Kaplan books problems
mark057
Registered Posts: 352 Dedicated contributor 🦉
Hi all,
I've been using Kaplan study text and revision kit for studying F9 and I think I'm just about to explode with the poor quality of these books.
I've done a few questions now, particularly around the sources of finance where the study text is completely inadequate.
I've studied the text and my passcards but feel totally unprepared to get anywhere near the answers provided in the exam kit, particularly around this area.
It seems the answers require an assumed knowledge not in the text and I'm getting totally disillusioned by it now.
For example a question asked about the benefits of an operating lease. I thought I gave a sensible commentary about how a firm would not have to incur the capital cost of buying an asset, would not incur maintenance costs for the asset and could benefit from tax allowances on leasing payments made. The book commentary was not only different but was nowhere to be seen in my study text.
I've also come across questions about the relationship between dividends and share prices. I one question which asked if a company increasing it's dividend would attract more investors, I said it could do so and could lead to increases in the value of it's shares as their was a relationship between dividends and share price as shown by the DVM model. The book modeled it's answer by saying it would not make the company more attractive to investors if they were paying out a dividend which achieved the maximisation of shareholder wealth and started banging on about M&M theory.
I just don't think they know what they do want sometimes!
Rant over!
Mark
I've been using Kaplan study text and revision kit for studying F9 and I think I'm just about to explode with the poor quality of these books.
I've done a few questions now, particularly around the sources of finance where the study text is completely inadequate.
I've studied the text and my passcards but feel totally unprepared to get anywhere near the answers provided in the exam kit, particularly around this area.
It seems the answers require an assumed knowledge not in the text and I'm getting totally disillusioned by it now.
For example a question asked about the benefits of an operating lease. I thought I gave a sensible commentary about how a firm would not have to incur the capital cost of buying an asset, would not incur maintenance costs for the asset and could benefit from tax allowances on leasing payments made. The book commentary was not only different but was nowhere to be seen in my study text.
I've also come across questions about the relationship between dividends and share prices. I one question which asked if a company increasing it's dividend would attract more investors, I said it could do so and could lead to increases in the value of it's shares as their was a relationship between dividends and share price as shown by the DVM model. The book modeled it's answer by saying it would not make the company more attractive to investors if they were paying out a dividend which achieved the maximisation of shareholder wealth and started banging on about M&M theory.
I just don't think they know what they do want sometimes!
Rant over!
Mark
0
Comments
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Dear Mark
Had the same problems with the books from the Home Learning College..Incorrect amounts in the calculations, page numbering non existent in many cases, wording not correct or clear and like you say you read it as if you must already know what they are on about...which for a first timer it leaves you re-reading it 5 or 6 times to try to make sense!
I honestly would have preferred them to just have me use a download option where they constantly updated the text when errors occurred. Like you I have been INCREDIBLY frustrated.
I will not be recommending them for this and other reasons...and I will be so glad when its all over!
You are not alone :cursing:
Relle0 -
Thanks Relle,
It's good to know it is not me being stupid.
I've done pretty well on other papers but the study materials don't help but rather destroy any confidence.
The people who right these books must write answers with students in mind. Why can't they provide a shortened exam acceptable version of the answer and a longer version for those who like a bit more perspective?
I feel some of the exam providers need to start asking students what they need instead of telling us.
Mark0
