If subjects like investment analysis and wealth management interest you, then you must pursue to be a chartered financial analyst (CFA). To be a CFA charterholder, you must have a bachelor’s degree, hold relevant work experience, and pass three six-hour-long CFA exams. Further, enrolling in a CFA course will not only help you prepare well for these exams, but also let you achieve expansive knowledge and skills that will make you relevant for various decision-making roles. Read ahead to know more.
Who is a Chartered Financial Analyst?
A certification awarded by the CFA Institute, a chartered financial analyst is a professional who excels in the competitive world of financial analysis. Also, CFAs have in-depth knowledge of investment strategy and high-level money management. Further, they hold expertise in investment consulting, financial research, risk analysis, financial planning, credit analysis, portfolio management, risk management, and corporate accounting and auditing.
Mistakes to Avoid While Enrolling in a CFA Course
If you have a background in accounting, economics, finance, or business, then you can enrol in a CFA course to prepare well for CFA exams. Here are the common mistakes to avoid when enrolling in a CFA preparatory course.
- Engage in speculations about the topics that will appear in the exam: Your course should focus on mastering everything that features in the CFA Institute curriculum and associated Learning Outcome Statements (LOS).
- Ignore the quality of instructors: It is important to learn if the instructors specialise in the subjects they are teaching.
- Buy the claims of access to actual questions from previous exams: Notably, CFA Institute has not released actual Level I multiple-choice questions since 1995. Also, it does not release actual Level II and Ill questions.
- Forget to check study materials: It is vital to check that study materials are prepared by CFA charterholders or otherwise qualified instructors. Also, pay attention to the accuracy of the content and seek out corrections if need be.
- Overlook curriculum: Test banks and preparatory resources must align with the current CFA curriculum and exam question formats.
Effective CFA Study Tips
Let’s dive deep in order to learn about some general CFA study tips that can help taste the success.
- Start your preparation as early as possible.
- Study daily for some time as cramming does not work.
- Leave at least 4 weeks before the exam for review.
- Study according to the CFA curriculum only.
- Extensively use practice problems available.
- Analyse your strong and weak areas in order to strengthen the topics that need more attention.
- Gauge your overall readiness with the help of mock exams.
- Join a study group if you are feeling stuck.
- Finish the official mock exams first and then move on to solving the extra questions provided by preparatory courses.
- Learn to manage your time, especially in the essay part.
Besides, on the exam day, you must read every question and answer choice (wherever applicable) carefully, avoid unnecessary assumptions, and answer all the questions as there is no penalty for wrong answers.
While attempting the Level III essay, remember that there are no marks for language and style. So, focusing on the content is vital. Also, no points are given for general knowledge that is not relevant to the question. Prefer short phrases and bullet points that impart the message clearly. Additionally, clearly state your choice if the question requires a decision. Further, offer no more than the number of advantages or reasons requested in the question.
Conclusion
With promising career opportunities, CFA charterholders are globally recognised in the investment management domain. Employers also value their knowledge and commitment to thrive in today’s complex and evolving investment industry.
If you want to pursue a CFA course, then reach out to Imarticus Learning. Also, you can learn about CFA course details.
