advice needed

[Anonymous]

Hi there!

I am writing C3 and I need a bit of advice.

I find that I am going through the stuff and I understand what has been done but I would never know or think to do that on my own, especially during the exam. Any ideas on how I can improve on that?

Oh - I have done this before and concluded that this must be my problem. I have done so many questions and spent a lot of time at this stuff but still no luck.

Thanks

[Daisy]

I would suggest doing tons of problems - it is the only way to improve your problem solving skills. Also - know your formulas and tricks cold - you don't have time to spend time trying to remember them. Finally - if you have a chance get to one of Batten's seminars - he gives you simple easy ways to approach problems and how to remember those approaches. Personally I liked Mahler's notes for the non - Life Con stuff.

[WQN]

How did you do in Math classes in college? Did you always have this problem in not being able to think of the method? Its a matter of mastering the material. When taking an exam if you really know your stuff, the method of solution should be clear. Practice, Practice, Practice.

[Anonymous]

Thanks -

I actually don't understand since I was near the top of my class - I always smoked math and always enjoyed it.

I think my problem is that they will throw in a curve and then I don't know what to do with it. It is like if I haven't seen it - I am stuck and don't know how to interpret it. As soon as I see the answer I am kicking myself for not doing that! I can follow what is being done but there are so many types of questions and then they go and combine different ideas into the same question.

Ya, I guess just more and more practice! And I am ordering batten and mahler this round.

THANK AGIAN!

[LB]

Some people who take an exam the second time study less because they have already seen the material. This is a mistake. Figure out how much you studied the first time and study at least 30% more. Do problems over and over again until your dreaming about them. Don't let down for a minute.

[RedSoxFan]

helpme-
it sounds like you do not truly understand the material, or you are not allowing yourself to. your math classes in the past were probably all straightforward and predictable, but the exams are not. when you come upon a question, stop and think about it. do not worry too much about the time you spend at this point. understand exactly what it is asking. then, as one of my professors put it, open your "actuarial toolbox". Think about what you know, and how you can apply it to the problem. Consider all your tools as you attempt to solve.