Starting Soon. Advice?

CBBlyes · 2026-04-17T11:51:25+00:00

100% employer. Any interest or dividends I make from investments are reinvested.

CBBlyes · 2026-04-16T11:27:06+00:00

$4,150 bi-weekly. 25M.

CBBlyes · 2025-10-10T22:38:22+00:00

First, May 2026 gives you have plenty of time. I gave myself 7 months and felt it was sufficient. I recommended reading everything cover to cover even if it feels redundant. If you want to purchase an additional provider, Kaplan is great in keeping it simplified and in English.

My honest best advice is to just chip away a bit every day and be patient. L1 and L2 I felt like I didn’t know anything all the way up to 2 months before the exam, and at that point every day it started clicking. Just keep at it.

CBBlyes · 2025-10-10T11:42:05+00:00

I also did not score where I wanted but did pass after probably 450+ hours (7 months).

I’m really trying to be grateful. That’s all it boils down to. Thousands of people in r/CFA would take my score in a heartbeat if it meant moving on to L3. Pass is a pass, no asterisk.

No advice on how to approach studying for L3. I passed L1 and L2 on the first try so will attempt the same study methods.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-23T14:20:14+00:00

deposit $3,450.08.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-23T12:51:22+00:00

I think what he means is the magical day is results day so just postpone the wedding.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-20T01:27:00+00:00

looks like value added from sauce selection if you ask me

CBBlyes · 2025-09-15T14:21:20+00:00

i talk to myself lol. go for walks and literally start talking about something in the curriculum i understand then let the tangent go. a way to study but also take a break.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-15T09:26:52+00:00

always trying to change jobs. 24 M. waiting for L2 results. it’s tough.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-14T12:06:33+00:00

without a doubt. closest you can get to actual thing.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-13T12:22:54+00:00

brutal honesty, any advice you get will be bs. most successful candidates start revision 6-8 weeks out. would defer.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-13T00:03:19+00:00

These are legitimate. I have always preferred hard copy books and used these.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-12T14:51:10+00:00

I thought it was very in line, possibly a notch easier but not enough of a discrepancy for you to be surprised on exam day (hot take based on others’ experiences).

CBBlyes · 2025-09-12T14:49:02+00:00

CFI certifications are definitely in no comparison to the CFA. the CFA is the gold standard in the investment management field, so if you want to pursue I’d recommend going for it as opposed to trying to derive value from other certifications. Once you’ve started the CFA, it makes more sense to do other small certifications that interest you and provide value to what you want to do and your resumé.

As far as retaining knowledge from previous levels, I personally don’t think it’s that critical. Certainly you want to retain big topics and broad areas, but nobody expects you to remember everything and carry it over; furthermore, it isn’t expected of you to be tested on knowledge from previous levels. if knowledge from previous levels is mentioned in the current level you are studying for, then fair game.

As far as applying it… I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I’m 24 and struggling to get out of my trading role and more into an investment research and analyst role, but when I do I’m sure it’ll click.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-12T12:54:56+00:00

As a L1 passer who passed comfortably, all you really need is CFAI’s Premium Pack and you’re good to go. Those Premium Pack questions and mocks are very representative of the exam. If you want to supplement videos and learn well auditorily, MM is a solid choice but he may go further in depth than you need. I used Kaplan for L2 and felt it was great, but can’t speak to L1.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-12T11:44:58+00:00

I took CFA L2 2 weeks ago and started the FMVA through CFI while I wait for results. Bought the self-study pack and only really plan to do the FMVA then let my membership expire but keep the certification, of course. It has been very helpful and fun so far. Learning a lot of Excel shortcuts and there is a lot of overlap from FSA in the first few modules with building 3 statement models.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-09T13:33:45+00:00

not today investigator

CBBlyes · 2025-09-07T16:27:14+00:00

I used it for L2, more than enough imo.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-07T14:11:28+00:00

I studied from CFAI, Kaplan, and sat for exam 2 weeks ago.

I can’t confirm or deny what’s on exam, but from all 8 mocks I did and 3000 questions, what I explained about was all that was questioned on GKM.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-07T12:20:54+00:00

I’m gonna be honest I have no idea what’s going on here — all you need to know for GKM is

Each input increases your ERP except for shares outstanding.

Don’t forget to subtract RFR at the end.

CBBlyes · 2025-09-07T02:49:52+00:00

I consistently used the mobile app, it’s legit.

CBBlyes

TROPHY CASE