http://www.cfamn.org/Lists/Events%20Calendar/DispForm.aspx?ID=10&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfamn.org%2Fdefault.aspx My local CFAI Society is offering the BSAS CFA practice exam. Is it worth it? Is it really like the actual exam? I understand that Schweser exams are a good deal more difficult than real ones. For example, the real exam doesn’t require complex computations but the Schweser exams and Q-Bank questions do.
Schweser will have you compute a discount bond’s effect on CFO, while Level 1 will ask how a discount bond effects CFO by (overstating, understating, does not effect). So that is the difference. Schweser allows your brain to see the qualitative aspect easier. If you’re bored and need more exams, BSAS has had excellent reviews.
I am assuming BSAS is the Boston Society. If so, I have taken their level I prep exam last year which is 240 questions. Think of it as another learning tool, an extra mock exam you can take. Overall I thought it is about the same, or maybe just a bit easier than the schweser mock exams.
I took the free sample exam from the CFAI and got 75% on it. I plan to take the free CFAI mock exam this weekend or next weekend. I haven’t purchased the two CFAI sample exams. The trouble with the CFAI sample exams are that they’re too short.
I am registered to take the BSAS Mock next week with my local chapter. I am taking it for the practice, but I also want to get a grip on what actual exam conditions will be like (or somewhat like). That is the big value for me.
I took the BSAS exam last weekend - I thought it was pretty similar in difficulty to the Schweser Vol. 1 exams…it’s a good tool for sure
I took the windsor week mock exam w/ my local society. Not sure how it compares to BSAS exam but it was a beast fo sho. I didn’t even finish it in the time allotted. In my case it was a true mock w/ exam conditions…9AM-noon, room full of people (all levels in same room), etc. Definitely the experience of physically doing that has served me well. I know I’m better prepared for June 6 after going through the motions once already. You need to do a timed 120 question exam. you need to do it in the morning for 3 hours at least. Whether its this one for you or any other mock, do it under exam conditions. I shouldn’t have been, but I WAS surprised at the energy/stamina it took to dish out these goods for a three hour interval. My brain was completely exhausted by noon, and I was dizzy from not eating properly in the morning. We’ve done all this work to get our arms around the knowledge aspect of this exam. It’s quite a thing to physically and mentally prepare for test day itself. Do not underestimate this. GOOD LUCK all!