Re-takers Strategy

[archived_user]

Just curious what other level 3 re-takers are planning as far as strategy.
When do you plan to start studying again? What material do you plan on using?
I plan to start in late fall (the wound of failing hasn’t quite healed) - will likely move away from schweser and stick to the CFAI material to start, supplement with schweser on areas where I need clarification.
Any Re-takers who passed the 2016, what did you change in your approach (if anything)?

 

[archived_user]

1. Practiced CFAI topic based tests ,after doing every single EOC and Blue Box again-learnt everything in detail,after the tests.
Anything else I got my hands on was game as well,but probably not as productive.
Had 1 area 51-70 range(I still don’t know what went wrong in that item set!!),all else >70%.
Timing will likely not be an issue for this part of exam.
2.AM mocks-went for as many as possible-again except for the last 3 sets that i
practiced for timing,emphasis was on learning the way the concepts are tested,esp IPM,reviewing
CFAI guideline answers,and figuring out how can i write my answers in the time
I had(after reading the vignette,and formulating what I will eventually write)—-without missing
out on what MUST be written.Used broken sentences,and symbols
did write working fromulae (did not explain the symbol meanings-used CFAI notation).
3.Read entire curriculum quickly(I know that’s boring for a retaker),one last time,in the last three weeks
leading upto the exam-either through my own notes/or the underlined pritions of the curriculum.
Third Party SUMMARIES,may save time,but at times omit what is critical for you,and for the exam.
Notes were not just readings summary,they also included learnings from EOC and blue boxes
4.After AM session,tried not to bother about it.Went for PM with a clear head,as a different,equally weighted exam.
I know that’s easier said than done.But i tried my best.And succeeded

 

[archived_user]

Looking back,the changes were.

• Exclusive emphasis on CFAI material
• Focus on learning rather than timing in PM
• Focus on timing AND learning in AM
• NOT IGNORING PM in the last week before exam-

I found scoring above 80% in PM much easier than scoring above 65% in AM and
weight of the two parts of the exam are the same .On my first,attempt,I overemphasized AM
.Not a good strategy BEYOND A POINT.

 

[archived_user]

Thanks for the insight - did you use CFAI in your first attempt??
When did you start studying second time over?
Right now I am just reading the one changed reading in the 2017 CFAI (very little change year over year which should help)