MFE and C?

[Llanowan]

I'm working full time, but I'd like to take advantage of the opportunity of the staggered MFE and C exam dates if possible. I'll have 3 full weeks of paid study time the first half of this year.

How insane would it be to prepare for both exams for May and June if I started in the next couple of weeks? Anyone that could offer some insight? From the MFE forums, it seems that getting a good set of questions on the exam is as important as being well prepared lately (not sure if the new CBT will help matters)--so getting in an attempt at May seems advisable if possible.

I'm currently 3 for 3 on my first try for the other prelims, but it sounds like these two can be extremely obnoxious. I think I took a little over two months to prepare for MLC and just passed with an 8. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[undegaussable]

The hunter who chases two rabbits gets neither.

[Cliff]

Do it

Undegaussable sounds like a wuss

[FMbrah]

I am doing the same thing, except I am in my last semester of school. I think you are in a better position than I am... the way I look at it is that when you work full time, you don't have homework and exams to study for. So when you get off work you can focus on studying for the exams. I on the other hand have lots of other stuff I have to do in addition to trying to prepare, so I think you should be able to do it with enough discipline and focus.

This is coming from someone who has not yet started to cover the MFE material, so take it for what it's worth...

[Cliff]

I am doing the same thing, except I am in my last semester of school. I think you are in a better position than I am... the way I look at it is that when you work full time, you don't have homework and exams to study for. So when you get off work you can focus on studying for the exams. I on the other hand have lots of other stuff I have to do in addition to trying to prepare, so I think you should be able to do it with enough discipline and focus.

This is coming from someone who has not yet started to cover the MFE material, so take it for what it's worth...

The only reason he is in a better position is because he can only get sloppy drunk twice a week, while you have to be tempted every night in college.

[FMbrah]

The only reason he is in a better position is because he can only get sloppy drunk twice a week, while you have to be tempted every night in college.

lol. I suppose that is true for most college students, but I am in my last semester and can count the number of times I have been sloppy drunk on my fingers and toes. And I am quite sure I will not be drinking again until the night of my graduation

[herbmarino]

lol. I suppose that is true for most college students, but I am in my last semester and can count the number of times I have been sloppy drunk on my fingers and toes. And I am quite sure I will not be drinking again until the night of my graduation

You shouldn't have the handle FMbrah then, it's very misleading.

[Cliff]

You shouldn't have the handle FMbrah then, it's very misleading.

:iatp: It suggests you drink natty iiice like every niiight

[FMbrah]

^ touché :shrug:

[levenzaha]

It's a stretch but probably doable
I would say to not waste your money you would need...
300 hours for C
and 250 hours for MFE
for a CHANCE of passing one

assuming you have little experience with the material
so that's minimum 550 hours in 5 months.certainly doable, although i would say to have a decent shot at passing both it would be more like 600-650.

For reference, I started studying in July for MFE in November and right away started studying for 4/C for June when MFE was over and am having a hard time getting all the time - although i wasn't as dillegent as i should have been for MFE.

[Is This Wilt Chamberlain?]

Yeah I should've posted this here instead of the progress thread. Short version: don't be a hero.


The hardest part about C for me was the sheer volume and the fact that the material doesn't fit together at all. It's like they just threw all the random stuff on C that they wanted to test but didn't fit anywhere else. I really struggled trying to keep all that disjointed crap fresh in my head, and I can't imagine doing it while doubling up.

I would HIGHLY recommend not doing C and MFE together. No doubt it can be done, but trust me it's not worth it. Passing both MFE and MLC in May, on the other hand, is very doable IMO.

[tiernane]

It's a stretch but probably doable
I would say to not waste your money you would need...
300 hours for C
and 250 hours for MFE
for a CHANCE of passing one

assuming you have little experience with the material
so that's minimum 550 hours in 5 months.certainly doable, although i would say to have a decent shot at passing both it would be more like 600-650.

For reference, I started studying in July for MFE in November and right away started studying for 4/C for June when MFE was over and am having a hard time getting all the time - although i wasn't as dillegent as i should have been for MFE.

O.O That is a LOT of studying. There's no way I'll come close to that much for C. MFE I think I did in ~175-200ish

[Mr F]

I am doing the same thing, except I am in my last semester of school. I think you are in a better position than I am... the way I look at it is that when you work full time, you don't have homework and exams to study for. So when you get off work you can focus on studying for the exams. I on the other hand have lots of other stuff I have to do in addition to trying to prepare, so I think you should be able to do it with enough discipline and focus.

This is coming from someone who has not yet started to cover the MFE material, so take it for what it's worth...

Having done both study while a full time student and study while working full-time, i can say that finding time to study for exams while in school is much easier.

[tiernane]

Having done both study while a full time student and study while working full-time, i can say that finding time to study for exams while in school is much easier.

I really don't feel like you can say that it will be this way for everyone. I studied for MLC (and passed) taking a full course load and working 40 hours a week. At that point I was a "full time student" and would find it difficult to believe that finding time to study in "the real world" will be more difficult. I realize these are somewhat exceptional circumstances, but I'm just trying to say that there are cases that do not fall under the much easier category.

OP- MFE and C together sounds scary,but good luck :) I'd say make sure you have MFE down before you move on to C so you don't end up failing both.

[levenzaha]

Having done both study while a full time student and study while working full-time, i can say that finding time to study for exams while in school is much easier.

I have also done both, and would disagree for a couple reasons.

1) When you are in college, last think you want to do is study more than you already are isntead of going out every chance you get or just being lazy

2) When you are working, studying almost ends up being a break from work plus most of your friends are working too so no one is going out anyway.
For me, I had to give up watching tv and goofing around for several hours to find time to study. More willing to do that now than in school.

But yes, technically, you "should" have more time when in school but the motivation may not be there

[levenzaha]

O.O That is a LOT of studying. There's no way I'll come close to that much for C. MFE I think I did in ~175-200ish

Also doable. I didnt log my hours so I am guessing it was 200-250. I also got a 15 on the test which was the pass mark. I just could not, and still do not, understand brownian motion

[Sloop John B]

It's a stretch but probably doable
I would say to not waste your money you would need...
300 hours for C
and 250 hours for MFE
for a CHANCE of passing one

I think you may be overstating the study hours a bit. If the OP has a math background (from Princeton) he should be able to pull it off in less.

That isn't to say it won't suck a lot to study for both while working. Anyway, best of luck.

[jacobg]

One dude I know passed all 5 prelims in 8 months. What's that all about?

[Mr F]

I suppose I had "exceptional circumstances" as well, passing MLC while having an internship (20hrs/week), on-campus job, and a member of the cross country team (50-60 miles per week + Saturday meets). I still feel this way.

Perhaps i misspoke. my issue is certainly motovation now. The last thing I want to do after work is something else related to work. I still put in the hours, but each one seems more painful.

[levenzaha]

I think you may be overstating the study hours a bit. If the OP has a math background (from Princeton) he should be able to pull it off in less.

That isn't to say it won't suck a lot to study for both while working. Anyway, best of luck.

That's true - and those hours are assuming very little background. I felt like my education didn't prepare me that great for the exams. Also not attentive enough to notice he is from Princeton

[jacobg]

I advise against