View Full Version : Study Progress
Chance123
01-29-2008, 09:42 AM
Where are you in your study schedule?
To either help you feel better that you're farther along than me or to encourage you to get moving, I'm about 40% through my first pass through the syllabus.
inexactuary
01-29-2008, 10:00 AM
I'm hoping to finish my first pass this week. It's been pretty high level, though, so nothing to crap your pants about.
LauraJane
01-29-2008, 10:50 AM
I'm also about 40% through the first reading....that includes taking notes on all the books....and I intend to take notes on the on-line readings and study notes as well for this exam....
sweetie
01-29-2008, 12:14 PM
I'm around 10% through the reading & don't remember much of what I read :swear:
Sunflower in Study
01-29-2008, 12:15 PM
About 50% done here, I read very fast, intend not to go with detials for the first time round.
100in1998
01-29-2008, 12:22 PM
I've gotten through the syllabus once, but I went through with a "skim" attitude. I'm going back through now with the aid of the ACE manual, and I'm about 1/3 of the way.
Feeling confident that I know a good portion of the syllabus from prior experience, but need to focus on the newer things like derivatives, hedges, etc.
BTW, if anyone needs to know how the SOP 03-1 is applied in real life for Fixed Deferred Annuities, just ask. That's the story of my life.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAHH
Another reminder that I haven't studied yet. If I assume that most of the information will look familiar after having read 80% of the syllabus last time, then I've done the "skim" portion.
Thus far, I've read through and tried to understand Chapter 4 of VLIL. :shrug:
Toluca
01-29-2008, 05:44 PM
I will finish with the book readings this week as a first pass. I still need to read the study notes and on-line articles. Trying to finish the first reading by the end of February.
And like Sweetie I also do not remember much :study::crying::exams:
White Castle
01-30-2008, 10:24 AM
I'm only doing one read through, and am taking detailed notes in ACE. I started earlier than most, and am about 70% through the material. My goal is to be 100% by 2/29.
justkay
01-30-2008, 12:25 PM
Through the material the first time, read everything but didn't really retain all that much. I didn't expect to, I just wanted to make sure when I went back through things everything I read at least sounded familiar.
I'm currently working on reading through all of the TIA online seminar handouts, with the audio. Not working on retaining so much as getting a better understanding of everything. 24 hours of material, 2 hours a day -> two weeks or so, of which I'm about three days into. It's actually sticking better than I anticipated.
Then I'm going to start going back through with the ACE manual and the books (only as necessary).
Since I wrote this exam last year as well, I'm mostly skipping the source material and I'm just reading through the ACE manual. I'm almost done my first pass through the manual, which was fairly high level (hopefully completed this weekend). I'll then read through again with the intent to really understand everything. I'll also review the flashcards as I go through the second time to see if I want to add anything to them.
Since I wrote this exam last year as well, I'm mostly skipping the source material and I'm just reading through the ACE manual. I'm almost done my first pass through the manual, which was fairly high level (hopefully completed this weekend). I'll then read through again with the intent to really understand everything. I'll also review the flashcards as I go through the second time to see if I want to add anything to them.
:iatp:
Well, I'm planning on doing the same. And still, I wanted to be memorizing flashcards starting March 1st.
:shrug:
Chance123
02-05-2008, 09:34 PM
I am now almost 60% through. Hope to finish the first pass by end of Feb and get started on memorization in March.
Hairy Bactuary
02-06-2008, 09:08 AM
Ditto to Chance. Unfortunately, the 40% remaining for me includes GAAP and all the ASOPs.
Anyony know of a good energy drink?
sweetie
02-13-2008, 12:40 PM
This exam has too much materials. The study notes package alone scares the h--- out of me. How can you remember all of what you read? I'm going :crazy:
rekrap
02-13-2008, 03:12 PM
This exam has too much materials. The study notes package alone scares the h--- out of me. How can you remember all of what you read? I'm going :crazy:
You don't. :shrug:
Remember as much as you can: key points and key calculation examples, relationships and regulations, and memorize, memorize, memorize. You don't have to remember all of what you read, half of the written text is filler, and the other half can be boiled down into lists, or topics or recreated from first principles, perhaps.
You may have to give up on some topics (preferably the more obscure ones, not the big ones), you may just be high level on a few topics (some points are better than no points), or you may really have one topic down (and then they ask a question in a stupid way that stumbles you up come test day).
You can worry about that. Just memorize, memorize, memorize... and then memorize some more.
Just memorize, memorize, memorize... and then memorize some more.
After having 2 babies, I can't remember much.... except baby songs. I have to listen to the baby songs on the way to work, on the way home, and at home.....until the kids go to bed..... If the songs are on the exam, I'll pass with a perfect 10!!!
I think every one is going to get a little bit abnormal after taking this exam :exams:
Chance123
02-13-2008, 08:59 PM
About 75% of the way through now.
I feel ya sweetie. It's overwhelming.
rekrap
02-13-2008, 11:06 PM
After having 2 babies, I can't remember much.... except baby songs. I have to listen to the baby songs on the way to work, on the way home, and at home.....until the kids go to bed..... If the songs are on the exam, I'll pass with a perfect 10!!!
I am Will ... Will or Bill...
Do you like options that are real?
Do you like them to expand?
Would you like them to contract?
Do you like them to defer?
Would you like them to be exact?
Do you like time to build?
Would you like to restart?
Do you like to switch
or abandon use and salvage part?
Do you like to strategize
your corporate growth
or would you rather
curse an oath?!
rekrap
02-13-2008, 11:13 PM
The Reinsurance goes round and round, round and round, round and round
The Reinsurance goes round and round all through the town.
YRT transfers mortality, mortality, mortality
YRT transfers mortality and morbidity risk.
Coinsurance shares the risk, shares the risk, shares the risk
Coinsurance shares the risk, all of the risks.
The ceding company keeps the assets, keeps the assets, keeps the assets,
The ceding company keeps the assets in ModCo treaties.
In Funds withheld set up accounts, set up accounts, set up accounts,
In Funds withheld set up accounts, payable and receivable
rekrap
02-13-2008, 11:31 PM
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day
The Valuation Actuary's brave, it's true,
as he follows ASOP #22
and Model Standard Valuation Law,
to write his Actuarial Memo, hurrah!
100in1998
02-14-2008, 07:51 AM
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood?
Say, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day
The Valuation Actuary's brave, it's true,
as he follows ASOP #22
and Model Standard Valuation Law,
to write his Actuarial Memo, hurrah!
:guitarwo:
Too funny. I always though Mr Rogers was a little bit weird... the whole Mom/sweater thing. But I just might remember this better now.
rekrap
02-14-2008, 08:18 AM
:guitarwo:
Too funny. I always though Mr Rogers was a little bit weird... the whole Mom/sweater thing. But I just might remember this better now.
It's Sesame Street :sg:, not Mr. Rogers.
Get your Children's programming straight... :shake:
100in1998
02-14-2008, 12:14 PM
It's Sesame Street :sg:, not Mr. Rogers.
Get your Children's programming straight... :shake:
Sorry, my 5 1/2 year olds don't watch it anymore. I'm sad.
:lol:
rekrap, you're the best. I take it that you have kids too?
The Reinsurance goes round and round, round and round, round and round
The Reinsurance goes round and round all through the town.
YRT transfers mortality, mortality, mortality
YRT transfers mortality and morbidity risk.
Coinsurance shares the risk, shares the risk, shares the risk
Coinsurance shares the risk, all of the risks.
The ceding company keeps the assets, keeps the assets, keeps the assets,
The ceding company keeps the assets in ModCo treaties.
In Funds withheld set up accounts, set up accounts, set up accounts,
In Funds withheld set up accounts, payable and receivable
rekrap
02-14-2008, 04:18 PM
:lol:
rekrap, you're the best. I take it that you have kids too?
Yes. Thanks.
Chance123
02-19-2008, 12:53 PM
At about 90%... entering the home stretch for the first pass through. That large pile of flash cards is looking very daunting.
White Castle
02-19-2008, 01:15 PM
Where are you in your study schedule?
To either help you feel better that you're farther along than me or to encourage you to get moving, I'm about 40% through my first pass through the syllabus.
At about 90%... entering the home stretch for the first pass through. That large pile of flash cards is looking very daunting.
That's quote the pace. 50% of the material in about three weeks.
Chance123
02-19-2008, 07:28 PM
That's quote the pace. 50% of the material in about three weeks.
The first 40% was a tougher read (VLIL and GAAP). The next 50% was relatively easier (real options, reinsurance, LIPF, etc.). And I decided to spend less time worrying about the details. Maybe they are important, but I can't retain it anyways, so I figured I wouldn't even bother. Once (maybe the better word choice is if) I get the main ideas down, I may go back and make sure I know the details too.
Hopefully everyone else is where they want to be in their study schedule!
I should probably start soon. Maybe right after St. Patrick's day? ;)
rekrap
02-20-2008, 09:24 AM
I should probably start soon. Maybe right after St. Patrick's day? ;)
Why not wait until April Fool's by that point?
justkay
02-20-2008, 01:16 PM
I should probably start soon. Maybe right after St. Patrick's day? ;)
You'll need the Irish luck if you're starting in March :lol:
Through the material once. Through the TIA online seminar once. About 25% through the ACE manual. Once I get through the ACE manual, I'm going to go back and focus on what I highlighted there, and the TIA online seminar. Hopefully the combination of those 2 will help me, as I'm still pretty fuzzy on most the stuff. Planning to start mixing memorization in starting in March.
Why not wait until April Fool's by that point?
I had not considered that. Good point! Thanks!!
Now... what to do to fill the time between St. Pat's and April Fool's.... hmmm.......
I had not considered that. Good point! Thanks!!
Now... what to do to fill the time between St. Pat's and April Fool's.... hmmm.......
Skip it!
No, no, that doesn't work.
Skip it!
No, no, that doesn't work.
OH, that ALWAYS works!! Unless of course, you're trying to pass.... ;)
sweetie
02-29-2008, 08:03 PM
It's the end of Feb. I'm half way through the materials for the first time & have no idea what you guys are talking about when you discussed about economic something...something....
Hope to get going with the studying soon, but work keeps piling on my desk. Oh, well, it's Friday :toast:
It's the end of Feb. I'm 75% through the materials for the first time & have no idea what you guys are talking about when you discuss... anything....
Dbell
03-01-2008, 10:27 AM
It's the end of Feb and I'm 2/3 through the material for the first time & have no idea what you guys are talking about when you discuss... what exam is this again?
justkay
03-01-2008, 05:37 PM
It's the beginning of March, I'm through the material for the first time, through the TIA seminar the first time, through about 75% of the ACE manual, and I'm totally behind - I should have been done by now with it. :eek:
It's the beginning of March, I'm through the material for the first time, through the TIA seminar the first time, through about 75% of the ACE manual, and I'm totally behind - I should have been done by now with it. :eek:
You have way higher expectation than I do.
It's the beginning of March, I'm through the material for the first time, through the TIA seminar the first time, through about 75% of the ACE manual, and I'm totally behind - I should have been done by now with it. :eek:
With 25 hours of TIA seminar behind you, you have no room to feel behind. When do you plan on starting memorization?
justkay
03-02-2008, 12:59 PM
March 15th. I want to be through the ACE manual by then, and I was hoping to be back through TIA again by then, but that might not happen.
If you skip the TIA examples, it shouldn't be a huge challenge, assuming you have a few evenings free to hang out in front of the PC. :)
Oh yeah, and we totally lose an hour of study time next Sunday. Totally not fair.
rekrap
03-02-2008, 01:19 PM
March 15th. I want to be through the ACE manual by then, and I was hoping to be back through TIA again by then, but that might not happen.
Beware the Ides of March!
justkay
03-02-2008, 01:26 PM
Too late, the die is cast :-)
when was it cast? nobody told me they were casting dies! i didn't get the memo! no dies, no casting, no no no!!
justkay
03-02-2008, 02:17 PM
when was it cast? nobody told me they were casting dies! i didn't get the memo! no dies, no casting, no no no!!
:lolup:
Well, it was cast for me the day I ordered study materials...
what is this, a D&D convention?
Hairy Bactuary
03-03-2008, 02:45 PM
Whew, I'm not alone! How can we motivate each other to catch our collective butts up?
what is this, a D&D convention?
Nope, they stuck Bayesian analysis on to CSP. :dsmile:
Chance123
03-18-2008, 11:34 AM
Less than 60 days until the exam. So how's everybody feeling?
I'm about 1/2 way through my first pass through the flash cards. Everytime I go back to review what I've "memorized", I can't believe how much I've forgotten.
Toluca
03-18-2008, 03:49 PM
I was doing OK until I finish my first pass through the material. After that it all went down hill. I just do not know how to study I guess, or I just lost motivation. I just can't seem to be able to just sit down and read (memorize) the cards. They do not make any sense.
Oh well, I guess you all will be thanking me for lowering the bar.
:wink:
sweetie
03-18-2008, 06:13 PM
I'm skipping too much stuff that I don't even know the percentage of the materials that I have skimming through :oops:
Do not feel discourage. Sometimes, I don't understand my own notes :swear:
Toluca
03-19-2008, 11:08 AM
Thank you sweetie,
Sometimes we just need to keep moving forward no matter what.
justkay
03-20-2008, 08:15 AM
I'm ready to go - through the material, doing pretty well on the flashcards...as long as I don't have to remember any actual formulas, I should be just fine :shake2:
teapeaexcueexplustea
03-20-2008, 08:41 AM
I'm ready to go - through the material, doing pretty well on the flashcards...as long as I don't have to remember any actual formulas, I should be just fine :shake2::lol: I hear that!
100in1998
03-20-2008, 11:27 AM
I'm working on memorizing flash cards. I think I have 10 memorized so far, plus the few duplicates from the DP exam... only about 500 to go!
As far as formulas go, I think I'll be OK on GAAP, I can struggle through on STAT, but I'm lost with reinsurance, real options, and Embedded value stuff.
Either way, I'm taking 2 days off next week to go on a short weekend vacation with my family. After that, it's time to get serious.
I'm doing a final run through the ACE manual while also looking at the flash card and making revisions. Hopefully that will be done this weekend. After that it's memorizing like crazy.
justkay
03-25-2008, 02:43 PM
ARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!
Better now. Please resume your regularly scheduled studying :tup:
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