The Kaplan recommended CFA® study approach
Whilst we recognise that all students have different study approaches, our years of experience in delivering CFA courses has allowed us to develop a CFA study process that maximises the benefits from your time spent revising.
Both Kaplan Financial and Kaplan Schweser build their products around the concepts of:
LEARN – PRACTICE - RETAIN®
1 Start your studies early
Don’t underestimate the time it will take you to fully prepare for each CFA level; the CFA Institute recommend 250 hours per CFA level as a minimum. Use the online Schweser Study Planner to build a CFA study program that will ensure you have covered all the material and have time to revise.
2 Attend Education Phase CFA courses
Annotating the class room slide packs ensures you can focus on the tutor’s explanations – the priority at this point is on understanding the key concepts.
3 Review Kaplan Schweser material
Add notes from the Schweser and CFA Institute material to the Education phase slide packs. This approach allows you to build a comprehensive set of notes and ensures that you have plenty of time for CFA question practice. Use the CFA Institute material to supplement Schweser material on tricky areas.
4 Attempt Kaplan Schweser and CFA Institute end of chapter questions
This will quickly demonstrate whether you have fully understood the concepts and can apply your knowledge to CFA exam style questions. If you are struggling go back and review the notes you’ve taken and practice additional questions before moving on to the next reading.
5 Use Schweser Pro™
The online question banks provided within SchweserPro are the ideal way to gain additional question exposure on problematic areas. SchweserPro contains thousands of questions, explained solutions and the ability to design tests around subject areas.
6 Ensure you have covered all the study sessions before the final month
The final month of your CFA studies should be focused on reviewing the material, practicing question and developing your CFA exam technique.
7 Attend a revision course
Our revision phase CFA courses will cover all the areas of the syllabus in overview and drill down into the toughest LOS. Time is taken practicing and debriefing questions in the class room to ensure that you can apply your knowledge to CFA exam standard questions. Your tutor will also discuss CFA exam techniques and how to approach the CFA exam.
8 Complete the Kaplan Schweser practice exams volume 1 and 2
Practicing mocks to time is essential; one of the biggest battles you will face is completing the CFA exam in the time given. Use the mocks CFA exam to develop your CFA exam technique, highlight weaknesses and gain familiarity with the style of the real CFA exam. If the practice exams highlight weak areas use a combination of your Kaplan Financial tutors and additional question practice via SchweserPro to bring these areas up to exam speed.
9 CFA Institute questions
In the last couple of months prior to the exam the CFA Institute publish examinations on their website. One examination is included in your CFA Institute examination fees. If you want access to more than one exam then you must pay the CFA Institute.
10 Complete a Kaplan Financial Invigilated mock examination
Kaplan Financial provides two invigilated mock exams (both morning and afternoon papers). These are designed to replicate the environment that you will face on the exam day. You should use these as your dry run to nail that CFA exam technique. Full answers are provided for you to take away on the day.
CFA Institute does not endorse, promote, or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by Kaplan Financial. CFA Institute, CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.