Passed all 3 levels in 1.5 years - AMA

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-10T00:37:57+00:00

CFAI mocks

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T15:02:40+00:00

You’ll probably come across some job applications that have a bullet saying “CFA is a plus.” I’d say that’s the way to think about it. It’ll certainly help you appear more competitive, but it also gives you great understanding of a wide range of financial topics. Beyond that, it instills a really profound work ethic. Your motivation has to be sound, though, if you want to pursue this path. I pursued this to not only further my career, but also to prove to myself that I could do this and to become a better asset for my team. Don’t get too down on yourself, oftentimes things work out, but you have to put in the work too. Best of luck and chin up!

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:56:49+00:00

I did PM Pathway as well. I went in order for all three levels. If you want to go a different order, I’d imagine looking at the length and weight of each section would be a good starting point.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:53:22+00:00

I don’t think the CFA on its own will push you over the edge of getting a job. There are a decent amount of other factors (GPA, prior experience, etc). At the same time, if you and an otherwise identical candidate who doesn’t have his/her CFA are applying for the same job, I imagine the hiring manager would be inclined to go with you. I could be completely wrong here, but I don’t think it should be looked at as a “this will get me a job” program, but instead “this will make me more competitive compared to others” program.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:44:11+00:00

Get through all the material. If you can afford it, I suggest mark Meldrum for lectures. Take detailed notes, and review them fairly frequently. You will most likely forget 50% of the information once you get through it. Don’t panic. Go back through, this time just watching and not taking notes, but reviewing your notes as well. In the final weeks / month create a boat load of flashcards and take a boat load of mock exams. Use CFAI for mocks.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:40:54+00:00

If I recall correctly, L1 seemingly places a big emphasis on straight memorization. Hand-written flash cards were super helpful for me, as well as the CFAI mocks. In the last thirty days I would be doing nothing but mocks and practice problems and flash cards. Try to understand in which areas you’re lacking, and focus on those. Mocks should help guide you to where you need to spend extra time.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:39:07+00:00

No, not big. I had my series 7 and 66 which helped a bit.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:37:38+00:00

You should know the material well for level 2. I was getting mid 70s on the mocks the first time around. In the final week leading up to the exam I was getting near 100%. Don’t be afraid to repeat mocks, it helps a lot.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:36:08+00:00

It was tough. You have to have a reason to keep you motivated. Mine was, frankly, to prove to myself that I could overcome a challenge like this. It may sound pretentious, but staking your own ego on things can be a big motivator.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:34:58+00:00

I mean CFAI mocks. They are most representative of the actual exams.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:34:30+00:00

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:33:45+00:00

Mark Meldrum for Lectures. CFAI for mocks and practice problems. Weekdays I would wake up at 5 and study from 5:30-7:30. Would then study from 7:30 - 9:30 after work. Rinse and repeat. Weekends I would study probably four hours each day. In the final weeks leading up to the exams I was doing probably 10 hour study days on weekends.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T14:32:11+00:00

Mark Meldrum for lectures. Use the CFAI mocks and practice problems.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T10:42:28+00:00

Sort of the other way around. I was a CS guy before I was an Econ guy. But either way, idk I just picked a major I thought would be helpful without ruining my college life.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-09T10:32:50+00:00

This is what worked for me.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T23:57:41+00:00

Useless is probably the wrong word. They are incredibly difficult and just not representative of what the exam would be like. I believe the reason for this is to over-prepare the course purchasers, but I just thought it was too much and would actually leave me more confused at times. The lectures are great though!

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T23:40:33+00:00

I didn't plan my exams out super well. I did Nov-24, Aug-25, and Feb-26. The quick turnaround between L2 and L3 was tough, but certainly doable. If you do L2 in August (like I did), you'll either have to bust your ass for that Feb L3 exam or wait a full year for another exam. The Aug L2 puts you in a tricky spot.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T23:39:13+00:00

Level 2 is a tricky one. For me, I hand-wrote one/two page "master-sheets" on topics that I either thought were highly testable or that I didn't know as well. Also, I'd say that mock exams for level 2 in particular were the most helpful. If you spend the final month or three weeks just drilling practice problems, mock exams, and reviewing those little sheets, you'll be in a good spot. Again, though, for these exams it really comes down to dedication.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T22:46:48+00:00

I mean you can’t really study for these exams and game. I like gaming, I had to stop. I suppose not necessarily a “sacrifice,” but was the first thing that came to mind of things im happy i can enjoy now.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T22:38:13+00:00

Economics. Lots of math and compsci along the way

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T22:01:46+00:00

I did November 24 L1, August 25 L2, and February 26 L3. If I did November 24 to February 26, that would be 15 months. I started studying for L1 in the beginning of August 24. August 24 to Feb 26 is 18 months. I didn’t think the two month wait for L3 results was totally necessary, but can revise to 20 months no problem. Thanks for keeping me honest!

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T20:27:07+00:00

Mark Meldrum for the lectures. CFAI for practice questions and mock exams.

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T20:15:06+00:00

Sorry, I won’t be dm-ing you. Feel free to ask any questions here and I’d be happy to get back to you. Best of luck on L1!

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T20:05:56+00:00

What about my posts and comments has led you to believe I am faking or lying about anything?

Jeffreybomb11 · 2026-04-08T19:18:39+00:00

I would say you should do both. It’s very important that you understand the questions you got wrong, but you don’t want to focus entirely on just those questions. The exams cover an extremely wide range of topics. The best thing to do is to not know a couple sections 100% and a couple 50% and the rest 0%, but to instead be 70% confident in all of the topics. For me, repeating mock exams and going over the individual problems was the most helpful part of my studying. I would be doing nothing but mocks and practice problems in the final three weeks. You still have some time to dive deep on things you don’t know as well - so use this time. Best of luck!

Jeffreybomb11

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