DEC 09ers Unite!

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JerseyJay

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I'm finally registering for L1 in DEC 09 after considering it for the past couple of years, kept postponing it not wanting to sacrifice my life as I know it. Well, I'm now at an age where I would like to get these 3 exams done before considering having kids. Plan is to try and pass L1 in Dec and take L2 in June, we'll see about that when the time comes though.

Will start studying this week with Quant, go in order and save Ethics for the end. Plan to use Schweser Study Notes for everything in addition to CFAI Texts for Ethics, end of chapter questions and some supplemental reading for tough topics. Also got Schweser QBank to drill questions and help with retention. Got a vacation planned in Jamaica the first week of July, so that may keep me from really focusing until I return.

If you're a DEC 09er, share your story, plan of action and introduce yourself! I see the L1 Board got some bad rap as being slow the last round, let's get it in high gear!
 
Haven't registered just yet but I started reviewing the Schweser notes about a month ago. I'm through the first schweser notes book #1 (ethics and quant) and about to start Econ. My plan of attack thus far has been to read each section and then watch the 08 schweser video cd's before tackling the end of reading study questions. I plan on going back through the ethics by reading the CFAI Texts when I get through the schweser material. I would like to get though the material with a couple months to spare so I can focus on mocks and qbank. No major vacations this summer or fall but I have a bunch of weddings that are going to suck up weekends.
 
Well I was registered for the June 09 Level 1 exam but my exam was deferred so I am now sitting December 09.

I'm pretty confident as I was ready for this exam before a shock occurred in my family so I will probably just get Qbank again and start doing end of reading questions again and looking over some videos...
 
I will be taking the Dec. Level 1 exam.

I graduated with a degree in poli-sci back in '04 and planned on going to law school. That all changed after I did my internship with the public defender's office the summer before I graduated. I've done a total career change and currently work in the finance department for a pharmaceutical company.

I was introduced to Investor's Business Daily back in '04 and I became hooked on analyzing stocks and trading in general. I've read books by Darvas, O'Neill and Livermore. After discovering this, I realized that I should have taken some finance classes because I was a lot more passionate about it than law. I've been managing money for my parents and friends the past couple years. My goal is to gain the CFA charter and eventually set up my own hedge fund.

I registered for level 1 back in February but have had a hard time being consistent and retaining the information. I've gone through ethics and am currently in the middle of quant. This is my third time reviewing quant because of the lack of consistency. I've also read on here how important it is to learn the TVM problems because they act like a building block and are covered in later chapters.

I plan on using Schweser to prepare for the exam. I'm debating between the Essential pack and the Premium. Since I haven't taking any finance classes I'm kind of leaning towards the Premium. Any advice would be much appreciated.
 
Don't waste your time and money on the more premium packages. Those videos are okay for something like CPA, but your time is more high-yield on doing stuff by yourself for CFA. I previewed both Schweser and Stalla videos and found both equally uninspired (there's just so much material they can't possibly cover anything but the highlights, which one can ostensibly do satisfactorily on their own).

Perhaps the seminars are good, albeit extremely expensive. In any case, I seem to be doing okay thus far with just the basic Essential package for Schweser based on QBank results. (Glad I still have 6 mos left though LOL!) Also for Schweser, if you want to upgrade later even Essential people get PassProtection now.

Besides, nothing is a better teacher than truly gaining an understanding on your own. Study groups are good for problem areas or specific questions, and perhaps videos for non-finance people, but I find self-study the most time-efficient option.
 
I am in for Dec 09. Doing part time MBA, working and studying for CFA. What else can you ask for
 
I have both. CFAI is too detailed at times I guess its written for people with no financial background. I will still read the stuff having read BPP material earlier on in my other studies more is better just remember to zero in on the practice to areas you are not as confident
 
I've been in the industry for about two years now and finally decided to bite the bullet and sign up for the Level 1 exam. I'll be taking it with two other analysts at my firm, and we plan on doing study groups. My firm is also paying for the Stalla live instructor-led courses (input on any real value added there?); hopefully those will help. I will be studying primarily from the Schweser Study Notes but will probably refer to the textbooks if I need further clarification. Also definitely plan on using this forum very often as another resource :) Good luck with the studying!!
 
dahcrap Wrote:
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> I am in for Dec 09. Doing part time MBA, working
> and studying for CFA. What else can you ask for


I salute you my friend, that is a schedule punishable by death only.
 
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