I would like advice from L3 test takers - what is the most strategic study order? I personally find the curriculum a bit unorganized and id rather study the same order as I did for L1 and L2, starting with Economics then assest classes and leaving PM for the end. Also, which study sessions relate to PM as it is all over the place. Thanks!
Start with the FRA section
No, id rather start with Corporate Finance. I clearly said I want advice only from L3 test takers, you only passed L2.
And you? You’re not even a candidate!
Why would I ask advice for L3 if I am not a candidate? lol… Please if you will not say something useful regarding my post dont comment. Thanks.
Surely you can see the point I’m trying to make?
Anyway, I dig your user name. To your original post: if you’re comfortable doing it that way then why change it? I found L3 the most cohesive of the levels, naturally, so I didn’t really switch the order of the readings myself. I always do Ethics last so I moved that to the back but then I went in order.
You’ll find that weighting doesn’t really matter as much once you start to do the AM papers. They can drop whatever they want into there, or leave it for PM session, or split it up between the two. As far as what makes up the 40-55% or whatever it is of Portfolio Management? I never even thought to figure that out.
I say just do the order you are comfortable with. You’re going to want to go through the curriculum more than once so adjust from there based on where you’re weak. The only strategy I followed for L3 was hammer as many AM papers as you can. We’ll see if that paid off in 6 days…
Thanks for the advice and good luck on your results!
Would it matter though if I started from Behavioral Finance or Econ? I mean, do the study sessions build on each other like they did in L2, for example if you studied Quants and Econ first it really helped in the valuation study sessions later on.
Thanks.
Level III is 50% portfolio management. The earlier you understand portfolio management topics, the greater the chances of passing. I would suggest portfolio management for individuals topics first as the rest of the topics build on this topic. One site that summarizes the order of the topics better is http://www.level3.analystninja.com/?page_id=16
I’m trolling you because it’s kind of a dumb question (to be honest). You’ll review sections multiple times and need to synthesize all of the sessions. Questions will pull from multiple subjects, so being asked “where to start” and “what sections pertain to this or that” is counterproductive…Level III is holistic. Start where you feel most comfortable to get the ball rolling.
study what you feel is easier for you.
I know, but would it be better off studying with L2 type topics like Econ and Fixed income or is there a reason why the curriculum is structured the way it is?
Dude, full disclosure. Most of us are still waiting on our results. Some of us might not even pass. Can you just give us a week and then we’ll help you out so we know what we did works and aren’t all ready to kill each other? Lol.
Ok lol because i find Econ or SS 7 a good place to start as it looks easy to me and I did well on L2 econ. So should be a confidence booster. And leave PM topics towards the end which includes Behavioral Finance and SS 3-6 etc.
So PM topics or Asset classes first?
i would recommend you to start by IPS part (individual and institutions) then behavioral finance then go with the CFAI curriculum and keep the ethics for the last.
Okay thanks - will start with Portfolio Management stuff first then 
Actually will feel better studying Econ and Equity the easier topics later on - will be relieving
which topics did you find the easiest and hardest at Level 3 ?
Ethics / GIPS for last (closer to the exam) because they are very memorization driven
Otherwise, it’s really up to you. I like studying materials that are concept / theory driven first because once I understand it, it is easier to retain for longer period of time - topics such as capital markets expectations (econ), equity, fixed income, derivatives, performance attribution and risk management.
Topics such as behavioral finance and alternative investments are more memorization driven so I would prefer to look at them closer to the exam.
I would just go through in order. There’s a progression in Level III.