Hard time remembering stuff!!!!

CFA Level III
#1

Does anybody here have a hard time remembering the readings or concepts…i start a new volume and keep forgetting the stuff from the volume i just finished :frowning: :(…its so hard to remember all concepts and given the essay questions format in Level3 dont know how to keep a track of all concepts.

suggestions anyone?

#2

This is the first level for which you’re having trouble remembering concepts?

Or is it that you’re having trouble answering constructed response questions that demand active recall?

If it’s the former, do whatever you did at L1 and L2.

If it’s the latter, welcome to L3! It’ll get better throughout the spring but you’ll never feel great!

#3

for the past levels i realized that even if you forget a concept, the multiple choice answers helps you recall the nature of response asked in the question…but the level 3 really requires active recalling like you mentioned…so having amuch harder time :frowning:

#4

Yes, it’ll be that way throughout L3. Active recall requires a much more intimate knowledge of the material. The reason people typically report better performancein the PM portion is because they’ve studied for the active recall demands of the AM portion so they’re better prepared for the multiple choice PM.

I should note that I actually performed better on the AM than the PM - I don’t know how that works.

#5

did you make notes as you studied or just kept revising and coming back to prior concepts as you practised?

#6

I usually do all EOC’s as I get through each reading, and then once again through all EOC’s when I finish the book. It takes an extra couple days, but it helps a lot with memorizing the concepts. Yes, L3 is a lot harder this way as there are no formulae to fall back on - just memorizing. I also plan to write up a few concept sheets that I will keep separately from my notes, and use them often to review and memorize hard-to- recall concepts.

#7

Thanks Medved…As i move on to new new book…i am doing revision of concepts using sumamrized notes. and making formula sheet too…Like all other levels, its a repeat process but just more extnesive for essay questions this time…

How much have you done so far?

#8

Flash cards helped me immensely for level 3

#9

Ordered the Schweser flashcards for L3…came a few days ago. Haven’t looked through them yet, but a big stack. May serve for better retention to make my own, but always felt like I killed a lot of time that I should be actively studying. Buying or making, I do agree that cards help retention.

#10

[quote=“CFA_level2”]

Thanks Medved…As i move on to new new book…i am doing revision of concepts using sumamrized notes. and making formula sheet too…Like all other levels, its a repeat process but just more extnesive for essay questions this time…

How much have you done so far?

I covered the first two books, ethics, behavioral fin. PWM, Institutional Investors. I made a schedule allocating about 1 week per study session and two-three more days at the end of each book for review. I hope to get through it all by mid-April, and then hammer away with practice exams and EOC’s. It worked for me for L1 and 2, mind you, I didn’t start this early. I’m glad I did with L3 though, this material is not going down that easy.

Yes, the essay part is the problem. Whenever I get to the EOC’s I always feel like answering one of the “define, explain, discuss” questions is a bit of crapshot, honestly. I’m sure it will get more clear with practice, and it always helps to know that you’re not the only one feeling this way.

There is also a really great post on how to tackle L3, if you haven’t read it, you should. It helped me a lot in figuring out what to focus on while studying.

Here it is: http://www.analystforum.com/forums/cfa-forums/cfa-level-iii-forum/91314226

#11

Qbank helps for this. It’s not great, but keeps the concepts fresh. As soon as I finished a topic, I would add it to the pool of questions. Everyday I would do 1 or 2 60 question Qbank Exams comprised of all the sections I covered up until that point. Keeps everything fresh until you finish the material and move on to hard core mock exam mode. It gets repetitive, but has the added benefit of drilling the few formulas you need to know into your brain.

#12

Actually trimonious points are very very helpful. Thats all you need to do to pass.

And no OP, this is the same problem we all have felt when we took L3. So nothing new.

My three cents:

  1. Write your own flashcards if possible, write and rewrite them (a tip I actually took from our Magician and it worked like magic for me)

  2. Qbanks, work, rework, re-rework and most importantly learn from these tests.

  3. Old papers, solve solve and solve. Dont spend too much time reading. Especially the Individual and Institutional PF is not rocket science, its pretty simple if we are prepared to learn from our mistakes.

#13

Although the cirriculum for LIII is considered “easier” to understand/digest than the wide breadth of material covered in LII, you do not have the luxury of guessing on the AM session of the former. Consequently, you *must* have a solid understanding of the LIII material.

Do whatever it takes to master the information. My recommendation would be to build your notes from FinQuiz Smart Summaries, and make a ton of flash cards. Come May 2015, taking sample AM exams (actually writing them in a timed environment, don’t just read the answers) will indicate how well you’ve prepared yourself.

#14

Take personal notes and review them for 10 minutes every day.