Should i take cfa this dec. 2006 or june or dec. 2007?

i heard if u failed the dec. 2006 test..they wont use the same material for the next year test in june or dec. while if u fail the june test...they will use the same material for the dec. test? is that true?

bare in mind i dont have a finance degree. i have a computer science degree doing IT work in an investment firm in the us. if i were to register for the cfa this aug. and study for the dec. exam..would i have enough time to pass the test? or wait till next year june so i have more time? im also in the process of buying and closing a coop apt. in aug. so a pretty busy time in my life this year. what do u guys recommend me to do..take the dec. or next year june exam?

thx in advance.

one more questions...should i self study or take courses from one of these institute?

http://www.nyssa.org

what do u recommend?

The CFAI keeps almost all their material the same, but does update portions of the test every year. They also put in a new "trial" section (new material that isn't graded) every year.

As you found out the hard way, there is no way around preparing for the exam. You HAVE to study. While you can still get it done by studying after the August closing of your apartment, it is going to take some discipline. I am concerned that you can't do both. Closing an apartment is stressful, but it shouldn't take much time. You should be able to do both. If you are using this as an excuse to procrastinate, then are you going to have the discipline to study next year? My suggestion is to just take it this year --- and MAKE the time. If you are truly dedicated to getting your CFA, then you are going to have to sacrifice alot. You give up your nights, weekends and mornings. Your freetime, family, job and sleep are all going to suffer. But that's what it takes.

I know. I have a CFA charter.

I passed three years in a row.

Recommendation: Take a study course, either from Stalla or Schweser. Stalla is a bit lengthier while Schweser is short and sweet. I took the study preparatory courses too, for Level 2 (the hardest one). This was really only as a cram session. Go with the commercial stuff, IMHO. Report It