CFA® Exam Blog
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CFA® Exam Blog
CFA Institute does not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of CrushTheFinancialAnalystExam.com. CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
2020 FRM Exam Dates
/in FRM /by Bryce WelkerBest CFA® Study Materials – Top 8 Courses
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerChoosing the best CFA® exam study material is the single most important decision you will make on your journey towards becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst. A good CFA review course needs to be as comprehensive and versatile as the professionals who hold this certification. Since CFAs often work in industries ranging from portfolio management and risk analysis to research and strategy1, you’ll want to be an expert in these subjects when you sit for the…
Best CIMA Study Materials
/in CIMA /by Bryce WelkerAnalystPrep FRM & CFA Review
/in CFA Courses, FRM /by Bryce WelkerBest FRM Exam Prep Courses
/in FRM /by Bryce WelkerThe first step to becoming a Financial Risk Manager is finding a high-quality FRM course. You will be spending dozens of hours studying with it, so it’s critical to find one that matches your personal learning style. We have reviewed all the major FRM exam prep courses on the market so you don’t have to! The comparison chart below will help you find the FRM study materials that best fit your needs. FRM Prep Course Comparison Chart Analyst…
Top 3 Reasons To Become a CFA®
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerIf you’re interested in a career in finance, you have a lot of options for financial certifications that can boost your career path. However, many of these certifications are expensive and may be specific to the United States. If you’re looking for a cost-effective certification that will give you global recognition and a deep understanding of finance, you may consider becoming a CFA®. We have outlined the top 3 reasons you should consider the certified…
Wiley vs Kaplan Schweser CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerWhich CFA® prep course is better, Wiley or Kaplan Schweser CFA Review? To help you decide, I’ll evaluate the software, practice tests, cost, and other important features of each course to help you decide which is a better fit for you. I have used both of these courses and through my experience found there are some stark differences between the two. (You can also read my full, individual breakdown of both Wiley CFA® & Kaplan…
CFA® Mock Exams and Practice Exams
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce Welker75% of CFA® Exam candidates use mock exams as their primary way to prepare for the CFA exam, and for good reason. A good CFA® mock exam will help you become familiar with the structure and content of the exam, allow you to figure out what you still need to study, and give you an idea of how much time you will have for each question. The more CFA® practice exams you take under similar conditions to…
Wiley CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerLet’s Examine the CFA® Scoring System
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerYou finished taking your first level of the CFA® exam, now what? You’re probably have tons of questions about how the exam is scored and when you’ll know your results. These are all valid questions and frustratingly complicated to find direct answers. Your CFA® exam result will either be a pass or did not pass. Seems simple enough, but what determines a not passing score and who’s calling the shots? Let’s check out what goes…
AdaptPrep CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerWiley CFA® Review vs Fitch Learning
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerWhich CFA exam prep course is better, Wiley CFA Review or Fitch Learning CFA Review? In this head-to-head comparison, I rate its software, practice tests, cost, and other important features to help you decide which review course is a better fit for you. I have used both of these courses and found some very significant differences that every CFA® candidate should know about when considering both of these options. (You can also read our full,…
What Are the Differences Between the CFA® Exam Levels?
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerTo become a CFA®, you must pass Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam®. You will be tested on a range of topics that are relevant to the coveted position. But what exactly are the differences in terms of structure and material between the different exam levels? CFA® Level 1 The first CFA® exam you must take is 6 hours long and is broken up into two three hours sessions–one in…
Most Commonly Asked CFA® Exam Questions with Mike Carmody
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerWe get a lot of great CFA® exam questions and want to provide you all with the best possible answers. To do so, we spoke to a true CFA® expert, one of the brilliant minds from AdaptPrep, a leader in the CFA® exam review space. Mike Carmody is a CFA® charterholder and Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. Over the past two decades, Mike has helped prepare thousands of candidates for actuarial and CFA® exams…
How to Recover From CFA® Exam Failure
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce Welker“Get back on the horse” is an oft-used expression, usually expressed by those who don’t experience the failure themselves. While it’s nice that other people express their condolences and support when we fail, overcoming this failure and getting back on the proverbial horse is a process that must start within. Failing the Certified Financial Analyst exam is common—in 2016, the CFA® Institute said that the passing rates were 43%, 46%, and 53% for levels I,…
How Much Does it Cost to Get a CFA®
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerSure, you know the many benefits that come from being a CFA®, but do you know the exact cost associated with getting to that point? Well, we may not be able to pin down an exact cost, but we can come pretty close. There are a lot of intangibles that could affect the overall price of the CFA journey, but we can outline the basics for you. Before we dive into the rudimentary numbers, you…
Best Songs on Spotify for Studying
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerFor some people, music is a hindrance to studying. For the rest of us, however, it’s the only thing that can make slogging through study guides bearable. The science on whether you should be listening to active noise while studying is far from settled, but if you want to make your sessions a little more enjoyable, here are some song ideas. You’ll be amazed at the difference a good playlist makes in your study productivity and your…
Best CFA® Level 1 Books
/in CFA Books /by Bryce WelkerBloomberg CFA® Exam Prep Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerApptuto CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerFitch Learning CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerKaplan Schweser CFA® Review
/in CFA Courses /by Bryce WelkerCFA® vs CPA
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerCFA® vs CPA, which one is better? The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designations are two of the most sought-after credentials in the financial field. Many finance professionals choose to pursue these qualifications because they want to improve their career options, get promoted, or make more money. Each career path has distinct differences in educational requirements, responsibilities, and opportunities. The best way to choose which certification to pursue is to understand how they…
FRM vs CFA®
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerThere are many opportunities if you are interested in building a career in the world of finance. The FRM® and and the CFA® are two top certifications in the financial industry that are internationally recognized. Attaining these rigorous certifications can improve your chances of rising to the top of your field, but which qualification is best for you? To help you decide, we have summarized the differences between these two certifications and the main reasons for…
How to Pass CFA® Level 3 Exam
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerYou’re more than halfway there! And you’ve just beat the the beastly Level II. It should be easy from here…right? While Level II has the most amount of material, Level III still presents its own challenges. I’m here to help you get past these so you can finally complete your CFA® exam process. Don’t Lose Focus Now After years of self-motivated studying, your mental strength to keep going is not as strong as it used…
Your 2020 CFA® Exam Schedule (and Infographic)
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerThere are a lot of dates to keep track of when you are preparing to take the CFA® Exam. I’ve made an infographic below that details the timeline for registering and paying for your exam. The CFA® Exam includes three levels spread out into three exams. There are only two exam days a year–one in December and the other in June. The June exam date includes all three levels while the December exam date includes…
Bionic Turtle FRM Review
/in FRM /by Bryce WelkerHow to Pass CFA® Level 1 Exam
/in CFA Exam Tips, CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerYou’ve decided you are ready to take on the challenge of the CFA® exam and become a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). Make sure you have thought this through because it’s going to be a tough couple years. Even though only 20% of the people who take Level I make it all the way to the end and earn their CFA® license, there is no secret to passing the exam. You will need an organized and…
How Long Does It Take to Pass All Three Levels of CFA® Exam?
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerBefore deciding whether or not to become a licensed CFA®, you must be willing to put in the hundreds of hours of work. Many of the benefits associated with becoming a CFA® charterholder are financial. But, remember: people in the field know that passing the three levels of the CFA® exam is an unparalleled achievement, so your dedicated efforts do not go unnoticed. But, how long will it take you? CFA® Exam Structure Affects Timing…
Which Jobs are Open to CFA® Candidates?
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerIt’s easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel if we understand exactly from where that illumination comes. In other words, knowing what jobs are open to CFA® charterholders makes studying for the levels of the exam a little easier. I passed each section of the CFA®, but I knew WHY I was taking the test in the first place. I had a role at my company for which I wanted to…
CFA® Salary Breakdown
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerIn considering whether to pursue a professional degree or qualification, two key factors often influence the decision: bettering your career prospects and earning a greater income. There is some consensus that, after a certain point in your life, the position and the job profile matter more than the salary. This is true to a certain extent, but salary remains an important consideration in any career field. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) program is one of…
CFA® Exam FAQs
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerThe CFA® exam includes a series of three exams: Levels I, II, and III. Given that there are various different exams and registration dates, you must make sure to register for the correct exam on time. To help you keep track of all the important information and dates, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the CFA exam. To become a CFA® Charterholder, you must pass all three levels of the CFA exam in order. Earning…
CFA® Requirements
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerThose looking for an edge in the competitive world of finance should consider the benefits of obtaining the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) credential. Earning the globally-recognized CFA® charter demonstrates a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills used in investment analysis and decision making. The CFA® credential is considered the gold standard in the field of investment management. Many CFA® charter holders go on to have successful careers as portfolio managers or research analysts at hedge…
CFA® Exam Pass Rates
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerThe Chartered Financial Analyst® Exam is notoriously challenging. Candidates all over the world take the exam on the same day, in either June or December, depending on the level. (Only Level I is offered in both months, Level II and Level III are only offered once a year in June). Due to the large amount of material covered on the exams, the CFA® Institute suggests that candidates begin to prepare for each level of the…
CFA® vs MBA
/in CFA Information /by Bryce WelkerCFA® or MBA, which is better? This is a question many business professionals ask themselves when they are mapping out their career paths. The answer to this question depends on many factors, including your professional goals, background, and resources. It’s important to know the difference between a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) because both require a significant investment of your time and money. Differences between the CFA® and MBA CFA®…
How to Pass the CFA® Level 2 Exam
/in CFA Exam Tips /by Bryce WelkerYou’ve passed Level I of the CFA® exam. Congratulations! Now it’s time to get ready for the notorious Level II. The reputation of Level II can be quite intimidating since many candidates consider this to be the most challenging level of the CFA® exam. A big mistake you can make is to study for Level II like you did for Level I. This next level covers much more material and you need to be more…