Exam Oriented Preparation Strategy for SFM November 2014

Hello Friends ...

After looking into the past examination trends and considering the suggestions of my faculties , i am writing up this article.

Hope this is useful...

About the subject (Initial thought):

• The subject is vast in syllabus and concepts and problems.
• Question paper is very uncertain.
• Much of Hard work is required to crack the subject.

Subsequent Realization:

• As i progressed into exploring the subject i realized that the subject is more on concepts and vast syllabus becomes quite manageable if we build strong understanding of concepts rather simply solving problems.
• Coming to the size of the syllabus it's vast in general but the syllabus prescribed by ICAI for testing in the examinations is quite less and concise than the general scope of the subject.(so a thorough understanding of the prescribed topics is enough for success in the exam, stucking to study 'all'(whole subject as in practice) doesn't work in exam success )
• Coming to the scope of subject the inputs should be entirely considered from the study material(ICAI) as well as referring to the class notes and any other reference material if you feel necessary.

Preparation Plan:

This is purely exam oriented keep this in mind..

Preparation may be planned in the following priority

The subject can be divided into four segments

• SEGMENT 1 First Four Chapters of ICAI Study Material -- Financial Policy,Project Planning and Capital Budgeting,Leasing decisions,Dividend Decisions - Weightage 25-30 Marks

• SEGMENT 2 Chapter 11,12 of ICAI Material relating to forex management Weightage 12-15 Marks
• SEGMENT 3 Portfolio Management , Security Analysis and Derivatives Weightage 35-40 Marks
• SEGMENT 4 Financial Services,Mutual Funds,Money market operations,Mergers & Acquisitions Weightage 15-20 Marks

Sources of Preparation:

• Study Material / Class Notes
• Practice Manual-
• Revision Test Papers (Past 5 Attempts)

(There were many instances of same questions even without change in numbers asked directly in the exam even in the recent toughest November 2013 Exams from Practice Manual and RTP's)

Sudheer Paidi