CFA Level 2 Exam Weights, Study Plan, Tips, Pass Rates, Fees

If you look at CFA Level 2 exam preparation tips, you can assume that you have already completed your CFA Level 1 course. Firstly, congratulations, and good luck with CFA Level 2! Now, let us look at CFA Level 2 and attempt to pass out with a similar intensity. CFA Level 2 exam is considered the toughest of the three levels of the CFA examination.

We have brought a comprehensive guide that will help you know what you can expect from the CFA Level 2 exam. This guide will cover the syllabus, study plan/tips, pass rates, and results to get you started. So read slowly, understand everything and let this article be your first preparation step.

Without any ado, let’s begin.

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The syllabus of CFA Level 2 is quite comprehensive. This section will look at each subject, their CFA Level 2 exam weights, and how you should approach each topic as you start your preparation.

source: CFA Institute

If you observe, you may see that in CFA Level 2, the weightage is given to each subject in almost similar propensity (not precisely). In Level 1 and Level 3, the intensity differs according to subjects (even a few subjects you can skip), but in CFA Level 2, you need to study all.

Ethics and Professional Standards - 10 - 15% weight

Ethics, for me, was one of the most challenging topics. Since I did not score well in CFA Level 1 in the Ethics section, I was determined to spend more time on this section. My opinion would be to check how your score was in CFA Level 1. You already have an excellent foundation if you have scored more than 70%. However, please spend a fair amount of time on this section if you score lower. Please do not forget that this section comes again in CFA Level 3.

Quantitative Methods - 5-10%

Do not neglect Quantitative Methods. You may get 1 to 2 vignettes from this section. It was again one of the most substantial areas, and I preferred to complete these sets of questions before attempting other complicated sections. Quantitative Methods are both formulae as well as concept-oriented. You should not face many issues if you are from an engineering/maths background. Others, please do take the time to practice this section.

Economics - 5-10%

Expect two vignettes from this economics section. First, the topics included are exchange rate determination and forecast, economic growth and regulation, Macro vs. Microeconomics. Unfortunately, this section was one of my weaker areas. So, I read this section twice and practiced as many questions as possible.

Financial Reporting and Analysis - 10-15%

I loved this Financial Statement Analysis section. By far, for me, it was the easiest and most interesting one. However, I must say that this section is the hardest as well, mainly if you are from a non-accounting background. CFA Level 2 financial reporting goes deep into individual concepts, so take time to practice as many questions as possible. It was the end of the chapter questions from CFA Institute books that did the trick.

Corporate Finance - 5-10%

Here, you may expect 1-2 vignettes. Topics include Capital Budgeting, Capital Structure, Dividends, Share Buyback Repurchase, Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Corporate Performance. I found this section closely aligned with the Financial Reporting and Analysis. My take is that this is low-hanging fruit. You should master this concept to score well in the CFA Level 2 exam.

Equity Investments - 10-15%

Along with Financial Reporting and Analysis, this section is one of the foundation level sections of CFA level 2. Topics include Industry Analysis and Company Analysis, Dividend Discount Valuation Model, Free Cash Flow to Firm, Free Cash Flow to Equity, Market-based Equity Multiple and Enterprise Valuation Multiples, and Residual Income Method. You must master this one! But, trust me, this one is easy too! 

Fixed Income - 10-15%

You can expect 2-3 vignettes from the Fixed Income section. This one is the favorite of those who are good at Quantitative Analysis. Topics include term structure, future-forward, yields, swaps, an arbitrage-free valuation framework, valuation of bonds, embedded options, credit analysis models, credit default swaps, etc. Many candidates find this part difficult. So, start with the necessary foundation of the topic and practice the questions as much as possible.

Derivatives 5-10%

Expect 1-2 vignettes from the derivatives section. Topics here include pricing of forwards commitments, contingent claims, options trading strategies, etc. This one again is the favorite topic of Quant-oriented folks. There are various formulas here; however, you need to first get through the necessary foundations. Also, make sure to practice these questions using your CFA calculator.

Alternative Investments - 5-10%

Expect 1-2 vignettes during your CFA level 2 exam. The important topics include Real Estate Investments, Private Equity Valuations, Commodities, and Commodity Derivatives. This topic is more conceptual with some numerical. Please do not neglect this section as it may become a deal-breaker.

Portfolio Management and Wealth Planning 10-15%

Expect 1-2 vignettes from Portfolio and Wealth management. This one can be very easy or difficult at the same time. Do you read the topics very carefully? It includes Portfolio Management, Investment Policy Statements, Multifactor Models, VAR, Economic Analysis, Active Management, and Trading. Make some time learning the Investment Policy Statements as this is the right foundation of the most important topic found in CFA Level 3.

It is important to study hard. Knowing the pass rates beforehand helps you intensify your preparation. In this section, we will look at monumental data. From 1963 to 2016, we will investigate all the data and determine how effortless CFA Level 2 is.

CFA Level 2 Passing Rates between 1964-1981

The passing rates for CFA Level 2 were very high in the initial years. For example, between 1964 and1981, the average passing rate for CFA Level 2 was 78%.

source: CFA Institute

CFA Level 2 Passing Rates between 1982-2000

Between 1982 and 2000, the average passing rate for CFA Level 2 dropped from 78% in the earlier period to 64%.

However, there was no rise in the total number of CFA Level 2 candidates. On the contrary, the number of candidates appearing for CFA Level 2 increased dramatically.

source: CFA Institute

CFA Level 2 Passing Rates between 2001-2016

• Between 2000 and 2016, the average passing rate for CFA Level 2 dropped further from earlier periods to 44%.
• In June 2016, the passing rate for CFA level 2 was 46%.
• Also, you may note that the total number of candidates appearing for CFA Level 2 steadily increased during these 15 years.

source: CFA Institute

As you can see, the intensity of CFA Level 2 requires studying hard. So, buckle up and start preparing.

Before we go ahead and talk about study tips, have a look at the exam format so that you can prepare yourself accordingly.

Unlike the CFA Level 1 exam, in CFA Level 2, you need to understand each concept in depth to answer vignettes (mini-cases) comfortably.

source: CFA Institute

• There would be 10-item set questions in the morning session, each set containing six vignettes.
• It would need to opt for 10-item set questions containing the same six vignettes in the afternoon session.
• There will be a total of 360 points for the whole exam. You would be given 3 points for each correct answer, and there is no penalty for any incorrect answer. The duration would be 360 minutes (6 hours) for the whole exam.
• The major change in the pattern is that there is a 10-item set (each around 400-800 words) with six multiple-choice questions in each session (morning and afternoon session). These six questions may be dependent or independent of each other.
• Each item set question covers only one study session (FSA, Ethics, Portfolio), making it easier to solve the vignette.

If you have just passed CFA Level 1 and think that you may crack CFA Level 2 exam at one time, then you may have estimated the difficulty level of the CFA Level 2 exam by the number of questions. Unfortunately, while the number of questions in the CFA Level 2 exam is certainly lower, the difficulty level of the exam is much higher than CFA Level 1.

Here are the few things you need to keep in mind if you want to crack the CFA Level 2 exam in one go.

CFA Level 2 exam is the hardest of all level

• No, it is not what we are saying. Rather, it is advised by the professionals who have already excelled in CFA. According to them, by some means, the CFA Level 2 exam is the toughest compared to its other two counterparts.
• There are several reasons for that. First of all, CFA Level 1 is easier for people who are good in finance and possess a background in economics and maths.
• Secondly, when the students are transitioning from Level 1 to Level 2, they cannot understand the difficulty level of the CFA Level 2 exam until they face the questions in the examination hall.
• Of course, these are generalized statements and do not include everybody. Despite that, there is truth in these statements. So do not take the CFA Level 2 exam lightly.
• Also, note that now with CFA Level 2, the competition is between serious candidates who have surpassed the Level 1 examination.

You need to double your preparation time:

• If you have studied 2-3 hours a day for the CFA Level 1 exam, you need to double that amount every day to pass the CFA Level 2 exam.
• And require much more depth in comprehending the concepts than you did in the CFA Level 1 exam. Often the vignettes are too straightforward, and you need to answer only one thing without having any chance to elaborate.
• Plan and have ample time to study the whole curriculum at least three times. Then practice sample questions so that you do not experience a certain burst of shock while attempting the vignettes in the examination hall.

Know the weights of the subject (according to item sets):

• It would help if you were a know-it-all wizard. Yes, we do not doubt that.
• But still, you need to prioritize and give more weight to the subjects that can act mightier in the item set questions. So, you need to know what to expect from them.
• Four topics – Ethics, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Equity Investment, and Fixed Income represent approx. 50%-80% of the weightage.

Basics of CFA Level 1 would be required.

• CFA is a dynamic course, and each level is intertwined.
• So, if you want to make your mark in the CFA Level 2 exam, you need to be thorough with the foundation concepts of CFA Level 1.
• You may also need to go back and understand a few concepts in the CFA Level 1 exam.

Give special attention to the distribution of time:

• Vignette-type questions take more time to answer than any multiple-choice type questions.
• Thus, it would help if you practiced a lot more before you ever got to answer everything in the examination hall perfectly. In the final section, we will discuss sample questions to get an idea about what to expect in the question paper.
• Practicing sample questions is a must; otherwise, it would be difficult to clear the CFA Level 2 exam in one shot.

Should you read the vignette first or read the questions first?

• Many candidates prefer to read the questions first to understand the kind of questions expected from the vignette (numerical, conceptual, factual) and then the case study. However, I have never tried this approach.
• My approach was straightforward. I used to read the vignette quickly before the question. To answer the questions, you will have to refer back to vignettes.

Try to Score more than 70% in each section.

• CFA does not provide individual section passing scores.
• However, it is safe to assume that you would not fail if you scored more than 70% in each section.
• As a strategy, I used to pick sections where I was determined. My best section was Financial Reporting and Analysis.
• Choosing the strongest helps you build confidence during the exam and also enables you to save valuable time that you can use for attempting the weaker sections.

Knowing how much you need to pay for the CFA Level 2 exam is important. So, let us have a look. You have already paid the enrolment fees as you have passed out from the CFA Level 1 exam. Here are the June 2017 exam details if you want to sit for the CFA Level 2 exam.

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source: CFA Institute

While paying the exam registration fees, you would be receiving the following things: -

• The e-book contains everything needed to study for the exam (the complete curriculum, to be precise).
• You will receive a study planner that helps track your exam preparation and guide you ahead of time.
• You will also get topic-based practice tests.
• You will also acquire mock exams.
• Lastly, you will be given a mobile app to help you access everything else mentioned above.

To purchase a print version of the complete curriculum, you can pay the non-refundable $150 plus shipping.

CFA Level 2 exam is the most difficult exam in finance compared to all the courses in the finance domain. You know now why the CFA Level 2 exam needs all your effort, time, and hard work from the above examples, stats, tips, and sample questions.

And if you are a working professional, you need to prioritize your schedule so that you get to study daily for a few hours. Often, it is hard, and you may feel like not doing it. But for a year, if you can pursue this schedule, you will certainly see it in your results. I hope this guide has helped you shape your idea of how to start preparing for the CFA Level 2 exam. Get started right away. The clock is ticking.

Good Luck!

This article is a guide to a complete peeks into the CFA Level 2 Syllabus, Exam Tips, Pass Rate, Results, Sample Questions appearing in the exam, etc. You may also look at the following articles for more information: -

• CFA Exam
• CFA Institute Investment Foundation Program
• CFA vs FRM - Top Differences
• CFA or CFP