Level I Books

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varang

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Hello Everyone,

I taking the L1 exam in December and am thinking of registering tomorrow. I know that with the registration CFAI send you the curriculum. However, they also cite some books in the LOS that I have downloaded. So in the end they have got me confused, and I am not sure if I have to buy those books in addition to the CFAI supplier initial curriculum or not. So I would appreciate if someone can tell me a couple of things
- what is the absolute bare minimum set of books that one must have for L1, other then what is provided by CFA with the registration
- and please give me some recommendation on what course material to buy from a third party vendors such as Stall or Kaplan.

Your help is appreciated,

Varang
 
Its late, so quick answer:

CFAI doesn't provide you with the curriculum. They must be bought (about $400). CFAI only emails you like a syllabus (just telling you view of the exam and provides you with all the LOS, but not in detail or any kind of review).

Bare minimum - you MUST have something other that what CFAI mails you at registrations. Either review books, curriculum, or both

- I liked Schweser. Stella isn't mentioned here much. Most prefer Schweser, but you can do a search.
 
I did L1 on Schweser only, read it twice did six mock exams + BSAS mock
ended up with 70 all over
 
what's ur educational and professional background majstorn? Did u use any other reference source (google, books etc) to better understand some problem topics, or was it schweser all the say for u?
 
"I did L1 on Schweser only, read it twice did six mock exams + BSAS mock
ended up with 70 all over"

That's biased because your background might be superior to others in terms of CFAI material.
 
Hi guys,
Thanks a lot for all the information on the books. I just registered myself for Dec L1 test. I have ordered the program curriculum and Schweser material. I hope to start studying as soon as I get my books. I just wanted to get more info on Schweser material and what kind of audience it is meant to address. I just graduated out of college with a bachelor�s degree in Finance and Supply Chain Management, so some of the CFA curriculum is still fresh in my memory. So the question would be, is Schweser more focused towards individuals without Finance background or individuals with Finance background?

Again, thanks for all the help,
Varang
 
I'm almost done with book 4 of the Schweser study notes (taking the test is Dec 06); and the notes, for the most part, are designed for Finance majors. I went to a major university in Florida and have seen 90% of the information; excluding of course ethics and GIPS etc... from my BSBA in Finance. Granted, some of the information is much more in depth than what I needed to learn in school. But I have seen almost everything from the Schweser books in at least 1 of my undergrad classes. It is important to note that I took every class offered on investments and portfolio management.

If you can't grasp something, then I would say to buy the text books or GOOGLE it.

Someone else who has taken the test already would probably attest to that.
 
At least I'd get the Scheweser study notes,can I skip the curriculum then?

I thought study notes covered everything in that.Of coz,to have both benefit more.
 
if you have finance background, you can skip the curriculum. Schweser notes are better. IMO
 
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