How I Passed CFA Exams on the First Try

Sharing my strategy to pass the CFA exams. Thanks for watching!

[@chipmoffatt7748]

Definitely very inspirational from a perspective of attitude and coming at the exam with humility.

[@mohit3494]

Thanks A Lot for this Motivating Video :) Preparing for my level 2 right now , and I am so inspired after watching this video :)

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Best of luck on level 2!

[@steliosperikleous]

Definitely continue making these videos. I find them very helpful and encouraging. Personally I just finished my degree in accounting and finance and starting to work as an ACA trainee in September. I am also thinking of starting the CFA when I am done with the ACA.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

best of luck!

[@melissapooran1983]

Thanks for sharing! really appreciate it..can you kindly list the study materials that were used. Planning to start my journey next year.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

1. CFA Material 2. Wiley Silver Review Course

[@melissapooran1983]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 thanks again bud :)

[@priyankagattani4480]

Recently i passed CFA Level 1 and planning to start preparation for level 2. so i am thinking use your strategy for preparation. Hope it helps.

[@mohit3494]

Hey , Hows prep going ? Level 2 Candidate as well !

[@i123456987654]

i love how you were ready to walk away

[@jorgehurtadonyc]

Good stuff! I'm currently sacrificing Fortnite and learning learning python.

[@zakariaa4507]

Why Python ?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Fortnite is a tough one to give up! Good work though.

[@TheLeeJew]

What’s up AJ. I’m taking the CFA L1 exam in June. I’m using Schweser notes and was wondering if their practice exam questions are similar to the questions on the real exam. Also, should I be answering the practice questions on the curriculum. Thanks!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Hey, sorry I'm just now seeing your comment. I didnt use Schweser myself so I can't comment on their practice exam questions. I study with Wiley. Their q bank is NOT similar to exam questions, but their 2 mock exams are pretty close. The BEST practice questions you can do are the CFA blue boxes and the CFA EOC's. Definitely do all of them at least once.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I didn't use most of the Schweser material. I only used the Schweser live mock. My understanding is that most of the Schweser material is about equally as hard as the real exam. And yes! Definitely do all of the practice questions in the curriculum, also called EOCs.

[@lalalalisaaaa635]

Hey, thank you so much for making this video :) just curious, do u have a background in finance/commerce? I’m currently completing a PhD from another discipline and is trying to learn the materials by myself

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes I had a finance background from college. A finance background helps, but it isn't necessary.

[@georgehopwood6735]

How did you manage to stay healthy during your study period?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Well I don't know if i was healthy. I was out of shape, but also slim because i don't overeat. And I dont get sick much.

[@georgehopwood6735]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 ah ok, thanks for the response. I guess we just have to deal with a lack of exercise haha.

[@jirehdeleon3667]

Hi AJ! I'm a CPA from the philippines who's looking forward to taking the CFA Level 1 exam early next year so I've recently started watching some of your videos. If I may ask, would my accounting knowledge prove to be useful in passing the exam? Thanks!

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Yes, it will for a few of the sections.

[@humayunkabir5837]

Can you share what study materials you used to prepare for CFA lvl 1.

[@stevennguyen100]

Fin tree India is the BEST.

[@naderhaddadin1529]

where do you solve questions from for level 2, which is the best provider for questions?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I used Wiley study questions, and also the CFA blue boxes ad EOCs.

[@nishantwalia226]

Hi Bro, is self study is enough to clear all cfa level. As cfa study material is hard to understood and genuine guidance is needed.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Self study is enough if you have the right material.

[@nishantwalia226]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 Thanks bro

[@byronrich2780]

Were you able to read through the entire cfa material for level 1?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I didn't read all of it, no. Only the blue boxes. I read through the wiley study notes.

[@galibnakibrahman9305]

Hi AJ, just to let you know, you have helped me massively in having a different outlook towards the exam. Thank you. I'd love to read your post on Reddit, could you please share your Reddit name?

[@aperson1181]

Where do you post?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I think I was referring to Reddit here.

[@zhiqianglin8254]

what is ur education background ? study accounting or finance before ?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I studied finance in college.

[@zhiqianglin8254]

@@straighttalks-ajsrmek323 thanks for replying. what do u think studied finance in college will help u for the CFA ？ Do u still fell difficult ?

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

@@zhiqianglin8254 Studying finance in college helped in some of the sections, but others were totally new. So it helps a bit but it is not necessary.

[@sushreesarkar5699]

Hii

[@alishabeerali5709]

CAN U SHARE YOUR EXCEL SHEET

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

Its literally just dates and hours.Not much to see.

[@i123456987654]

lol i can't believe you went to work today and didn't spend time with me...haha some people are straight up annoying like that

[@linglee5759]

I decided not to bother with CFA as did MSc in Financial Maths - I realised the Masters was much more deeper than the CFA so the CFA was not going to add value. The CFA is just broad, nothing too complicated and anyone from a good Ivy league with a good GPA in math or engineering or accounting or economics etc will find it easy as long as they have time. Problem for most people is the time commitment as most are doing while working so limited time to pass. Most smart people fail because they do not put the time in, that is why they fail and not because the exam is hard.

[@stevennguyen100]

They hand out 500k master degree a year and there are only a handful of cfa people. You tell me what means more.

[@linglee5759]

@@stevennguyen100 Not from a top university they do not. Plus many variations of the Masters. A top masters has a tough screening process (high GPA etc) plus could cost anywhere from $50k to $100k. A CFA has no screening process and costs peanuts. Also is lacking a lot of new material. Many masters now incorporate AI and a lot of programming skills. No comparison. There are plenty of CFA's from India who have no clue about actually applying any of the CFA material, just hold the paper.

[@straighttalks-ajsrmek323]

I disagree that the CFA does not add value and doesn't contain any complicated content. You might be right for level 1 but 2 and 3 have some very complex material. I agree that the biggest barrier to passing the exams for most smart people is the time commitment.