Questions Regarding Study Materials for CFA Level 1

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illmatic

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Hello Everyone,
I am planning to start studying for the Level 1 exam beginning in August, I am not going to be working, so I will have 4 full months to prepare. My father has already got the Scheweser materials for me ( I have the notes, question bank, volume 1 and 2 volume 2 mock exams, secret sauce).
However, many people have been telling me that the Elan material is much better than Schweser. Would it be wise for me to purchase the Eland Mock Exams and Practice Questions. Also would it be worthwhile purchasing the 11th hour and the Elan study notes (are these better than the schewser notes?) My main concern is passing, and I don’t mind spending money, as long as I have the best possible chance at passing. Any replies would be greatly appreciated
Thanks.
 
i first studies the CFAI curriculum and then the Elan notes which i though were overall comprehensive and good. The reason why i chose Elan notes over Schweser is because there is less of them, in terms of pages.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. I was told that it wasn’t necessary to read the CFAI curriculum, provided you knew the notes very well. I am curious to hear from those who have used or looked at both Schweser and Elan material, which is the better of the two, not taking in account the price. I
 
@Penny-wenny: I’ve only used Elan, but I did do a page comparison using a colleague’s copy of Schweser and they have approximately the same number of pages covering the LOS. Elan’s questions and summaries are separate so the books appear to be thinner.
@illmatic: Try the search function. There are loads of threads on Elan, Schweser and Stalla and some people have compared them as well. Whether or not you need the curriculum depends on your background. Even though I have used only notes and videos to study, the EOC questions in the CFA books are a must-do.
 
Do a search!
FWIW I’ve used both and prefer elan overall. Once I’m done with the exam ill try to post a comprehensive review of the different products.
 
I have a done a search, I was curious what I should do in my situation. I have read the Elan Mocks are definitely better, so I’ll purchase those. But comparing just the Elan study notes to the schweser study notes, which are better? Furthermore does anyone have insight on the 2000 practice questions how do these compare to Scheweser’s question bank?
 
After having done a comprehensive search of this forum it seems that Elan gets better reviews is cheaper than schweser. I still eagerly await your thoughts cinderella. Good luck for Saturday/Sunday.
@Illmatic: If you register for Elan’s free trial you get three chapters and lectures from the quant modules for free along with some other chapters. You already have the schweser products so you can compare the two.
 
Hi btcapital! I just signed up on their site and all I see is a whole bunch of fixed income readings and videos. How did you get access to the QM stuff because I have read quants from the curriculum and now I want to check out their materials. Please let me know.
Thanx!
 
I had videos, readings and practice questions for Chapters 9, 10, 11, 23, 66 and 71. It’s not the same for you?
 
been on this forum for a while. from what I seen, dont worry aboutlevel 1. it is basic enough that all the guides will be adequate.
 
@btcapital: Thanks! I had registered under the wrong program. I have access to the same stuff as you now.
 
iteracom Wrote:
——————————————————-
> been on this forum for a while. from what I seen,
> dont worry aboutlevel 1. it is basic enough that
> all the guides will be adequate.
+1. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. Check out their samples and take the plunge
 
Bump!
So what’s the verdict from Dec 2011 candidates. Stalla’s apparently out of the picture now so that only leaves Schweser and Elan.
 
I had used Stalla and I was pretty impressed it, given how prepared I felt during the exam. I had also taken the live classes with Peter Olinto. Assuming I passed, which I feel confident about (hope that isn’t proven wrong!), eying Scheweser for level 2.
 
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