Is CFA Level 2 THAT difficult?

There are L1 / L2 comparisons ad nauseam … just understand that:
1. The format is very different (and more challenging to those who read slowly);
2. There are no easy sections; and
3. You need to know all sections in depth - no skipping, or your chance of passing takes a nose-dive
Its your time, money and effort so do as you please
Good luck!
 
my personal opinion: yes, it more difficult, but manageable.
My own experience: I sat on last year Dec level 1 and got pass result this Jan. So I didn’t start until late Jan.
On the exam day, I finished AM session within 2 hours and PM session within 2 hours and 20 minutes, and got pass.
I don’t have any finance education background, I work on buy side invementments though.
So don’t be afraid, you will get it.
p.s. From Feb to May, I studied about 2-3 quality hours every weekdays, and about 4-5 hours over the weekends, took off from work in the last 2 weeks for fulltime study. (in the mid March, I skipped couple of weeks for vacations).
 
I have a below-average memory, my uni gpa was below 3, and i still passed:
L1: All>70
L2: Deriv<50, All else> 70
I studied about 450 hours for L2 though. My tip: Get over studying the CFAI books as FAST as you can, to maximize ur reviewing/mock exams’ time.
 
Not that difficult at all…i took the level 1 exam in dec.2012 and passed it on my first attempt..started studying for level 2 only in feb. Used schweser but did all the CFAI EOC’s atleast twice. In the end when i did not have time to do mocks i just kept revising..you probably wont believe me but i didnt even do a single mock and passed..although its not something i would advice anyone.
I probably just scraped through: got > 70 in FRA, equtiy, CF and quants. Im pretty sure i hit 85+ in FRA and CF
Good Luck :)
 
Yes it’s difficult, yes there is a bias. But what one man can do, another can do. 43% of the candidates did it, and so can you if you put that work in.
 
This probably is not news to anyone on Analyst Forum, but just in case someone else finds this reassuring, a mentor of mine recently shared the following:
While the Level II exam lives up to its reputation, it does compare favorably to Level I in two respects - 1) the curriculum has a sharper focus and 2) candidates have presumably honed their study skills while preparing for Level I.
 
ofthedivision17 wrote:
While the Level II exam lives up to its reputation, it does compare favorably to Level I in two respects - 1) the curriculum has a sharper focus and 2) candidates have presumably honed their study skills while preparing for Level I.
Click to expand...
I had the exact same thoughts before I signed up for level 2.
I’m not worried about not passing Level 2, but the exam needs to be shown respect and I know I will have to put a big effort in to pass it.
 
hold you nerves for the am section, be a champion and ace evening session … and don’t forget to put min 400 hours on yourside …. what I did was alotttttttttttttttttssssssss of repitition of concepts. Last two months are the key. Get proper sleep if you can in these two months and try going to gym. Listen to some great music in the morning, get a good night sleep before that and it should be fine :P
 
the test format is harder (vignettes vs short multiple choice), but u can get used to that after some practice
in terms of the material, its much much harder. u are not learning terms or concepts, u are applying. u are not classifying cash flows, but rather u are doing real accounting and calculating cash flows.
lastly, level 1 is covered in a finance bachelors, and level 2 is not at all
 
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