: Short check-ins after a few pages to ensure immediate retention.
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As a CFA candidate, you're likely no stranger to the importance of quality study materials. The Schweser Notes, produced by Kaplan Schweser, are a popular choice among candidates. But is the 2024 version better than previous ones?
The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) program is a professional certification program for investment professionals, offered by the CFA Institute. The program consists of three levels, and the Level 1 exam is the first step towards achieving the CFA charter. The Schweser Notes are a popular study material for CFA candidates, providing a comprehensive review of the curriculum.
Every year, roughly 150,000 candidates sit for the CFA Level I exam, and every year, the pass rate fluctuates around a daunting 35% to 40%. In this high-stakes environment, the material you choose to study is just as important as the hours you put in. cfa level 1 2024 schweser notes pdf better
Schweser writes in a way that helps you pass the test, whereas the official curriculum sometimes focuses on technical, academic jargon. Schweser Notes vs. Official Curriculum: The Trade-offs
: The 2024 edition is fully aligned with recent curriculum updates, including expanded guidance on AI in investment decision-making and revised ESG topics. 2. Core Comparison: Schweser vs. CFAI Curriculum SchweserNotes (Kaplan) CFAI Official Curriculum Tone Concise and exam-focused Academic and comprehensive Length ~5 compact volumes ~6 dense volumes (~3,000 pages) Questions "Concept checkers" for immediate review Challenging "End-of-Chapter" (EOC) questions Best For Efficiency and tactical test prep Deep conceptual understanding 3. Critical Study Strategy (2024 Guidance)
You can load the PDFs onto your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. This makes it easy to study during your commute, on lunch breaks, or while traveling.
Do not rely only on reading. Use the Kaplan SchweserPro QBank alongside the notes to test your understanding. : Short check-ins after a few pages to
It is highly recommended to read the official CFAI Ethics Handbook rather than notes. The exam requires a deep understanding of nuance that summaries might miss.
Is there a downside? Purists will argue that reading the original CFA Institute curriculum is the only way to be 100% safe. They argue that summaries miss the nuance.
The "Key Concepts" summaries at the end of chapters are arguably the best quick-review tools in the industry. 4. Where the Official Curriculum Wins
“I used only Schweser PDF + CFAI Q-Bank. Never opened the core books. Passed above 90th percentile.” – If you share with third parties, their policies apply
provide a fold-out summary of essential formulas and definitions for last-minute recall. Kaplan Schweser Key Comparisons for 2024 CFA Level 1 Exam Prep - Kaplan Schweser
Whether the Schweser Notes PDF is "better" depends on individual candidates' learning styles and needs. However, here are some advantages of using the Schweser Notes PDF:
Finding every mention of "Deferred Tax Liabilities" across five volumes takes seconds.