Schweser

I've decided to go ahead and purchase the Schweser notes, which appear to be a far more practical and streamlined version of the CFA Institute (CFAI) curriculum.  The CFAI material appears to be more or less a direct copy from whatever textbooks that the CFAI used to develop that section of the subject matter - so it is as 'in-depth' as one would ever need.

Given that I've got some background training and work experience in finance, accounting and economics, I'm thinking I can cut down a lot of time by taking the Schweser approach and then 'filling in' weaker areas using the CFAI material.  You don't get the option NOT to buy the CFAI guides, so might as well make the most of them, but keep in mind what they are.  I'm thinking in particular that a close read of the Ethics section of the CFAI will help ingrain some of those more esoteric philosophical thoughts you need to pass that section with flying colors.

The other secret - nah let's just call it an 'approach' - that gets a lot of press is just doing as many practice questions as possible.  Schweser's $599 package includes the SchweserPro 'QBank' which has thousands of practice questions and looks like a great training tool.  Most forum posts say something to the effect of 'Do the Schweser Notes, and then QBank like crazy...maybe about 3,000 practice questions.  The basic Schweser Notes (w 3 practice exams) is $349, the step up from that ($599) includes 3 additional practice exams and the all important QBank.  So it appears I'm out another six hundred bucks.

In any event, CFAI plus Schweser plus hard work definitely appear to be 'enough' to pass the test, and that QBank.