Didn't know there was a thread on CFA! I took the exams over Jun 2000 to Jun 2002 (those days no Dec exam for Lvl 1). I enrolled for Kasturi night classes (2x/week) but missed some classes due to work commitments. Whenever I missed classes, I tried catch up through self study. Kasturi had an excellent lecturer, David Meow, with whom I still keep in touch. Some pointers:-

1. Working in IB/CF line is a HUGE advantage for the exams;

2. Many IB/CF advisory firms (including my employer) encourage staff to take the CFA exams & will reimburse all registration costs & tuition fees upon passing. In 2000-2002, it was only about USD300 per level (excl. Kasturi's fees - can't remember how much, but not very expensive);

3. At the end of the exam, when the proctor says "stop writing", throw down your pen/pencil as fast as you can! They are very strict on this. During my Lvl 2 exam, a friend of mine continued to write for maybe 30 secs, and the proctor (mat saleh) told her that her test paper would not be graded. She was crying & pleaded with the proctor to accept her paper. Her paper was not graded & she was barred from taking CFA exams for 1 year. She has since completed all 3 levels, but "wasted" 2 years.

4. In addition to around 6 hours of consistent study per week (starting about 6 mths before the exam), I used 6 weeks of my annual leave for the 3 levels (1, 2 & 3 weeks leave for Lvl 1, 2 & 3 respectively);

5. HP12c is a much more efficient calculator because it uses RPN. RPN requires significantly less keystrokes to compute the answer and is therefore quicker (particularly for longer, complicated problems). If you are not confident with RPN, it is better to opt for the TI.

Purpose I am posting is because as an HP affectionado, I am looking for 2nd hand HP12c (classic, not platinum) and HP17bII (not the current model 17bII+). If any candidates/charterholders no longer require their old calculators, please post! I will arrange to meet up & purchase during lunch time. I am in KL.

All the best to those taking the exam in June 2012!

Not that bad lah ... there are quite a number of events every year:

- AGM/dinner
- New Charterholders ceremony
- CPE courses (around 4-5 so far in 2012)
- A few social events (wine, bbq, etc.)

The last event was poolside bbq at KL Hilton.

The CPE courses are useful, esp. if you need points for SC licence.

Every year, they siphon USD325 from me (or rather, from my employer heh heh!). So they'd better give back something! If you are a member, better confirm that they have your correct e-mail address.

Employer paid everything, L1-L3 costs + Kasturi fees + 7 days paid study leave per level + CFA Charter annual membership. I think most IBs / SC licencee firms provide significant support to staff pursuing CFA.

Upside = FOC .... downside is bosses will know if you don't clear!

I attended Kasturi, but this was many yrs ago, when Kasturi was nearly a monopoly. As you mention, food & transport are great. I used to take LRT. L1 had around 100 students!! But many didn't even take the exam. By L3, class size was down to 12.

Ask about no. of students, lecturers' CV, if you can use library weekends & after office-hours, etc. David Meow was a good lecturer - not sure if he's still there.