desantol

[desantol]

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Thanks! haokaiyang in Boise!  I definitely needed their hugs when the test was done!  I admire anyone who takes on the CFA and has the persistence to see it through.  It’s a test of endurance for sure.

[desantol]

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I have yet to register but I’m buying the printed CFA materials this time around and doing all of the EOC questions.  Too much online material doesn’t seem to sink in as well with me and the downloadable CFA books were not that easy to navigate IMHO.  

If anyone has suggestions as to where other tests can be purchased that would be helpful too.  Otherwise I’m going with Elan for the test bank (they don’t sell separate tests) and (to answer  @blowwow) the CFA mocks which I found (belatedly in my studies) more difficult than Schweser by far.  

In terms of materials I am curious as to what % of the material changes year to year.  Obviously there are some key things to note but can one really be tripped up by relying to some degree on old materials i.e. Schweser 2014 materials for the June 2015 test?

And when the CFA institute releases the new mocks if anyone can figure out how to download them as PDFs I’ll be very interested.  Taking them online and reviewing the answers online was terrible.  Thanks all!

[desantol]

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I didn’t realize the Q-bank questions could be filtered for difficulty until pretty late into my studying for L1 in December.  I did not pass–band 10 🙁

I think if you use Schweser Q-bank you have to use the filter for sure and avoid the easy questions.  For this go-around I’m using the Elan Q-bank and the questions are much more difficult but it’s basically a flat file downloaded into an online book app.  The answers are also not really robust.  So while the questions are tougher and (hopefully!) crystallizing my thinking much better, they are not easy to use at all compared to Schweser.

Honestly, I think Schweser should be fine for L1 if you’re using the tougher questions.  They are a limited set, however, so while it looks like there are a TON of questions in some of the sections once you weed out the easy ones there is not a lot left.

definitely add in the EOC questions.  They are closer to what to expect on the exam.

[desantol]

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I am very conflicted as well. I went into the exam with good mock scores only from the last week of study–prior to this they were all sub 60. I was feeling like I’d had a break through the week prior to the exam, but it wasn’t such a great breakthrough (I guess) because I don’t feel as though the exam went well. I’d like to say 50/50 but I’m not that optimistic. That said, at least I returned for the second half of the test which the person sitting next to me did not! I think I will take this week off and then return to studying. I don’t know how, should I actually pass Level 1, I’d manage to study for II by June. I guess that’s the good problem to have.

Any advice on where to obtain more mock exams for practice. I relied too heavily on the Schweser test bank during my early studying but the questions are too easy. By the time I got to the mocks I was a caught a little short. The Schweser mocks are decent, and I obviously took both CFA mocks, but based on my learning style I’m thinking I need to get my hands on another 4+ mocks if I need to retake Level 1.

I’ll mention that I’m a working mom and that I had about 20 years on most of the test takers in the room. Had I had another 20 hours of study I think I would have done much better. Oh well, things work out for a reason I guess.

[desantol]

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Where exactly did you find the old mock exams on the site?  I can only find the current practice test and mock exam.  Any help would be much appreciated!

[desantol]

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If I recall there is a set of check boxes when you are creating/generating the quizzes that you want from the bank.  You can create questions specific to sections of the material but also you should be able to select the level of difficulty.  Sorry, that’s the most that I remember from using it a few months ago.

[desantol]

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Thank you!!!

[desantol]

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I also failed level 1 and scored in band 10.  Very very disappointing–and I’m in my mid-40s so I’m quite mindful of the time and effort required for the designation at this point in my career.

I knew, though, that I didn’t pass when I walked out of the exam.  It was just too much of a struggle and it can’t be to pass.  I’m retaking it and focusing on CFA material (I also relied too heavily on Schweser and I just don’t think it’s rigorous enough) and I’m going to devote most of my time to practice exams.  I took 8 before and this time I’m going for 14.  I just refuse to fail it again.  I understand why people give up but I’m not going to quit.  

On a side note, I am thinking about Elan’s test bank of questions.  I’ve heard they are more difficult.  If anyone has any thoughts on this please weigh in.  And thanks to everyone for staying positive. 

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