Advice for taking CFA with a full/overtime job

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GustavoCB

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Hey Guys,
Im a newbie, but I have been looking in this forum for a while. I need some advice on when would be the best time to apply for the CFA level 1 exam (June or December).
I just got hired to work for the Big 4 in Transfer pricing (about a month ago), but we have an upcomming busy season (January-end of Aptil). My supervisor said that I will be expecting to work at least 50-55 hours per week (lucky me). Do you think if I put up a 350 hours study time I would be comfortably ready for the exam on June? I guess this means having no life. would 15/hrs per week be doable? Or would you recommend to study with more ample time and suggest the december date. I’m in no rush, but if June is a possible date, I wouldnt mind doing it.
Thanks in advance!
 
You’ve got alot more free time than many that write it. 350 hours is enough if you have some intelligence.
 
50-55 hours is a luxury for me!! I work 60 hours plus - Big Four Transactions team and currently signed up for Level III.
 
10 hours a day??? 50-55 hours is a joke for many finance folks. PLENTY OF TIME to study
 
If you are single with no kids or big family committements, then its shouldn’t be a problem.
If you are married with kids, its doable, but will require alot more effort and sacrifice.
Good luck.
 
50-55? That’s a parttime job…
But yes, you sohuld have time to write in June. I say do it andif you don’t make it, you certainly will next December.
I would budget for 1-2 hours each day during the week, and then 8 hours each day of the weekend.
 
You were lucky. We lived for three months in a brown paper bag in a septic tank. We used to have to get up at six o’clock in the morning, study for the CFA, eat a crust of stale bread, go to work down mill for fourteen hours a day week in-week out. When we got home, out Dad would thrash us to sleep with his belt!
but seriously - consider booking vacation. either 1wk or better 2. maybe not needed for L1. but well worth it for L2.
 
I’m married with kids and a full-time job. My husband also travels a lot so that makes studying tough during the weeks. I managed to study 1-2 hours a day during the week and then 6-8 hours on both Saturday and Sunday.
The key for me was setting a study schedule, building in days that I knew I wouldn’t be able to study and then sticking to that schedule no matter what.
Working full time/family obligations makes studying more difficult but if you’re organized, it’s very do-able.
 
Studied my L3 with 60 hour work week while wife was pregnant. Totally doable. Baby popped out 3 days before my pass result.
 
I totally relate to your concerns. I am registered for Level 1 in June 2016. Gonna be doing 65 hour work weeks (could be 70 in feb) from Jan to April. I suggest you make the best possible use of the December holidays and try to carve out 5-6 hours on Sundays during that stretch. The important thing is to have a plan in place and to account for the busy work schedule in that plan.
I am positive its manageable basis my review of the structure of the curriculum!
Best of luck studying!!
 
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