CFA - Schweser question - suggestions for how to study welcomes
I am planning on taking the first part of the CFA exam in June of 2014 and want to start studying a little bit. I have no idea which approach to take. The only thing I know and have been told is not to completely read and study the CFA books. With that said, can I get the Schweser notes for the 2014 test right now? Do they change each test? I want to start prepping right now but am just clueless on where to start...also how much can I get the Schweser notes for?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
There are two schools of thought on this, but I am in the camp that says to stay away from Schweser. They're incomplete and simplified. I would suggest to wait until the actual CFAI books come out and put in the hours to go through those cover-to-cover, including every end-of-chapter and blue box question. Schweser Notes won't change drastically from one year to the next but they also aren't identical. If you really insist on getting started with Schweser, they are all online (not that I would know hehe), just look around (if you choose to go that route).
I find schweser to be more helpful for me.
I second this, man up and study the CFA books. Also, if you aren't taking it until June 2014 why start now? You will just forget most of what you study in the next 4 months by then anyways . November at the earliest. I never started any of them until January. Unless there is a topic you are very interested in don't start too early because you'll just get burnt out. Enjoy yourself for awhile. If you want to get started now then you might as well take the December Exam, Level 1 isn't too hard if you put the hours in.
The CFAI text is convoluted, dense, and unnecessarily verbose. Much better off going with a test prep provider for your primary review and then using the CFAI text for end of chapter questions. I liked Schweser.
I am taking Level 1 and I use Schweser. I have both 2013 and 2012 versions and they don't differ by much.
That's true. It's also what the test is based off of.
Good point but what do you think the study materials are based off of? I would rather review a succinct overview of material 3-4x than the entire CFAI curriculum 1-2x, most of which you will fail to retain because there is so much unnecessary content. Personal preference I guess. I will definitely give you that the study providers often miss parts of sections. I found the PM sections to be a poor reflection of the actual CFAI PM section.
I've got the 2013 notes, do you monkeys think I could prepare myself for the 2014 exam with them?
Thanks
I only studied Schweser for level I and passed. You need to plow through questions for level I, and there's no better way than to go through Schweser. The CFAI text is incredibly dense, and you'll be hardpressed to retain any significant amount of information.
I just took L3. Do you not like the sunshine or something? You'd be insane to start studying for L1 right now. Enjoy your summer and fall and crack the books open next year.
The only materials you need for L1 are the Schweser Notes and the Schweser Qbank. If you do every question in the Qbank you'll destroy L1.
The thing is that the cfa exams are getting harder and harder and the cfa people are increasingly making it a point to test small obscure details that wont be in schweser, to see who actually did the reading.
At the very least if youre going to go the schwser route make sure to know every problem and equation in the cfai books, would be my advice. Either way i would take qbank with a shaker of salt...it was absolutely atrocious for L III.
Kaplan Schweser CFA Level 1 feedback (Originally Posted: 04/03/2014)
Curious to see what people have thought about Kaplan Schweser's books and materials?
Also, was wondering about the Qbank? Is it helpful?
Schweser is enough for L1 for sure, and the qbank is helpful with 5500+ questions that you can filter based on topic and specific LOS for targeted practice and custom exams.
It's what I used and loved it. You'll blow your brains out if you try to read/understand all of the CFAI material. Just make sure you really take the time to do QBank Q's and understand when you get an answer wrong. Make sure to search online for mocks as well and you'll be set
What, specifically, did you purchase? And what you would you recommend/not recommend purchasing to get level 1 passed?
OK to use old schweser materials to study? (Originally Posted: 09/30/2013)
Hey guys, I'm writing the CFA L1 in December and I have access to complete schweser materials from 2011. Is that ok to use? I can't imagine any drastic changes year to year.
yes you'll be just fine. Not at all condoning this but there may or may not be updated material you can download on a website that rhymes with "smirate smay"....think about it
rofl, the awkward moment when you're studying cfa ethics off of pirated prep materials. do what you gotta do, right?
Should I buy a new Schweser? (Originally Posted: 02/24/2013)
Hi all, so i just started my prep for CFA level I in june...i had registered for dec but had to cancel my exam cuz of work issues....so i have the whole schweser package for the Dec 2012 and I am wondering if should i get a new one to make sure its June 2013....since i have already blown of over $800 dollars cuz of changing my exam etc...i wanna make sure that i don't waste my money...advice please!
You can get the June 2013 materials online.
Just google "2012 2013 cfa LOS changes" and look at the curriculum changes. The "passing scores" has comprehensiveness list of changes. I'd link you but apparently I don't have enough points to post links.
I would say probably not since it's mostly the same. For the sections that are new, just refer to the new CFA books I imagine you got when you registered (at least the e-books). There's not too much new so it shouldn't be too much of a pain.
http://www.passingscorefinance.com/LOS/2012-2013/cfa_loschanges1.pdf
Is this what you're talking about?
Great! thank you!
Schweser Mock Exams (Originally Posted: 10/31/2011)
I know this is a well seasoned topic, but to all those who have used Schweser for L1 AND actually put in the time required to have a realistic shot at passing, I would like to know how well Schweser prepped you for the real deal? How was Schweser Mock difficulty compared to real exam, in your opinions?
Obviously not looking for specifics on what was on CFA exam, as that is against the ethics/standardes code, but it would be nice to know, qualitatively, how well Schweser preps you.
Thx for feedback.
.
Schweser has been well accepted to be sufficient for prepping for L1. I used it pretty much exclusively and passed with all but one section 70%+.
Seconded.
Didn't take the mocks (used the CFAI mock though), but apparently they are pretty good.
The Mock exam books for L1 were almost identical to the exam. Make sure you complete all of them a few times over.. it's all about repping out questions.
in addition, definitely do the cfai mock exams. if you can get access to it, take the bsas mock exam. elan guides also has a free mock exam on their website. the format might be a bit different among the various mock exams but you will still be able to pinpoint sections that you need to work on regardless of the format.
Yeah, I have looked at CFAI's mock; unfortunately, it looks like they only give you one and make you pay for extra ones. You'd think with the cost of the program, you'd get more. I have the two Schweser books with 6 total mock's and plan to do all those.
Welcome to the month of hurt guys. This is going to suck!
CFA Schweser Books (Originally Posted: 02/10/2013)
Hi WSO,
Does anyone have any tips for getting the Level 1 books on the cheap? I got a scholarship from a CFA prof. at my school.. I wouldn't be able to afford the full price right now. Did anyone get the books for $100-$200?
Thanks
you can download the older ones online I'm sure.. maybe the new ones are up too by now
Try Amazon. Got mine from there for around the 150-200 price range. Just make sure that your getting all the Level 1 books in that order, some of the posts try to trick you.
You can quite easily find the 2013 Level I books online.
Schweser CFA (Originally Posted: 06/05/2007)
Looking to take Level I in December and start preparing in the next few weeks.
I heard from a friend who took it this past weekend that Schweser was an absolute waste of money...just wondering if anyone had any concurring or dissenting opinions, or altertantive study guides recommendations.
Thanks.
really? i have heard great things about schweser... interesting to hear what others have to say.
It's ok, and it's only your friend problem if he can not understand the book..
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