How to Utilize BOTH Prep Notes and the CFAI Curriculum

[BigAdam]

I plan on purchasing Schweser notes and to begin studying about 9 months ahead of the June 2017 exam. Some questions I have are:

1. Did you read all of the prep notes first then go through all of the curriculum or vice versa? (which one did you start with?)
2. Or did you constantly alternate by reading a section from the prep notes then the same section from the curriculum or vice versa? (From which text did you read first?)
3. If you used both prep notes and the curriculum, how long did it take you to get through both?

Thanks!

 

[Tartaglia]

I studied with Schweser Notes and the Curriculum because I found that the quality of explanations varied strongly in the sense, that some times I found the explanations were more concise and clear in Schweser, some times I found the additional explanations in the curriculum necessary for me to grasp the material. So first time around, I skimmed through both and then re-read material whenever necessary while practicing questions.
Overall, I would recommend not to neglect the curriculum since those are the folks preparing the exam. So that you are prepared if they pick a question about some short subparagraph …
Most importantly, keep in mind that testing your knowledge with questions is key to understanding the material.
It is hard to say how long it takes to review the material, If you are preparing now for the June 2017, you should have plenty of time to get through it (depending on what your day job is). I would suggest to make a detailed study plan that will allow you to finish the entire material at least 1 month (better 2) before the actual exams so that you can start doing mocks. Also, whenever you are done with a topic, take the topic test on the CFA website, those I found very helpful to test your understanding.

 

[Flashback]

1. Read Schweser chapter first
2. Do all EOCs from official curriculum
3. Repeat solving EOCs and portal tests a couple of times for each chapter and session until you feel you cover over 70 % of questios
4. Then, if necessary, re-read some parts from official curriculum in the last studying phase (while doing Mocks)