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Two days ago I sat the CAIA Level 2 exam. Likewise my post on CAIA Level 1 , I cannot give much detail here, but the overall impression is as follows: Significantly harder than Level 1. More calculations, more detail required. There were again some questions I do not recall seeing answers to in Schweser Notes. Essay questions are not very difficult, but require to list up/describe certain processes/reasons for certain events, so memorizing these lists came in very useful (although I am not sure my answers were accurate enough). As such, I am much less confident in the outcome than I was for Level 1. Will be waiting for the results. RELATED POSTS: Preparing for CAIA Level 2 CAIA Level 1 Exam Comparison of financial certifications CFA and CAIA Designations ■

I remember I scoffed about CAIA L1 exam. I found it all too easy, and started thinking CAIA should not really stand in one line with CFA. I am starting to change my mind. After some relatively easy sections on Real Estate and Private Equity, here come Hedge Funds and Structured Products, and all of a sudden the exam does not feel so easy any longer. François-Serge Lhabitant, whose book Hedge Funds: Quantitative Insights I had the pleasure (and the pain) reading in the past, really knows what he is writing about... His in-much-detail description of Hedge Fund investment strategies is extremely informative, but memorizing all the formulas involved is no bed of roses. Same goes to the Structured Products. With only a few weeks ahead before the exam, I feel I really need to step on the gas. RELATED POSTS: CAIA Level 2 Exam CAIA Level 1 Exam Comparison of financial certifications CFA and CAIA Designations ■

Last Friday I took a day off and headed to a local test center to sit my CAIA Level 1 exam. Without going into too much detail so as not to violate the non-disclosure clause one has to sign before taking the exam, here are some notes and personal reflections:

An excellent article and a consise but informative comparison table on financial certifications. A must-read for CFA and CAIA candidates.   The Value of Professional Designations: CAIA, FRM, CRPC, CIMA, CIC, CFA   Comparison table   It seems that both CFA and CAIA are in great demand, so I am on the right course. The only tiny thing left is to get through all the exams and earn the designations. More late night studying ahead...     P.S. I would like to thank Reza Mahmud for kindly sharing the sources on the LinkedIn CAIA group discussion board RELATED POSTS: CAIA Level 2 Exam Preparing for CAIA Level 2 CAIA Level 1 Exam CFA and CAIA Designations