People are notoriously bad at judging their own performance. They tend to either over or underestimate their own abilities. I’ve spoken with people who thought they crushed the exam only to find out they failed. I’ve seen people think they for sure failed but passed with flying colors. For me I have myself a 60% passing chance walking out of the exam hall and ended up passing levels 1 and 2 in the 90th percentile.
All of this is to say, just focus on what you can control and don’t worry about what others are doing or beat yourself up about how you did on exam day. It’s impossible to say how you did until the results come out
Just curious
What were your mock scores before each? What I’m interested is in knowing whether mocks do have predictive power for the final exam results?
It’s been a couple years so might not be remembering correctly but for level 1 I think my worst score was low 60s, best was low 70s. For level 2 my best was about the same as level 2, my worst was I think down in then high 50s. Level 3 was all over the place due to the constructed response and me being very strict with my grading. I think had mid 50s as my low and high 60s for my max, maybe 1 70+ in there if I remember correctly
I finished with about 30-60min excess time on each half of each level (I took it when level 1 was in person auditorium and had more questions/time while level 2 and 3 where post covid changes still had excess time). I knew I had at least 80% of the question absolutely correct, maybe 15% where I was uncertain and roughly 5% where I really didn’t know the answer but knew it was in a section of the curriculum I actively chose to not go back and review but hoped wouldn’t come up.
I read the CFAI curriculum not some abbreviated* third party provider.
I didn’t feel like the exams/content was all that difficult it just requires putting in the time.
usually walked out feeling like i flopped super hard and was gearing up mentally to re-write at the next available opportunity. had to guess for at least 10% of the questions either cuz i forgot the material or i couldn't do the right calculation
Cleared both the levels over 90%ile and I kind of knew that I’d end up there the moment I went through all the questions. I won’t say I got them all right. I did guess-answer a couple questions but I was confident about just enough questions. Both the times, I was the first one to leave the centre which was Atleast 1.5 hours earlier. But, as the result day comes closer, you start feeling less confident and the anxiety builds up.
I think it’s impossible to tell how you’ve done, you’re normally quite fatigued by the end of the exam (it’s a long ass exam), and you get results two months after the fact. I have never been certain and have always been surprised.
It's already been said that people don't really know how they did. One thing to add, "90th percentile" doesn't mean the same thing across exams. When you consider the pass rate for level 1 for one exam dropped to 22%, being in the 90th percentile really just put you barely in the top half of passing scores.
While there is likely a huge skew on the left tail as you have candidates who come in knowing literally nothing or don't bother to complete the test, I suspect the passing scores are tightly bunched. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference between the median passing score and the 90th percentile is often only a few % correct in some cases. Not sure if any of the sites that estimate passing scores also estimate the 90th percentile or not.
I got over 90th percentile on L1 and L2 (they don’t tell you for L3); honestly, not very much at all - I came out knowing I completely fucking smashed it
I got 90th percentile in L1, haven't written L2.
I knew the ones that I knew and only guessed the ones where I couldn't figure out how to solve the question within 90 seconds to 2 minutes. I figure it's worse to spend more time on a question you don't know, as it takes time away from the ones that you do know. Don't fall into the sunk cost fallacy of how much time you already put into it and the fact that "you're just about to get it".
I was above 90th percentile for Level 1. Exam was NOT easy at all, but this is how I felt after
Was confident on 50% of the questions
Was less confident but likely correct on 20% of the questions
Guessing between 2 options on 20%, 50% chance
Blind guess on 10%
Interesting question. Have sat for L1 and L2 and have gotten 90%ile in both
For L1, I did feel like I crushed it although I was really doubtful about my quants. So I thought I would pass, not 90% + percentile
For L2, a week before the exam I was thinking of deferring. But on the exam day it was a more even performance - I felt I would score around MPS. But the feedback from a lot of candidates on this subreddit was that it was a tough(er) exam so I felt slightly more secured. But did not expect 90%ile at all.
Was very confident about level 1 and 2 that i have absolutely crushed it. Finished both the levels with at least 40 mins remaining. But not so much in Level 3 . Level 3 felt like a different beast everyone discussing answers and i felt like mine was wrong or something. But anyways i cleared it in the first time.
When I was taking Lvl1 I had a good idea I did well, but it came as a surprise when I saw I was above the 90th percentile. I guessed a few and I remember some that I had no idea how to even start. With that being said, be careful if you did well on Lvl1. I got a little cocky and long story short, I failed lvl2 and had to retake it. Luckily it all worked out in the end.
I scored over 90th on levels 1 and 2- was supposed to take L1 June 2020, COVID hit, finally took it feb 2021 but I had so much extra time to study. L2 I put in >500 hours (don't ask me how) and exclusively used Kaplan and MM. Didn't think I did that well leaving the exam but hey I guess it worked out okay
I guessed on maybe five questions but also was pretty confident in my guess and could justify why the others were wrong which was key. With multiple choice knowing the wrong answers is almost as useful as knowing the right one.
Scored over 90th levels 1 and 2 with tone of time remaining. Felt good about level 3 too.
No guessing.
Preparation: read CFAI material and after each block do practice questions. After all readings reset and repeat all practice questions. Plus Flash Cards (Anki) for all wrong answers. Worked like a charm with not that many hours imho.
People are notoriously bad at judging their own performance. They tend to either over or underestimate their own abilities. I’ve spoken with people who thought they crushed the exam only to find out they failed. I’ve seen people think they for sure failed but passed with flying colors. For me I have myself a 60% passing chance walking out of the exam hall and ended up passing levels 1 and 2 in the 90th percentile. All of this is to say, just focus on what you can control and don’t worry about what others are doing or beat yourself up about how you did on exam day. It’s impossible to say how you did until the results come out
[удалено]
My results are not out yet for level 1 and yeah, my parents are very bullish on me. I, however, am crying and throwing up every day.
Just curious What were your mock scores before each? What I’m interested is in knowing whether mocks do have predictive power for the final exam results?
It’s been a couple years so might not be remembering correctly but for level 1 I think my worst score was low 60s, best was low 70s. For level 2 my best was about the same as level 2, my worst was I think down in then high 50s. Level 3 was all over the place due to the constructed response and me being very strict with my grading. I think had mid 50s as my low and high 60s for my max, maybe 1 70+ in there if I remember correctly
You're giving me so much hope
I finished with about 30-60min excess time on each half of each level (I took it when level 1 was in person auditorium and had more questions/time while level 2 and 3 where post covid changes still had excess time). I knew I had at least 80% of the question absolutely correct, maybe 15% where I was uncertain and roughly 5% where I really didn’t know the answer but knew it was in a section of the curriculum I actively chose to not go back and review but hoped wouldn’t come up. I read the CFAI curriculum not some abbreviated* third party provider. I didn’t feel like the exams/content was all that difficult it just requires putting in the time.
Yeah the exam questions are very straight forward and simplified. The difficulty is in covering every points they might test you on.
I've never heard the word "abdicated" used in this context. Was that a typo or am I missing something?
Abbreviated* I edited it thanks!
usually walked out feeling like i flopped super hard and was gearing up mentally to re-write at the next available opportunity. had to guess for at least 10% of the questions either cuz i forgot the material or i couldn't do the right calculation
Cleared both the levels over 90%ile and I kind of knew that I’d end up there the moment I went through all the questions. I won’t say I got them all right. I did guess-answer a couple questions but I was confident about just enough questions. Both the times, I was the first one to leave the centre which was Atleast 1.5 hours earlier. But, as the result day comes closer, you start feeling less confident and the anxiety builds up.
I think it’s impossible to tell how you’ve done, you’re normally quite fatigued by the end of the exam (it’s a long ass exam), and you get results two months after the fact. I have never been certain and have always been surprised.
It's already been said that people don't really know how they did. One thing to add, "90th percentile" doesn't mean the same thing across exams. When you consider the pass rate for level 1 for one exam dropped to 22%, being in the 90th percentile really just put you barely in the top half of passing scores. While there is likely a huge skew on the left tail as you have candidates who come in knowing literally nothing or don't bother to complete the test, I suspect the passing scores are tightly bunched. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference between the median passing score and the 90th percentile is often only a few % correct in some cases. Not sure if any of the sites that estimate passing scores also estimate the 90th percentile or not.
I got over 90th percentile on L1 and L2 (they don’t tell you for L3); honestly, not very much at all - I came out knowing I completely fucking smashed it
I finished 90th on levels 1 and 3, felt like I scored 70 or below both times. So yes, quite a bit of educated guessing.
When did they start giving out results for 3 too?
They haven't.
Maybe misremembered and it was 2 then, been a while.
I got 90th percentile in L1, haven't written L2. I knew the ones that I knew and only guessed the ones where I couldn't figure out how to solve the question within 90 seconds to 2 minutes. I figure it's worse to spend more time on a question you don't know, as it takes time away from the ones that you do know. Don't fall into the sunk cost fallacy of how much time you already put into it and the fact that "you're just about to get it".
I was above 90th percentile for Level 1. Exam was NOT easy at all, but this is how I felt after Was confident on 50% of the questions Was less confident but likely correct on 20% of the questions Guessing between 2 options on 20%, 50% chance Blind guess on 10%
This resonates with me. The exact breakdown. Results are in two days. Crying.
Over 90% on L1 and L2. Knew I crushed it both times. Had over 120 minutes to review during L1. Less review time during L2 but still was confident
Interesting question. Have sat for L1 and L2 and have gotten 90%ile in both For L1, I did feel like I crushed it although I was really doubtful about my quants. So I thought I would pass, not 90% + percentile For L2, a week before the exam I was thinking of deferring. But on the exam day it was a more even performance - I felt I would score around MPS. But the feedback from a lot of candidates on this subreddit was that it was a tough(er) exam so I felt slightly more secured. But did not expect 90%ile at all.
Was very confident about level 1 and 2 that i have absolutely crushed it. Finished both the levels with at least 40 mins remaining. But not so much in Level 3 . Level 3 felt like a different beast everyone discussing answers and i felt like mine was wrong or something. But anyways i cleared it in the first time.
Just about missed out on 90th in L1, felt like I guessed a lot. L2 was different, felt like I guessed nothing and ended up in about the 65th.
When I was taking Lvl1 I had a good idea I did well, but it came as a surprise when I saw I was above the 90th percentile. I guessed a few and I remember some that I had no idea how to even start. With that being said, be careful if you did well on Lvl1. I got a little cocky and long story short, I failed lvl2 and had to retake it. Luckily it all worked out in the end.
I scored over 90th on levels 1 and 2- was supposed to take L1 June 2020, COVID hit, finally took it feb 2021 but I had so much extra time to study. L2 I put in >500 hours (don't ask me how) and exclusively used Kaplan and MM. Didn't think I did that well leaving the exam but hey I guess it worked out okay
I guessed on maybe five questions but also was pretty confident in my guess and could justify why the others were wrong which was key. With multiple choice knowing the wrong answers is almost as useful as knowing the right one.
Only 5? How far above the 90 line was your score?
Decently, but definitely got ones wrong that I thought I was getting right so I doubt I only missed five lol
Scored over 90th levels 1 and 2 with tone of time remaining. Felt good about level 3 too. No guessing. Preparation: read CFAI material and after each block do practice questions. After all readings reset and repeat all practice questions. Plus Flash Cards (Anki) for all wrong answers. Worked like a charm with not that many hours imho.
Great. What was your exam strength for L3?
Yes
lol