Review Time - Strategies

CFA Level I
#1

Hey all, we’re nearing that time where we have to put the pen down and start reviewing/practicing. Some of you are already there - I was supposed to be there by now as well. Unfortunately school work has set me back majorly and I wont be able to begin reviewing until May 6th.

Here’s my strategy (I’d love feedback):

May 6th - May 13th (still in school with finals): Do all of the EOC questions in the CFA textbooks. Taking notes on areas of weakness.

May 14th - May 17th : Spend each of these four days dedicated to one area of worst performance (likely re-learning much of it) and memorizing formulas for those subject areas.

May 18th : Mock Exam held by local CFA Society

May 19th : Analyze Mock Exam results, forming a game plan of review following areas of weakness.

May 20th - May 30th : Alternating every day, one day a practice exam, the next is full day review.

May 31st : Absolutely nothing but hangout with friends, go to a shooting range for the first time to blow of steem and have some relaxing fun.

June 1st : Exam

This gives me a chance to take the CFA Mock, 2 CFA sample exams, and 3 Schweser Practice exams. On my days of review, I will likely be using Qbank throughout to test myself on certain concepts. Probably put in 150 hours in reviewing in that last few weeks alone.

My worries? That I wont have enough time to fully run through my weakest subjects (probably will have to re-learn a couple areas) and get a firm grasp on them, while having enough time to memorize formulas and review other areas.

I would love to read your in-depth plan of attack for reviewing. In fact, it may put me at ease if I can borrow some ideas… or terrify me by knowing I am doing way less than others.

ALSO: if you guys know for a fact there is a section that you just do not remember very much of anything from (Micro for me), how do you plan on attacking that during review? We can’t just start all over, there’s no time for that.

#2

Hey, just wondering where you get the 2 CFA sample exams? I only saw one on the CFA website with 20 questions?

#3

They may not be available just yet, but I don’t know. Call the CFA Institute and they will let you know: 1-434-951-5499

#4

CFAI Sample exams must be purchased, there are sample questions on the site for each level (a few for each level) for anyone to peruse as they desire, the CFAI Mock is available for free to candidates each year and can be found on the website.

Start with the CFAI mock and go from there. The sample questions may be of some help but don’t expect to learn much from them (I think they’re there more for people to gauge the difficulty and format of the exams). If after the CFAI mock, you’re thirsty for more CFAI questions, purchase a sample exam. I never did, Schweser was sufficient with the CFAI mock, but from what I hear, you can only access them online and once you do, they are timed and cannot be printed (print screen is also not available). So they are strictly one-time use.

#5

Glad to hear Schweser notes and mocks are enough for the level 1. I studied most of the materials with Schweser. I was a bit insecured though. But glad to hear what you said here. Hopefully they are enough for level 2 and 3 too. hahaha

#6

Are you sure you’ll do all the EOC in the CFA text book in 7 days with finals?

Otherwise it sounds like a good strategy, 150h one month before is the way to go!

#7

Sounds like a good strat. Stick to it!

#8

I should be able to get through the EOC’s before school is over. I’m really just concerned about using my time most efficiently once school is over : \ I don’t know if my plan is enough.