Advices for level II candidate who wants to prepare Level III

pivpomars

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Hello all,
I will take the CFA level II Exam in June 2017. I begin from now and I thinks I’ll pass this exam.
I anticipate for the CFA level III exam in June 2018. The main difficulty of this exam is essay questions and English is my weak point because it is my second (not first) foreign language. I don’t want to fail of cause, so I must have a good preparation.
I try to read the level II and level III books from now. The best scenario that I read half of CFA level III books before August 2017.
Do you have other ideas? What could I prepare? which sessions I must read first?
 
You seem to have correctly identified your English as an issue. I thought people in other countries got to write in their native language?? I gotta figure this sh*t out since I’m taking L3 in Ghana next year.
 
I think the best advice anyone could tell you is just to focus on Level II. Its a tough exam and you only get one shot at it a year. It took me two attempts to pass L2, and trust me, retaking the exam is not fun at all. Also why study something that is subject to change? The curriculum in 2018 for L3 will prob be somewhat different than it is now. Save yourself some time and focus on just L2. Good luck
 
Haha, good luck with the language studies Topper…
I’m fairly certain everywhere writes in English (although I would question whether what I was writing for some of the AM answers counts as English…).
In regards to the OP, pass level 2 first before you start worrying about level 3… It might not be as in the bag as you seem to think it is.
 
Topperharley wrote:
I thought people in other countries got to write in their native language??
LOL! There are many others things outside of US which are completely wrong interpreted by US citizens….
 
Thank you, but English is my third language (and second foreign language). So, I’ll fail the level III for sure without preparing level III from now.
If I prepare the level III now, I thinks have more chances to become CFA charterholder in 2018. Even in the worst case of failing the level II in 2017, I have more time for level II and level III (and have CFA mark in 2019).
I’ll focus now at least on Ethics (session 1,2) Fixed Income (session 11,12) Risk Management (session 15), Asset Allocation (Session 7, 8) Alternative Investment (session 13) because of their similitude with level 2.
I’m happy to have advices from you all (in particular people who took the level III this year) in order to make a good planning.
 
you’re approach strikes me as a recipe for disaster. i would suggest fully focusing on level 2 this year, as others have mentioned. do not underestimate the level 2 exam, it presents its own challenges to those not comfortable reading critically in english (tricky questions, nuanced phrasing, etc). without knowing L2 material inside and out such that you can sort through the complexities of the item set passages, you won’t even have the privilege to fail L3.
once you get through L2 you will see that you will have plenty of time to establish a strategy of writing as little as possible to convey your understanding. you dont have to be (and shouldnt be) a novelist to pass L3.
good luck.
 
Still would say that you need to focus on level 2.
Understand what you are trying to say about strengthening this aspect but your handling of English and conveying answers in English is not going to be helped by revising the material now. I’d suggest that you revise level 2 but practice writing out the answers in full detail form rather than relying on a multiple choice. This would have the benefit of getting used to writing answers to CFA questions in English but also strengthening your understanding of the level 2 material.
 
The best advice for a Level II candidate who wants to prepare for Level III is …
don’t.
 
S2000magician wrote:
The best advice for a Level II candidate who wants to prepare for Level III is …
don’t.
+1M
best response!
OP hasn’t even passed Level II yet…, already thinking about Level III.
 
As said above, I wouldn’t look at the L3 curriculum at all. But if you feel English is a weakness, then a pretty simple thing to do in L2, which won’t hinder your L2 studies, is to incorporate learning-by-handwriting. I.e., when you want to memorize n definition or other concept, write it out by hand (in English, obviously) many times – 10 times, etc. You could make your own mini-tests with boxes to fill in answers.
Hopefully that will help you get more comfortable writing about finance in English … and perhaps some of the concepts will even show up in L3.
 
biuku wrote: As said above, I wouldn’t look at the L3 curriculum at all. But if you feel English is a weakness, then a pretty simple thing to do in L2, which won’t hinder your L2 studies, is to incorporate learning-by-handwriting. I.e., when you want to memorize n definition or other concept, write it out by hand (in English, obviously) many times – 10 times, etc. You could make your own mini-tests with boxes to fill in answers.
Great suggestion!
 
It’s a perfect thing that we, not natural speakers have only written (semi) essay examination on L3, not a defense talk ahead the commission. LOL!
 
Topperharley wrote:
You seem to have correctly identified your English as an issue. I thought people in other countries got to write in their native language?? I gotta figure this sh*t out since I’m taking L3 in Ghana next year.
taking Level 3 for the third time? That’s three years of studying for one test!
Tell me again how easy this exam is.
 
Greenman72 wrote:
Topperharley wrote:
You seem to have correctly identified your English as an issue. I thought people in other countries got to write in their native language?? I gotta figure this sh*t out since I’m taking L3 in Ghana next year.
taking Level 3 for the third time? That’s three years of studying for one test!
Tell me again how easy this exam is.
Stop bullying. You owe the Charter to Adderall. Some here take the normal Route and it might take them longer but that doesnt make you stand above them. My opinion Buddy.
 
I normally don’t laugh at people who fail, nor do I try to belittle them. But in Topperharley’s case, I’ll make an exception.
I would do it to Robertucla too, but he disappeared after failing L2. Remember–they’re the ones that made it personal. I’m just responding to their ad-hominem attacks.
 
I’d say you should try being the bigger person but based on your Water Cooler posts you already have that covered.
 
Greenman72 wrote:
I normally don’t laugh at people who fail, nor do I try to belittle them. But in Topperharley’s case, I’ll make an exception.
I would do it to Robertucla too, but he disappeared after failing L2. Remember–they’re the ones that made it personal. I’m just responding to their ad-hominem attacks.
You sound a little rattled. Did something happen, you sound like you’re feelings are hurt or something LOL. Don’t cry homey.
 
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