Just wondering what everyone is scoring on their initial attempt of CFAI EOC ?'s following the readings? I’m reading Schweser Notes and then going back to do the BB/EOC ?'s from the curriculum - although nothing from the CFAI EOC ?'s seems like new/missing concepts in Schweser (yet), I’m having trouble remembering the details/formulas and thus scoring quite low on the EOC ?s, especially on the item sets. Is this normal and maybe more of a “goal” to score higher on the second pass/closer to exam date or should I be aiming for 70% now? What’s everyone else scoring?
P.S. All those threads about people having covered most of the material + EOC ?'s and having 3 months to practice/review…NOT HELPING. Just saying.
It depends on how you plan to review, but for me calculations usually require more practice and are easier to forget, so I think the best plan is to focus first on concepts and have a general idea of how the calcs are done. Later on with the deadline approaching, you can focus on the trick calculations so it will be fresh in your mind on exam date
Hi CFAfatso - I’m adopting exactly the same strategy. Read the Schweser books and do all the EOC in both Schweser and CFAI material. I am attempting the latter tonight so I will let you know my scores.
In terms of reading progress, I’ll make you feel better. In order, I’ve done Economics and Fixed Income…erm…and that’s it so far! What I would say is that the pace of reading is not as important as grasping the concepts. As a retaker, I have the advantage of familiarity but I think I failed (bracket 9) because I read the material without truly understanding some of the key concepts before moving on…something I intend to change this year.
I would recommend creating a detailed reading schedule in Excel - not least because you have something to reference your progress against and you can avoid that panicy feeling that you’re behind, particularly after reading threads about people having already done a first pass! It works for me anyway. If you have it mapped out on paper, you get a better idea of where you should be - word of caution, don’t move on until you grasp the concepts so be prepared to continually shift the reading deadlines (but bear in mind the overall time you have left)…may serve as a guide to how many hours you need to increase your study hours.
I have also set aside a day every month where I simply learnt the formulae. Acts as a breather from the material and prevents the frustration of not being able to answer a question simply by not remembering the formula even though you know the concept.
Good suggestions, Chewitt - I actually decided to just do BB from Schweser and skip the EOC ?'s based on some comments on this forum late last year - instread focusing to master CFAI EOC ?'s and filling in the info w/hopefully a second pass & Q-bank. Agreed on the schedule - already have one, just get in panic mode w/the comments on this forum sometimes!
Thanks for the tip on the formulae review - will try to incorporate. Good luck to all of us!
Friends, the best I can advise is to not panic based on what somebody writes. Your speed/retention is different from others, so dont bother at all. People who have written level 2 once would vouch the fact that your result is almost sure to be decided on what you learn/relearn in the last 1 month!
Great post by Chewitt…
A couple of strategies which worked for me:
Dont wait for too much to start testing yourself. It could be too late if you do that. I would test myself during each weekend on two subjects (I would take a reading a time) I studied last week and not this week. This way I am preparing myself for a) making my brain think about two subjects at a time b) improving my retention.
As much as exam taking is important, so is it important to LEARN from the exam you took. I spent easily 4 hours on understanding what mistakes I made or what I did correctly. Sometimes I chose the right answers in Ethics, but my logic of selecting was wrong On another day I could have made a mistake, so its important to understand this during practise.
Dont wait for last month to memorize formulae. Spend 5 mins a day on a subject during your travel, rest room time etc Level 2 formulaes generally tend to have a way of understanding (except some crazy FI formulae) and its easier to understand this rather than by hearting it!
Good luck fellas, I am sure all AFers would crush this exam! Go for it…
Not only was I scoring a bit low, but just came across Equities EOCs and alot of those aren’t even multiple choice - what a drag - takes wayy too much time! Wondering if anyone is/has skipped them and just reading from CFAI/Schweser for now and then come back to those after first pass? Anyone?
I am actually seeing a lot about the “blue boxes” but I really do not know what it is… I am currently reading the Schweser and then doing the EOC in both Schweser and CFAI + building a formula sheet + some Qbank (most difficult questions only) when I have some free time with my computer around.
But from what I’ve read on this forum, the blue boxes are the other thing crucial in the CFAI books. I looked up but couldn’t find what it is. It is not the examples (that are colored in pale blue), right ?
I’ve got the feeling this is a stupid question, but really I don’t see it.
On another day I could have made a mistake, so its important to understand this during practise.
Level 2 formulaes generally tend to have a way of understanding (except some crazy FI formulae) and its easier to understand this rather than by hearting it!