CFA level III peeps,
Quick Question - If you have a full time job, are you planning to take any time off before the exam ? If yes, How many days?
Back when I was an audit slave, I took 3 weeks off right before level 1 and again for level 2. I resigned though, a few months back so I’ve basically been going at it at a slow pace with daily trips to the gym for the last 3 months!
I think 2 to 3 weeks should be good (10 to 15 working days).
taking 3 weeks off of work for a test? I hope you have more important roles where your employer can not need you for 3 weeks.
Study at night, weekends and take 2 days off prior at most for final review.
i’ve booked 1 week off a long time ago. it probably won’t happen because i’m expecting to resign soon (after offer obv) and that week will fall within my 2-week notice (will need to tie loose ends.)
It was a government granted leave. Meaning, they reimburse the company for my absence. Nice way to claim ur tax money back 
I’m taking the Friday off and hoping there isn’t a meltdown that day
i am taking 2 weeks. I gave work 8 months heads up and said it was non-negotiable, so they are working project timelines around my availability
I am taking half of Friday off (to check into a hotel - otherwise it’s a 2-hour commute from my home.)
I figure, if I didn’t study it in a year, I am not going to study it in the last week.
Also, except for the $800 or so I sent to CFAI, I have nothing but my pride invested in the exam, especially nothing professionally, so the pressure to pass is less. I have already benefitted from the tying-together of all the knowledge that level III does quite well. I am still discovering how everything is interconnected - for example, asset manager code of conduct ties in with the IPS and the trading strategies, and so on.
Wed Thurs Fri for this test. I would have taken full week but had some things come up that I had to take off for. Level 2 took off whole week because only had 3 months to cram.
I took just Friday off for L2 last year, and anticipated taking just Friday for L3 this year, but I’d absolutely hate to fail Band 10 by skimping out on PTO to study, so I have the whole week planned right now (although that may change depending on these next two weeks).
double post
The two times I took two weeks off work before an exam, I failed. The one time I took one week off, I passed.
So I’m taking one week off this time around (repeating L3) and am hoping that history repeats itself.
BTW when I passed L1 I was unemployed, so that doesn’t count in my superstitious rationale.
1 month. And I only started studying on 1 May. I am. Fucked.
Taking the last week off. My emplyoer gave me three study days and I’ll burn one personal.
I hear that. I failed Level II two times taking two weeks off, and passed LII working the Friday before (boss was a jerk about letting me off due to others taking off) and passed.
However that said, I’m taking two weeks off for LIII.
taking next week off. last week is best for relaxing and resting. (look at some notes, cheat sheets, review notes etc). best to lock it down by end of next week.
lucky are those who can take 2 weeks off straight ( although I doubt if it really helps at L3)