Practice exams: To panic, or not to panic, that is the question...

LeChiffre

Greetings,

Practice exam (%) scores have been as follows (Schweser, each score represents a 120 question set):

65, 63, 67, 61, 68

Scores by section are volatile. For example, got 0 on derivatives in one practice, then 83 the next exam. I feel somewhat optimistic on my chances of passing. If I can get the next few practice sets up in the 70-80's I'll feel much better. Time has not been an issue at all on exams, if anything I need to slow down.

From anyone who has been here before, these scores pretty typical? Or do I really need to put the pedal to the metal?

Thanks,

John

hairyfairy

hmm. to be frank, 60+ would make me uncomfortable. That being said, obviously you have quite a few weeks to bump up your score. I was scoring about mid-70s (Elan) approaching my level 1 (and passed), but I've heard that Elan is harder than Schweser.

LeChiffre

Polished off another 120-question practice exam last night, another 68. So three full practice exams down, average scores of:

63.75%, 64.17%, 67.50%

Time between the exams for additional prep has been limited, but my schedule for the remaining days until the exam will allow for more review. Scores should reflect the additional review and practice.

googs1484

Well...to give you a point of reference with Schweser I just finished 4 full exams, 240 questions.  Scores by each half are 75, 75, 85, 81, 74, 81, 79, 77. I'm sort of a pessimistic person and think of myself as intellectually challenged. Not sure how true that is but I tend to overachiev with study time to compensate.  I'm 485 hrs deep in SOLID study time.  I have my 3 day workshop this weekend in Boston.  Then the live mock and ill probably take at least 4 more on top of that. Ideally I want to be consistent with 80s to feel safe but that may not be realistic.

googs1484

I never answered your question though.  To be honest, if I were you, I would be panicked. I really think you need to get your scores to mid 70s. With your scores you'd basically be rolling the dice that cfai gives you questions you happen to know. 

LeChiffre

@hairyfairy, @googs1484, I'm not overly concerned at this stage. I've only had about 15 hours of review between those exams to review additional material, and the topics I have covered have improved. And from some other Level I practice exam threads I'd say I'm about on par, and just above the Schweser peer average. There's certainly room for improvement, and my scores will trend in the right direction. I'm 220-230 hours deep now, with another 100 or so on the calendar before June 6. I'll post scores as they come in, another half test on deck Friday, for now, back to quant!

Googs, let's push through and pass this thing.

-John

googs1484

@LeChiffre good luck!! Wish you nothing but the best.  When in doubt,  pick A

RoyD

Well I was averaging around 71% with a range of 68-83% on around 4 or 5 full practice exams of KS. I scored 70+ in everything except FRA on the exam. Make of it what you may...
I don't think there's reason to panic for you. 65+ is reasonably good.

googs1484

Wow really? Good to know. 

LeChiffre

@RoyD, that is reassuring. I suppose it will depend on how difficult the Schweser exams are relative to the actual exam. Still many hours of prep ahead. If anything, these less than stellar scores are giving me a bit more motivation to really step it up in the month leading up to test day.

RoyD

Schweser prepares you well in terms of practice papers. They do have a few missing points on the curriculum I feel because on the exam I was really stumped on a few questions.
In my opinion the Schweser practice exams are definitely more tough than the actual exam. The degree of toughness may vary from person to person though. That being said, don't for a second underestimate the actual exam.

LeChiffre

@RoyD, I really appreciate the insight. And I agree with your point of Schweser perhaps leaving out a few of the finer points. By the final few practice exams I hope to be in the low 80's. If I had to take the exam this weekend I'd put my chances at about a coin flip, but after another month of prep I'll be reasonably confident.

DigitalWizard

LeChiffre your doing it right.  ;-) I was a dice roller right at the exam time, I was lucky and now am struggling to do level 2 tests and just cant seem to finish them on time. ;-|   I think I am a month behind you.  Good luck.  ;-)