Schweser Secret Sauce

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sbmarti2

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Hey Everyone,

As many of you are planning on doing, I am studying using the CFA books while using the Schweser notes as review materials, especially closer to to exam date. However on the website, as well as on here I've seen references to this 'secret sauce'. I understand it is an ultra condensed version of the notes to read before the exam, but who here has found it useful? If I get a good enough response I'll buy it along with the notes, as what is a hundred bucks if it helps you pass, right?

Thanks!

sbmarti2
 
It's a nice summary of the main points. Note that secret sauce only covers 25% of the most tested LOS. It's probably not necessary if you take good notes through the course.
 
It's mostly useful the week of the test. I read through it a second time in the days leading up to the exam, and it refreshed my memory on several things. Plus, it's small, so it's easy to take places (I'm enjoying the freedom now of going places w/o study materials in my purse).
 
I had both the Secret Sauce and Stalla Flashcards. I found the Flashcards useless, so i got rid of it. Secret Sauce I absolutely loved. I would have it around me at work or if going out, doing quick review through out. It gives your pointers on what to really concentrate on, whats important etc. I didn't just use it for final week review but to work with it throughout for review purposes. it helped me retain.
 
I liked secret sauce, although I would never pay for it.

I read it Thanksgiving day at the parent's house and a couple of days before the exam. Pretty useful in covering some of the main points.
 
I thought it was a waste of time really, so broad and vague. The test comprises questions on many seemingly insignificant details whch you will not find in Secret Sauce. It's really nothing more than a very general overview of the course.

just my 0.02c
 
The best part of Secret Sauce to me was the 8 pages of formulas in the back. I used that to then add other formulas to it... you can google it and find a old file to use. I used the 2005 one and it was good enough.
 
I loved Secret Sauce, it's very nice to cover all main knowledge specially before the day you take exam, you feel very nervous, when you feel a ot of things you have to study.

You can read it and brightly recall your memory. Let buy it.
 
I think the Secret Sauce would be most useful during the lunch period while you're waiting for the afternoon session. It refreshes your knowledge in a lot of things.

http://around.blogspot.com
 
It's essential IMO.

Here's the bottom line, if you read thru the Secret Sauce and don't feel comfortable with the summary level in a particular topic or two, it's a nice way of telling you you gotta lot of work to do to pass the test on that topic. This was how I could tell what I needed to study up on the weeks before the exam.

Check out my blog

http://myCFAadventure.blogspot.com
 
Thanks for all the responses! I'm still undecided, but luckily my decision is partially made for me as it is not available until March. Maybe then I'll reassess my position and see how comfortable I am. Also, maybe by then I'll forget how much money this course costs and won't be put out by another $100, haha.

Thanks!

sbmarti2
 
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