₦airaland Forum

Oga ADEIFEOLUW,

I was opportuned to use the schweser q/bank, stalla q/bank and also analyst notes q/bank, the fear of failure is the beginning of wisdom, i used the schweser audio when i was tired, or on the train on my way home from work and the library especially for Ethics and FSA. For level I, the stalla q/bank has tough calculations which would help anyone retain the concepts easily, I used mainly the schweser notes(read it about 3 times or more sef) and used the CFAI texts to cross reference my readings for FSA, fixed income and Derivatives. It is very key to read in between the lines when using schweser notes (the key concepts being tested are sometimes definitions that anyone can take for granted). All the areas are inter-related in one way or the other. Practice and hardwork make the difference. If you use the stalla passmater, the notes are on the software but u would always have to view the notes on your laptop. Analyst notes is the cheapest and i know people who have passed with it alone, some people don't even need to answer questions to pass, but the fact is that to test retention you have to time and test yourself. Testing improves your speed and stamina so that you can answer the 240 questions with 1min-1hour to spare in each of the sessions of the day. Anyone u can afford is fine, but it is not just having it that matters it is solving questions diligently everday. Never give up!No matter your scores(it is better to fail on the practice exams than to not practice questions at all and fail on the exam day, the pain of failure is unimaginable. Money,time and alot of other resources would have been wasted).  U have to keep at it everyday like it was an Olympic race you were preparing for. The secret sauce and formula sheet are a must for the last week of revision because they summarize key LOS' that could be tested on exam day, i also used them. Dont allow the volume of questions on any q/bank scare you, (the journey of a 1000 miles begins with small steps every day(30-60 questions a day is a great routine), and also remember that procastination is the mother of all f, ups!

Lowee231 send me ur email for the level II stuff (i hope to be sharing questions and ideas by 28th of January 2009).

Hi,

The CFA level 1 exams on the 6th of December 2008 were very fine and i hope to get a passed result by 28th of January 2008, if and only if you want to pass, please and please start reading now!!!!You need to solve at least 3000-6000 questions, it could be from the schweser question bank, analystnotes or stalla, have a study group, i have a study group in London and i would say that at least 10 marks i got on the exams were from questions we asked each other. Do not leave out any areas, know the LOS's inside out, the more questions you solve the more your confidence increases. Start reading now!!! and be very disciplined, if you dont solve questions, the probability of you passing is very slim. FSA,Ethics,Fixed Income, Equities, Corp Finan, Eco, Quants, Derv, Alter Inv, Port Mgt are all important. Dont procastinate!!!, if you work very hard,when you finish the exam, you would no in your mind without any doubt whether you shd pass or fail. Videos and audios too are very good for people with tight schedules, but there is no subsitute to question solving. The Stalla or Schweser question bank is a must have!!!start solving questions and never give up!!!!!June is just around the corner. Dont waste six months wishing and dreaming you will pass, put in the hours, most people need at least 500 hrs(reading,re-reading, solving). The exam is also a test of mental endurance and strength. The real money being spent is your time, please dont use CFA as an excuse. Hardwork is the key!!!!Lectures can reduce the time spent on reading but question sloving cements the LOS's in your brain, pls and pls get the Qbank and start solving questions. I used stalla, schweser and analyst notes. Schweser QB has a blend of what to expect on exam day, stalla is tougher!!!The schweser book 6 and 7 are a must complete by april/may 2009. CFAI mock and sample questions prepare you for exam day, the last week should be spent reading ethics and revising formula and trends in FSA.
Goodluck!

[quote author=chiks-cfa2 link=topic=129025.msg2236401#msg2236401 date=1210204217]HI people, I jus recently joined this site and I must say I pleased to find quite afew of u u smart nigerians doing CFA. Trust me it ll b good 4 your career in finance.
I am myself are currently sitting the the CFA level 2 exams in JUNE and I worked for a Derivatives advisory firm in london for almost a year as a financial risk analyst, I also value companies with a friend of mine who is a freelance eqiuity research analyst (i bulild the financial models on excel) and I have worked as a finance analyst in an energy for a year.
I am well educated in the UK with BA in accounting & finance & also MSc in Fund management at exeter university.
HOwever despite all this I want to move back to nigeria nad workmin the INvestment banking side preferrably in a M&A or private equity or even trading before setting up my own business a few years later.
Can anyone please tell what the average salary is for front-office guys in investment banking in nigeria and what the bonuses are like. Naira amount would do just fine.
I would also be happy to advise people on CFA if u need my help. Thanks guys.[/quote]@chiks-cfa2

Hi Chiks for you to want to come back to Niga, i feel it would be a bit early, the major investment banks in Niga are IBTC asset management, UBA global markets, Renaissance Capital, Afrinvest, VETIVA, Chapel Hill and capital market subsidiaries for the top 10 banks, i am coming over to the UK this september for the MSc in FAFM in Exeter and i would like us to meet for lunch or see over the weekend, as for details of bonus and salary scales i have no info, but i feel u shd get some 2-3 years experience from the UK before coming back home, my email addy is afotex@gmail.com, looking forward to hearing from you, cheers!