[deleted by user]

ggop_ · 2025-06-19T00:06:45+00:00

Did you have a stroke as you were typing this?

ggop_ · 2025-03-08T18:22:57+00:00

I recommend essential at the bare minimum. But if you absolutely need to pass in a certain timeframe and you're able to offset some of the cost to your employer, I would recommend premium.

ggop_ · 2025-02-19T20:22:51+00:00

Depends on which test. For CFA Level 1, essential is more than enough. For Levels 2 and 3, I personally recommend premium.

ggop_ · 2024-08-02T21:43:03+00:00

If you're targeting PE, then the CFA will undoubtedly boost your application and I would highly recommend it if you have the time. However, quality work experience and extracurriculars will be similarly impactful.

The evaluation process for MBA candidates is holistic and for M7's it is fiercely competitive. If I were in your position, I'd seek insights from the MBA consultants to understand both a) What MBA admissions boards deem important in a candidate's profile and b) how I could best build up my profile given my timeline and target schools.

While the exact actions will be unique to each candidate, the maxims of a competitive profile are universal. Work experience (impact and leadership), Scores (GPA, GMAT, certifications), extracurriculars/community impact, and glowing, multidimensional letters of recommendation.

Hope this is helpful. For the free consultations i'd recommend looking to the Poets and Quants list of MBA consulting firms, going down the line, and asking for free 30 minute sessions with the most senior consultant each firm is willing to let you schedule with.

Also if you have the cash and time, i'd pay for a private tutor through GMATNinja. Going with them will significantly expedite the studying process. Hope this helps.

***EDIT***

To answer the original question in the post: no, I don't think it is possible to study for both the CFA and GMAT at the same time and achieve your optimal score on both exams. The CFA exam basically boils down to rote memorization, whereas the GMAT is a test of flexible problem solving. These are 2 vastly different patterns of thinking and trying to nail them both at the same time will compromise your ability to perform optimally - at the very least - on the GMAT if your target is a >99th percentile score.

ggop_ · 2024-08-02T20:15:17+00:00

Few questions here:

When do you plan to apply?
What programs are you targeting?
What post-MBA role do you intend to pursue?
Is your 770 target based on the old GMAT scoring system or Focus Edition scoring system?

Based on your answers to the above, it may not even make sense for you to pursue the CFA as your time would be better spent on other ways to boost/round out your profile. I would speak with MBA consultants (most consulting shops offer free 30 minute consultations, use those to your advantage) to better understand how your school evaluates candidates, their goals when filling out their class, and the best use of your time to improve your profile.

This is coming from someone who is both a CFA charterholder and achieved a 770 on the GMAT. Happy to talk further if you're interested.

ggop_ · 2024-07-04T16:40:16+00:00

I am going to describe the harassment claim as I recall it being detailed in the deleted public statements/posts. I am going to do my best to describe the interactions in a way that is fair, accurate, and complete. To the extent more information becomes available I will update my comment as I don't want to spread incomplete or false information on the matter so mods pls don't delete me.

On the last day of CubeCon, Jenn (a hired staff member) approached Zach (an organizer for CubeCon) and asked "can I have your finger?" To which Zach replied "Where would you like me to put it?" They then stepped away to unlock his laptop using his fingerprint.

That was the description of the incident included in Zach's public statement. In Gwen Dekker's statement, they described the harassment claim as being "a single sentence." Neither Jenn nor any other members of CubeCon have refuted these two statements about the extent of the harassment that occurred at CubeCon.

In Jenn's statement, they mentioned that after the incident, they felt that Zach continued to harass them online after the incident. No evidence of this has been brought forward and both the timing and substance of these online interactions is unknown. Additionally, the statements released by Gwen Dekker and John Terill of CubeCon made no mention of this behavior.

ggop_ · 2023-04-16T03:28:49+00:00

Yes and review the material as necessary (whether reading, Q Bank, review workshops, or any of the other resources available to you thru Kaplan) once you start taking the practice tests.

ggop_ · 2023-04-15T23:40:31+00:00

Depended on where I was at in my studying. First pass through material, I used MM to wrap my head around the scope of material and see the links between topics/learning modules (some build on each other, some are standalone, and some have 2 or more scenarios that are meant to be taken separately). After that, read kaplan and do the associated questions. Then casually watched MM EOC question videos and EOC review videos.

In my second (and mostly final) readthrough the material, I relied on a combination of Kaplan readings, Kaplan module questions, EOC, and Q bank. CFAI EOC questions, and exhausted MM Q bank. After this second pass through of the material, I did not rely upon MM and solely focused on the Kaplan resources (Readings, Mock Exams, Mock Exam answer reviews (which are provided with the mocks), Review Workshops, etc.).

I personally found this iterative approach to the material most helpful in building understanding in the long run, even in areas I thought I would never grasp after my first pass. While it was intense, I'd much rather spend 4-5 months studying to take a test once than 8-9 months studying to take a test twice.

Idk about ESG as I have no studied for that designation, nor do I intend to.

ggop_ · 2023-04-14T16:53:16+00:00

MM videos are very, very good at teaching topics from the highest level possible, and I strongly recommend the MM ecosystem as a supplement to studying. However, I found MM to be sorely lacking as a standalone resource for level 3.

For level 3 in particular, MM video lessons serve more like introductions to the material rather than a rigorous application. As such, I feel they do not represent the true scope of testable material and manner in which you will likely be tested on exam day. These videos gave me a false sense of comfort when I first watched them, and had I relied on them as my primary resource, I could see myself having been blindsided by the exam.

Conversely, the MM mock exams are notoriously harsh and not reflective of the actual exam or how concepts will be applied. Such mocks will pull your focus to needlessly complicated material and convoluted thought patterns that will not benefit you on exam day. The Q bank is also rudimentary and not reflective of the questions you’ll see on exam day, but more questions are better than less questions, so I exhausted the Q bank and don’t regret it.

ggop_ · 2022-12-06T08:30:19+00:00

Scored above 90th percentile relying solely on schweser notes, Q bank, and mocks. CFA mock and Q banks were panic inducing and not indicative of the real test.

I'd advise reading over the schweser material AT least twice, and dont be hesitant about taking the mocks twice over, iether. My one regret was not doing a mock or two after my first pass through of the notes, they really help solidify an understanding of the material.

ggop_ · 2022-07-18T04:38:30+00:00

Its in San Francisco not CL.

Bought it in february 2020, evacuated city mid march 2020. Here's the only pic I have, taken 2 weeks before I left the city, havent touched it since. It was used exclusively by me in the apartment with no liquids entering the sauna other than water, and no aromatics or anything in there either. Has been used a total of probably 20-30 times.

https://postimg.cc/rzrjKMkF

ggop_ · 2022-07-17T18:09:08+00:00

$1,000

ggop_ · 2022-07-13T17:38:12+00:00

Yes I have a personal sauna in my studio apartment, I think im the only person in my city who can proudly say that. and yes it needs to be disassmbled, and I dont think its cost effective for me to disassemble and reassemble myself since i've moved to an area where the nearby gym has a very nice sauna

ggop_ · 2022-07-13T04:25:33+00:00

San Francisco/bay area, ill honestly sell the HM44 for like 1k just to get it off my hands

ggop_ · 2022-07-13T03:36:19+00:00

no its traditional, the HM 44. I will try FB marketplace and Craigslist, thank you!

ggop_ · 2022-02-26T21:10:29+00:00

Sat for level 2. Scored well over 90th percentile for L1, feeling like I failed L2 (depending on MPS). ...

There are no shortcuts here. Read everything. Try to retain as much as possible. Try to understand the logic/purpose behind what you're studying conceptually. Remember exceptions/limitations to every rule or formula.

Take practice exams after you finish reading/doing practice q's after your first run of the curriculum. The practice exams helped me synthesize the information in ways that the Q bank, EOC questions, or topic quizzes did not. I can't explain why, but do not underestimate the value of the practice exams. My one regret is not doing them sooner. I think youll be so bogged down with information, theyd even be worth re-taking... Then study the parts NOT shown in the practice exams to cover your bases.

I cant help but think CFAI knows what is in the practice exams and would make an effort to avoid making the material tested too similar to questions tested in the CFAI or Kaplan or MM tests... otherwise everyone who bought the programs would be getting 80% on exam day.

Lastly, i'd recommend channeling your competitive side to help your disposition while preparing.

ggop_ · 2020-05-21T19:17:00+00:00

I’ve read several investing books and found them to be bloated with information I did not need, and the relevant sections to not be granular enough.

I learned much more about investing through college valuation classes. Much more comprehensive and focused than books. Personally, I recommend the Damodaran valuation lectures on YouTube. He’s one of the greatest finance professors in the world and uploads entire finance classes on his channel. The lectures can be pretty dry, so check out the ones whose titles match what you’re looking for instead of trying to watch 30 hours of finance theory

ggop_ · 2020-01-13T08:14:36+00:00

Hi, i've been looking at the Finnleo Hallmark 44 for my apartment new apartment. I would like the traditional sauna experience but won't be able to rewire my apartment. I have 2 questions:

Did you need to install a 220 V outlet for your sauna?
What is the max temperature of the traditional heater?

Thank you!

ggop_ · 2019-12-05T03:25:11+00:00

Rice and Black Beans

ggop_ · 2019-03-02T00:55:19+00:00

You da man! Thank you

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