However, for extremely nuanced topics like some aspects of GAAP vs. IFRS or advanced Fixed Income calculations, the official curriculum provides a deeper safety net. A smart strategy: Use Schweser as your primary text, but keep the official PDF for the 10% of concepts that don’t “click.”
The official curriculum is written by academics and practitioners. While thorough, it is often dry, repetitive, and poorly organized. SchweserNotes use bullet points, tables, and margin callouts to explain complex topics (e.g., derivatives pricing, deferred taxes). cfa level 1 2024 schweser notes pdf better
If you are utilizing the PDF format, use a PDF editor that supports "spaced repetition" tagging. Mark formulas you struggle with in red, and review only the red-tagged sections during your final review week. This turns the static document into a dynamic study tool. However, for extremely nuanced topics like some aspects
The official "blue box" examples are frequently the blueprint for exam vignettes. Many successful candidates use Schweser for the reading but return to the CFAI books for these specific examples. 5. Verdict: Is it Better for 2024? While thorough, it is often dry, repetitive, and
In addition to the Schweser Notes PDF, you may also want to consider the following study resources:
Reading the prep notes can save over 150 hours compared to the full curriculum, time that can be redirected toward high-impact practice questions.
The average CFA candidate spends 300–350 hours studying. Reading the official curriculum cover-to-cover would take over 200 hours alone , leaving little time for practice exams. Schweser Notes cut the reading time by 40–50%. Each LOS is addressed directly, without the academic tangents and case studies found in the original text.