RSS feed for Kaplan Schweser's Latest Public Exam Blog Entrieshttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1725&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThe AICPA has announced target score release dates for the first two quarters of 2012. Please note that these are the dates that NASBA expects to release scores to the state regulatory boards. Also note that BEC scores will likely take a bit longer because of the grading of the written communication assignments. Read more at the AICPA Insights ...en-usFri, 03 Feb 2012 14:05:48 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1681&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaThe CAIA exam window is one month away. That means it is time to begin your final review. Do you have a study plan for the final weeks before the exam? If not, we have a few suggestions. In the time between now and exam day, your goal should be to accomplish the following: practice what you have learned, assess your strengths and weaknesses, review key topics in the curriculum, and simulate the exam experience. You likely have already been using concept checkers, SchweserPro,...en-usWed, 18 Jan 2012 10:42:28 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1720&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpa...en-usThu, 02 Feb 2012 08:42:18 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/frm/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/frm/blog/index.php?item_id=1708&new_level=frm&frm_blog=frmLast week we launched early season study products for the 2012 May FRM Part I and Part II exams. These online products include a combination of written and video instruction to jumpstart your study efforts. With your purchase of a Kaplan Schweser Study Solution, you'll receive access to both the FRM Fundamentals ebook and the FRM Video Library. FRM Fundamentals - This ebook contains essential topics from our upcoming 2012 Study Notes and covers 30% of the...en-usWed, 25 Jan 2012 15:58:00 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1679&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaFor the March 2012 CAIA Exams, the CAIA Association has put together a Candidate Handbook for both Level 1 and Level 2 candidates. The handbook contains useful information related to exam preparation, the exam day experience, and what to expect once the exam is over. Below I have summarized a few key items that we often get questions about. However, I recommend you download and read the entire handbook, which can be found on the CAIA Association website: ...en-usWed, 18 Jan 2012 10:29:33 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1690&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThe Committee of Sponsoring Organizations' Internal Control Integrated Framework is tested on the BEC exam. COSO has just completed an update to this framework. According to Kayla Briggs in "Internal Control - Integrated Framework - 20 Years Later" published...en-usThu, 19 Jan 2012 10:02:21 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1678&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaWe frequently hear from investment professionals who are considering the CAIA program, but are unsure of their readiness to become a Level 1 candidate. To help candidates assess their preparedness, the CAIA Association created the Foundations of the CAIA Curriculum (http://caia.org/caia-program/curriculum/foundations). This curriculum covers fundamental concepts in finance and serves as the base level of knowledge for...en-usWed, 18 Jan 2012 09:54:43 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1677&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaI hope everyone is progressing well in their CAIA preparation. If you haven't yet started studying, now is the time to begin. There is plenty of time between now and the exam to study the entire curriculum and still have time to review the material thoroughly. By starting now, you will also be prepared to ask questions during our Weekly Online Program, which began January 3rd. This 8-week live online seminar is an excellent tool to learn the curriculum and interact with our expert...en-usWed, 18 Jan 2012 09:49:17 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1675&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpa...en-usTue, 17 Jan 2012 10:36:41 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cfp/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cfp/blog/index.php?item_id=1695&new_level=cfp&cfp_blog=cfpAs we all know, the CFP(r) exam is a rigorous test that assesses your knowledge and application of a wide-range of financial planning topics. And, because it is so difficult, there are many cases where students don't pass the first time around. If you were not successful this time, it's easy to be discouraged - you've probably spent a lot of time preparing for the exam and feel that all of your study was for naught, but this just is NOT true. Yes, it's true you didn't...en-usMon, 23 Jan 2012 13:13:30 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1668&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaDo: Plan out your strategy for earning the CPA designation. It is truly never too early to start preparing for the exam. Make a written plan with tentative benchmarks to stay on track. Don't: Put it off for too long. Procrastination may occur from time to time, but don't let it get in the way of reaching your full potential. Keep it under control and know your own habits to effectively manage...en-usFri, 13 Jan 2012 08:31:19 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1662&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaIt's not too late to add "Pass the CPA Exam" to your list of New Year's Resolutions. It will definitely be worth it!! 2012 is going to be a great...en-usTue, 10 Jan 2012 12:35:39 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1648&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaCandidates frequently ask us which topic is best to begin their CAIA study program. The answer will vary depending on each candidate's circumstances, but here is some general advice to help get you started. I've summarized the advice based on a few types of candidates (note this list isn't all inclusive). Out of Practice Candidates If it's been a while since you were in school or studied for a high-stakes exam, you may feel intimated about developing a study...en-usMon, 19 Dec 2011 11:05:32 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/ia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/ia/blog/index.php?item_id=1434&new_level=ia_chfc&ia_blog=iaThe following is our latest information from the testing bodies (The American College for ChFC, CLU, and CASL; The Institutes for CPCU) concerning expiration of Insurance Achievement course content: 300: Financial Planning: Process and Environment: current materials good with published supplement (access supplement via Updates/Errata link on site) 311: Fundamentals of Insurance...en-usMon, 30 Jan 2012 18:09:08 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.php?item_id=1645&new_level=cfa1&cfa_blog=cfaDear CFA Candidate: Stalla Seminars began business in 1972 under the direction of Robert Stalla with the sole objective of helping candidates pass the CFA® exams and become charterholders. The Stalla brand is known worldwide for quality, service, and support. On December 2, 2011, DeVry, Inc. - Stalla's parent company - announced the sale of Stalla's assets to the Schweser Study Program...en-usMon, 05 Dec 2011 09:27:58 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1640&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaRead this blog! ...en-usWed, 30 Nov 2011 12:25:06 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.php?item_id=1638&new_level=cfa1&cfa_blog=cfaExam Day for December Level I candidates is this Saturday, and we thought we'd give you a few pointers on what to expect and how to put yourself in the best position to succeed. Level I is as much a mental challenge as it is an academic test. With just these few days left, you should be building confidence for exam day by focusing your attention on the key "must-know" concepts, reviewing ethics, and taking practice exams. Here are a few tips to ponder as the exam draws...en-usTue, 29 Nov 2011 14:33:33 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1636&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaThere are just a few testing days left in 2011. Good luck to those who will be sitting for a section yet this month. The 2012 exam will be just like the 2011 exam. The CPA exam changed significantly on January 1, 2011. The changes implemented were a result of a practice analysis survey conducted by the AICPA to determine the appropriate knowledge and skills for an entry-level accounting position. This survey is conducted approximately every five years. That means we can expect the...en-usMon, 28 Nov 2011 08:52:08 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1633&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaKaplan Schweser's study products for the Level 1 and Level 2 March 2012 CAIA exams have been shipping for several weeks. If you just recently ordered, you should begin studying as soon as you receive the study materials. This is especially true if you are participating in the Weekly Online Program that begins in January. Each live online class will provide an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification from the instructor. You will get more out of the class if you have already...en-usMon, 21 Nov 2011 13:43:27 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.php?item_id=1624&new_level=cfa1&cfa_blog=cfaHow would you like to network with fellow CFA® candidates in your area AND get some free instruction while you're at it? Maybe you're wondering whether the CFA designation is right for you, what it takes to prepare for the exam, and what tools and instruction are available to help you get there. We've got the information you need, and some freebies to go along with it, at a Schweser Open House in early December. These sessions are absolutely free of charge. Join...en-usThu, 10 Nov 2011 11:35:25 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/caia/blog/index.php?item_id=1619&new_level=caia&caia_blog=caiaAn article by Richard Stolz in the September issue of the Journal of Financial Planning (titled: Investigating Alternative Investments) highlighted the relevance of alternative investments in wealth management and spent considerable time discussing the CAIA designation as a method to obtain specialized knowledge in alternative investments. If you have access to the article, give it a read; it's quite interesting. Stolz cited Keith Black, associate curriculum director at CAIA...en-usSun, 06 Nov 2011 09:01:25 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1615&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaMany of us find that we rarely carry cash anymore, let alone a checkbook. Paying for groceries, clothes, gas, and other goods is commonly done with some form of plastic, whether it is a debit card or credit card. However, this too may become a thing of the past. In a recent article, Favorite New Technology, Rick Richardson, CPA and CEO of Richardson Media & Technologies, describes near-field communications (NFC) which is currently used widely in Japan. With NFC technology, users...en-usWed, 02 Nov 2011 12:19:51 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1611&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaRead this AICPA article and you'll feel a bit more enlightened about research questions! ...en-usTue, 01 Nov 2011 11:50:54 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cfa/blog/index.php?item_id=1609&new_level=cfa1&cfa_blog=cfaThe very best CFA® review materials for the 2012 exam are now shipping! Schweser materials and instruction are the best quality and best value in CFA exam preparation, which is why we have been the industry leader for over a decade and are by far the #1 choice of CFA candidates worldwide today. Prepare to pass with industry-leading, top-of-the-line materials: Our efficient and effective study solutions are based on clear,...en-usMon, 31 Oct 2011 15:00:01 -0400admin@schweser.comhttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.phphttp://www.schweser.com/cpa/blog/index.php?item_id=1604&new_level=cpa_aud&cpa_blog=cpaAs you study AUD material, be alert for differences and similarities of PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) audits and audit standards (AS), applicable for publicly held entity (issuer) audits, and ASB (AICPA's Auditing Standards Board) audits and its Statements on Auditing Standards (SAS), applicable for privately held entity (nonissuer) audits. Exam questions might use terms such as "issuer", "nonissuer", "publicly held", "privately...en-usFri, 28 Oct 2011 09:55:39 -0400admin@schweser.com