Guys, I'm keen to enroll CFA and have some clarifications:-

(1) Will I have sufficient study time if I enroll now for Dec 2012 Exam on level 1? I have no idea on the volume of the study materials.

(2) Does the passed subjects have an "expiry date"? Eg. If I passed Level 1 and decided to take Level 2, say 10 years later, surely the institute will ask me to retake Level 1, no?

(3) How do I make withdrawal from EPF for the fees? I understand that EPF require certain documentation for the submission. Does such documentation be generated automatically once I register under CFA website?

(4) I live in Penang and there are 2 choices which I can attend classes on CFA: one by Ooi from MRR and another via videoconference from Noesis. For those in Penang, which one is better? MRR would provide better personal coaching but I would think a larger setup like Noesis would have better updated materials.

(5) The CFA website stated that the e-book will "void" after 5 years. Does it refer only to the on-line version or even the pdf version will not be accesible from my computer after 5 years? Wouldn't that mean it's better to buy the paperback version? Or should I just buy the e-book version, which is cheaper, and get it printed by 3rd parties.

Thanks alot fellas!

(1) What about yourself? How much study time did you dedicate for Level 1 average per day and how many days you took for the exam? I'm a Commerce graduate, a CPA Australia and 10-years corporate finance experience. I just wish to get a gauge to balance my work-life.

(2) On "expiry" issue, what I meant is that if I decide to take the next step much later after passing the first, due to reason such as work/family/financial commitment etc, and not because I have failed after repeated takes (none to begin with). Will the institute say that since the materials get refreshed regularly, I am required to re-do level 1 if I decide to register for my level 2, say, 7 years later. Has this occur before?

(3) Do you attend classes? Or do you think these classes are "passable", ie you can manage the same without them.

Thank you all for the clarifications, very helpful indeed!

Going back to the question on e-book: The CFA website isn't clear whether the PDF copy that you saved in your own HDD will get "expired" as well after 5 years, meaning when you try to open the PDF after 5 years, does the PDF embed some kinda "time checker" that prevent you from opening it, or the expiry only applies to the on-line version?

I am planning to do Level 1 now and enroll for Noesis classes. They're conducting classes through webinar/skype and I'm not sure how effective that is coz I'm in Penang while the classes are conducted in KL.

Anyone in Pg doin Level 1 now please do shout out!