Economics: CFAI or Schweser shortcut, reference, material, course, result

mamuka12

Hi Everyone:
I would just like some input with regards to the CFAI book vs. Schweser’s for economics level 1.
Is it recommended to take a shortcut and read economics only from Schweser and have the CFA book as a reference  or does Schweser miss a lot of material? I found this to be the case with FSA and as a result, did FSA almost exclusively from the CFAI book. I have taken only one macroeconomics course (I am an engineer).
Thx and GTLA Dec. ‘08 Level I writers!
Ali

siavosh

Ali,
I tend to take notes to. I find it way easier to review using my own notes. Also, I’m told it helps with retention. However, because of this study style, I would have been crunched for time if I had used CFAI texts.

siavosh

CFAI Book is the way to go…
Schweser does not explain everything as clearly as CFAI books do. So, you may not understand the concepts completely which may cost you some questions in the exam.

bigredhockey55

pencil works well. That way after you written something in your CFAI book, and then realize you understood it incorrectly, you can erase it and rewrite it the correct way!!!

SpyAli

hi,
i underline what i fell is important , but it is good practice to make notes .i shall start making notes from today + i do every cfai book and schwser book exams at the end of every reading

Bluetick1010

If you have a good background in economics and are pressed for time (econs is only 10% spend more time on others) read schweser then go to cfa and read chapter summariess and answer the questions.

BC_MBA_student

Holy crap, that is quick! 2 and a half days, really?

MythosHF

My 2 cents..
Schweser is a great resource, but nothing beats the CFAI texts. In the case of the CFA, there is no such thing as too much detail..

fishmarket

This time around I read CFAi books, highlighted and then went back and made flashcards. Then I did the readings at the end. One month prior, I did Qbank and questions on here and the sample and mock exams.
Doing it over, I would have read CFAi, highlighted, then would have gone to Schweser to get a better understand of hard basic topics that they simplify. And then go back and make flash cards from CFAi books and reread stuff that Schweser doesn’t cover.
I feel like I should have used a 3rd party system to get a better understanding of the basics earlier on that CFAi gave too much detail on.

hw0799

I prefer writing on my cfai books… i normally never take notes, but if it comes down to it, i will scribble (highlight, underline, write comments, etc) all over the books. I suggest start w/ the cfai books on areas that you’re not comfortable so you can develop a more comprehensive understanding/knowledge of those subjects. Do the schweser if you have enough time afterwards, then do LOTS and LOTS of practice problems. At least 1/3 of the qbank (~1,000 questions) + book6 and sample/mock exams from cfai.