1st read through

[teapeaexcueexplustea]

So I'm trying to figure out when I should start studying. I am curious how long it took people to read through the source material on their first read through. I'd like to read it all once, then use TIA and whatever else to review and what not.

[polooo26]

I'm aiming for 3 weeks for the text books. I saw a study schedual that had reading everything in 3 weeks as well. That's all I know. I would start now if you can. I'm "officially" starting today.

[coverdale]

I think its still going to be a few more weeks before my body recovers from CSP... The thought of picking up another book right now just sounds horrible!

[teapeaexcueexplustea]

I think its still going to be a few more weeks before my body recovers from CSP... The thought of picking up another book right now just sounds horrible!

Yeah, me too...though I don't want a beating from DP either so I want to put myself in the best position so I don't get my butt kicked from it!

[LoneGirl]

I think its still going to be a few more weeks before my body recovers from CSP... The thought of picking up another book right now just sounds horrible!

Ditto. I'm still enjoying my study-free days! But I don't want to put it off for too long - the longer I wait, the harder it'll be to get back into "study mode".

[lela11]

I'm planning on starting on June 1st. This way I'll feel like I had a good enough break after CSP.

[coverdale]

Ditto. I'm still enjoying my study-free days! But I don't want to put it off for too long - the longer I wait, the harder it'll be to get back into "study mode".

I know we've been done for more than 10 days now, but it really only feels like 2! I was planning to crack books again sometime in the first 2 weeks of June

[LoneGirl]

I know we've been done for more than 10 days now, but it really only feels like 2! I was planning to crack books again sometime in the first 2 weeks of June

Has it really been 10 days? I could swear it's been less than a week.... :)
I really want to finish my first FSA module before I start on DP. I started it last fall, and would like to just get it out of the way. My plan was to also start on DP sometime between June 1 and June 15. Guess I should get crackin' on that Module.....

[butterjuice74]

too much to read

[rekrap]

too much to read

While I understand the sentiment, I will point out the following:

The LIPF and LOMA texts are very easy reads, and both are very easily summarizable.

The LIME and IG texts are slogs to read, not easily summarizable, and heavy on calculation/computation.

The SNs and PRs fall some where in between (and are they all available yet?).

Therefore, split them up.

Kick it off with some LIPF, get some background with the first few chapters week 1 (work the exercises, understand the blue book examples - both easy pickings for exam writers). Get the juices flowing with some easy stuff.

Switch to IG/LIME the next week get some background (Ch 1/2 of Hardy are very list-oriented, while Ch 1/2 of LIME are mostly informational, and not easily testable directly) the next week. Try to just "read" through all of one or the other, not worrying about working through all the examples just yet.

Go back to LIPF for more chapters the third week. Read in week 4 whichever of IG/LIME you didn't in week 2. Now June is over, and you are at least 25% done with the material, if not 33% done, depending upon how far you get in LIPF (since it's easy, take the time up front to work through selected exercises and the blue box examples) and having read all of IG/LIME (but not worked through all the examples perhaps).

Swtich to the LOMA/LIMRA books (Marketing), when you get tired of LIPF/IG/LIME or by July, whichever comes first. Those are very list-oriented, but very testable (and very confusing due to overlap in material with each other and LIPF and SNs/PRs).

The Life & Annuity Products and Features Study Note (ILA-D105-07) is very long (150 pages) and very testable, but indirectly as part of larger questions about specific products. I don't think I ever read it straight through, but just used the summaries from TIA/ACE and my OTJ understanding of life products.

One more thing: If this is your first time through, wait until you've read it all to start memorizing cards (you'll have a better background/overall understanding which will help memorize), but if it's your second (or more) time through, then start memorizing again the day you read through that material... seriously. Spend any time saved from reviewing instead of learning for the first time (like that 150 pg SN) to make mnemonics or mindmaps or whatever helps you memorize lists. You'll be sick of some of those marketing lists once you start memorizing them in July/August, but come October, you'll know them.

But, in the words of a smarter test-taker than myself:
... I would, however, caution you not to underestimate the importance of memorization. It is definitely not a substitute for understanding, but it can be a very useful supplement to it under exam conditions. When I took this last year, I would look at the question and it would trigger a list of bullet points from my flashcards. Then, with a basic outline in front of me, I could fill in the details from my general understanding of the syllabus.

For instance, if the question asks about pricing considerations for Product X, it would be useful to have memorized a "master list" of pricing considerations such as: Mortality, Morbidity, Lapses, Expenses, Taxes, Interest, Reinsurance, Riders, etc. Then, based on what you know about the product, you can easily fill in the details for the different categories without needing to memorize them and end up with a good, complete, answer.

Good luck! :study:

[Requiem]

Thanks for the hints!!

As a first time taker, it's always good to hear advice from someone who has seen the material before.

[actuarialmath]

Kick it off with some LIPF, get some background with the first few chapters week 1 (work the exercises, understand the blue book examples - both easy pickings for exam writers). Get the juices flowing with some easy stuff.




What is "blue book examples"?