@hobojoe
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Up5
Hi everyone! I’m Joe from Denver, CO, US and will be sitting for Level 1(first time) in December 2013. I started studying with the Schweser program in June. I work as a retail wholesaler for UMAs/SMAs and VAs.
Up3I just finished the Corporate Finance section of the Schweser notes. I’d also like some feedback on my process if possible!
I follow the Schweser study calendar pretty strictly, I try to stay 1-2 weeks ahead at all times with an end date of October 26th to leave some time for the CFAI materials, mock exams and the Qbank.
I read each LOS and summarize the key points in a notebook while reading, I think it helps me retain over the long 6 month study period. I’ll complete the concept checkers without referencing my notes or the book with a score around 65-80%. I’ll also review the flashcards and take Qbank quizzes as the calendar demands. After I finish each topic, I’ll go to the Schweser website “browse LOS” section. It lets me read through each LOS, a summary of each LOS and take a 3-10 question quiz on each LOS, I’ll bookmark the ones I need to review. I plan to have this process completed by the end of September.
Once I reach that point I plan to read through the CFAI materials one time without taking notes in 2 weeks. From there I will begin consistent Qbank quizzes and mock exams up until exam day.
My big question is should I bother reading through the CFAI materials after having read the Schweser notes in detail? Would my time be better spent using the Qbank? 6 weeks of Qbank practice seems somewhat excessive to me. Thoughts ?Any advice is appreciated!
Up3@sakitime It varies by topic/LOS for me. The topics I know well are around 75-85%, the ones I don’t are around 50-65%. That said I believe the self tests at the end of each section in the Schweser books are a bit harder than the Qbank or concept checkers. I haven’t tried the questions in the CFAI books yet.
Up3Passed!
>70%: Alt, Derivatives, Equity, Ethics
50-70%: Corp Fin, FI, PM
<50%: FSA, Econ & Quant
Such a relief! Time to kick it into high gear for L2, especially FSA...
Check your junk/spam mail box. That's where mine came in.
Good luck everyone, I have my fingers crossed for you!
Up3@justinturner, yeah my result was very polar. If I had to guess I’d say I barley missed the middle bracket in FSA. Econ and Quant not so much. I believe I did really well on all the 70%+ topics as those were my strong suit going into the exam.
Up31st shot at L2 after passing L1 in December, Band 9, Bummer!
Alternative Investments: -*-
Corporate Finance: *- –
Derivatives: – – *
Economics: – * –
Equity: – – *
Ethics: – – *
FRA: – * –
Fixed income: * – –
Portfolio Management: – * –
Quantitative Methods: * – –Congrats to all who passed! I’ll take another crack at it next year!
Up1I just finished the Schweser Ethics section, saved it for last. I’m through all the material. My plan now is to go through the secret sauce book and keep a list of the topics I need to review. I’ll complete the mocks and practice quizzes and reference the CFAI books for the topics I need to review trying to get that benchmark mock score higher as I go. As far as time goes, I’m 205 hours in, I’ve been tracking my time on the notes app on my phone since June when I started. That has actually been very helpful to keep me on pace!
Good luck to everyone in the final months of study! :-h
Up1Hi @tb15,
I bought the Schweser flash cards for Level 1 and I found them far too comprehensive, i.e. there is too much content for them to be considered flash cards in the traditional sense. They will ask you about a simple concept on the front and then have 3 paragraphs on the back of the card explaining the concept, not a great tool for retention, at least in my opinion.
I would recommend the Secret Sauce book instead! Great tool!
Good luck in your studies!
Up1I’m halfway through 12, using Schweser. I’m just reading through and doing the concept checkers, challenge problems and self tests though. No Q bank yet. Are you guys doing any practice questions beyond the books yet? This L2 material is pretty intense :-/
