitude test, not something > you really should have to study more than a month > for (your score might dramatically change in the > month if you learn shortcuts that providers like > Manhattan GMAT teach you but its not likely that > you’ll go from a 500 to a 750 by studying for 3+ > months). I think Manhattan GMAT was a good prep > source, especially the advanced sections > (facilitated a 700+ score). > > Best of luck… I agree with your logic but from experience I’ve seen scores climb from mid 6’s to mid 7’s with repeated study and practice. IMO the part that takes tons of repetition is improving a verbal score.
Thanks for the replies y’all. I expect to see the biggest improvement in verbal as I was a 720/620 M/V in SAT’s without too much prep. The ultimate goal is to 3/3 CFA (II, June 2012; III, June 2013) and Top 10-15 MBA @ 26 or 27 with 4-5 years work experience. I kind of dicked around in college though and I am not happy with my undergrad GPA or current position so I have a small mountain to climb to get myself into that top tier but it is a goal worth working towards. Hopefully it gives me a “story” to tell about overcoming adversity, continually growing my career, etc. but we’ll see. A wise man once told me “If you’re not first you’re last.”
That seems very similar to what my thought process was about 3 years ago, I got almost an identical SAT score (scored in the low 700s on the GMAT), went 3/3 on the CFA and was planning on going to a top 10-15 MBA, however just before applying this year I was approached by a large SWF and given an opportunity overseas that I couldn’t turn down. Good luck with your plans…
hey, Johnny buzzkill, youre making a 1340 on your SAT and you are equal is what a wise man once told me.
texcfa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That seems very similar to what my thought process > was about 3 years ago, I got almost an identical > SAT score (scored in the low 700s on the GMAT), > went 3/3 on the CFA and was planning on going to a > top 10-15 MBA, however just before applying this > year I was approached by a large SWF and given an > opportunity overseas that I couldn’t turn down. > Good luck with your plans… ADIA? Regardless of where, congrats that must be a great experience. I may have to email you sometime.
I have a feeling JhonnyBuz is my second account. Are you also in Toronto? and I don;t mind not going to Grad School if I get the right opportunity, all I know is that this GMAT studying its great mental stimulus in preparation for Level II. I also hope I go 3/3, then apply for b-school on 2013. I would have two years (three by the time I enroll) of work experience.
thanks, feel free to send me an email at nequiza 05 at hotmail
texcfa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That seems very similar to what my thought process > was about 3 years ago, I got almost an identical > SAT score (scored in the low 700s on the GMAT), > went 3/3 on the CFA and was planning on going to a > top 10-15 MBA, however just before applying this > year I was approached by a large SWF and given an > opportunity overseas that I couldn’t turn down. > Good luck with your plans… congrats and great move. There’s ZERO reason to go to business school if you’re leaving a good opportunity. Lots of people attend B school and end up starting their new gig lower than when they left. Others never need it (or a CFA for that matter) to work at at hedge fund. If you’re there, you’re there. kudos to you sir.
Seems like it’s a default plan for levelers. I was confused whether skip Sept21 deadline or not. But this thread provided me the much-needed confidence to skip it. Now the question is what if the Gmat burn-out ruins L2 given a full-time crazy job!
1337 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Seems like it’s a default plan for levelers. I was > confused whether skip Sept21 deadline or not. But > this thread provided me the much-needed confidence > to skip it. Now the question is what if the Gmat > burn-out ruins L2 given a full-time crazy job! To be honest, I am enjoying studying for the GMATs right now. It is an entirely different monster than CFA material but it is fun and challenging in its own way. Data Sufficiency is gonna be a bitch for me but that’s why I rationed myself 12 weeks to study. Burnout will also be a concern so I’ll let you guys know how I’m coming along.