Taking both CAIA and CFA Level II in the Spring

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KMarshall

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Long time lurker, first time poster.
I just passed the CAIA Level I and will be taking CFA Level I in December. This is my second time taking the CFA L1 and I expect to pass it (I had failed band 8, taking 7City now instead of self-study like last time).
I am aware that Level II for both programs is pretty tough, and wanted some advice. I know the do-ableness of the following is unique to each candidate, but perhaps people can share their experiences.
My current plan is:
CAIA 1 in September
CFA 1 in December
CAIA 2 in March
CFA 2 in June
Assuming I take a few weeks off of studying after the CFA 1, this leaves me 3 months for each level 2. Is this not realistic? I don’t want to be burned out with all of the studying and 65-80h weeks (or waste more of my fading youth).
Instead of this packed schedule, I’m thinking I should take the CAIA 2 next fall and just focus on CFA 2 for now and hope that I pass that. I don’t expect the CAIA to have an immediate impact on my career, I guess I simply want it out of the way. Should I just write off the next 7 months and go HAM?
Thoughts? Thanks
 
I am in the same (sort-of boat).
I completed PRM 2 months ago . Passed CAIA.
I now have college exams from 3rd - 9th November.
FRM on 19th Nov.
CFA on 4th December.
And 2 months to prepare for GMAT after that
*sigh* then college exams again.
Trust me. If you want to do it, it can be done. There is overlap in every exam. In the end, they are all about finance.
Each one talks about present value, future value, yield, interest rates, etc.
Focus on completing a read through of each exam. And, as they come close, do a revision and start doing practice questions.
 
Level II of the CFA us tough. Everyone is different, but I personally don’t think 3 months for Level II is sufficient. There’s always someone that says they passed with less than 200 hours, but on average the research shows that you need to put in some serious time.
 
Hi, OP. I’m not trying to be mean here, but given that you failed CFA L1 once, I seriously doubt your ability to pull off this schedule. CFA L2 is significantly more difficult than L1. You should skip the CAIA exams until you’re done with the CFA program. No one cares about the CAIA.
 
Thanks for the comments. I think your concern ohai is valid. While I’m seeing a world of difference between self-study and 7city, and think I would have passed the first time with a prep provider, the fact that I didn’t is worrisome.
Granted, if I were to take on that schedule, I would do 7city/uppermark and that would help.
All said and done, I think I’ve decided to just wait on the CAIA. Studying for the CFA II with 65-80h work weeks should be taxing enough, no need to risk failing either/all. Also, the exam and prep fees are around $1500-2000…If I’m not going to really benefit from the CAIA program within the next 12 months, might as well invest the money or something.
Thanks again
 
I took level 2 CFA in June last year and there is no way i would have passed with just 3 months study. I started studying at the start of january and think that my timetable ended up being quite confortable.
I took CAIA l1 last September and only really studied for a month for that. This year i took CFA l3 in June and CAIA l2 in September and passed both but there is no way i could have squeezed level 2 CAIA in in march (its much more involved than l1). I probably would have failed both.
The way i thought about it is by taking l2 CAIA in September i only had to wait 3 more months to finish both Charters, i would much rather that option than trying to do them both march then june and potentially failing one or both then you have to wait until the next year to finish.
Good luck with CFA 1! IMO level 2 is much harder so when you get to it focus on it and give yourself the best chance of passing.
 
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