Poor AM performance tripped me in 2016 Level 3. Went with GoStudy AM course to bolster by AM and also additional Prev AM papers practice helped (did from 2009 to 2016).
After passing L2, I realised that for me it would be a two-year process for each level. Looking back I was really doubting myself after my first crack at L2 as it felt like a huge jump to make from Band 6 to a pass. So glad I stuck with it though.
Mine is similar. 3 for 3 starting 18 months ago. Actual scores quite close to predicted, except Level 3 AM about 10 points below expected. I had a lot of room for underperforming mocks and still passing.
Failed level 2 in 2014 as I was in party mode and couldnt buckle down and study ahead of bschool
Passed level 2 2016 while graduating, moving cities
Passed level 3 2017 while starting a new job full time, a lot of business traveling and moving cities again.
Level 3 was hardest for me mentally and physically as it was really hard to cope with so many changes in my life. Also couldn’t bear the thought of doing it again so spent time despairing and stressed out.
Passing felt even better than getting accepted to b school! Just the intensity and how miserable I made myself was too much.
Congrats to all who passed and best of luck to thise who didnt.
2013 - Failed Level I (Band 9) - Was in grad school, worked part-time, and actively looking for internships (as I required sponsorship in the U.S. Read the CFAI curriculum in its entirety which left less that a week for practice, so the fail was obvious.
2014 - Passed Level II
2015 - Failed Level II (Band 6) - did not put enough effort at all, had crazy deadlines at work, so I was not even trying
2016 - Passed Level II - took it very seriously and passed with all sections above 70%
2017 - Passed Level III - studied probably as much as for Level II the second time around, but still did not feel as confident after taking it as in 2016. So DO NOT underestimate Level III.
…so very bummed about my stupid L3 matrix… can not even relate to the scores…my predictions about scores in L1 and L2 were spot on though…anyways what the heck.
One and done in 18 months, probably around 800 hours in total. Had a big advantage with work flexibility - could make my own hours and study during the day, especially during the final month of prep.
I think there is no formulae to how to pass the exams. You just have to know certain proportion of the whole material inside out/ know what you are talking about. I never understand how people can spend so much time on certain questions so that they leave a few last questions untouched as the time is up. For these people practising exams maybe good but I personally never did such a thing. I write like a greedy cow in the exam jumping from one question to other, checking the clock every now and then to make sure I have time for writing at least a few words for each and every question. and I still believe cfa is not hard, but it has been one of the greatest mental struggles I have gone through so far (maybe the greatest). It definitely requires determination and the courage to get going despite failure and despite the negative energy of jealous people around you. so I think the best is to say “I am not taking the exam this year” to people around you and get prepared without letting anyone know. less stress will lead to more comfortably earned success and would be a good slap in the face of the haters. this is my biggest advice. don’t let people know about your cfa adventure.
Dec 2007 Level 1 = Fail 2008 Did not enroll Jun 2009 Level 1 = Pass Jun 2010 Level 2 = Fail (Band 6) Jun 2011 Level 2 = Fail (Band 5) Jun 2012 Level 2 = Pass Jun 2013 Level 3 = Fail (Band 2) Jun 2014 Level 3 = Fail (Band 10) Jun 2015 Level 3 = Fail (Band 4) Jun 2016 Level 3 = Fail (Band 5) Jun 2017 Level 3 = Pass
Fair to say that it was a LONG and painful journey for me. I took the exam in 2007 just for fun, probably only studied for 3 days. Took it seriously in 2009 and passed. Level 2 was pretty intense and every time I failed, I believe it was due to discipline. Level 3 was particularly difficult for me, especially after the band 10 fail in 2014. I lost all the motivation to pass and had a couple of life events (like getting married and switching jobs) that happened in between. Finally managed to take it a bit more seriously this year and started studying in April.
Very glad that the whole journey is finally over!!
mjtwo3 - that’s hilarious! (although not probably how you felt at the time :-))
Kids have a lot to answer for. Concrete proof that kids and CFA do not mix! I really admire your tenacity though. Not sure the little monsters would have got the better of me for so many years in row. I did hear that CFA should be an acronym for Children and Family Abandoned. About right in my book…