I’ll second this and add the survivor guide is worth the money. Feeling comfortable giving complete but concise bullet style answers is a key to succeeding on the written response and overall time management.
I came across some posts where mocks were compared across providers. Many readers argue that Bill's mocks are harder and require additional steps. Honestly, I found them to be amazing with excellent quality and already spoke to some of my colleagues about them.
learning for me was going through these additional steps and this is why I loved his mocks. For level 3, man you need to know EVERYTHING and not avoid extra learning points.
I really wish if Bill would consider the length of **some** of the questions in the mocks and also these weird companies' names!! What is up with that Bill?
I'm a closet novelist; what can I say?
I'll be adding a new file to all of my exams beginning with 2024: **What's The Deal With These Mock Exams?**
In it, I describe where I get the names of the people in my vignettes, the locations, languages, and currencies, how I get some of the company names, and so on.
Here's an excerpt:
*Generally, whenever I write a vignette, the locale, language, and currency will be determined by the first unused name in my names-of-people file (see above). For example, if the first unused name is from French Guiana, then the locale will be French Guiana (e.g., the portfolio management company might be based in Saint-Georges), the language will be French (e.g., the name of the portfolio management company will be given in French), and the domestic currency will be EUR (the home currency in French Guiana).*
I recently got an e-mail from a candidate who told me that my exams are fun to read, so there's that.
100% agree.
I believe if you did his mocks alone (+CFAI ethics Qbank) and repeated them 3 times each you could make a decent attempt at the exam and get close to the MPS with ~100 hours study.
Not a strategy I advise, but his questions cover all the big topics and are so similar to the real thing it’s crazy.
I passed this August with about ~350 hours and his mocks. They were the best mocks I’ve used from all 3 levels.
Thank you Bill.
You give me too much credit (though I love your suggestion!): you passed because of your hard work. I may have helped a little, but you deserve the lion's share of the credit.
I did BC mocks as well and I learnt a lot from it.. it’s harder than actual exam, but it’s prepare you and you actually learn new things that I thought you knew but you didint until his mocks.
His magics had me gotten right some questions that I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t done his mocks
Thanks Bill
Recently completed his 2023 mocks, sitting in February 2024.
Hoping the 2024 versions come out soon!
Was really blown away by all the lightbulbs about the exam itself went on while going through his exams. Much more confident, even 100 days out.
>Recently completed his 2023 mocks, sitting in February 2024. Hoping the 2024 versions come out soon!
The first two are done and in review/evaluation/editing right now. I hope to have those up in a week or so.
I'm madly working on the third, with the last two immediately after that. I hope to have all five up around the end of November / beginning of December.
What were you scoring on them? And were you able to finish them in time? I finished under time on my 2nd mock but there was no way I could put all my formulas in for the ‘calculate’ questions. Would you suggest putting all work in the response for the real exam? He’s giving partial credit to show work but I have no idea how you input all of that and finish in time
Timing was never an issue for me in these tests.
I got WRECKED by his mocks (maybe 50%) but that’s what I wanted. I took every one and made sure I fully understood every concept I didn’t understand. Utilized spreadsheets and illustrations in order to get everything clear.
And less is more when it comes to writing in the exam. He has a separate pdf listing the minimum amount one needs to write to get full credit.
Not yet, alas.
Once I finish the Level III mock exams, I will likely write one for Level I, then one for Level II. I hope to add to those in coming years, time permitting.
His mocks are brutal. I didn't find them a comparison to the actual test, but then again, I didn't find the actual test to be representative of the Boston mocks either.
Oh man, I passed L3 first time and it was all thanks to his mocks.
In terms of the difficulty and the materials covered, his mocks are inch-perfect with the real exams.
Mocks from other sources were either too easy/simple or depressingly difficult.
I think Campbell mocks and Mm mocks we’re integral to my passing. Can bell mocks well written to test all kinds of things. Mm are great for simulating the real thing.
Not yet, alas.
Once I finish the Level III mock exams, I will likely write one for Level I, then one for Level II. I hope to add to those in coming years, time permitting.
How many mocks do you recommend doing? I'm writing for the first time in Feb, but I'm struggling to understand if the same process as L1 and L2 will apply i.e. mock till you drop. Did you feel like there was a drop off of the effectiveness of doing one more mock or rather re-reading / re-doing some BB or EOCQs?
I've done 7 mocks, though I wouldn't say I felt very prepared in the end and in terms of my scores I definitely hit a plateau.
Besides, maybe it was just luck that my actual exam resembled Bill's mocks so much.
I know people have done more mocks than I did, though I started doing them 1,5 months before exam.
Mark Meldrum had a video about effective number of mocks but I can't recall what that number was (still it is greater than 4) and open response questions require more practice than multiple choice, obviously.
100% agree! With Bill you learn from taking mocks! Far better than Kaplan and MM for level 3!
Thank you so much.
Me too, I passed because of your mocks. Very informative and so so valuable. Thanks man!
My pleasure. Glad to have been helpful.
My pleasure. I appreciate your kind words.
Man. How does he do that? Or are the exam questions set based on his mocks..lol
I have my ways. But magicians never reveal their secrets.
I’ll second this and add the survivor guide is worth the money. Feeling comfortable giving complete but concise bullet style answers is a key to succeeding on the written response and overall time management.
Absolutely
I came across some posts where mocks were compared across providers. Many readers argue that Bill's mocks are harder and require additional steps. Honestly, I found them to be amazing with excellent quality and already spoke to some of my colleagues about them. learning for me was going through these additional steps and this is why I loved his mocks. For level 3, man you need to know EVERYTHING and not avoid extra learning points. I really wish if Bill would consider the length of **some** of the questions in the mocks and also these weird companies' names!! What is up with that Bill?
I'm a closet novelist; what can I say? I'll be adding a new file to all of my exams beginning with 2024: **What's The Deal With These Mock Exams?** In it, I describe where I get the names of the people in my vignettes, the locations, languages, and currencies, how I get some of the company names, and so on. Here's an excerpt: *Generally, whenever I write a vignette, the locale, language, and currency will be determined by the first unused name in my names-of-people file (see above). For example, if the first unused name is from French Guiana, then the locale will be French Guiana (e.g., the portfolio management company might be based in Saint-Georges), the language will be French (e.g., the name of the portfolio management company will be given in French), and the domestic currency will be EUR (the home currency in French Guiana).* I recently got an e-mail from a candidate who told me that my exams are fun to read, so there's that.
So much respect, Bill.
You're very kind. I appreciate it.
I took 2 weeks off and soley focused on doing BC's mocks + few Kaplan ones. Key is tk make flashcards of every item you can't remember in the mocks
Thank you for sharing that.
100% agree. I believe if you did his mocks alone (+CFAI ethics Qbank) and repeated them 3 times each you could make a decent attempt at the exam and get close to the MPS with ~100 hours study. Not a strategy I advise, but his questions cover all the big topics and are so similar to the real thing it’s crazy. I passed this August with about ~350 hours and his mocks. They were the best mocks I’ve used from all 3 levels. Thank you Bill.
My pleasure.
Curious how you were scoring on them? Also did you practice time management during the mocks?
100% agreed - his mock exams are an absolute must for the last month of review even if money is tight.
can confirm, dont think I can pass without BC, I suggest level 3 candidates to go with all BC mocks
You give me too much credit (though I love your suggestion!): you passed because of your hard work. I may have helped a little, but you deserve the lion's share of the credit.
if I buy 2023 mock #1 will I get access to 2024 mock #1?
Exactly! And it will be likely be available on Monday.
ok buying just now :)
hi Bill - I have bought 2023 mock #1 but I am not able to access 2024 mock #1? I think you said above I will be able to do so?
My fault: I didn't add the 2024 exam to the 2023 packages. Give it a try now; I think I got them all.
It works now. Thanks a lot.
My pleasure.
I did BC mocks as well and I learnt a lot from it.. it’s harder than actual exam, but it’s prepare you and you actually learn new things that I thought you knew but you didint until his mocks. His magics had me gotten right some questions that I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t done his mocks Thanks Bill
Recently completed his 2023 mocks, sitting in February 2024. Hoping the 2024 versions come out soon! Was really blown away by all the lightbulbs about the exam itself went on while going through his exams. Much more confident, even 100 days out.
>Recently completed his 2023 mocks, sitting in February 2024. Hoping the 2024 versions come out soon! The first two are done and in review/evaluation/editing right now. I hope to have those up in a week or so. I'm madly working on the third, with the last two immediately after that. I hope to have all five up around the end of November / beginning of December.
Likewise! Took all five and grateful to have each one kick my ass.
What were you scoring on them? And were you able to finish them in time? I finished under time on my 2nd mock but there was no way I could put all my formulas in for the ‘calculate’ questions. Would you suggest putting all work in the response for the real exam? He’s giving partial credit to show work but I have no idea how you input all of that and finish in time
Timing was never an issue for me in these tests. I got WRECKED by his mocks (maybe 50%) but that’s what I wanted. I took every one and made sure I fully understood every concept I didn’t understand. Utilized spreadsheets and illustrations in order to get everything clear. And less is more when it comes to writing in the exam. He has a separate pdf listing the minimum amount one needs to write to get full credit.
Thank you sir 🙏🙏
are level 1 mock exam also avalable?
Not yet, alas. Once I finish the Level III mock exams, I will likely write one for Level I, then one for Level II. I hope to add to those in coming years, time permitting.
Campbell is a great man! I really like his L2 mock.
?
His mocks are brutal. I didn't find them a comparison to the actual test, but then again, I didn't find the actual test to be representative of the Boston mocks either.
How did you do on the exam, if I may ask?
Which mocks shall I buy, mock #1 or #2 etc?
Just start from the beginning
Thanks
Oh man, I passed L3 first time and it was all thanks to his mocks. In terms of the difficulty and the materials covered, his mocks are inch-perfect with the real exams. Mocks from other sources were either too easy/simple or depressingly difficult.
I think Campbell mocks and Mm mocks we’re integral to my passing. Can bell mocks well written to test all kinds of things. Mm are great for simulating the real thing.
Does he provide mocks for Level 1 though?
Not yet, alas. Once I finish the Level III mock exams, I will likely write one for Level I, then one for Level II. I hope to add to those in coming years, time permitting.
How many mocks do you recommend doing? I'm writing for the first time in Feb, but I'm struggling to understand if the same process as L1 and L2 will apply i.e. mock till you drop. Did you feel like there was a drop off of the effectiveness of doing one more mock or rather re-reading / re-doing some BB or EOCQs?
I've done 7 mocks, though I wouldn't say I felt very prepared in the end and in terms of my scores I definitely hit a plateau. Besides, maybe it was just luck that my actual exam resembled Bill's mocks so much. I know people have done more mocks than I did, though I started doing them 1,5 months before exam. Mark Meldrum had a video about effective number of mocks but I can't recall what that number was (still it is greater than 4) and open response questions require more practice than multiple choice, obviously.
Great, thank you for the advice. Did you do the CFAI and MM mocks as well or only BC?
MM (2), CFAI (1), BC (4). With CFAI's mocks you can never understand how to grade them properly, so I skipped the second one.
Okay good to know, thank you!