More on this book
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Study Timeline
level 1 timelines
This is a big reason why I recommend beginning in January; you want your studying to occur close enough to test day that you remember it.
study schedule
For Level I’s initial 14-week study phase, I suggest that you study approximately 15 hours per week, making sure to cover at least one study session each week and, sometimes, two. These 15 hours will include reading study notes, making flash cards, completing practice questions, reviewing the flashcards you just made, and anything else necessary to fully examine the subject.
Falling behind is a slippery slope.
Level II, 15 hours per week isn’t enough during this initial study phase. I suggest you increase to 20 hours.
goal is to create an outline that will put a fire under your rear if you start to lag behind schedule.
As a reminder, you can skip the Ethics cases.
In Levels II and III, the curriculum books should be your primary study tool.
Creating flashcards from your study notes should be a simple task as key concepts, definitions, and equations almost jump off the page and yell, “I am flashcard material!”
Candidates might consider Kaplan Schweser, Elan Guides, AnalystNotes, and Allen Resources, just to name some well-known companies. (Check
study notes vendors
subscription to AnalystNotes.com
study notes
If I had to study for Level II again, though, I would consider trying a different vendor rather than AnalystNotes.
in level 2 & 3 study notes
Levels II and III are better suited to using the curriculum books
a flashcard is a small piece of paper that states a term or name of an equation on one side and the definition of that term or mathematical equation on the other.
What is a flash card
Lists are also good candidates for flashcards.
To review them is simple: Read whatever is written on the front of the flashcard and try to remember whatever is on the back.
number your flashcards both in numerical order and to match the study session. For example, the cards for session 14 should be labeled 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and so on. This is an important step because concepts in study sessions tend to build on each other.
Flash cards - Tip !
end of each study session and finish making its related flashcards, immediately review that session’s flashcards once.
At Level I, you should finish with about 300 flashcards in total.
Number of flash cards for Level I : not less than 300
Level II, where 600 flashcards await. Level III yields approximately 450 flashcards.
during the 45-day review period, make sure to work through each session’s flashcards twice.
Review flash cards twice during 45 day review period
flashcards be the hammer that drives the information into your memory.
approximately 300 flashcards in total at Level I, 600 at Level II, and 450 at Level III. These are approximations;
If you want to pass CFA tests, practice passing CFA tests.
I recommend taking at least four practice tests (also known as mock exams) at each Level.
Practice tests required for each session
(Remember, if you are not native to the English language, consider adding to this number and completing seven.)
You might know the curriculum inside and out, but testing is a different mission.
tests are imp.
you need to pass CFA tests, so practice passing CFA tests.
AnalystNotes is a good option for practice tests that benchmark your performance and do not cost a fortune.
Level I, settle for nothing less than 80 percent on non-ranking paper exams by the end of your test prep.
but the CFA Program takes your time and money.
For Level I, complete approximately 75 practice questions for a typical study session.
practice questions per session
do the same activities for every session: read, study examples, make flashcards, complete practice questions, and review flashcards.
typical study session
Aim for an 80 percent on your last practice test in Level I and 75 percent in Levels II and III. Four practice tests is a guideline. If needed, take extra to meet your goal.
realize that Ethics has more sway than it first appears.
understand that studying only 300 hours is a dangerous game.
