http://www.schweser.com/cfa/products/final_review_pack.php Any thoughts on this package? What is the Mock/Problem solving workshop? I’m leaning hard on it.
mock problem solving workshop is the 1/2 day 1 3 hr session mock exam + the 1.5 days discussion on a question by question basis. you then get another full mock exam to work on. you also get the CD giving you the answers to both mocks - one you answered + the one in hand. SORRY – did not read this was SCHWESER. (Seems to be happening a lot with me nowadays). What I have written above is all for Stalla, not for Schweser. Do not know what Schweser offers.
It looks comparable to Stalla. Also the secret sauce and a 3 day seminar is included. I’ve been to a seminar via Schweser and found it helpful for Level 1. Secret Sauce/3 day seminar checks out, now I just want to know more about the Mock Exam details. Depending how screwed I think I am come May, I may order this. I’m impressed by those who can pass the CFA only using the CFAI texts.
5-Day Seminar in Dallas-Fort Worth - May 18-22, 2009 Anyone going to this? I’m hell bent on passing. If I feel like I’m lagging around May, I may panic and take this course. Yes a grand is a substantial sum, but I’m trying to lay the tracks to get into the Business School’s investment club this fall which is quite competative. I figure a Level 3 candidate with a background in financial services would have a great chance.
I apologize for my dumb quesitons as well. Culture shock hit me with the pop quiz last night where I knew how to answer zero of the questions. I look around and see everyone else working diligently on finding the answer (except the db) and I circle B since I don’t have a prayer on how to begin. These next 8 weeks are going to be brutal for me. In your replies, give a shoutout for lunch as well. I’ll put out more questions in gratitude for assistance.
(From someone in my society, any other input?) Ditch The live seminar is definitely worth it, but if you passed Level 1 without it, you could try that route. With that said, I did the live seminar in Dallas Fort-Worth for levels II and III and would recommend them. The instructors are solely focused on you passing the exam and don’t try to teach you anything other than what it takes to pass the exam. One lecture (Marc LeFebvre) goes through old exam problems (not sure how he got them), which I think are very helpful. The hotel (Marriott) is expensive, so a lot of candidates choose to stay at other hotels nearby to help minimize the cost. Did I read from your other e-mail that you are pursuing an MBA? If yes, you may want to think about the cost this way… I am going to the School part-time MBA right now. The cost is $1015 a credit. I am taking two, 10-week 3 credit classes. Each class has about 3 hours of instruction. So, without student fees, that is $6,090 for a total of about 60 hours of instruction or a little over $100 an hour. Well, the 5-day seminar in Dallas is 36 hours of instruction for $999. Let’s say you spend $1,500 on flights and hotels. That would only bring your total cost to about $2,500 or about $69 a hour. So…just throwing something out there…the cost is certainly there, but some perspective might be helpful. My short answer, though, is that the seminar is definitely worth it.
I got a call from Schweser from a rep about this today. I probably triggered some alert after purchasing Secret Sauce this morning. I think I learn the best from reading, doing exam questions, and talking with people here. I have a feeling that if I took the seminar, I’d have to go back and review everything anyways. Also, I think Schweser will probably focus on questions from their notes whereas the real exam will focus on wording from the CFAI. The only real value for me would probably be in the the test-taking tips. If that’s the majority of the review seminar, then I would be interested. However, there is a section on test-taking tips in Secret Sauce. That said, if you learn well from someone presenting something in front of you, by all means take it. But don’t forget that we have some talented people on this board that can help us as well 
Ali, My plan is to wait and see. If I’m panicking, I’ll sign up. Also, did the rep offer a discount? I would imagine they may knock a few bucks off the fee to fills vacant seats.
No discount, but if I get the full pack, I’d ask for the discount since I already purchased Secret Sauce and didn’t know about it. I see there is a Mock Exam and Problem Solving Workshop, separate from the 3-day review. I would be interested in that (retail is $279 US). Take a look at the 3-day review seminar video link on the site (it’s for level 1). http://www.schweser.com/cfa/products/final_review_pack.php I am finding that this video is moving too slowly for the concepts. Yep, I am a kinesthetic learner.
I should mention ditch, through the university here in Calgary, I took the BSAS mock exam simulation for level 1. You basically pay $40, show up, write the morning in a room full of students, take a half-hour break, write the afternoon, and pick up the solutions manual. It was fantastic preparation because it got me in the mood of simulating the test. I definitely think that’s worth the money.
Texas is a bit much. Though I don’t like sitting in front of the computer a whole lot, I think I’ll go for the archives in the Problem & Solution Package for $550.
Took the plunge and bought this thing. Screenshot of SkipE will be posted upon visual confirmation. I better fcking pass!
I did the online problems and solution package last year and thought it was worth my time. bear in mind though I hadn’t done much studying until mid April so was panicking. one hint: they had lots of technology issues last year that I hope they’ve resolved. many of us could not see the presentation and had to wait for archived copies to be posted later that week. it threw off my entire strategy.
All of this is archived, so I hope everything is fine and dandy. The lady on the phone told me the archived seminar is Andy Holmes, the session SkipE went to. I’ll confirm it’s him once I see a BSD with a Red Bull and Twix Bar.
Jockey - you need to upload that to the CFA-Level-II group on FBook.
There is a group! I need to join this. I was tempted to make a facebook event for jollies.