L2 is super easy, i passed on my second try!
one…but put in 400+ hours
Passed L1 Dec 08 and L2 Jun 09. Going for 3/3 in Jun 2010.
stevec Wrote: - > > > I’m not ashamed to admit that I also took FOUR > tries to pass Level II. On top of that, I passed > Level I in NINETEEN NINETY NINE. Yes, ten years > ago. I sat for Level II in 2001, 2004, 2007 and > 2009 (when I passed). I also paid for the exam, > and didn’t bother going, in 2000, 2003 & 2008. Sad > but true. > > Honestly, though, I never applied myself to > properly preparing for the exam until this year. I > took it one year after studying for about 20 hours > (it was during my second year of my full-time MBA > program). I passed Level I on my first try after > studying like mad - it took me ten years, an MBA > degree, and a family to get the motivation to > study like that again. SteveC - Feel like I am reading my story in your words. Passed Level 1 in 1996, then life got in the way (MSF, family, other licenses and designations). After they lifted the 5-year completion rule, I decided to come back. Failed level 2 in 2007, 2008 (band 4) and went like a madman to pass in 2009. Super dedicated to finish next year, don’t want to keep this thing going into retirement 
In my experience level II can be passed on your second try.
steve-o Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > SteveC - Feel like I am reading my story in your > words. Passed Level 1 in 1996, then life got in > the way (MSF, family, other licenses and > designations). After they lifted the 5-year > completion rule, I decided to come back. Failed > level 2 in 2007, 2008 (band 4) and went like a > madman to pass in 2009. Super dedicated to finish > next year, don’t want to keep this thing going > into retirement Me too - I’ve already started to go grey, so I have to pass Levell III on the first try :). Plus, I don’t think my wife and kids will put up with any more than nine more months of studying. I’m going to push hard and crush this test so I can be done. We can do it, Steve-o!
i passed the first two right away then just failed L3 for the first time 
sucks, but that’s life. gonna rock it in 2010.
Tenacity is one of the key qualities CFAI is showcasing in their ads so you are upholding that spirit on your will to passing and earning your charter!!
Most people fail L2 because they underetimate it and don’t study enough. You should study 500+ to be sure
June 08 - Lvl I: 1st / Pass - studied for 2 weeks. Lucked out. June 09 - Lvl II: Pass - studied for 5 months solid. Took no chances. 500+ hours easy. June 10 - Lvl III TBD - Will study using only CFAI books.
SkipE99 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Going to be on Level 2 for my second time this > year. Was able to pass Level 1 at the 35% pass > rate but couldnt pull it this time. Fail band 8. > > Just trying to get an idea how many tries it took > you awesome Level 3’ers to get over the Level 2 > hump. There is no way you aren’t re-writing. You are passing next June. End of story.
L1 - Fail Dec 2005 (I didnt have a clue as to what I was getting myself into) L1 - Pass June 2006 L2 - Fail June 2007 (I believe I was very very close to passing this one) L2 - Pass June 2008 L3 - Fail June 2009 (failed Band 9, Is someone starting to see a pattern here?) L3 - Pass June 2010 (I hope)
A friend kicked my ass and told me to sign up for L1 in September 08 giving me 3 month to study… I probably put in just over 200 hours and went on a vacation to cali for 4 days the weekend before. Result: Passed but probably not by a much. L2 signed up right after L1 Dec 08 results. 4 month later wrote L2 in June 09. Probably put in 300 hours over the 4 months. Result: Passed quite easily. L3 June 2009? I plan on passing. That would accomplish the goal I set out of completing the program in under 2 years.
I studied for the month of May only, but hit the books from 9 AM to 2 AM - no joke. I would not recommend this to anyone - it sucked!! I’m studying a good 5 or so months for level 3!
1st time (June 09) - thank God.
I had to fail the L2 exam 3 times before finally being thoroughly humbled and beaten down enough to realize even my best cramming/memorization/study tactics from college would not cut the mustard. That strategy worked fine on the first try for L1, but L2 was a whole new ballgame. After a 4 year hiatus of swearing off the program, I made a complete change in strategy, picked up the books again, and passed L2. My only advice after all this is do not take this on unless you are absolutely 100% commited to the time and effort needed to thoroughly understand all the material. There are no shortcuts. If you’re not miserable spending countless hours studying the material in the months leading up to the exam then you’re doing something wrong.