@spork: some really nice observations there! Age distribution was similar in Zurich. Adding to it, the choice of weapons. 2/3 of the LII candidates chose the Texas Instruments calculator. At level III it was more like 50/50. Did not see a single girl with an HP. These were mostly in the hands of white males.
@ I-will-pass:
It seemed like 5 to 1 Ti vs HP.
Certainly L3 had more candidates using HP’s than the other exams–is this correlation or causation? Does the HP give people an edge causing them to progress beyond levels 1 and 2? Maybe the HPs are so backwards that only the most intelligent candidates can operate one, or does the classic styling catch the eye of the older level 3 candidates? Is it possible that the HP’s are plain better at math than the TI’s? I too think they were used disproprtionately by white males–some part of another global WASP conspiracy perhaps?
At this point the only thing we can be certain about is that we need more data. A large, unbiased sample of candidates must be taken which includes many variables such as gender, age, race, IQ, score breakdowns, usage of 3rd party test providers, detailed family medical history, ect.
I know it’s not scientific but next year I’ll buy the HP so I can compare the two and document any change in mock exam scores when I make the switch.
My theory regarding the calculators: Level II involves a lot of basic calculations (interest rate, forex calcs, basic ratio analysis) - which is much easier and faster with a tool on RPN. You don’t need to use memory; you simply continue with your calculation. And the HP displays all the functions on the calculator itself. Pretty straight forward I would say. For Level II I would say it probably has some slight advantages over the TI.
OP, it seems that not only you are immature but quite insecure as you are judging these women and smartly dressed people like if you knew better and if your opinion mattered.
They probably cared less about you in their whole life that you cared for them during these 6 hours.
The way you talk about women makes me cringe.
My test centre was dissapointing, Johannesburg. Almost zero eye candy. Just a handful of white girls i’d generously give a 7. My black sisters just weren’t on that aesthetic radar. Our Soceity gave us free drinks after the exam but even the beer goggles didn’t work. Moral of the story: Pretty girls don’t study finance.
I wouldn’t say that’s totally true. pretty girls in finance have such a big leg up on their competition
I honestly didn’t pay attention to my peers. The exam was enough to give me a boner.
^ its geographic. Most pretty girls in this part of the world can’t be bothered with taking three gruelling exams, they got money to make.
you clearly noticed (were looking for) different things to me (also ZRH L2).
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there were many no shows (close to 50%), someone asked the proctor to switch rows so they could yet 4 desks to themselves.
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the number of level 1 candidates were disproportionate to L2& L3. i.e. all those that fail at L2 & L3 keep coming back.
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demographics, well the candidates don’t represent zurich bankers. CFA is a poor mans MBA, and it therefore attracts all-comers (including yourself, if you don’t take offence). There are plenty of other gigs going in Zurich if you have the time and the francs.
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foreigners - and I include myself, Zurich is a more diverse and tolerent city than London or NY. Embrace it and become part of it. please.
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and oh yea, the miley cyrus groupies. or were they with you?
hahahahah … is that the reason i am finding it so HARD to pass … maybe i fall into the category of beautiful people … hahah
this is some interesting theory . 
Haha – and in life.
Haha this thread is hilarious and interesting, those of you complaining need to lighten up.
I sat in Auckland, New Zealand - there were couple of hundred level 1 candidates, approx 100 sitting level 2 and whilst we were not in the same room as the level 3 candidates I am told there were approximately 80 or so.
No shows were very common as well (honestly why would you pay, and not at least turn up…). Obviously if you didnt put the work in you are NOT going to pass CFA exams, however the experience alone would be worth attending for.
As far as demographics are concerned; at Level 2 predominatently fit white males in late 20’s which probably doesnt surprise anyone. In saying this, there were at least a few good looking girls at level 2 (interestingly enough, they were both accountants from PWC). A LOT of people I talked to at drinks after and prior to the session’s beginning were sitting for a second time.
Level 1 candidates were a complete range, lots more girls than at level 2 and a smorgasbord of ethnicities - asian, indian, european.
Totally agree that good looking girls in finance have a big leg up, however there arent many and therefore they should be encouraged in my opinion. Get sick of talking to old balding men sometimes! haha.
How do you tell how many people are sitting for each level? At my test center I think everyone was mixed together and I didn’t know what level someone was sitting for without asking them or looking at their exam ticket.
The 10%-20% girls at my test center can easily be passed as dudes.