Downloaded the online volumes that CFA provides (6 in total) and took a quick peek through the first two. These aren't PDFs (sorry) but rather files you download and view using a special program called VitalSource Bookshelf.
Volume 1 is about 500 pages and covers Ethics and some basic quantitative and statistical concepts which don't look so bad. Volume 2 looks like Micro/Macroeconomics and about the level of a basic college course, nothing too fancy. Looks like we covered most of what is there at LSE. Volumes are split into 'Readings' of roughly 50-80 pages each with lots of charts, so depending of difficulty I figure the Readings alone are about an hour or two each. Of course the practice/sample problems are going to be where the time really gets put in.
First impression is that it's just like everyone says - no single concept in particular looks that difficult, but you have to know a lot of concepts. A LOT. This is going to be way more material than GMAT, which is more about memorizing permutations and uses of different things and GMATisms and idioms, but probably require a similar approach of repetition, time, and practice tests. GMAT was very heavy on understanding 'why did I get this wrong' and I suspect there will be plenty of that here, but with more potential for 'I don't even remember looking at that.'
A few friends have recommended I ignore the CFA materials and just use the Schweser notes and practice tests, which run $349 for the notes and $599 for the notes plus practice tests. So maybe I could've done without spending the $230 to the CFA for the printed curriculum. But oh well.
Emailing a few more CFA ninja friends back home for their thoughts and will probably make a final decision on Schweser and start mocking up a day by day work plan.
Cheers
Volume 1 is about 500 pages and covers Ethics and some basic quantitative and statistical concepts which don't look so bad. Volume 2 looks like Micro/Macroeconomics and about the level of a basic college course, nothing too fancy. Looks like we covered most of what is there at LSE. Volumes are split into 'Readings' of roughly 50-80 pages each with lots of charts, so depending of difficulty I figure the Readings alone are about an hour or two each. Of course the practice/sample problems are going to be where the time really gets put in.
First impression is that it's just like everyone says - no single concept in particular looks that difficult, but you have to know a lot of concepts. A LOT. This is going to be way more material than GMAT, which is more about memorizing permutations and uses of different things and GMATisms and idioms, but probably require a similar approach of repetition, time, and practice tests. GMAT was very heavy on understanding 'why did I get this wrong' and I suspect there will be plenty of that here, but with more potential for 'I don't even remember looking at that.'
A few friends have recommended I ignore the CFA materials and just use the Schweser notes and practice tests, which run $349 for the notes and $599 for the notes plus practice tests. So maybe I could've done without spending the $230 to the CFA for the printed curriculum. But oh well.
Emailing a few more CFA ninja friends back home for their thoughts and will probably make a final decision on Schweser and start mocking up a day by day work plan.
Cheers
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