Study Plan for May 2008

[tray o' pickles]

ok - I know it's way too early to be thinking about this... but when do you plan to start studying for the next May exam?

From what I've heard before, starting in February is too late -- starting before Christmas just sounds evil -- so starting this discussion on Halloween feels appropriate(ly insane).

[wooHoo]

I am retaking and am planning on starting right after Thanksgiving (going real easy the first month - just rereading some of the material), so that when I go hard core in January, I will already be warmed up.

[Kenny]

I will be taking the FAP Exam 1 on 12/12 so shortly after that (perhaps the same day depending on my work schedule). I took the last sitting of 8 and have only taken MC exams since then (EA last May and FAP this fall) and know that this exam will be a bear. The sooner I start the better I want to be done with exams this time next year!!!!!!!!!

Yes I need to keep reminding myself to help with motivation.

[fappakman]

Finals end the 17th of December, so I hope to start shortly thereafter.

[Kenny]

Finals end the 17th of December, so I hope to start shortly thereafter.

Finals? :yikes:

You intend to be an FSA prior to graduation?

P.S. good for you

[Wildcat]

I plan on starting as soon as I finish the Financial Economics and Social Insurance Modules which should be sometime in December. And yes that means using up some of my Christmas time too.

I am determined to pass the exam in May as that is my last big hurdle for an FSA.

[XANDER]

I plan on starting as soon as I finish the Financial Economics and Social Insurance Modules which should be sometime in December. And yes that means using up some of my Christmas time too.

I am determined to pass the exam in May as that is my last big hurdle for an FSA.

Like Kenny, I motivate myself by the thought of having NO exams left this time next year. Exam CSP is my last SOA exam EVER. Working on wrapping up SS module before the Christmas parties begin. So, will start CSP reading during the holidays (sad, I know!), but I am determined to make next Spring my last SOA exam sitting EVER.

Happy Holidays! Ho ho ho! Cheers!

[Kenny]

I am retaking and am planning on starting right after Thanksgiving (going real easy the first month - just rereading some of the material), so that when I go hard core in January, I will already be warmed up.

Did you get started yet? I haven't received any materials yet so I probably won't be starting tomorrow. I already have all of the books except 1 (which is on its way) but my study guide and the study notes have not shipped yet. I am thinking I will probably wait until I get the study guide, unless it takes a long time.

:duh:
The website say 12/21, nevermind. Maybe I will start on one of the books before then.

[qwyjiboChu]

has anyone considered weighing burnout against trying to get more study time? When I studied for Course 8 in 2006, I started in June (studied 5 full months) and failed. When I studied for Exam CSP in spring 2007, I started in late February (less than 3 months) and passed. For me, it was way more valuable not to be completely burned out in the last two weeks. To each his own I guess.

[Wildcat]

has anyone considered weighing burnout against trying to get more study time? When I studied for Course 8 in 2006, I started in June (studied 5 full months) and failed. When I studied for Exam CSP in spring 2007, I started in late February (less than 3 months) and passed. For me, it was way more valuable not to be completely burned out in the last two weeks. To each his own I guess.

I don't know but did your studying for Course 8 in 2006 help you with your studying for CSP and that may be the reason why starting later was ok for you? I started in about the same time you did for CSP and for the life of me could not figure out how I could have done things differently to pass the exam except for start earlier.

I have started studying like a week ago and am 1000% sure it will help me pass rather than start later. Burnout should not be an issue as passing this exam just means that much to me. I won't allow myself to get burned out.

[Kenny]

I would think you are less likely to get burned out if you are able to pace yourself, rather than going balls-to-the-wall for 3 months straight. Given the amount of material, I personally need time to digest it. I'm sure I'll take a break somewhere along the way where I slow down for a little while. It might just be the seminar, where I will actually have the chance to do nothing in the evenings.

[wooHoo]

Did you get started yet? I haven't received any materials yet so I probably won't be starting tomorrow. I already have all of the books except 1 (which is on its way) but my study guide and the study notes have not shipped yet. I am thinking I will probably wait until I get the study guide, unless it takes a long time.

:duh:
The website say 12/21, nevermind. Maybe I will start on one of the books before then.


Haven't gotten started yet. I meant to but have been out at a client site during the week. I need to register for the Edge seminar soon.

[fappakman]

Haven't gotten started yet. I meant to but have been out at a client site during the week. I need to register for the Edge seminar soon.

When's the deadline?

[wooHoo]

When's the deadline?

No idea but figure I should do it sooner than later.

[Kenny]

I will be taking the FAP Exam 1 on 12/12 so shortly after that (perhaps the same day depending on my work schedule). I took the last sitting of 8 and have only taken MC exams since then (EA last May and FAP this fall) and know that this exam will be a bear. The sooner I start the better I want to be done with exams this time next year!!!!!!!!!

Yes I need to keep reminding myself to help with motivation.

The "depending on the work schedule" aspect of my plan has made today shortly after 12/12 (not sure if :swear: or :tup: applies :)).

Seemed like a pretty decent start. I am sticking to the order on the Edge study schedule and hopefully I can keep my few days lead on their schedule. I seriously doubt it will happen, but I am trying. I mentioned somewhere on this board that I was hoping to do some FAP 6-8 reading/exercises along the way. As of now I am not too optimistic that that will happen.

This is going to be an interesting 1-2 years for me. If all goes well I will go from an uncredentialed student to an FSA, EA in about 18-20 months (just got EA, MAAA for those that are unaware), will hopefully get my ASA by this summer and my FSA by next summer (all I need are DMAC and FAC once I finish DP so I get to participate in the sit and wait aspect of the capstone experience, lol).

[Jadesia]

Kenny, I'm also considering doing Module 6-8 this spring.

Readings in module 6 are all done... will start the project this week-end. I figured it's doable IF I manage to get all the modules done by end february while keeping in line with the Edge schedule.

Starting CSP study this week also.

It's my second sitting at CSP :wall:. I haven't decided if I'll reread all the material (will probably skip most of section 1 and section 10 as well as all readings that were included in both CSP and DP - I still remember most of it). Hopefully that will help me focus more on the understanding and memorization.

I'll decide whether I continue both when I'll get my results for the DP.