How to Pass CFA Level 2 in 2023 | 90th Percentile Score

Hi guys! I hope you enjoy this video on all my best tips for passing CFA Level II in 2023 :) These tips helped me a lot when I took and passed the exam after about 2.5 months of studying.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:32 My Background
1:07 Study Schedule
3:54 A Very Quantitative Exam
4:20 Study Materials
4:40 CFA Learning Ecosystem
5:51 Identify Strengths & Weaknesses
7:44 You Don't Have to Know Everything
9:30 Vignette Questions
11:00 The Importance of Ethics
13:40 Outro
Link to my video on my top tips for CFA Level I:
• How to Pass CFA Level ...
Link to my video on whether the CFA is worth it for you:
• Is the CFA Worth It Fo...
Link to my video on how to get your first job in finance:
• How to Land Your First...
Link to my latest working from office video:
• Office Work Day in the...
If you enjoyed the video, please like and subscribe :)
Instagram: @pearlstella_ps
Email: pearlstellayt@gmail.com
Articles mentioned in the video:
- CFA prep courses: www.investopedia.com/best-cfa...
- Theory about the importance of Ethics: soleadea.org/cfa-exam/results...
- CFA Program Candidate Survey: www.cfainstitute.org/-/media/...

Пікірлер: 59

  • @tucker8071
    @tucker80717 ай бұрын

    BEWARE OF THIS VIDEO! Hey guys, every test-taker is different so there is no hard rule about how much studying you should do and when, but I can tell you that if you didn't get a masters in finance or something, waiting till 2.5 months before the exam to start studying for the CFA Level 2 is NOT setting yourself up for success. Even if you do pass, those 2.5 months are going to be a nightmare of stress and anxiety for essentially a stab in the dark on exam day. People forget that the CFA is not only a breadth exam, but a depth exam. Breadth in that it has tons of material, but also depth in that memorizing every word and formula of the CFAI material (obviously impossible) still wouldn't guarantee getting every question correct. Why? Because the CFA exam also measures your intuition based on a deep understanding of the material. This is why you need 6 months to slowly absorb the information to get the 'Why' behind the formulas to truly be successful on exam day. Pearl also is wrong about the amount of hours. She states in the video that 300 hours is on the high side and maybe too much, but this is also incorrect. 300 hours is the AVERAGE amount of time spent studying by CFA level 2 candidates. Guess what? Less than half of all candidates pass the examine! This means the average candidate likely needs MORE than 300 hours to pass. If you want to get in the 90th percentile you likely need much more than that. Every candidate is different, which includes different backgrounds in finance, abilities to digest material and every candidate has different luck on exam day, so there is no hard rule on hours, but in my opinion this video is misleading. If you are an average guy with an average finance background then you need 6 months to pass the examine with a minimum of 300 hours. My story: Before level 2, I spent 7 months studying. I got through the entire material about 6 weeks prior to the examine and then spent the rest of the time reviewing, memorizing and taking mock exams. I never crammed or felt stressed until about the week or so before the examine. I was able to take days off whenever I pleased and spent on average an hour or two studying on the weekdays. The CFA experience can be enjoyable if you give yourself time to understand and digest. For all of these reasons, I disagree with Pearl and hope that candidates do NOT take her advice. Good luck on your exam!

  • @gradoscapital

    @gradoscapital

    3 ай бұрын

    This comment should be pinned! lol I 100% agree. To just PASS, nevermind in the 90th percentile, with just 2.5 months of study would suggest to me that Pearl has an extraordinarily high IQ and/or an extensive background in finance prior to pursuing the CFA. Definitely NOT an average candidate! I, like you, spent 7 months for level 1 and had 6 weeks for review and mock exams. I took the February 2024 level 1 and plan to take the November level 2 (not August) because that's more than likely the amount of time I'll need. I spent approximately 450-500 hours studying for level 1 - and level 2 will be harder no doubt! I also found that around 3 hours of studying per day was my personal limit. There's just so much the mind can handle in a single period of time and it needs time to "digest" the information. Biologically, the glycogen in your brain gets depleted and is restored the next day after resting.

  • @user-nr2sy7jx1k

    @user-nr2sy7jx1k

    Ай бұрын

    @@gradoscapital 3 sigma iq with background or 4 sigma + with almost eidetic memory

  • @omerfaruk45

    @omerfaruk45

    26 күн бұрын

    And you need even more time to study if English is not your mother tongue. Being a non-native speaker of English puts a huge pressure, especially in vignette type of questions.

  • @wallstreetzoomer

    @wallstreetzoomer

    6 күн бұрын

    Cfa candidates like to overstate how difficult the exam is lol. It’s finance not medicine or engineering

  • @tucker8071

    @tucker8071

    6 күн бұрын

    @@wallstreetzoomer it’s considered one of the most difficult exams in the world. Proceed with caution.

  • @prathamjaiswal2983
    @prathamjaiswal2983 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Pearl for making this video and motivating me get started with L2 with your tips and tricks!

  • @ImranAhmed-yg2ti
    @ImranAhmed-yg2ti Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for taking the time to break down the CFA L2 and sharing the tips. Your videos are truly inspiring for those of us going through or about to begin CFA journey.

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so so much for your comment and super thanks! It means incredibly much to me to hear that you enjoy my videos😃 I wish you all the best with your CFA journey!🍀🤗🙌

  • @ImranAhmed-yg2ti

    @ImranAhmed-yg2ti

    Жыл бұрын

    @@pearlstella ❤

  • @shreyanshjain8626
    @shreyanshjain8626 Жыл бұрын

    Oh it is such a pleasure and peaceful to watch you! You are a really cheerful personality. My jaws would hurt if I had to talk so much with a smile always :-)

  • @mikeozy8639
    @mikeozy8639 Жыл бұрын

    yay I was literally about to ask you where l2 video is. Your advice helped me clear the level I in 3 months so THANKS!!!

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    iih that makes me so happy to hear!! CONGRATS on clearing Level I🤗

  • @mikeozy8639

    @mikeozy8639

    Жыл бұрын

    @@pearlstella Thank you! :)

  • @pearlstella
    @pearlstella Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching guys! Are you currently studying for a CFA exam?🤗

  • @Loveurself0512

    @Loveurself0512

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes,have cleared LEVEL 1 with 90 percentile,am starting to prepare for Level 2

  • @arturopineda66
    @arturopineda6610 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the tips. Second time I'll take level 2, and only have 2.5 months to go while having a full time job. Scaring :)

  • @sapnakhoobchand2876
    @sapnakhoobchand2876 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Stella, You mentioned studying from CFA curriculum in 2.5 months but it's so extensive it's impossible to read it in 2.5 months. And please also advice on how much practice you did to prepare, like amount of practice questions

  • @farogatolimjonova9566
    @farogatolimjonova95669 ай бұрын

    Hi Pearl! Found your channel recently and I love it! I am currently preparing for L2 (the exam is in May 2024). In L1, I was under time pressure, so I mostly sticked to Schweser notes, but for L2 I am want to follow curriculum materials and use the learning ecosystem. What do you think, is it a good plan or should I invest in other tools too? Thanks!

  • @mohamedyousef4049
    @mohamedyousef4049 Жыл бұрын

    Hi there, nice to meet you and ,Thanks for sharing best of luck to you 😑😂❤️

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    haha thanks so much!! I'll get my L3 results Thursday this week😅

  • @Loveurself0512
    @Loveurself0512 Жыл бұрын

    Hey ,pearlstella ,very informative & effectively made video.Could u share ur graduate & undergraduate background & ur job profile.Just curious ,as u managed to clear Level 2 in just 2-3 months.Itvis just spectacular.Congratulations

  • @brians4640
    @brians4640 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Pearl, what were you scoring on your mock exams (for all three levels)? What would you say is a good score on a cfai mock exam?

  • @SarahSivan
    @SarahSivan Жыл бұрын

    Such great advice! I also got destroyed on derivatives on all 3 levels hehe…worst topic!

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    thank you so much!! I'm happy I'm not alone hahaha derivatives is the worsttt😂

  • @samyakjain1163
    @samyakjain1163 Жыл бұрын

    hey , i,m from India and like the way you give insights of being a financial analyst, I would like to know that how much hours daily is enough to clear cfa in one shot. and yes i like the way you move your hands at the beginning of video while welcoming your viewers

  • @Bluemoonrealtygroup0617
    @Bluemoonrealtygroup061711 ай бұрын

    I have failed the CFA Level II exam three times using Kaplan. Weird fascination with memorizing formulae and doing manual calculations to pass. Passed the CPA exam on my first attempt, but scored below 50% in the FSA section of this exam on my last attempt.

  • @abhishekmehta4577
    @abhishekmehta4577 Жыл бұрын

    Could you share your cfa level 2 result ?

  • @oanhbui8386
    @oanhbui8386 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Pearl, did you study for CFA level 2 by structured plan or adaptive plan? Looking forward to your experience and tips on passing level 3 :)

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Oahn! I studied by the structured plan for all my exams, but I would skim readings sometimes for things I was already familiar with🤗 I wish you best of luck!!

  • @Hamz2178
    @Hamz21787 күн бұрын

    How did you remember everything while studying from previous topics you had already studied ? Regular revisit of questions you had done ? Any advice appreciated !

  • @YoshiMashups
    @YoshiMashupsАй бұрын

    Thanks for the vid. I passed the CFA Level 1 easily by just using Schweser. But omg what the hell is level 2? Some topics are not covered well in Schweser like derivatives and fixed income. Plus I’m so annoyed that I keep forgetting a lot of the material I studied earlier on when I move to later topics. Some questions are so intense, like the credit analysis (the binomial trees) or so broad and requires memorization like hedge fund strategies and real estate investments. I’m so demoralized cuz I studied so much and still not able to retain all that information all at once. I’m like a straight A student in college and so hard on myself for not getting this lol.

  • @Brian39213
    @Brian39213 Жыл бұрын

    Hi there, could you make a video on how to study effectively without taking notes pls ? There are a lot of definitions and things to remember, and I've realized that taking notes takes up a lot of my time. Thanks

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! That's a really great idea -- I will work on that video🤗

  • @garri848
    @garri848Ай бұрын

    is the learning ecosystem of the CFA still free after registration? I checked the platform and I can’t see all sections and there are no mock up exams unless I pay for the upgraded study material

  • @agabaedmand6083
    @agabaedmand608311 ай бұрын

    @pearl, how and when can i deffer an exam without losing any amount

  • @WorldWideSk8boarding
    @WorldWideSk8boarding Жыл бұрын

    Studied 4 months for level 1, thought im gonna fail, passed with like +95% percentile but this was last summer! I had 2 semester of university since the level 1, so I remember NOTHING 😭 Now I have 4months to study for level 2, im scared already

  • @erickstanza8782
    @erickstanza87827 ай бұрын

    How the hell did she read all 6 books, and write notes, and answer every question, and do both CFAI mocks in just 2.5 months?? Did she just read the summaries and study the questions??

  • @mohammadmeeran977
    @mohammadmeeran977 Жыл бұрын

    Hi Pearl. Can you please tell how difficult is the actual Level II exam relative to EOC/Portal questions and the mock exams? Also, any tips regarding how to perform well in Ethics? I pray that you passed the Level III exam. 😊

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much Mohammad! In my experience, the CFA EOC or Learning Ecosystem practice questions did a great job at preparing me for the L2 exam, both in terms of the level of difficulty and the type of questions. I would definitely recommend to do as many practice questions as possible (even if that means that you have to skip some readings if you're under time pressure), they helped me a ton🤗 In terms of Ethics, I would also just say that the practice questions (and reading the answer explanations) are super important. I wish you best of luck on your exam!!

  • @nataliagrigalus6239

    @nataliagrigalus6239

    11 ай бұрын

    @@pearlstella did you do the open questions that the Ecosystem have? play any games or flascard they have there? I saw so many errors in questions that make me doubt it. how many mock test u did?

  • @rajeshjethva1598
    @rajeshjethva1598 Жыл бұрын

    Hi. Can You Make Video on 30-40 days Strategy for CFA level 1 May 2023?..Assuming that I completed 4 topics till now, 6 Topic Remain 😢 feeling nervous 😔 Suggestions for me what to do to clear May 23?

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Rajesh🤗 that's a challenge, but it's definitely still possible to pass! If I were you I would stop doing the regular readings for the 6 remaining topics, and instead I would just read the summaries for those topics and do as many practice questions as you can on them (and read the explanation every time you get a question wrong and learn that way). I find the practice questions prepare you better than the normal readings do. And then make sure you set aside time before your exam (ideally 10 days or so) for review and for doing a practice exam, that probably leaves you around 25 days to finish the curriculum or 4 days per topic (out of 6 topics). I wish you best of luck!!🙌

  • @travellingsarek3982
    @travellingsarek3982 Жыл бұрын

    Yep

  • @shrutibharadiya3780
    @shrutibharadiya3780 Жыл бұрын

    Gonna apply the Ethics suggestion to my CFA L1 exam🌝 FSA content is just so extreme 🤧

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    so happy you found it helpful! I wish you best of luck on L1🤗 and YESSS agreed I wish FSA wasn't so extreme😂

  • @pearlstella
    @pearlstella Жыл бұрын

    What is your best CFA study tip?😃

  • @manojgolvankar5940
    @manojgolvankar59406 күн бұрын

    I ❤ you

  • @sokunthy2009
    @sokunthy2009 Жыл бұрын

    Most of time, I heard you say CPA instead of CFA. 🤔

  • @souravtoshniwal9930
    @souravtoshniwal9930 Жыл бұрын

    Hi pearl how was your cfa level 3 result ?

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for asking!! I recorded myself opening my result today and will post the video on youtube next week🤗

  • @user-nr2sy7jx1k
    @user-nr2sy7jx1kАй бұрын

    2.5 months omg i thought 1 month was enough

  • @someonespeci1697
    @someonespeci1697 Жыл бұрын

    #cfasuicide is real

  • @user-AbdullahTahir
    @user-AbdullahTahir Жыл бұрын

    Welcome back, and don't forget to share your CFA L3 results with us.

  • @pearlstella

    @pearlstella

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!! I'll definitely do that -- I get my results Thursday this week (I'm a bit of a nerve wreck at this point haha😂)

  • @user-AbdullahTahir

    @user-AbdullahTahir

    Жыл бұрын

    @@pearlstella, you got this, girl.

  • @ravindraswami89008
    @ravindraswami890089 ай бұрын

    Hi I wanted to seek guidance from you regarding level 2 preparation how may I contact you ? Will be really grateful if you could help me out