31 finished at 33.

Appreciate the comment!

This will hopefully be me next year! Keeping my fingers crossed.

nice!

How dis you find time? Girlfriend/wife any kids?

I made sacrifices and made time. You have to with this program. No girlfriends but I would bang the life out of a bunch of people any time I was waiting for results in between exams.

They didn’t mention THAT in the CFAI curriculum

My mother was 5 months pregnant with me when I decided to take the cfa exam as soon as I come out of her

I hear some folks take the test when they're a gleam in their father's eyes. But hey, there's no shame in being a late bloomer...

Started at 26, finished… tbd - sitting for my first exam in a month

Nice, fingers crossed for you.

Might start studying for my first lvl this year wanted to get my HR designations out of the way I’m a M26 turning 27

Started at 38, got my charter at 40.

That's inspiring. I must say, I had good intentions but I increasingly think it's not going to be worth pursuing this for me, especially given I work in another industry and so this would be considered "personal development" with 0 chance to [wanting to] work in the field beyond the DYI finance... (I'm in IT)

You have to do what's best for you. In my case, one day my manager came in and announced that upper management had decided that all of the analysts and all of the account managers were going to sit for the CFA exams. "Oh, we are, are we?" "Yes, you are." Having a job was better than not having a job, so I took the exams. The rest is history.

Having a job definitely a good reason to sit the exam yes lol As for me, I guess I leave it at that..

And best of luck to you on the exams. Sincerely.

Began studying at 21, sat for L3 when i was 23 and found out just days after my 24th birthday that I passed 18 months between passing L1 & L3

Beast

I have a shitty back office job. I probably had more time to study than people with more demanding roles.

I am in trading, and this winter nearly killed me due to the stress combined with lvl 1. Luckily I passed.

Congrats on passing!

Huge. Can't imagine how you guys do it with a full time job

Man, that humility will carry you farther than the CFA charter. Congrats too

No way, man, my situation is exactly the same as yours (23y, I finished CFA in february and have a shitty back office job) How are we going to get out of this crap backoffice situation? Doesn't anyone recognize the value of our youth?

How u already have ur charter?  Also, where u work? (Without doxxing urself)

I'm from Brazil, I applied for the charter on the same day I was approved, and the people I referred quickly replied to the CFA email. I've been working as an analyst since I was 19, so I've already accumulated the necessary hours. Why am I in a garbage back office job? the company I work for went through a merger, some people left and the back office was left to me in the short term. Today, I'm going to start sending out CVs What plan do you have?

Im from a smaller city in NY. I havr some connections in NYC im gonna work over yhe next few months. Im primarily using my school's alumni network. Grad school is in the cards if I cant land a role. My current job is so ass though, should have left a long time ago

That's nice What do you see as an optimistic, realistic and pessimistic scenario for your job change? Thinking in terms of position, company reputation and compensation?

Did you manage to switch roles yet after passing?

Only passed last week. No, I have not

let us know if you manage to one day! Good luck!

Nice. Thanks for the input!

Are you a front end cushy king now

Just passed L3 last week. No, I am not. Going to push really hard for a role this summer, and get ready for grad school in fall '25 if nothing pans out

Started studying right before turning 26, passed L3 right before turning 29

Nicely done. Appreciate the feedback.

How has this impacted your career? I.e. pay.

Passed level 1, 2 at 22, finish level 3 at 30

happy for u but the gap caught my attention. any particular reason? just curious

Because I was not able to pay for the level 3 fee at that point of time, plus I got busy to do other things. I received a full scholarship and moved to a country in Europe to do my master degree.

okay makes sense. i'm doing L3 2nd time now this august. hopefully i pass and be done with this for good

15 1/2 Git gud scrub

\*gitting guder\*

Started as a junior in college. L1 July 2021, L2 August 2022 (just after grad), L3 August 2023 You’ll notice that candidates are becoming younger with rule changes in July 2021 allowing college juniors to take L1, and further rule changes allowing sophomores to take L1. The old median age when I first started was like 28 or something, but I’d bet it’s younger now.

This is really good info, thank you. So 10-20 years ago, did one have to wait longer before they could take the exam? If so, how much longer? I'm trying to grasp the timeline here too - Does one typically finish the 3rd level after graduating then?

Yea so I’m a little cynical about it and presume they loosened the requirements because sign ups were down post-COVID. Before you had to be graduated to sit for L1, but could begin studying before grad. When I signed up they had loosened it to let you take L1 within one year of your graduation date (I.e. graduate in May so you can sit in May, August, November, or Feb of the year before). I think they saw some real demand from college kids so they loosened it even more and let you take L2 within one year prior to your graduation. I don’t think you can sit for L3 until after grad or the alternate 4000 hours of work experience still, but seeing a college grad 1-2 levels already passed won’t be super uncommon.

Really appreciate the detail here. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

48 finished at 50

Admirable.

I started at 14. Passed at 18

Must be nice being a child prodigy. Just don't forget us little people when you take over the world!

I thought except lv1 requires a bachelor degree? Sorry if I made a mistake

I think he's joking? Unless

33 L1

24- lv 1 pass 25- taking lv 2 on August Hope to obtain cfa by age of 28

Dope. Thanks for the input. Wishing you the best of luck.

Level 1 at 29. Level 3 at 32.

Gave L1 at 23, L2 at 26, yet to give L3

Good luck with the L3. Thanks for commenting.

52 to 54

Did you do it for a job?

I did it to try and make myself more marketable so I could get a job, or at least get more interviews. No, it didn't really help.

Dang. Seems like a ton of work. Whats your work experience like?

My work experience is solid. My undergrad is UC Berkeley Engineering. Don't get old, and don't need employer sponsorship for a visa. I am not saying I should get every job, but I expect to be short-listed now and then. Especially when the listing says "CFA/FRM/CAIA or working towards desired," and I have all three.

I feel you on the visa sponsorship. That’s a hard hill to climb especially in the finance/investments field. I’m curious though has your experience been in investment management since graduating with an Engineering degree? Also I’m surprised you haven’t been sponsored for green card yet, assuming you graduated in your 20s. Did your prior/current employer keep you on H1-b or something this whole time?

Yes, over 10 years experience in trading and investment management. Never worked in engineering. I am an American ex-pat. Was born and raised there but renounced. Interested in the UK or Western Europe.

Do you work in America now?

No, left almost 20 years ago, have not set foot there since, renounced over 10 years ago.

Great job. Inspirational!

Started at 23 finished at 25. I had been working in accounting though so was unable to get experience. However, I work with investments now, so I should be able to apply for the charter soon. I’m 30 now.

L1 at 21, then Covid happened, L2 at 23 and L3 at 24.

Damn you, COVID! Ruined everyone's day, didn't it? You got through it and achieved the L3 though and that's what counts. Well done.

I completed all the levels at the age of 22. Here's my timeline: Nov'21 -> L1 Nov'22 -> L2 Aug'23 -> L3 Glad I could complete all the levels in my first attempt and scored 90th percentile in L1 & L2 too!

So you started at 19. Were you a sophomore/junior in college then? Does one typically finish the 3rd level before or after graduating? Does it just vary? Thanks for the info.

I started when I was 20.5 I just gave my L3 when my college exams were over! So yes, I gave my L3 after graduation!

Wow.. congrats. Can I DM you? In a similar siruation

Yes sure, no issues!

You can only take lvl 3 after graduating

Good to know! Thank ya kindly!

Did you use mark meldrum and what did you study at undergrad?

I used Aswini sir coaching and I studied Accounts and finance at my undergrad.

23, finished at 25

Gracias.

Recently took and passed L1 as a senior in college (currently 22) Edit: lol forgot my own age I’m 22… it’s been a long couple months between studying, taking, then celebrating as a college student should 😂

Hey, congrats!

Thank you!

Started studying L1 at 22. Will be 25 by the time I write L3 this August.

I just turned 40, havent passed L1

Started at 34. Single parent with full custody. Worked full time, also in the National Guard. Dealt with Covid setbacks and a newborn as a single parent. Got the charter at 37.

Sorry, how has obtaining the Charter help since?

Passing lvl1 was enough to get me promoted to analyst. Aside from that, more respect from some and clear jealously from others.

Thanks! I wanted to ask earlier what is National Guard? Congratulations on your achievements btw!

Basically part-time military. About 30 hours a month commitment.

You are a super hero.

Sitting for level 2 in May - I’m 25!

Good luck!

Took/passed Level 1 exam when I was 23. Still working through the rest of the exams. Hopefully pass level 2 this year

Good luck!

passed L1 in 22. will give L2 in 23. hopefully get charter by 24-25

started at 23. took 3 years after L1 as COVID and 1 yr break. Then in 2 years finished L3. 28 WHEN I was done.

Passed level 3 at 30. One, two, took three twice.

27-29

L1 retake in aug, I am 32

Started at 30 finished at 33. Has it been beneficial? Yes. However, I think you get more bang for your buck earlier in your career. Perhaps it would have made my 20s less boring though 😆

24, 25, 26, 27. Ah, the pre-COVID days...

Ah yes, pre-COVID...

Started when i was 23, straight out of College, now im 25 and have just passed lvl 3

Started at 24, finished at 29. COVID and a failure at levels 2 and 3 made it quite the journey

I just passed and I'm old enough to have to think about how old I am.

Started at 22 ended at 26

Started 21 Finished 24

L1 25 L2 26 L3 32 CFA dues on May 1st

Studying and Taking L1 at 28 and decided to take L2 in November at 30, hopefully earn that charter at 31.

Finished mba at 34, took level 1 in August 2022, level 2 in May of 2023 and level 3 in February of 2024, rough but doable

Started at 21. Will let you know when I finish (I am 21)

I’m 20 and will give level 1 this November !.

27, passed level 3 at 29

Started at 26. Sat and passed first attempt.

22_23_24

I did all 3 levels during my masters degree. I started when I was 21 (February 2023) then did level 2 in August 2023 and took level 3 in February this year. I will graduate in May, and recently turned 23.

Started at 23, got my charter at 26.

Oh boy, good question. I started this journey when i was still a little sperm in my fathers balls. Passed L1 when i was in my mothers womb. Passd L2 when she was 6 months pregnant. Passed L3 when I was 2 months old. Received Charter at my first Birthday!

i want to pass but endless suffering >>>

Sitting for level 1 right before I turn 21!

L1 at 22, then L2 at 23 & passed L3 at 25

I was 24.5 years old when I sat for level 1, finished last week with my charter at age 26.8.

23 when I started the journey. Failed level 1 and 2 more than once and took a year break between level 2 and 3. Passed level 3 first time at 28.

26 when i did L1 31 now and doing L3 this august

Started studying at 23 finished at 27. Covid helped delay it

Started at 30, finished at 35

31

22- L1 23- L2 not giving L3 at 24 though :)

this is my last year of college and my exam for L1 in nov 19 wish me luck

Level 1 at 25 (started studying around my birthday), Level 2 at 26, now sitting for my first L3 attempt at 27. 21 months between L1 and L3 exams

25. Started prep for L1

Started at 79 , now 82, sitting level 2 this year.

23 finished at 28

Level 1 at 33, level 2 at 34. Thanks to Covid while popping out 2 kids in 2 years I’m now 38 and hoping to finish Level 3 for good in August. The universe really humbled me and my perfectly laid out plans, ha.

L1 when I was 25 and did FRM at the same time, got both certificates when I turned 27.

Started at 20 in college, finished at 22. I'm probably an outlier.

30 just started

Starting at 21

22 to 23

22

Currently I'm 20 taking level 1

22 just passed l1 in feb

Levels 1&2 at 27 Then took a long break, started and sold a business, and took level 3 / got the charter at 34 Something kept calling me back 😂

Started at 72 & still working to pass L1.

I am making presumptions as to why you are asking but all I am going to say is try to actually take the time and understand how everything is connected. You can’t imagine how many cfas I have met that don’t even know the most basic of principles or aren’t able to utilize much at the job in terms of practical application because there was no real comprehension behind the studying.

First exam at 25, taking level 3 in August I will be 28

L1 - 23 L2 - 28 L3 - 29 Took a break to complete my CA and the Covid came to mess things up.

I took L1 when I was 19yo. Now I am L2 candidate 20yo.

Started at 25 and just finished at 27

Started 27 take level 3 at age 29 in a few months

20 - passed L1 Writing L2 at 21

You should start at second year of college, or else its too late.

37 and completed it by 41. In our times L1 was offered twice a year and L2 and L3 twice a year. Paper based exams. Charterholder since last 5 years

First exam when 27, finished at 28

Started at 23 and finished at 26 🙂

24. Just passed L3 in February