Just CFAI texts? Need advice

B

bryant

New member
Joined
Jun 18, 2026
Messages
0
Reaction score
0
Anyone ever hear of a candidate passing all three levels using just the CFAI textbooks? Obviously someone has, so my question is what are your thoughts on using just the texts (and program readings of course) for the 2007 level II exam with the following parameters in mind: 1. workweek is approx 50 hrs, 2. can't study on Saturday, 3. passed level 1 w/3.5 weeks study (studying all day), 4. rusty on approx. 1/2 level I material, 5. can put in 15 hrs/week starting next week, and 6. I have a Finance degree from an ok school and don't work in the investment industry.

I would like to apologize in advance for those of you who are universal geniuses and think that this question is retarded. I guess I'm really just looking for your thoughts. Love me, hate me, anything.
 
If time is an issue, why not utilize one of study note providers? If you want to use just the texts, fine...you have plenty of time.
 
You will learn everything from the horse's mouth if you use only the textbooks. However, I think that the Schweser notes are really helpful for simplifying some of the topics and maybe focusing on some areas that are likely to be tested. That said, sometimes the Schweser focus is off.

When I took the tests, I used only prep books for level I. For levels II and III, I used the textbooks a significant amount, as well as Schweser. I found that Schweser sometimes explained concepts better than the texts, so in those areas, they're a great add-on. However, they gloss over other areas that end up being important. I would focus on the texts since you have ample time, but definitely use a prep provider like Schweser for review. If you run short on time, you can revert to a Schweser-only triage for the remaining topics. It's quite a bit more efficient that way. It's much harder to cram using the books.

There is a limited amount of overlap between levels I and II. I don't think you'll have a problem due to your retention of material from I. Most of the overlap was in the quant sections, from what I remember. There wasn't much that built upon level I in level II. I think I remember learning certain accounting things over again in level II (LIFO/FIFO). I kept my level I Stalla books just for reference and didn't use them at all.
 
I have both the Schweser study notes and the CFAI textbooks. My plan is to read the CFA books first and then move on to Schweser to fine tune everything.

I finished reading the CFA books last weekend and have since moved on to Schweser. I can honestly say I felt the CFA text was extremely poorly written. It showed poor focus and often repeated itself over and over.

I am actually "enjoying" (if you can call it that) the Schweser books and feel that they will be much more helpful to me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the CFA books were helpful and they will benefit me for the test and I will be ordering them for Level II. I just think that Schweser is much better written and more focused and will be more beneficial.
 
in particular the WSF accounting book is a real drama, Schweser is so much better at explaining concepts
but make sure u go throu the assigned Qs in the textbooks
for L1 I did 100% Schweser (read the ethics book twice though), had 70% in every category
L2 and 3 are different, more like grunt explained
 
A very good point CFA2, it would be very beneficial to have the option to study something that is highly consolidated, especially if time is of the essence. A person's choice of what they use, prefer to use, want to, is case sensitive; a dozen assumptions are built into any answer one can give, so maybe me asking this question is my vain attempt at finding a proxy for myself out there. I really just need to make a commitment and try to feel the heat when I'm so far away from exam time. Thank you for your suggestions.
 
Sorry, made my post before I read the others. I agree with Bambi 100% regarding the WSF book being a real page-turner. I think that probably the most effective way to go would be to go through the texts first, extract the major points via flashcards, work the problems in the texts, go through Schweser, and review by reading over the flashcards and working problems in both CFAI and Schweser.

Jrumph, good point as well. It makes a world of difference when an author is easy to follow; this could mean the difference of studying all night or having you spouse carry your sleeping carcass to the bed where they put your jammies on and tuck you in.
 
I think the real answer here is to have both the textbooks and prep books on hand. I found that, in level II, the derivatives book spelled everything out more clearly than Schweser, but that Schweser did a much better job than the WSF accounting book in explaining a lot of FSA concepts.

That way, you can switch between them and use the optimal source for each session.
 
wow. it is shocking to me that there is this much analysis on a "texts only" thread. talk about delving into minutaeland.
 
I passed L3 with just Schweser flashcards, practice exams, and the original texts.
 
You guys/girls hear about that crazy cowboy from Amaranth? I would still like to be him because he's probably sitting on $100 mill. I wonder what that feels like.
 
Who needs to party when you're sailing your yacht in the mediterranean.
 
being lonely is cr*p everywhere
but then better be rich and lonely than poor and lonely
 
actually he's from calgary, alberta...when he gets lonely he just heads down to a nice club called Cowboys...
 
Certainly off topic, but the endowment I work at met with Amaranth about a month ago. They swore up and down to us that everything was hedged and that they have 10 Phd's just doing risk analysis.

Suffice to say we're glad we decided to pass on them in the end.
 
re. Amaranth: did you guys see that somebody is auctioning on eBay original Amaranth-branded beach towel, polo t-shirt, and baseball cap - the highest bid so far is �165, but who knows, it might reach $6 bn eventually! and no wonder, the seller accepts payment in cash only!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Amaranth-6-Billion-Dollars-later-and-all-thats-left_W0QQitemZ300032836477QQihZ020QQcategoryZ987QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top