How is this for a study plan? Please critique.

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semantics

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So I fell behind the ball a little bit. First time retaker, failed band 4 last year. My obvious mistake last year was practicing essays for only week right before the exam, and not doing any item sets. This year I’ve struggled with a lack of motivation and wondering whether this was all worth it, but I’m ready to attack this thing now.
I’ve divided the 32 readings into 4 sections of 8 readings each. The first 8, readings 4-12, I’ve already read but haven’t done any EOCs or flash cards yet. I enjoy formulas and quantitative reasoning, and this behavioral finance and PWM is ridiculously qualitative and squishy-feely. Not wanting to get back to it probably explains some of my procrastination for the last several weeks.
So here’s the plan, would appreciate any feedback:
(3 weeks) 2/23 to 3/15: readings 13-20. Complete all EOCs at least twice, create flash cards of major formulas.
(3 weeks) 3/15 to 4/6: readings 21-28. Complete all EOCs at least twice, create flash cards of major formulas.
(3 weeks) 4/7 to 4/28: readings 29-32, 1-4. Complete all EOCs at least twice, create flash cards of major formulas.
(2 weeks) 4/29 to 5/13: go back and review readings 4-12, complete EOCs at least twice, create flash cards of major formulas.
(3 weeks) 5/14 to 6/3: practice tests
Assuming I’ll be studying 27-30 hours per week, you guys think this is enough? Is it lacking in any way? Am I neglecting a major area of focus?
I’m using the CFAI books to study. Last year I used Schweser, but want to be as complete and thorough this time around as possible. Any thoughts or feedback, I’d really appreciate it. Thx.
 
Do you have a full-time job? I would say 27 hours a week of study is a luxury for most of us and should see you through very comfortably.
 
Yeah, work full time. I’ve just willingly given up my social life for a few months.
 
I think you should mock sooner. There is no issue around the time, just reading does not add value. You can read, but focus more on the outcome and the practicing. You should not have to read everything again.
Just the time spent with mocks is my issue. Needs to be at least a month. The sooner the better as well.
I know it is a delicate balancing act. Good Luck.
 
One suggestion on your flashcards. Don’t just do them for major formulas. L3 IS more qualitative on the whole, you should make lists of key concepts, walkthroughs of common types of problems and so on, so you get much more practice there as well.
Normally I’d suggest mocks a bit sooner so you can repeat the problems you’ve done wrong and understand the structure of the test but as a retaker it’s probably fine
 
Your study guide is awesome and you will pass the exam for sure if you are able to maintain that kind of study etiquette.
 
Arbtrgr wrote:
I think you should mock sooner. There is no issue around the time, just reading does not add value. You can read, but focus more on the outcome and the practicing. You should not have to read everything again.
Just the time spent with mocks is my issue. Needs to be at least a month. The sooner the better as well.
I know it is a delicate balancing act. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
I couldn’t disagree more, re: just reading does not add value. I took zero mocks for L2 last year and 2 mocks for L1. In contrast, mocks add almost zero value if you’re understanding of the material is shaky or could use considerable improvement. I hate attempting mocks until I’m quite comfortable with the material. Reviewing/reading weaker areas, or stronger ones, adds an abundance of recall value that simply taking mocks won’t give you unless you really focus on the concepts/answers.
 
I hear you SHoot85
We all hate the negative feedback that mocks give when we are poorly prepared. I disagree a little, but can see the merit in your view as well. Ideally I would prefer to use mocks as a formative assessment and not just a summative assessment.
 
SHoot85 wrote:
Arbtrgr wrote:
I think you should mock sooner. There is no issue around the time, just reading does not add value. You can read, but focus more on the outcome and the practicing. You should not have to read everything again.
Just the time spent with mocks is my issue. Needs to be at least a month. The sooner the better as well.
I know it is a delicate balancing act. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
I couldn’t disagree more, re: just reading does not add value. I took zero mocks for L2 last year and 2 mocks for L1. In contrast, mocks add almost zero value if you’re understanding of the material is shaky or could use considerable improvement. I hate attempting mocks until I’m quite comfortable with the material. Reviewing/reading weaker areas, or stronger ones, adds an abundance of recall value that simply taking mocks won’t give you unless you really focus on the concepts/answers.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your photographic memory, man. I don’t know how you can pull that off. I need to do practice problems again and again to nail this stuff.
 
I usually just read, do EOC, do q-bank and then practice tests. works everytime, dont waste a lot of time thinking about my plan.
 
ltj wrote:
SHoot85 wrote:
Arbtrgr wrote:
I think you should mock sooner. There is no issue around the time, just reading does not add value. You can read, but focus more on the outcome and the practicing. You should not have to read everything again.
Just the time spent with mocks is my issue. Needs to be at least a month. The sooner the better as well.
I know it is a delicate balancing act. Good Luck.
Click to expand...
I couldn’t disagree more, re: just reading does not add value. I took zero mocks for L2 last year and 2 mocks for L1. In contrast, mocks add almost zero value if you’re understanding of the material is shaky or could use considerable improvement. I hate attempting mocks until I’m quite comfortable with the material. Reviewing/reading weaker areas, or stronger ones, adds an abundance of recall value that simply taking mocks won’t give you unless you really focus on the concepts/answers.
Click to expand...
Congrats on your photographic memory, man. I don’t know how you can pull that off. I need to do practice problems again and again to nail this stuff.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
Note re: above convo - I think just re-reading late in the game (i.e. anytime after end of April) is not an efficient use of time. You need mocks to hash out WHAT you should be reading and hone in on your weaknesses.
 
semantics wrote:
My obvious mistake last year was practicing essays for only week right before the exam, and not doing any item sets.
(3 weeks) 5/14 to 6/3: practice tests
Click to expand...
Solid plan, but I wouldnt worry too much about the reading and the formulas as they are quite easy.
Start doing past AM sooner than later. Use bullet points to answer a question and learn damange control (when to skip a question)
 
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