By Sophie Macon
Wouldn't it be nice to obtain the CFA charter as quickly as possible?
The fastest route is to pass all 3 exams in less than 2 years, i.e. 18 months, counting the dates from December Level 1 to June Level 3 exams with consecutive passes. This is still similar even in 2021 with Level 1 computer-based testing done 4 times a year.
I somehow managed to do this years ago whilst working full time. So here's a detailed guide of my Level 2 study strategy with some useful tips and insights for your Level 2 preparation.
Wouldn't it be nice to obtain the CFA charter as quickly as possible?
The fastest route is to pass all 3 exams in less than 2 years, i.e. 18 months, counting the dates from December Level 1 to June Level 3 exams with consecutive passes. This is still similar even in 2021 with Level 1 computer-based testing done 4 times a year.
I somehow managed to do this years ago whilst working full time. So here's a detailed guide of my Level 2 study strategy with some useful tips and insights for your Level 2 preparation.
Before we start, a quick overview: this guide starts off by ensuring you know what you're up against in CFA Level 2, answering the key questions you need to bear in mind before studying.
Then, we move onto the details of my Level 2 study plan in 4 months, so you can use this as a base reference when customizing your own study plan.
Finally, I'll end with study tips specifically for Level 2 that I hope is useful for your preparation.
Then, we move onto the details of my Level 2 study plan in 4 months, so you can use this as a base reference when customizing your own study plan.
Finally, I'll end with study tips specifically for Level 2 that I hope is useful for your preparation.
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CFA Level 2: A Quick Overview, Plus Some Q&A
- What Is The Level 2 Exam Format? How Is It Structured?
- How Difficult Is CFA Level 2 vs. Level 1?
- What Are Level 2 Historical Pass Rates Like?
- How Much Does CFA Level 2 Cost?
- What Are The Latest Level 2 Exam Curriculum & Topic Weights?
- How Many Hours I Need To Study for CFA Level 2?
- Can I Self Study Level 2?
- Is There a Maximum Time Gap Between CFA Level 1 and Level 2?
- Here's My CFA Level 2 Study Plan (In 4 Months) & How To Create Yours
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CFA Level 2 Study Tips, From My Experience
CFA Level 2: A Quick Overview, Plus Some Q&A
CFA Level 2 exam is held once a year in June.
While similar to Level 1 in covering 10 broad topics of investment analysis and ethics, the real challenge in Level 2 is to be able to apply those knowledge more thoroughly and accurately under time pressure.
We need to understand what CFA Level 2 is about to beat it. Let's go through some common questions I've received from candidates recently (and my answers):
While similar to Level 1 in covering 10 broad topics of investment analysis and ethics, the real challenge in Level 2 is to be able to apply those knowledge more thoroughly and accurately under time pressure.
We need to understand what CFA Level 2 is about to beat it. Let's go through some common questions I've received from candidates recently (and my answers):
What Is The Level 2 Exam Format? How Is It Structured?
- CFA Level 2 exam consists of 20-30 vignettes (mini case studies) covering 120 multiple-choice questions in total. These are split into two 3-hour exam sessions with 60 questions each.
- On average, each vignette consists of 4-6 questions. Therefore, you should allocate 12-18 minutes per vignette depending on number of questions per vignette (3 minutes per question), which includes reading time as well.
- There are 3 answer choices for each multiple choice question.
- All the 10 Level 2 topics are tested in the both morning and afternoon exam sessions.
- All questions are equally weighted and there are no penalties/negative marking for wrong answers.
How Difficult Is CFA Level 2 vs. Level 1?
Having experienced all 3 Level of the CFA exams, Level 2 is certainly much harder compared to Level 1. I think it would be rare to find a charterholder that tells you otherwise!
Although both Level 1 and Level 2 have similar number of pages in the curriculum across the same 10 topics, the amount of depth and detail Level 2 goes into (and tested on) is significantly more.
Candidates also have to get used to answering the vignettes (mini case studies) multiple choice questions introduced in Level 2. They need to know to answer vignettes efficiently when the vignettes itself can be up to 2 pages long.
That said, passing Level 2 is certainly an achievable goal, as long as you allocated more study time to it vs. Level 1, accompanied with a solid study plan and consistent practice.
Although both Level 1 and Level 2 have similar number of pages in the curriculum across the same 10 topics, the amount of depth and detail Level 2 goes into (and tested on) is significantly more.
Candidates also have to get used to answering the vignettes (mini case studies) multiple choice questions introduced in Level 2. They need to know to answer vignettes efficiently when the vignettes itself can be up to 2 pages long.
That said, passing Level 2 is certainly an achievable goal, as long as you allocated more study time to it vs. Level 1, accompanied with a solid study plan and consistent practice.
What Are Level 2 Historical Pass Rates Like?
The latest pass rates for CFA Level 2 are 44% (June 2019), with an average of 41% for 2010-2019.
For more details on CFA exam pass rates:
How Much Does CFA Level 2 Cost?
The total exam fees for CFA Level 2 are US$700-1,450, depending on how early you register.
There are other optional additional fees to consider:
There are other optional additional fees to consider:
- An extra $170 (includes $20 shipping), if you would like hard copies of the CFA curriculum instead of just e-Books, which are already included in exam registration fees,
- Third party study materials, if you choose to use them, could range from $300-1,500 depending on packages you choose.
For the latest info on CFA exam registration and fees:
What Are The Latest Level 2 Exam Curriculum & Topic Weights?
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CFA Level 2 Topic Area
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Topic Weight in 2020
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Ethics
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10-15%
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Quantitative Methods
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5-10%
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Economics
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5-10%
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Financial Reporting & Analysis
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10-15%
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Corporate Finance
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5-10%
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Equity
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10-15%
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Fixed Income
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10-15%
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Derivatives
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5-10%
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Alternative Investments
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5-10%
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Portfolio Management
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5-15%
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What is interesting about the recently changed Level 2 topic weights is that it is actually possible for the 10 topics to be tested evenly at 10% weighting each, probably done as a move to discourage candidates from dropping topics.
For those considering using previous year's books to study, it's worth referring to the 2020 CFA Curriculum & Topic Weight Changes to check how much the curriculum has changed over the year.
For those considering using previous year's books to study, it's worth referring to the 2020 CFA Curriculum & Topic Weight Changes to check how much the curriculum has changed over the year.
How Many Hours I Need To Study for CFA Level 2?
Based on CFA Institute's June 2018 Candidate Survey, the average Level 2 candidate studied for 325 hours. However, based on our experience to increase chances of passing, studying for a minimum of 350 hours over 4-6 months is more common.
I would recommend having a look at the CFA Fast Track Plan as a guide (for students, working professionals and parents), then use our latest updated Free Study Planner to customize your study plan to get going!
I would recommend having a look at the CFA Fast Track Plan as a guide (for students, working professionals and parents), then use our latest updated Free Study Planner to customize your study plan to get going!
Can I Self Study Level 2?
Yes, it is definitely feasible. I self-studied for all 3 levels of my CFA exams, with a basic study notes package from Kaplan Schweser and tons of practice papers.
You'll need to spend time with Level 2 to understand the materials and make time for practice tests. Discipline is definitely an important factor for those who self study as Level 2 candidates need to do this very consistently to increase chances of passing.
You'll need to spend time with Level 2 to understand the materials and make time for practice tests. Discipline is definitely an important factor for those who self study as Level 2 candidates need to do this very consistently to increase chances of passing.
Is There a Maximum Time Gap Between CFA Level 1 and Level 2?
Unlike FRM, the CFA program doesn't impose any time limit between levels, nor impose any time limit to complete all 3 levels. I've even heard of one candidate having a 7 year gap between Level 1 and Level 2 due to life events - it is certainly helpful to have such flexibility.
However, candidates may lose momentum and motivation if they take a too long a break between exam levels.
However, candidates may lose momentum and motivation if they take a too long a break between exam levels.
Here's My CFA Level 2 Study Plan (In 4 Months) & How To Create Yours
It was late January when my December Level 1 results was announced, and I thankfully passed. I registered for Level 2 right away, as well as purchasing the necessary study materials needed, as I didn't use CFA curriculum as my main reference. Chop chop, only 4 months left till Level 2 June exams!
So I passed my Level 2 exam with a crazy full time banking job in 4 months (18 weeks to be precise). Here are the details of my study plan, which you can easily use as a reference to tailor your study plan:
So I passed my Level 2 exam with a crazy full time banking job in 4 months (18 weeks to be precise). Here are the details of my study plan, which you can easily use as a reference to tailor your study plan:
- Target 350 hours study time for Level 2 preparation: With 18 weeks remaining, that implied nearly 20 hours a week of study hours. To make things worse, I had long hours during the work week in banking and simply didn't have the focus to absorb anything after work. So I only could study on weekends, and made time for 10 hours per day on weekends to cover my required time. Of course, my case may be a little extreme, if you can dedicate 1-2 hours on weekdays, that could make things more manageable depending on your life commitments.
- Create a customized CFA study plan: For this to work and be sustainable, it is really important to tailor your plan around your work/life commitments (here's a few CFA Fast Track study plan as reference for students / working professionals / parents). I highly recommend using the recently upgraded 300Hours' Free Study Planner, which was inspired from the first version of my study plan years ago. Not only does it track your study progress, it also identifies weaker topics, offers practice exam score benchmarks and even predicts your CFA exam score!
- Do not skip topics: As mentioned in the FAQ above, the new topic weights for Level 2 mean that it is possible for all 10 topics to be tested equally. However, there are the 'big 4' topics that requires your attention: Ethics, FRA, Equity and Fixed Income.
- Don't read Ethics first: I didn't start with Ethics, nor did it last, just in case I ran out of time. Instead I slotted it in between my studies in contrast with a heavier topic and just read through the topics in chronological order (see further below for details). Alternatively, feel free to follow the recommendations on best study order for Level 2 Topics.
- Save the last 4-6 weeks for practice exams & revision: Make sure you have covered the study material roughly once before attempting practice papers. Remember, don't skip topics if you can help it.
- Study the 'easier' and 'tougher' topics together: This helps motivation and absorption. For example, it would be unwise to study FRA, Equity and Fixed Income consecutively without slotting in 'lighter' topics like Economics, Ethics for a change of scenery.
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Track your study and time progress: I'm not one for detailed study plans, but to ensure I don't lose track of time, I have allocated 5 weeks out of my 18 weeks for practice and last minute revision. This means I have to cover 48 readings of Level 2 in 13 weeks, i.e. 4 readings per week (I like to round up to be conservative). Here's a quick breakdown of my timetable to the June Level 2 exam, and what I targeted to achieve each month:
- February (4 months before) - First half of the month is focused on Quantitative Methods and Economics, which are relatively 'lighter' topics. Second half of the month is allocated for FRA exclusively.
- March (3 months before) - First 1-1.5 weeks were for Corporate Finance, then 2-2.5 weeks for Equity, with the remaining time for Ethics.
- April (2 months before) - First half of the month is for Fixed Income and Derivatives. Another week with the remaining time allocated for Alternative Investments and Portfolio Management.
- May (5 weeks before) - I reserved the last 5 weeks for question practice and last minute material studies on areas that I needed more work on. It is these 5 weeks that I learnt the most, after I started to try out practice questions. Remember practice makes perfect, and I recommend trying at least 6 full papers timed in your overall studies to get the feel of the speed required for exam. I did 3-4 papers in this month, with scores and timing improving gently over the month (first one was an epic fail, as expected).
- June (5 days before) - I took a 1 week holiday to fully focus on nailing the rest of your practice exams and rereading materials on weaker areas. I also woke up at 630/7am daily to mimic exam conditions whilst taking timed practice exams.
CFA Level 2 Study Tips, From My Experience
Unlike Level 1, Level 2's format is based entirely on item sets - i.e. "mini cases". Each item set has a short vignette accompanied by up to 6 multiple-choice questions that relate to it.
This slight tweak in format requires an updated approach. In addition to my Level I tips and the free Level II commandments, here are 7 ways to cope with Level II that I found extremely useful:
Long story short, that was my Level 2 experience and some recommended strategies to pass it. Hope you guys found these useful, don't forget to leave a comment below!
Meanwhile, you may find my Level 1 and 3 experiences below, along with some other useful articles:
This slight tweak in format requires an updated approach. In addition to my Level I tips and the free Level II commandments, here are 7 ways to cope with Level II that I found extremely useful:
- Balance breadth vs. depth - Level 2's materials are vast and more intense, in the sense that there are more calculations-based questions which require application of a concept. On the flip side, this will work in your favour if you focus your energy in grasping key concepts, and test your understanding with practice questions in that topic. Set a fixed time to do this for each concept, and move on to the next one once time is up as there are lots to cover. You need to make sure you've at least understood 70% of all the materials, rather than 100% of half the syllabus.
- Make summary notes - While studying for each concept, I summarized my learnings for that concept on paper as well. Do this especially for topics that you find difficulty understanding. It aids memory and you'd be thankful for concise revision notes nearer to the exams.
- Save time by skimming questions first - With item sets, a technique that works well in the exam is to have a quick read of the questions in a vignette first. That way, you can then proceed to read the vignette with more purpose and focus in searching for the answer. I found that this significantly reduced the back-and-forth checking between vignette and questions - a super time-saver.
- Emphasise keywords - Done in conjunction with the point above, always highlight keywords in your reading of questions and vignettes. With more to read in this Level, you can spot and remind yourself of tricky wordings used and minimize costly mistakes. Some examples include "except", "is not", "most/least likely", "closest to" etc.
- Time management - It may seem more relaxing now that there are only 10-15 vignettes with 4-6 questions per vignette in each paper, but believe me the pressure is the same! You don't really have 3 minutes per question, as you need to take into account timing to read the vignette, and they are on average 1-2 pages long. So allot yourself a maximum of 18 minutes per item set, and when time's up, shoot and go.
- Take the last 1-2 weeks off work - It's key for all levels to take a week off prior to the exam for last minute drilling. However, this time I added on an additional week of personal holidays for an extra boost. You will learn loads in a short space of time doing practice questions, reading your summarized notes and reviewing formulae. Get additional materials if you find yourself idle. Now is the time to really work for it and not regret.
- Plan your celebration - The most fun tip of all. You need to set up a plan to celebrate after your exams, right now. Whether it's a party, nice dinner out, or bungee jumping, it is important to have something to look forward to on days where motivation is lacking. The more outrageous and fun, the better. For me, my vice was having a couch potato evening (yes, wild, I know) with junk food dinner. It became a post CFA exam tradition for me ever since.
Long story short, that was my Level 2 experience and some recommended strategies to pass it. Hope you guys found these useful, don't forget to leave a comment below!
Meanwhile, you may find my Level 1 and 3 experiences below, along with some other useful articles:
- CFA Level 2 Topics: What is the Best Study Order?
- CFA Level 1: How to Prepare & Pass CFA in 18 Months
- CFA Level 3: How to Prepare & Pass CFA in 18 Months
- Fast Track CFA Charter: How to Pass the CFA Exams in the Fastest Way Possible
- Free & Upgraded - 300Hours CFA Study Planner
- Free 300 Hours Guides, including the 10 Commandments