How I Passed All 3 CFA Exams on the First Try

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Excel for Business & Finance Course: learn.careerpr...
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It's been a few years since I passed the last of the CFA exams, and the program has changed a bit since I was sitting for the exams. But the factors that allowed me to be successful in passing all the exams on the first try are still very relevant, and very underutilized by candidates today. So here are some of the major reasons why I was able to pass all the exams, and how you can too.
The number one factor to succeed in passing any CFA exam is time. You just have to put in the hours to give yourself a fighting chance. Your study schedule is more important than how you study, what CFA material you use to study, and even how smart you are. My study routine was 3 hours per day, every day, typically in the evenings. I would start studying around November 1st, and finish studying the day before the exam which used to be mid June. And during that "exam season" I never took a single day off. That means, Christmas, the super bowl, during a family vacation, get the hours in. Whatever excuses you have to not study, are only going to hurt your chances of passing the exams.
If you do that math on that schedule you will get something like 620 hours of prep. And I didn't pass the tests by a large margin, at least not levels 2 and 3 that is. Had I studied say 500 hours, I'm pretty confident I wouldn't have ever gotten past Level 1. So I feel that the commonly used metric of 300 hours of test prep, is also the very reason why 90% of people fail out of this program. 300 hours is just simply not enough for most people.
If you have an idea of something you want me to cover in depth, please let me know because I take your requests seriously. Will be back with more CFA Exam tips in a couple of weeks so please submit more questions you would like to hear answered. Love you all!
- AJ
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** The information in this video is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional financial advice. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your financial or tax professional**

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Links to Career Principles: Excel for Business & Finance Course: learn.careerprinciples.com/courses/excel-for-business-finance?ref=c827ef The Complete Finance & Valuation Course: learn.careerprinciples.com/courses/finance-valuation-course?ref=c827ef All Courses: learn.careerprinciples.com/bundles/all-access?ref=c827ef

[@cfcswift]

I started CFA Program around the same time you passed Level III. I'm taking L3 in August this year. Watching your videos helped me a lot. Hoping I'll be a charter-holder by the end of 2023!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

WOW, BEST OF LUCK!!!

[@nitinranganathan7217]

Hi Aj! Just gave my Level 3 exam today and I'm feeling very motivated listening to you. Loved every part of the video, especially the part talking about responsibilities of a Charterholder. Thank you for being such a motivation for me right from the time I was a Level 1 candidate in the CFA program!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Hey Nitin, Well hoping for a great result for you!!! Thanks for the support on the videos. AJ

[@baodo7905]

Memorizing formulas was crucial. On the level 2 exam, questions get very technical and some questions actually straight up test if you’ve remembered them, and if you did it was easy points.

[@Baslium]

I recently took the 2023 Level 3 exam. It scared the shit out of me. Waiting for the result is the most painful process.

[@jp55911]

I found out this week that I passed level I. I watched this video at least 6 times and watched many more of your videos during my studies. Your advice on how to spend the last week month before the exam was invaluable. Thank you!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[@Mrnasiersworld28]

Hey AJ, just recently discovered your channel and I just binged a ton of your videos! Great content, very useful information. Seriously, your work is appreciated. Anyway, I’ve become very interested in finance over the past couple years since I started investing and I would like to work in finance one day. I’m currently about to finish my BBA undergrad in April. I’m looking into getting my MBA with the finance or accounting specialization, or just a general MBA. I could do it in 8 months as I was granted advanced standing in half the MBA courses. The thing is, I’ve been looking at a ton of jobs (with finance titles), maybe I’m finding all the wrong ones but I swear almost everything I see says, ‘interested or leading to a CPA designation’. It’s very confusing to me, but I rarely see CFA as a requirement (again, unless I’m finding all the wrong jobs). Sometimes I’ll see some other finance certifications in the requirements but never a CFA. Sorry for the extremely long message, but I guess my question is, is it even worth it to become a CFA? Or, should I go the CPA route? I’ve always absolutely hated accounting but I just had an interview for an intern accountant position at BDO. I’m pretty confident that I’ll get the position so now I’m considering going the CPA route. I’m based in Ontario btw, so I’ll probably end up working in Waterloo/Toronto area when I’m older.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Hey man, thanks for watching the videos! The CPA is a lot more common than the CFA, yes. But the CPA is used in accounting careers. So it sounds like you are seeing accounting jobs, not asset management jobs. AJ

[@Mrnasiersworld28]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 thanks for the reply man, great to hear your input! That was just everything I was seeing when I searched ‘finance jobs’ in google hahaha. So I guess that could be the reason it provided me with some general business job postings.

[@Nigel3005]

Counting hours did not work for me - neither 300 hours or 3 hours a day. Simply put, all levels test competency via the MPS and depending on who you ask, it ranges from 50% to 70%. Personally, I would aim for at least for an 80% score for all the mocks because it is good to have a buffer for exam date conditions. Some people need 100 hours to get to that 80% score and some people need 1000 hours - there is really no set rule on hours because everyone learns at a different speed. The guys that AJ mentioned who studied 72 hours or a week simply have the knowledge to meet the MPS - I knew a guy who was a EQ and FI analyst and he score 99% of those sections and passed level 2 with 5 days of studying. Of course he would pass! He did that for a living so he definitely had the knowledge to meet an 80% score easily.

[@MachoMandem]

Video suggestions: "Low GPA but still want the CFA?" Where you answer the questions a low GPA student has that still wants to follow the CFA path, including what employers will think of a CFA that has a low GPA degree. "Want the MBA after CFA?" Evaluate whether it is worth doing an MBA after attaining your CFA. "Postgraduate degree after CFA Level 1!?" Where you evaluate whether it is worth doing an honours/masters in finance if one has already completed the CFA level 1 exam. "Non-finance jobs in FinTech firms" where you outline jobs/careers in the Finance industry for individuals that have little to no knowledge of the industry but want to work in investment firms for example.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Wow, nice. Thanks!

[@ericxyz6676]

I passed level 1 in Nov 2023 without a single section below 70%. I don't plan to take level 2 for awhile though. I didn't keep track of my study hours and they weren't structured. That being said, I did find what worked for me toward the end of the exam window. I guess what I'm trying to say-- do what works for you. It's ultimately like passing ten finals for each subject area in the curriculum. My main takeaway is that I needed to do the same things I did for any other exam/ semester in college. I'm sure level 2 will be difficult but there appears to be less readings but also more nuances. P.S. I do believe people can pass these exam with limited study time depending on their exposure in college and professional experience.

[@chrisk2734]

You might want to read the cfa info. You now have to take and pass all 3 level in 6 years. Just an FYI.

[@ericxyz6676]

@@chrisk2734 I don't think that's true, especially looking at the post on reddit. There are people saying they are taking level 3 after a 10 year hiatus, but I will check on that. Anyway, I believe I can (doesn't mean I will) levels 2 and 3 within 6 years of level, so long as I find a job in the field....

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

@@ericxyz6676 Yea I haven't heard of this 6 year thing? But remember that L2 and L3 are much harder than L1.

[@ericxyz6676]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 Per the Institute's website, "There is no limit to the amount of time you have to complete the CFA Program". He must be thinking of CPA although that is a much shorter window than 6 years. I'm confident I can pass them even though the next exams are considerably harder--I have to give myself the proper study time to do it.

[@suburbancommandos7888]

Thanks for all of the content. Does getting CFP first make studying for CFA easier and if so, how much? Thanks!

[@ismaelgarcia9266]

Thank you so much for all of the awesome content you put out. I am currently a senior in college & have worked for a Wealth Management firm for the last 4 years. (The summer I graduated High-School). I am currently finishing up my Bachelor's as mentioned & working on my CFP through Dalton as well. I am planning on taking the exam this November. I have a great boss, who has paid for my SIE, Series 7 & 66, as well as my senior year of college & whole CFP course. But, I've always been far more interested in Equity Research & Portfolio Construction etc.. I would like to get my CFA instead & move into that field. I don't mind Wealth Management, I like it. But it isn't what I am passionate about. Watching your video's you suggested taking the CFA first to bypass the CFP course stuff. What would be your thoughts on, if instead I buy my CFA materials such as a Kaplan myself & sit for the Level 1 Exam this November? Then move onto Level II & Level III. Or should I just finish out the CFP stuff instead? I am 22, I have worked extremely hard throughout college to be in a "great position" which I think I am in. But, as I get closer to graduation I am questioning myself because ultimately I would like to be in an equity research position.. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

[@alparslan2971]

Cool video

[@uiof1]

I failed level 2 Nov-22. I’m sitting again for it on August. I feel like my biggest mistake was not to do enough practice questions and I did not take the mocks as seriously as I should of.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Best of luck this time around! Yea practice questions and mocks can make a huge difference.

[@uiof1]

Came back to this comment to say I finally passed CFA level II!!

[@issaabdulsada4267]

Is having live classes beneficial? Im considering studying with wiley and take their live classes, is it worth it?

[@baodo7905]

Check out Mark Meldrum

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I don't think live classes are all that important.

[@ma2tMDC]

Hello I've just discovered your channel ! Can you give your typical 3 hours sessions per day ? Were you just reading lessons or also made exercises with BB and MCQs?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

All of the above!

[@bisserosaliewilfried4152]

Hello, is it important to integrate a group of Cfa students while preparing for the exam?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

It could help, sure. But I don't think its necessary.

[@jignashasoni2129]

Hi pls let me know i am 37 years old can I give cfa exam. Which classes need to attend.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes you can. It is all self study.