Subject: CFA target mock scores, exam wellbeing, job losses & interview prep, fintech & research career paths

Plus, a quiz about whether Pokemon cards are Alternative Investments ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

8 articles • 57d to Aug'26 • 142d to Nov'26 • 245d to Feb'27

  • CFA target mock scores, exam prep wellbeing: What CFA mock score should you actually be aiming for? We share our updated target score guidance by level. Plus a lighthearted comic on the 12 steps of answering a CFA practice question for some exam season relief, the best brain foods to boost study performance, and how to manage exam anxiety when it strikes.

  • Job loss & interview prep: Whether you've been laid off or are actively job hunting, we've got you covered. Our practical checklist on what to do when you lose your job, and a 3-step interview preparation guide to help you land your next role with confidence.

  • Fintech & research analyst career paths: Two more career deep-dives this week. We explore the fintech career path - roles, progression & how finance meets technology - and break down the research analyst career path across both buy-side and sell-side.

Read, and remember to comment!
Zee Tan, 300Hours

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Quick Question: You discover a mint-condition Charizard Pokémon card under your sofa. You place it in a safety deposit box. Ten years later, its appraised value exceeds that of a one-bedroom flat in London. According to the Alternative Investments syllabus, is this classed as a collectible, or just a rather bleak reflection of the property market?

Answers at the end of this email!

What's A Safe CFA Mock Exam Target Score To Aim For?

What's A Safe CFA Mock Exam Target Score To Aim For?

Sophie Macon • CFA • How to Study

When you're practicing your mock exams and grading them, how do you know if you're doing well? It's important to know when you're doing well enough, so that you don't overwork yourself chasing extra points that are already beyond the minimum effective score. Here's a safe target mock exam to keep in mind for all three CFA levels.

Mock exam target scores ➔

Comic: The 12 Steps To Answering A CFA Practice Question

Comic: The 12 Steps To Answering A CFA Practice Question

mikey • Study Break

If you’re taking the CFA exams soon, you must be pretty tired of studying by now. Although we mostly write articles here at 300Hours, I thought I’d take a bit of a deviant path and do a visual update today.

A visual guide to my CFA question process ➔

Your Best Chance to Pass the CFA Exam Starts with Schweser

AdYour Best Chance to Pass the CFA Exam Starts with Schweser

Kaplan Schweser • Prep Providers

CFA candidates who use Schweser are more likely to pass because our study packages include quality study tools, expert guidance, and PassProtection.

Choose Your Study Package ➔

Make Every Study Hour More Productive

AdMake Every Study Hour More Productive

UWorld CFA • Prep Providers

Instead of passively reviewing material, use active learning tools that help you identify weaknesses and strengthen them quickly.

Start for Free ➔

15 Natural Brain Foods For Studying And Exams

15 Natural Brain Foods For Studying And Exams

Sophie Macon • Study Motivation

Fueling your brain for intense study sessions isn't just about caffeine. We dive into the best brain-boosting foods that'll sharpen your focus and memory, turning you into a study machine (a well-nourished one, at that).

Feed your brain ➔

Exam Anxiety: How To Manage It Better

Exam Anxiety: How To Manage It Better

Zee Tan • Study Motivation

That pre-exam dread? You're not alone. We look into exam anxiety and arm you with practical strategies to tame it, so you can walk into that exam room with a cool head and a focused mind.

Tame your anxiety ➔

CFA "First 14 Days" Optimal Study Plan

AdCFA "First 14 Days" Optimal Study Plan

Let Me Explain • Prep Providers

One of the most popular YT CFA channels shows you the plan for the first 14 days' optimal study plan for your CFA exam, including why following the order suggested by the curriculum is a mistake.

Watch on YouTube ➔

Advance your career with a FMVA certification

AdAdvance your career with a FMVA certification

Corporate Finance Institute • Other Qualifications

100 hours of professional Wall Street training material. 24 courses and certificates included. 20+ financial models & templates.

Special rate for 300Hours readers ➔

How To Prepare For An Interview: 3 Steps To Secure Your Job Offer

How To Prepare For An Interview: 3 Steps To Secure Your Job Offer

Zee Tan • Career Advice

Landing an interview is just the first step. We provide practical tips on how to prepare effectively, make a strong impression, and answer common interview questions confidently.

Ace your next interview ➔

What To Do When You Lose Your Job: A Helpful Checklist

What To Do When You Lose Your Job: A Helpful Checklist

Zee Tan • Career Advice

Losing your job can feel like a punch to the gut. We offer a smart guide on how to navigate this tough time, manage your finances, and pivot towards new opportunities with resilience and strategy.

On to new opportunities ➔

Fintech Career Path: Roles, Salaries & Progression

Fintech Career Path: Roles, Salaries & Progression

Sophie Macon • Career Advice

Where finance meets cutting-edge tech – that's fintech. We cover the career paths in this rapidly evolving space, highlighting the skills you'll need to ride the financial innovation wave.

All about fintech ➔

Research Analyst Career Path: Roles, Salaries & Progression

Research Analyst Career Path: Roles, Salaries & Progression

Sophie Macon • Career Advice

Are you considering a research analyst career path? Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it is right for you.

All about the research analyst career ➔

More guides, tips and stories ➔

Answer to Quick Question: The CFA Institute would classify the Charizard card strictly as a Collectible. Collectibles are a recognized sub-category of Alternative Investments, characterised by their lack of income generation and reliance purely on price appreciation.

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