justin88

I failed as a Band10 twice. This year I used the same approach, read Schweser and do all CFAI problems. The key difference I made this year was to time myself on all practice exams. This is key. The prior two years i struggled to finish the am session. This year i got done with a few minutes to spare.

justin88

Last year Band 7, passed this year:

Strategy

1. Didn't memorize any formulas, understood concepts as they last longer and LIII is about understanding and application rather plug and chug

2. Made my own notes, revised them numerous times as exams approached

3. Visited AF regularly, participated in the discussions, even reading posts can be helpful to understand concepts (for eg. backwardation, contango discussed on AF in a much better way than explained in CFA text)

4. In addition to preparation for acing PM, prepared myself to score decent marks on AM with practice to write succinctly with bullets

5. Timed myself for AM tests and attempted to finish within 3 hours

6. Started with studying late night and evening nap but shifted to early morning and day time study 2 week before exam to get used to full day exam timing


Time

1. Started early in January, covered every LOS, didn't leave anything assuming will not be tested

2. Took two week off from work (all the more helpful as I lost one full week three weeks before the exam due to sickness)


Course Material / Problem Solving

1. CFAI texts exclusively for the readings, examples and EOCQs

2. Schweser for EOCQs

3. Schweser practice tests (timed Vol 1 and some tests from Vol 2)

4. Questions from Q-Bank only with high difficulty level

5. Timed all past AM exams, Sample exams available on CFAI website