Frequently Asked Questions CFA^®  2010

• What types of courses do you offer?
• Where are courses held?
• What books are used in the NYSSA CFA® Review Courses?
• Why can’t I just reuse previous NYSSA materials or Schweser Notes?
• Can I buy just the Schweser Notes updates?
• Do I need to read the curriculum readings of the CFA Institute?
• How many hours should I study?
• How can I pay for a course?
• How can I register?
• If I register for a course does that also take care of my registration for the exam?
• Are there group discounts?
• If a class is full, can I be put on the waitlist?
• What is the refund policy to cancel attendance in a NYSSA CFA class?
• If I cancel from the class, what’s the book return policy?
• Can I switch days if I can’t attend my regularly scheduled class?
• How do I join a study group?

What types of courses do you offer?

NYSSA’s CFA®(Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam Preparation Curriculum offers:

• CFA Weekly Review Courses - meet for 3 hours per week (17 weeks in Winter/Spring for the June exam, 12 weeks in Fall for the December exam.)
• 5-Week Condensed Saturday Reviews - meet for 7 hours per week for 5 weeks.
• Schweser 3-Day Intensive Reviews - meet for 3 consecutive days.
• CFA Topical Prep Courses - offered over 4 evenings in the fall covering the fundamentals of Financial Accounting and Equity Analysis.  
• Financial Statement Analysis - one-day Saturday workshop

Where are the courses held?

Courses are held at various locations. See course description for details.

What materials are used in NYSSA’s CFA® Review Courses?

For the Weekly and Condensed Reviews, we recommend candidates purchase the Schweser Essential Prep Package as those materials will be referenced in the course. You can purchase the Schweser Essential Prep Package through NYSSA for $350–a savings of $249 over retail. This benefit is available exclusively to NYSSA registrants who enroll in the Weekly Review or Saturday Condensed classes.

The package includes:

• Schweser Study Planner
• SchweserNotes^TM
• Schweser QuickSheet™
• SchweserPro QBank
• Practice Exams, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
• InstructorLink^TM
  • Schweser Library
  • Exam-tips Blog
  • Instructor-led Office Hours
  • Searchable FAQs

In addition, registrants in NYSSA’s CFA Weekly Review or 5-Week Condensed Review will receive a free online mock exam and are also eligible for a 20% discount on other supplementary Schweser materials.  The special discount code will be provided with course confirmation.

For those attending the NYSSA Schweser 3-Day Intensive, the Schweser Seminar Workbook is included in the tuition and is given out on the first day of class.

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Why can’t I just reuse previous Schweser materials?

Every year on or about September 1, CFA Institute announces its new curriculum. CFA Institute adds new readings, drops old readings and alters many of the learning outcome statements. In the curriculum 25% or more of the material can change from year to year. In order to have the most up-to-date information, you should use the current materials. 

Can I buy just the Schweser updates?

No, Schweser rewrites all of their materials each year to reflect any curriculum changes.

Do I need to read the curriculum readings of the CFA Institute?

NYSSA suggests that you read the curriculum readings that CFA Institute includes in your exam registration package because the examinations are based on these readings.  For more information, visit their website at:  www.cfainstitute.org.

How many hours should I study?

CFA Institute suggests 250–300 hours of self study for the exam.  In addition to self-study, a weekly review, condensed, intensive review course or study group can help you achieve a greater understanding of the material.

How can I pay for a course?

You may pay by personal check, company check, or credit card. We accept American Express, MasterCard, and VISA. Payment must be received in full before you can be confirmed for class. We cannot hold a space for you without payment. We do not offer payment plans and cannot invoice your company.

How can I register?

You can either register online by clicking here or you can also download a NYSSA’s CFA Courses registration form and fax it in along with your credit card number to (212) 541-4677. If you are paying by check, please mail the registration form along with your check to: NYSSA Education, 1540 Broadway, Suite 1010; New York, NY 10036-2714. We are sorry that NYSSA cannot invoice your company nor hold space for you if your registration form is received without payment. 

If I register for a course, does that also take care of my registration for the exam?

No. CFA Institute is the entity that administers the exam. You must register directly with them and separate fees apply. Please go to CFA Institute’s website at www.cfainstitute.org for information on registering for the exam.

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Are there group discounts?

Yes, group discounts can be arranged with the Human Resources Director/Managing Director of your company or division. Registrants covered under the group discount will pay NYSSA’s member rate providing they go through their company’s designated representative and are authorized by that representative to receive the special rate. An account between the company and NYSSA must be set up first. The following criteria apply:

• A minimum of five students must be registered for the same course.
• The HR/Managing Director must review and approve each registration.
• Registrations must be batched together and sent in at the same time with a cover letter from the HR/Managing Director.
• A company check or credit card must accompany the registration form. Only one form of payment can be supplied for the entire group. Companies cannot be invoiced. 
• The employees who register under the group discount plan must be notified that there can be no withdrawals or switching of courses once the registrations are processed. Substitutions cannot be made. Once registered, if an employee leaves a company prior to course start date, NYSSA will not remove the employee from the course, substitute another employee of the company, nor credit the company for that employee’s tuition.
• The HR/Managing Director may contact NYSSA’s Education Department at (646) 871-3407 or (646) 871-3424 to set up a group discount account.

If a class is full, can I be put on the waitlist?

You can request to be placed on a wait list by sending your email to: education@nyssa.org. (We do not accept requests for waitlisting via phone.)

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What is the refund policy to cancel attendance in a NYSSA CFA course?

All requests for refunds and course transfers must be issued in writing and dated. The date of such request will be the date it is received by NYSSA (or in the case of mail, the date of postmark). Requests may be faxed to (212) 541-4677, emailed to education@nyssa.org, or mailed to NYSSA Education, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor; New York, NY 10036-2714.

Refunds are contingent on return of the Schweser learning materials which must returned in original packaging, in like-new condition in order to be considered for a refund.

Please note: Withdrawals from classes are subject to the following administrative/bank fees:

If I cancel from the class, what is the materials return policy?

If you purchased the Schweser Essential Prep Package, you must return it along with your original invoice directly to Schweser.  Returns of paper based materials to Schweser must be completed within 14 days after receipt of your order. Schweser will not accept returns after the 14 day period. Returns are subject to a $50.00 restocking fee. Program withdrawal refunds will be processed when the withdrawal request and return of ID badge and appropriate learning materials are received.

If you purchased the Schweser Essential Prep Package, cancel out of a course, and keep the Schweser Essential Prep Package, you must pay the full retail price of $599. The difference ($249) will be deducted from your refund along with any administrative fees.

Can I switch days if I can’t attend my regularly scheduled class?

No. Courses are held with different schedules and, in some cases, different locations.

How do I join a Study Group?

There is no fee to join a study group and, they are open to CFA candidates in the New York metropolitan area, regardless of whether you are enrolled in a NYSSA course or not. You can join by registering through the NYSSA CFA Study Groups page. Please be advised that you may receive periodic information from NYSSA.

CFA Institute does not endorse, promote or warrant the accuracy or quality of the products or services offered by NYSSA. CFA Institute®, CFA®, and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

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