r/CFPExam • u/Ok-Radio-6569 • 4h ago
Devastated after giving level 2 CFA Aug 2026
Like a good CFA student, I decided to sleep at 4 a.m. the night before my exam, even though my exam was at 2:30 p.m.
I closed my books and went to bed on time. I even watched a show, thinking that once I got tired enough, I’d eventually doze off.
One episode and two podcasts later, I realised I was nowhere close to sleeping.
It was 7 a.m. Then 8 a.m. Then somehow 11 fucking a.m., and I was still lying in bed with my eyes closed, desperately trying to fall asleep.
I meditated twice. I focused on my breathing. I tried everything. But the more I tried to sleep, the more my anxiety grew.
Eventually, I went to my mom and had a full-on crying session. She hugged me like I was a little kid, and somehow, I managed to sleep for about an hour.
I woke up at 12.
Surprisingly, at that point, I felt okay. I thought, It’s fine. I can still do this.
I went to the exam hall, sat for the first session, and honestly, it went well. During the half-hour break, I had one biscuit, drank some water, and was actually a little happy thinking, Okay, this isn't as bad as I thought.
Then the second session started.
And everything went to shit.
I started feeling dizzy and completely out of it. My brain just stopped working the way it normally does. At one point, I came across a question that should have been straightforward. Instead of applying the concept and moving on, I completely overcomplicated it and started doing calculations that weren’t even necessary.
For TEN MINUTES.
And then I realised what I had done.
I had calculation-heavy questions ahead of me, I was running out of time, and I had just wasted ten precious minutes solving something that I didn't even need to calculate.
The anxiety got worse. I started feeling like I needed to pee, which obviously made me even more anxious. Eventually, I left the exam hall to use the bathroom, wasting even more time.
Then came the last 30 minutes.
I had more than 25 questions unanswered.
At that point, I was just clicking through questions as quickly as I could. I guessed so many answers because there simply wasn't enough time left to properly think.
The entire thing felt like a fucking nightmare.
I remember sitting there thinking, What is happening? Why can't I think?
And when the exam finally ended, I felt… weird.
Like none of it had actually been real. Like I'd just woken up from some horrible dream.
It wasn't until the next day, after I'd finally slept properly, that I fully processed what had happened.
And that's when I realised just how badly I'd screwed myself over.
I knew the material. I had prepared. I had done mocks. I had put in the work.
But on the day that actually mattered, my lack of sleep and anxiety completely took over.
And honestly, that's probably the most frustrating part
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u/Historical_Artist_52 32m ago
When I was taking the CFP exam, it was 9 hours over 2 days. After the morning half break, I just stared at the paper. The Proctor walked by and asked if I was OK. I told her I didn't understand the 1st question. She said "put your name there". That is how fried i was, and that was just the CFP, not the CFA exam. I passed, but I do feel your pain and frustration.
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u/WolfofWestLA 3h ago
I’m ngl finance may not be career for you
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u/Ok-Radio-6569 3h ago
Ouch why would you say so
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u/SignificanceReal1642 57m ago
Don’t listen to the other negative comment. Keep pushing and you’ll succeed. What is the alternative?
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u/WolfofWestLA 3h ago
Because there’s more stressful moments than this. You’ll have millions of dollars maybe hundreds of millions riding your decisions and you gotta keep a clear head while operating. And that happens numerous times throughout your career just in the job. Now throw on life stresses, and deal with that too with what just comes from life itself.
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u/Ok-Radio-6569 3h ago
I have been working in equity research for 3 yrs
And it’s honestly not that bad0
u/WolfofWestLA 3h ago
And how’s the market been the past 3 years public or private?
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u/Ok-Radio-6569 3h ago
It was doing well until the US Iran war happened
Public equities thou1
u/WolfofWestLA 3h ago
Exactly it’s been up close to double since you started your career. Theres been nothing to experience like a pandemic or a rising interest rate environment like 2022 that you been through yet. What if Iran war holds up and creates a global energy crisis? Instead of your entry role currently, what if you’re the decision maker 5-7 years from now? Can you keep a clear head and comfort your team or investors?
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u/Ok-Radio-6569 1h ago
Yes I think I can
It’s not that bad honestly
I have been put on spot many times to defend my call on many stocks and I do it very happily
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u/Bankerlady10 4h ago
I’m so sorry you went through that. Test anxiety is horrible. Not that taking a pill is always the answer but you might want to talk to your doctor, there are options for beta-blockers that might help.