In an effort to minimize # of formulas to memorize

CFA Level III
#1

I realize I should know the answer to this question 36 hours prior to the exam, but I don’t.

For the AM section, does it matter if we know the appropriate formula? There are a decent amount of topics that I understand conceptually and can arrive at the correct answer but don’t know the underlying formula (e.g., calculating expected return of a portfolio that uses leverage).

Will I be missing out on points for not showing the “official” formula found in the text?

#2

If you get the correct answer, writing the formula doesn’t matter.

If you get the wrong answer, writing the formula may get you a point.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

#3

Ugh, it will be taking a chance I can not afford. Looks like I’m memorizing some formulas tomorrow… thanks for answering

#4

You’re quite welcome.

Best of luck on Saturday!

#5

When we refer to “writing the formula”, do we mean actually reconstructing the formula shown in the book, or just writing the proper numbers where they belong?

e.g.

Lets say something pops up with relation to CAPM

I write

3 + 1.2(8.2 -3)

Instead of:

Rfr + Beta(Em - Rfr)

but I fat finger something on my calculator and write the wrong value, is partial credit still a possibility?

#6

write out the second one

#7

****… there’s no way Im bothering to do that. Maybe if I finish early I’ll go back to question and write them in, otherwise not happening. Here’s to hoping I don’t screw up calculations!

#8

I believe that it is.

#9

I only plan to write them for the ones that are more complicated… thinks like 1+r i’ll just write like you did on #1. But like Singer-T model and H model and stuff like that, i’ll put in the formula. I’ll probably use symbols though instead of letters/words

#10

thats your prorogative

#11

I guess I will write the formula without explaining each letters… I hope this would give me partial point? crying

#12

I find writing down formulas, even if that can be time consuming, helps avoid some silly mistakes like forgetting to square a standard deviation when you need to generate a variance. Plus the hedge benefit mentioned above, in case you don’t come to a correct numerical answer.