Yes, it is over. I just want to put an end to it by sharing my experience with it.
I enjoyed while taking the test. I liked the format and quality of the exam.
The exam was about knowing the basic concepts and not to do with complex calculations. The exam tested the candidates' ability to understand the basics of each concept.
About 95% (if not 100%) of the questions were covered in the Schweser notes.
CFAI asked the questions in a different wording or in a different context than Schweser did. Almost 50% of the questions are about what happens if some thing happens. (cause and effects). Some times they gave additional information with the cause which might change the whole answer.
I did not find a single obscure question. Every question was straight forward and can be related to one or two LOS(s).
Amount of time you spend on 'remembering' the concept does not help.
The idea is to develop a sense of intuition about what happens if something occurs.
You need to know what is the effect on 100 different things for a particular cause.
The preparation materials can never be able to give you notes that detail.
You have to really understand the concept to answer those questions.
I think the exam had way too many paired questions. If you just know half the answer, it is same as you know nothing. You wont get any points for knowing a partial answer.
One thing that surprised me is that the many of the questions in the afternoon session were a mere repeat(conceptually) of the morning session. Few questions were almost identical. I think its waste of resources. Many candidates found the exam easy in the afternoon section because they were used to the format and/or they have seen the questions in the morning section and discussed them during the break.
The proctors, even though they looked nice, some times were overreacting. They felt like they have given a monumental task and they are like 'war' soldiers. When I showed a spare calculator battery at the gate, the proctor asked me to show her the screwdriver which I do not need and did not take to the exam.
Only after confirming with her supervisor that the batteries are allowed without the screwdriver, she allowed me to proceed.
I enjoyed while taking the test. I liked the format and quality of the exam.
The exam was about knowing the basic concepts and not to do with complex calculations. The exam tested the candidates' ability to understand the basics of each concept.
About 95% (if not 100%) of the questions were covered in the Schweser notes.
CFAI asked the questions in a different wording or in a different context than Schweser did. Almost 50% of the questions are about what happens if some thing happens. (cause and effects). Some times they gave additional information with the cause which might change the whole answer.
I did not find a single obscure question. Every question was straight forward and can be related to one or two LOS(s).
Amount of time you spend on 'remembering' the concept does not help.
The idea is to develop a sense of intuition about what happens if something occurs.
You need to know what is the effect on 100 different things for a particular cause.
The preparation materials can never be able to give you notes that detail.
You have to really understand the concept to answer those questions.
I think the exam had way too many paired questions. If you just know half the answer, it is same as you know nothing. You wont get any points for knowing a partial answer.
One thing that surprised me is that the many of the questions in the afternoon session were a mere repeat(conceptually) of the morning session. Few questions were almost identical. I think its waste of resources. Many candidates found the exam easy in the afternoon section because they were used to the format and/or they have seen the questions in the morning section and discussed them during the break.
The proctors, even though they looked nice, some times were overreacting. They felt like they have given a monumental task and they are like 'war' soldiers. When I showed a spare calculator battery at the gate, the proctor asked me to show her the screwdriver which I do not need and did not take to the exam.
Only after confirming with her supervisor that the batteries are allowed without the screwdriver, she allowed me to proceed.