Slacktastic passers, how economically did you prepare? first, different, about, always, only

comp_sci_kid

I admire the folks that passed with all 70%+ or that passed each exam on the first attempt.  That’s awesome.
This is a different kind of story, a story about a slacker.
I would always min-run the CFA exams.  I’m not condoning this approach, but I think it makes an interesting story.
First CFA1 attempt, December 2007.  Used only Qbank and studied for one week prior to the exam.  Band 10.  Second attempt, June 2008.  Didn’t muster will to study, didn’t show up.  Next attempt, December 2009, finally passed.  I put in a solid 10 days for that one.  On to level II.
I heard the stories about level II, so I knew June 2010 CFA II would be a challenge.  I began studying for that one late April 2010.  I put in a solid 5 weeks, mainly Qbank (40% of the Qbank questions).  I also did 3 Schweser practice exams, listened to MP3 lectures while driving and cycling, and tried to memorize secret sauce.  Middle-of-the-road pass on first attempt.
Fast forward to June 2011, CFA3 attempt 1.  I put in 6-10 days of slacktastic effort.  I did not use Qbank this time.  Rather, I did some EOC and CFAI past exams.  Band 6.  Then in 2012, I put in 14 days of ultra-intense Qbank and Schweser practice tests, along with the CFAI past exam essay sections.  I also read the books this time!  I read as much as I could along with the Qbank and practice essay tests.  I barely, barely passed.  I feel guilty.  Almost.
Anyway, if you have a good slacker studying story, like I hope this one was, please share that story for the rest of your slacker bretheren and sisteren.  As if we’d read it.