CFA Preparation Hints | CFA Exam HAcks

Now that you are #WFH and have maybe got some space to prepare for CFA, (though thats doubful with the spate of zoom webinars), here are some hints that may help your with your CFA prep.

Hint # 1 - Read the syllabus thoroughly. Yes thats an obvious nobrainer. But, really, how many of you do that? CFA exams in my experience sticks doggedly to its syllabus.

Hint # 2 - Concentrate on Ethics. Its very dicey. Do all the problems, even if cant finish the chapters associated.

Hint # 3 - Concentrate on others too! The exam is comprehensive if anything

Hint # 4 - Smart study. Do problems.

Hint # 5 - Move ahead - Dont get stuck on chapters

Bonus Hint - Make copious notes, Make flash cards, there are too many chapters. Notes are a must.

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CFA Postpones Exams Dates | CFA Exams Dates 2020

The CFA Institute website has nade an announcement to the effect that it will postpone the CFA exams to be held in June 2020. So far the exams date has been set on 6th June and for 7th June for Asia Pacific.

However the CFA organization has stated that in view of the uncertainty over Corona Virus, it is mulling over changing the exams dates. It advises the candidates to have patience and will inform them when they set any new exams date.

The CFA exams are given by thousands of candidates every year who spend hundreds of hours in preparing for the same.

Keep a lookout at the CFA website for latest information regarding the new exams date. In keeping with uncertainty of the times, the CFA message also seems pretty uncertain.

Top 5 Broad Concepts from CFA Level 1

1 . Time Value of Money – when you start preparing for CFA Level 1, it is more than likely that you are aware of the Time Value of Money Concepts. So what else is new? Don’t get persuaded by the easy sound to it. You need to understand the various kinds of yields and which is to be applied where in these calculations. And do note and remember these yields well. You are going to need them over and over again. The other important concepts you need to know among others are the FV and PV of Perpetuities.

2.   Financial Ratios – Know our ratios well. You need to spend some time on it. By the end of the Financial Reporting and Analysis Chapters you need to know your ratios from one another You will need them over and over again. The liquidity ratios, the operating ratios, the profitability ratios, the ROI ratios et al. And don’t forget the DuPont Analysis and how to dissect it

3.      Cost of Capital – Once you know your cost of capital, WACC in various forms, you have your Capital budgeting more or less nailed. That is just one step away from understanding Corporate Finance. In hindsight it actually all looks very simple. But don’t be complacent. It’s a beautiful mark fetching topic where a little bit of effort in understanding will score well.

4.      CAPM – or Capital Asset Pricing Model is the concept to know in Portfolio Management. To know the CAPm be aware of the Capital Market Line and the Security Market Line. Don’t forget to distinguish between the Required Return of Capital and the Expected Return.

5.      Ethics – It is really Simple in Ethics. Everytime you are in doubt take the tougher decision. There’s nothing you can take for granted in Ethics. Stick to the narrow and straight path and you get it right 8/10 times. But know the standards well. It looks difficult – but is not really so. The best thing is that the practice problems are enough and have covered it all. Its really an easy way to take your mind off formulas and get that >70