I just registered for the June CFA Level II exam and I plan to start my studies at the beginning of October. What would you recommend as an effective study strategy. Should I only use the curriculum books from the CFA Institute? I have heard Kaplan Schweser’s products are less helpful for the CFA Level II exam. Also, do I need to review the entire level 1 curriculum before I start on my level 2 studies? Thank you.
I’m studying from Schweser’s and I can solve the EOC questions from CFAI curriculum with no problem. I mean, If I feel prepared to solve CFAI questions using Shweser, I think it is useful enough.
In fact, I felt that CFAI books were too much dilutive some times, because they approached some chapters like a long essay (paragraph + paragrapg + …) and the case about the reading with some questions. It is good about the case and solving questions, but the reading was too blurred. When I checked Schweser’s chapter I saw a very comprehensive and visual explanation of the concepts, so I could see more per page, really. However, I’m sure that some readings will be better in CFAI because of the fundamentals they explain in the books, and of course it is because CFAI books have 2x more pages.
I would not review L1 again, just go back to it when necessary.
Don’t go back through Level 1 at all. I thought about it but no need.
I used CFAI curriculum and it got me through. You know everything you need to know will be there as well.
not necessary to review Level 1, read Level 2 material directly & start with equity & FRA first, put the Ethics at the end
I’m planning on using Schweser for L2. I like the format and online resources. I have the CFAI ebooks to reference if I find anything in the Schweser material to be unclear. I understand it’s not as comprehensive, but I also want to be able to get through the material in a timely manner so that I can test, test, test, test, test. Also, I’m planning on giving myself quite a bit of time to study, but not as early as October. Probably crack the books in Late November/December and get serious in January.
I passed L1 in Dec 2014 and failed L2 in June 2015. I used Schweser only for L1 and it was very useful. Because of lack of time I prepared for L2 with Schweser only. I think, it was not enough. Now I consider to read CFAI books and solve EOC problems first of all. I can view Schweser only as a supplement. Besides I plan to view Irfanullah videos. I used it before and believe they are more detailed and better reflect CFAI books content than Schwesers videos.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to review L1. All what you need to pass L2 is already in CFAI books.
Good luck!
What is the best order to review the chapters in? Anyone find something that works?
This is pretty subjective as everyone studies/learns differently, but 300 hours put up a blog article awhile back on a recommended study order here: http://www.300hours.com/blog/what-is-the-most-effective-level-ii-cfa-exam-study-session-order#.VfiFtn9VhBe
Thank you JayWill!