CFA Exam Preparation

1
CFA Exam Preparation

• Study Group Best Practices

2
What is a Study Group?

• A study group is a small group of candidates who
  meet together regularly once or twice a week to
  discuss concepts, confusions, and insights into
  course material
• The main role of the study group is to help
  candidates organize their thoughts, test their
  understanding by asking and answering questions,
  learn how to approach the material, and
  understand the basic concepts involved
• Make sure that each member of your study group
  knows what is expected and you are confident that
  they will take their responsibility seriously

3
Forming a Study Group

• Meet to decide how the study group will work
• How many members can there be and still make it
  an effective group?
• How often will the study group meet and where?
• How long will each session be?
• Identify who will be responsible for convening
  meetings
• Discuss candidates expectations and set some
  group norms about participation
• Who will be responsible for facilitating
  discussions?

4
Forming a Study Group

• Organize the Study Group
• Create a contact list and designate someone to
  distribute it
• Find someone to volunteer as the study group
  coordinator
• Send out reminder of meetings, agenda etc.

5
The Study Group Session

• Be on time
• Respect others time
• Designate cell phone breaks?
• Determine what the format of the study group will
  be
• Have a plan of what topics will be discussed
• Is there a specific Study Session to be
  discussed?
• Or, is it a forum to discuss a variety of exam
  related topics?
• Decide what is expected of fellow members in
  terms of preparation
• In general, candidates review notes and the
  assigned reading, attempt the problem set (if
  applicable), and jot down points that are unclear
  or questions they would like to discuss before
  coming to the study group

6
Establishing a Study Schedule

• What is your study schedule?
• If candidates are following different schedules
  it will make it less effective
• Dedicate a block of time each week for reading
  and studying
• Devote 10-15 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Spend at least one week on each study session
• Use the final 4-6 weeks before the exam to review
  study materials and take online sample exams