joehogue

rocksolid, i dont think you should use schweser anymore. I failed in Dec 2010 with:

Q# Topic Max Pts <=50% 51%-70% >70%
- Alternative Investments 8 - - *
- Corporate Finance 20 - * -
- Derivatives 12 - * -
- Economics 24 - - *
- Equity Investments 24 - - *
- Ethical & Professional Standards 36 - - *
- Financial Reporting & Analysis 48 - * -
- Fixed Income Investments 28 - - *
- Portfolio Management 12 - - *
- Quantitative Methods 28 * - -

Band 10

and in June 2011 with:


Q# Topic Max Pts <=50% 51%-70% >70%
- Alternative Investments 8 - - *
- Corporate Finance 20 - * -
- Derivatives 12 * - -
- Economics 24 - * -
- Equity Investments 24 - * -
- Ethical & Professional Standards 36 - - *
- Financial Reporting & Analysis 48 - - *
- Fixed Income Investments 28 - * -
- Portfolio Management 12 - - *
- Quantitative Methods 28 - - *

Band 9

I'm not knocking Schweser, many many people pass with them, but for me I don't think it works. I found their questions overly complicated, long-winded and convoluted. I made a pretty major error of not looking at the change in material between Dec and June which may have cost me (or may not have). I do remember about 4 or 5 questions straight in Corp Finance and saying to myself WTF?! I had never even heard of some of the stuff they were asking. 10 questions over the exam is definitely enough to be a difference maker.

Anyway, the exam really isnt that hard (I say having failed it twice haha). It's more of a brain teaser than an exam. You just have to shove a lot of crap into your head and splurge out formulas in the test room. A lot of people go on to fail level 2 because I dont think they have the basics down (so, every cloud...)

I'm thinking of taking it again. Just because I can't stand that I have to tell people I failed. I think I will try Stalla, heard good things.

What areas are you struggling with?
jestersdead88@yahoo.com