How to Study for CFA Level 3?

So I am about to begin studying for CFA Level 3 and it just hit me that I'm not too familiar with the structure of the level 3 exam.

It doesn't seem to be a similar structure to that of 1 and 2 where each section can be studied in isolation of each other, level 3 seems to have a lot more interconnectedness among the various sections, and additionally there is the new aspect of the essay answers.

Based on who has gone through this, how do you all suggest studying for this one? Typically I go chapter by chapter in order, take solid notes then do mountains of practice questions for each chapter.

Any insights?

thanks

5 Comments
 

My last roommate did the CFA level III in 2013. I guess he had used these books for preparation(Schweser) and summarized them up and then learned with the summaries. How many time do you have to prepare for the exam? I guess he'd learned on a daily basis for about one year for level III.

 

just practice practice practice Qs

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Best Response

Currently doing L3 and finding study a real struggle. There is little logical flow within study sessions and it just seems like a large number of random snippets of information on random topics strung together.

I am also finding the material very dense. I am retaining little and finding it difficult to pick out pertinent information.

I have always been a little and often studier so I started very early. I expect to have completed a full run through of the Schweser material by year end. I then expect to go through the Schweser material again and do all the CFA curriculum blue box Q's and end of chapters. Last month will be spent doing mocks and reviewing weak areas.

People talk a lot about doing lots of practice Q's and I think that is very important but at the end of the day I think it will come back to knowing the material very well.

My view of level 2 was that if I new all the formulas and the Schweser books inside out I had a great chance of passing and I pretty much have the same view for Level 3.

 

Good insight, I agree that the flow of material doesn't seem to be very intuitive.

Good luck

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