Hey folks,
I’m stuck in a tricky spot and could use some input. As a junior in college here in Mumbai, I’ve got a major clash between my CFA Level 1 test and my uni’s end-of-term exam. Both are on the same day next month. I tried to get my school to move their test, but no luck.
Now I’m torn between two choices:
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Skipping the uni exam. I’d fail the class and have to retake it later. The downside? I’d miss out on campus job interviews because of the incomplete grade.
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Paying extra to change my CFA exam date. I’d have to travel to another city for the weekend to take it. It’s pricey and a hassle, though.
I don’t want to put off the CFA exam. I feel ready for it now and don’t want to lose my study momentum.
My school doesn’t have great job placement anyway. I think I could probably find work on my own with my current resume.
What do you all think? Any advice would be super helpful!
As someone who’s been through a similar situation, I’d strongly advise against skipping your university exam. The long-term consequences of failing a course can be more severe than you might anticipate. It’s not just about job interviews; it can affect your overall academic standing and potentially delay your graduation.
Rescheduling your CFA exam, while inconvenient and costly, is likely the better option. The CFA Institute offers multiple testing windows throughout the year, so you’re not losing your chance entirely. Plus, the additional study time could actually improve your performance.
Consider this: your university degree is a prerequisite for many finance positions, including those that value the CFA. Prioritizing your degree completion keeps more doors open in the long run. You can always explain a delayed CFA exam to potential employers, but a failed course on your transcript is harder to justify.
Remember, your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Making a decision that protects your academic record now will likely pay off in the future.
Hey SurfingWave, that’s quite a pickle you’re in! 
I’m curious, have you tried talking to your professors individually about your situation? Sometimes they can be more understanding than the administration. Maybe there’s a chance to take the uni exam early or do an alternative assignment?
If that’s a no-go, I’m leaning towards option 2 - changing your CFA exam date. I know it’s a pain and expensive, but hear me out. Your degree is super important, and failing a class could have ripple effects you might not expect. Plus, even if your school’s job placement isn’t great, you never know what opportunities might come up through campus interviews.
That said, I totally get not wanting to lose your CFA momentum. Have you considered finding a study buddy in the new city you’d travel to? It could be a chance to network and keep your motivation up.
What do you think? Are there any other options you’ve considered that you didn’t mention? I’m sure with some creative thinking, we can figure out a solution that doesn’t sacrifice your hard work!
yo surfingwave, that’s a tough spot man. i’d say go for the uni exam tho. failing a class can mess up ur gpa and graduation timeline. plus, those campus interviews might surprise u. the cfa can wait a bit - ur knowledge won’t disappear overnight. maybe find a study group to keep u motivated til the next test date?