Dr. P.V. Viswanath

 

pviswanath@pace.edu

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Frequently Asked Questions, Summer 2008

FIN 647: Advanced Financial Analysis

 
 

 


Q. What will the format of the exams and what chapters will they cover?
A. Usually, each exam will have at least one media article with questions (look at the Media Articles link from the FIN 647 class website). There will be some short questions. There will be no definitions. For the midterm, there will probably be quantitative questions from the following topics: valuation, cashflow estimation, asset pricing models and financial statements. For the final exam, the quantitative questions will be on capital structure and dividend policy. More information on the format of the exams will be given in class. You can also look at past exams, particularly the more recent ones.

This year, the midterm will cover chapters 2 through 7, and will have four questions -- one will consists of questions posed in the context of a newspaper article; there will be two questions on the following four topics: a) interpreting a beta estimation regression, b) computing bottom-up betas c) capitalizing R&D outlays and d) capitalizing operating leases. The fourth will consist of short questions.


Q. Are the exams open book or closed book?
Ans. Click here for more information.


Q. Can I do extra work to improve my grade?
Ans. Sorry. I believe that in order to be fair, I have to give every student the same opportunity to do extra work. Obviously, this is not feasible.  However, on occasion I will allow you to resubmit an assignment for grade improvement.


Q. What can I do to check my understanding of the material and to prepare for the exams?
Ans. 

  • You can do the problems from the end of each chapter. The answers can be found on the Web.
  • You can also try quizzes from past terms. Frequently, the answers to quiz problems can also be found on my webpages.
  • You can try to answer the questions at the end of media articles.
  • You can read current newspaper and magazine articles on relevant topics and make up your own questions and articles.

Q. What do I have to study from each chapter?
Ans. In each chapter, you should know the definitions and the meanings of key terms, and be able to put them into context. Also, look at the list of terms and short questions on the Some Importants Terms and Concepts page.


 
 

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