Hi guys, I sat the CFA L2 exam in June 2013 and have since been the subject of a PCP investigation – similarity analysis investigation. I know deep down I did nothing wrong as I would be a fool to throw that hard work down the drain and tarnish my reputation. The investigation letter made no reference to me looking or glancing which is the only way I could have copied which further infuriates me. I really wanted to bring this up since I was positioned right in the front row which makes this even more ridiculous. I didn’t want to accuse anyone of anything as I could only speak for myself. My response to the investigation quoted my CFA tutors and their email addresses, as they saw my contributions in class and the hard work I put into studying.
As mentioned above, I have been waiting for my score for 5 months. From what I have read in AF my scores will be voided and I will probably be banned - If so any ideas for how long?
According to them, If the investigation is so clear cut, why is it taking so long to reach a verdict? I intend to appeal no matter the outcome as I cannot allow that hard work to go down the drain without putting up a fight. I would be grateful if anyone can give me an idea of what will happen to my exam, bans or prohibitions etc. Thanks Hubert Brown
CFA committees always take a long time to decide, I wouldn’t read too much into it. I’m surprised you say there’s nothig else besides the sim. analysis? THey should have made a claim you were looking or glancing.
Thanks Itera for replying. They make no mention whatsoever about me looking or glancing (which I did not). I was in the front row as well. I’m bitterly dissappointed because of the problems this has caused with my employer and reputation at work. I gave them the contact details of my tutors at Kaplan who saw how seriously and committed I was. I made a point of not attacking or accussing anyone because I only know about me and what I did over those 6 hours. Utterrly gutted and scared of the prospect of a ban.
I would hate to be banned, Sorry if I sound like I am moaning, I feel like I wasted 8 months studying + 5 waiting.
Any ideas what the punishment will be? I plan to argue my case regardless.
Perhaps the similarity is high because someone else looked at and copied your answers? Then the only real question is whether you let them or not.
I have no idea how the CFAI handles these kinds of cases. It seems grossly unfair to void the results of an innocent person that was copied from simply because they can’t figure out who copied from whom.
Have you had a chance to speak to someone at CFAI directly about the situation? it sounds like a terrible situation if you are genuinely innocent.
I’m curious about what happens to the copyee when people are pulled up on similarity analysis and there’s no proctor report of someone looking at someone elses paper? Do they just get struck off too? if so, that seems unfair.
It seems like at least half of “similarity analysis” cases should end with dismissal of the charges, since presumably, they catch the person who copied along with the person who was copied. It’s kind of unreasonable that it’s taking them so long to resolve this though.
I think you’re still technically violating the rules by allowing someone to copy. I remember one proctor giving me grief in level 2 about leaving my answer sheet just a tiny bit exposed. Nothing came of it, and there was no way someone could have copied off that little piece, but nonetheless.
If the guy next to you copied your answers enough to trigger this, then I’d say either (a) you let him knowingly or (b) you were negligent in covering up your answers
That said, there is a chance that this could happen out of pure luck (depends on how close they were). So I have a hard time believing they’ll toss your result without at least some other kind of evidence. However, they are notoriously ruthless so hard to say.
I would never (knowingly) show my answers to anyone. (1) I was right at the front and (2) no proctor told me to cover up my answers for entire duration of the test.
I did not have one encounter with a proctor whilst doing the exam i.e. not one conversation about glancing, looking or covering up my answers etc. When I say no contact I mean no contact - I did not even ask for a toilet break etc.
I was not focussed on the individual next to me. I don’t remember anything about them. I was solely focussed on my paper and what I needed to do over the 6 hours to pass the exam.
5 months is an extremely long time and you can imaginemy frustration. I called up PCP asking to expedite the case but I did not request to speak to anyone. Under normal circumstances I would be confident knowing I did absolutley nothing wrong, but based on what I have read - I could be looking at a 1-5yr ban/ lifetime ban. Would I be right in thinking that the length of the investigation shows that PCP is unsure? Ever since I submitted my response and recieved their confirmation of receipt - there has been silence on their part…
itera, basically that’s not the case. Look up fair procedure. I’ll be tacky and copy from Wikipedia on this:
Certain types of private actors (especially professional associations, unions, hospitals, and insurance companies), due to their overwhelming economic power within certain fields, cannot arbitrarily expel members or employees or deny persons admission for no logical reason; they are obligated to provide a rudimentary form of procedural due process (in the form of notice and a hearing).
I think you are. Im sure they mention it in the instructions at the start of the exam. Leaving answers open for others to view certainly gives the appearance of potential cheating so I don’t see why a proctor in a bad mood couldn’t turf you on those grounds.
I did not help anyone in that exam. Nor was I told by anyone to cover up my answers. I have waited a long time and hape the prospect of waiting another 3 months. Short of calling up CFAI - does anyone have any ideas or is it just a waiting game? I’m thinking like a pessimist because I don’t think the odds are in my favour - but what is the most likely punishment? Thanks again - sorry to keep on going about this.
Not saying you did. And you’re likely saved by the fact that no one saw you with exposed answers. I wouldn’t be overly pessimistic unless they have another piece to use against you. Similiar answers alone probably isn’t enough, that’s just my opinion though.
In addition to the risk of being found guilty, it’s also a pain in the butt to have to wait this long. Presumably, OP wants to sign up for L3 if he passes L2.
I suppose it won’t hurt to call them and ask them about the decision time line, but I doubt they will say anything new.
in the case that they have 2 papers that are flagged up from similarity analysis and no reports of people looking over or revealing their answer, i wonder if they then look at the question booklet of the people involved to look for working.
so for calculations it would be obvious if one paper has the formila sketched out and has made the mistake that would give you the incorrect answer and the other doesn’t have anything. or even for questions with no calculation, scoring out the right answer or a cross beside a statement in the vignette or something like that.
