DP seminars

[MATE Seminars]

For those of you who have been curious but have not yet seen the announcement, the seminar schedule has been set for this fall's seminars. There will be 2 separate sessions at different hotels in the Chicago O'Hare area. The first will be Wed-Sat, Sept 10-13, and the second will be Mon-Thu, Sept 15-18.

Good luck in attacking this massive exam. Please let me know how I can help in your preparations.

Mark Bird
http://www.mateseminars.com/

[rickjames]

Having been to the Mate seminar for CSP, I would strongly endorse any other seminar that Mark conducts. Since Mate did not have a DP seminar last fall, I attended the one held by Infinite Actuary. So, I have seen seminars by both instructors and I can tell you -- promise you -- that Mate is far better.

[L-Jo]

Hi Mark,

What should we do to prepare for the seminar? How far along in our studying should we be to get the most out of it?

Thanks!

[MATE Seminars]

My usual recommendation is to have been through all the material at least once before the seminar date. You will certainly get more out of the seminar if you are already familiar with all the topics. But perhaps more importantly, you will need to have scheduled in a few weeks for memorizing facts that are not already second nature to you (from flashcards, a detailed outline, or some other source). After the seminar is over, there will be 6 or 7 weeks left before the exam (depending on which session you are at). In those last few weeks, I suggest devoting almost your entire time to memorizing and practicing mathematical topics.

As for what to do now, I would say set a pace for yourself and stick to it. Go through the readings and make sure you understand them. Add your own notes into whatever study guide you use, and then try to have been through your notes at least once before the seminar (so that would be one thorough reading and one notes review before the seminar).

It can be difficult to study hard 3+ months before the exam, but it is important to get as much done now as you can. It will certainly make the last few weeks before the exam easier and more productive.

Good luck in your preparations.

[MarsLasar]

Please let me know how I can help in your preparations.

Mark Bird
http://www.mateseminars.com/

I'm going to give your seminar a try. See you in Chicago.

(Maybe for CSP you will consider having a seminar in Seattle or Portland? Think of the convenience! ;))

[L-Jo]

I'm with Mars!

[MATE Seminars]

MarsLasar and L-Jo,

I agree that having a seminar in Seattle or Portland would be great. We do get a lot of people from the West at the seminars, so it would be more convenient for them (plus I live in the Pacific Northwest).

We are already considering this for next Spring's exams. So rather than having 2 sessions in Chicago, we may do one in Chicago and one out West. We just need to decide which western location is the best for those involved. It may be Seattle or Portland, or it may be some other city out West.

Mark

[Hackeni]

I would vote for a CSP seminar in San Francisco next Spring, but that's just because I am already in San Francisco. :tup:

[moniccazz]

I like San Francisco and wouldn't mind travelling coast to coast for a seminar
=P

Also, while waiting for my study manuals/SoA study notes, can someone direct me to what to read in the mean time? I have a few textbooks in hand and i'm ready to start reading... I'd appreciate it if someone can tell me a few chapters in what books to read to start off.. that would give me a lil push to start studying....

thanks!!

[dinapolice]

This is the official syllabus:
http://www.soa.org/files/pdf/edu-fall2008-cat-hlth.pdf

The study manuals will be following the contents of this official list.

[MATE Seminars]

Moniccazz,

My experience has been that there isn't really any magic order of going through the syllabus readings that works significantly better than any other. The MATE study manual organizes the material by learning objective, following the order in the SOA syllabus (see the link above by Dinapolice). I think starting with the first readings from learning objective 1 (Rosenbloom book, chapters 6, 11, 12, and 46) should be as good a place to start as any.

Mark
MATE Seminars

[moniccazz]

sounds good, I will start off there while waiting for my study manual to come.

Thanks!

Also Mark, is the MATE seminar full? I haven't send in my registration yet, waiting for my manager to approve

[MATE Seminars]

We do still have spots available in both sessions. You can reserve a spot while you wait for approval by simply sending a quick e-mail with your session preference.

Mark
mateseminars@hotmail.com