I took the June CFA level 1 exam earlier this month, but after coming out of the exam I do not feel very confident that I had passed…
Given that I’m a slow learner and having to balance work + studying, should I start studying again now and give myself 5 months to study for level 1 retake or relax until July 29, and then study (leaving me only 4 months of study time)?
A lot of people have been telling me to just relax until results come out…but I feel like the time would be wasted. I’m conflicted with what to do, since I can’t get the June Exam experience out of my head and just relax… Anybody else feel the same way at the moment?
Honest speaking, I think I am on a same boat too. I am uncertain about exam’s result but a little more to “pass” about 52%?.. I prepared the exam only using CFAI curriculum so took the long time to read materials fully Cause I am also a very slow steady approach learner, I am saying myself to how about starting next journey, level 2 after upcomming July. If in 29 July the result is fail so the one month I hit the CFA level2 book is just wasting time?. It doesn’t matter. Ok shit, The anger the fact I fail and wasting time for lv2 make me more focus on lv1. However I hope I will pass so the road to my tour is brightened making me just keep going. I hope you will pass this exam too!!
Good luck
(I don’t want my poor language ability or expression mistakes to make you feel that 'He is kinda impolite guy)
For what its worth, I wouldnt view spending time on L2 now as a complete waste of time. I am doing a high level overview (very high - as in just familiarizing myself with the materials and noting main points/concepts, no practice problems). I figure if I do pass L1 I’ll have a stronger foundation for L2 and if I fail and need to retake L1 this Dec, the L2 prep will still be beneficial for the quick turnaround to June 2015.
I started reviewing Econ level 1, which was the monster for me. I think I scored close to zero on this topic in June. And surprizingly now that I’m rested and don’t feel the stress I had during April-May I find that it’s not rocket sience after all (still hard though.)
But I’m 100% sure I failed so it’s easy decision for me.
If you are confident that you failed then I would “consider” studying now, but if you are on the fence I would wait unitl you get the results.
One thing you really need to think about is burnout. If you studied for 5-6 (or more) months for the June exam already, starting now with working full time might be less productive than you think. There is something to be said about stepping way from the material for awhile. Plus you already have a 200-400 hour head start on the material, so its still going to be fresh since you took the exam in June.
I am on the fence about how I did as well, though think I have a better chance of passing the June exam then failing. I work full time also, and there are always those busy periods where I have to work more than 40 hours. For me though, even if I knew I failed, I probably wouldn’t start studying till about 8/15. That way, at least I give myself 2 months to step away from the material altogether.
Each person is different of course, but its something you may want to consider.
I would not advise you to start l2 from right now. You might get overwhelmed and ditch it altogether. Plus, you will have about 10 months to do l2 if you pass so there is no need to rush things.
However, a “light review” of level 1 in the next month would not hurt you and will keep things fresh in your memory in case you fail.
Thank you everyone for sharing. I guess I will wait until then and do a few light reviews of some high level overview of the material from time to time.
