FAQ (Last Update: August 2018 )

The CFA Program

What it is
It’s a professional distance-learning program spread over three levels with exams happening every June. Think of it as a very specialised master degree. Not surprisingly, you need either an undergraduate degree (it doesn't matter in which field your degree is or what class/division etc you got) or have equivalent work experience to register into the program (ACCA counts like a first degree). Registration is also open to those who are in the final year of their undergraduate program. The topic area weights are available here. And you won't get any exemptions.

CFA Institute Policy: you will need a valid international passport if you register after 31 December 2010.

How do I register?
Simple. You visit the CFA Institute website and register online. You can sit for your exams in Mauritius or in one of the many test centres around the world. (Level 1 can also be taken in December but not in Mauritius.) Once you’ve registered, watch out for an email with links to download the e-books (you may also order a printed version of the curriculum for an additional fee). Check out the calendar for important milestones in each exam cycle.

How much does it cost?
Lots of value for money here. About USD 1,000 for the first level and about USD 650 for each exam you take until you get through all three levels. So, if you're kind of smart it will cost you about USD 2,300 and you can wrap the program in 18 short months (if you're taking the Level 1 in December). That will get you closer to becoming a CFA Charterholder. I read somewhere that it takes on average a little over 4 years to complete the program. Do the math. Of course, please check their website for updated fees information.

How difficult is it?
It’s a tough exam with a lot of people saying that it’s the toughest thing they’ve done in their lives. And that’s not all. Many candidates for some reason or another don’t even show up for the exam. Sheer fear is one of them. Lack of adequate preparation is another. This is where our Level 1 Seminar becomes handy. [We also have awesome Level 2 Seminar and Level 3 Seminar seminars too!]

You want to know about our irresistible Level 1 Seminar?
Sure. It’s 35 hours of live and expert instruction with a highly-rated coach (that would be me) and who is a CFA Charterholder since 1995. He’s been teaching complicated stuff like Value-at-Risk, A/L M and Fixed-Income for more than 25 years.

You will also get the seminar Lifesaver that is becoming increasingly compact.  For instance it was 458 pages thick in April 2007, 336 pages a year later, 272 pages in December 2008, 238 pages in January 2009, 216 pages in November 2009, 196 pages thin for the 2011 exam cycle, 160 pages for the 2012 diet, 149 pages in 2013 while the 2014 version is even thinner: only 132 pages. But not as thin as the 2015 manual which had only 115 pages! That's an awesome 31.47 times less pages than the assigned readings. The 2016 and 2017 versions were even thinner: 110 pages! How cool is that? The 2018 might have been thinner still but then we decided to add 50% more problems at the back so it was the first Lifesaver to be slightly thicker than its immediate predecessor. But it's definitely the best manual we've designed so far.

Some of my friends are betting that I will soon be able to fit the whole Level 1 curriculum on the back of the Blue Penny. The Level 1 Lifesaver is becoming more compact because I am continually rewriting and redesigning it for improved simplicity as I become a little smarter every now and then after I have another look at the material before, while and after teaching it. And by scrupulously integrating all the great feedback I get from participants and the other brutally honest people that get to take a peek at it.

And of course it's not too difficult to understand from where we took our inspiration.

That’s kind of good news for you because that frees up more time in the seminar (and more space in your brain) for us to tackle an increasing number of important problems (about 750 as I write this down). In fact using the Lifesaver is like taking the plane instead of the bicycle: you will end up having a lot more quality time to spend where you need to make your exam prep stronger. Participation in a full-length mock exam at the very end of the seminar is also included. The results of the mock will be sent to you Godspeed so that you can fine tune your exam preparation. We also have our Level 1 mock exam online. Seminar participants get the first one FREE (that's worth Rs1,000) others are available at a heavily discounted price.

Plus every Level 1 participant gets a copy of Investment Analytics (IA) which explains some really tough stuff in language that’s simple enough that even I am able to understand. IA is a huge time-saver and has been printed in Singapore on recycled paper. Furthermore you will find IA very useful at the next two levels too. [Exact offer may vary, please check relevant registration forms.]

And, we will teach you all kind of smart studying techniques that will make you feel confident right from day one. Some participants say they feel more comfortable with the curriculum right from the first hour of the seminar. Register for one of our Free Sample Classes to find out how we have reinvented CFA Prep.

Plenty of Level 1 Self-Study Options
If you've decided to self-study we have many options for you. Here is our Self-Study Plus. We'll provide links to some other options soon. If you need more information now Whatsapp us at (230) 5253.3500.

Thinking of jumping into the CFA Program again?
You might have registered for the Level 1 exam but didn't go write your exam. No problem. Take our Pick Up to find out where you are and get a checklist of up to 60 hints to make rapid progress. You can always take one of our classroom mocks for any of the three levels which we make available on more times than one. You might also want to take our Level 1 mock to find out if the CFA Program is something you want to do.

Kudos for our seminar
Listen to what Jacques had to say: Very well run seminar that increased my confidence tremendously. Made total preparation not seem so daunting. Here's the feedback of another successful Level 1 Candidate: A top brilliant lecturer is required to guide you properly. While Richard said: Before the seminar, I had doubts whether I was going to sit for the exam, but now I am certainly going to sit for the exams and my confidence level has significantly gone up. Other Level 1 candidates had this to say: He is just awesome:) Encouraging, motivating, patient and makes learning more fun; This is one of the best (or simply the best) seminars I have attended so far; All in all the course was great, especially for me who prefers to study in a more structured environment; and also a great time saver.

You tried level I before but did not succeed
So what? No big deal. I can’t remember the name of the guy who said: if at first you don’t succeed, try again!

Other resources you can use
The search engine of the CFA Institute’s website should never be underestimated. And checking if someone is really a CFA Charterholder is easy. Got additional questions? Good, because I have additional answers. I can be reached at:

Sanjay Jagatsingh, CFA
e-mail: sanjay.jagatsingh@gmail.com
website: mascarenhasanalytica.com
Tel: 230.5253.3500/230.698.0933
Fax: 230.698.7879