How Hard is the CSC?

Yet another subjective question that has far to many variables for one answer.  Personally, with some financial background, I found it challenging.  However, as you may have read, many individuals claim to have written the test asleep, blindfolded and drunk and still pulled off 400% scores.  Shortly after that, they are sent there solid gold certificates and offered billion dollar corporate positions.  Seriously though, the exam is only as difficult as you make it.  The amount of study time you put in, the quality of that time, the length of that time (for better retention) all have factors in the degree of difficulty for the CSC exam one and two.

If you need a straight answer, here is my PERSONAL opinion.  If you have little to no financial experience, you need to spend 150 hours reviewing both books.  This is a minimum, and may increase depending on your comprehension.  If you have moderate experience, I would reccomend 75 hours, although more would not hurt.  If you feel you are heavily experienced in the financial realm, give the book a read over and pull out your favourate scotch.  Likely, most of you will fall into the first category.  The two hardest thing about the exam are:

1. The level of comprehension required: For example, the test requires you to memorize the different margin requirements for short-selling.
2. The wording of exam questions: Not only test knowledge, but attention to details.

Check the ego at the door, study hard, and pass the first time.  If you take this test seriously you should have no problem passing it.  Just focus on drilling down as much as you can, and remember, if you think you know it, test-test-test.