EA-2B Actex

[yeppers-wsmn]

Anyone know if the review questions throughout the Actex are original problems or old EA-2 exam questions.

Thanks.

[sb_jim]

All are old EA-2 questions, with varying success at demonstrating the correct solution.

[slam]

I'm usually not one to rant and rave, but sb jim is all too accurate. Bensics is a pet peeve of mine. Any materials of his that I have seen have been of unusually low quality. I have seen his materials for CAS4B, C6, EA2a, and EA2b. They contain numerous typos, incorrect information, poorly organized, incorrect problem solutions. My favorite error so far - there are at least two problems in the 2b manual that are duplicated. They have different solutions leading to different answers to the exact same problem.

[Traci]

It seems like an open market for someone to write some better manuals!

Why isn't anyone jumping on it?

[slam]

Not quite as open as you might think.

For the non EA exams, there are better manuals already available. The EA exams are a smaller market, so there isn't sufficient economic motivation to induce someone to write a better manual. There's also a distribution problem. I suspect ACTEX is committed to Bensics (poor them) under some sort of distribution contract.

[Traci]

Hmmmm ... So after I pass .. if I were to write a better manual - all I need is a distributor?

Oh Glennnnnnnnnnn!!!

[WWSituation]

421 people signed up for EA-2A last November. If half that many buy the manual (if for no other reason than it is new and they probably haven't tried it yet) and the manual sells for $120,

you take in a good $24,000 in revenue. Not too shabby for a 1st time. Is it unreasonable to assume that at least half of the people signed up for and EA exam will get all of the manuals they don't currently have (assuming there is no past problem like with Bensics)?

[Traci]

Yeah - that's pretty much how I figure it.

If I did something like this (and I'm seriously thinking about it - I mean what the hell! It couldn't be any WORSE than the Actex!) I would probably make them available here for free the first time around - and just ask for feedback.

For those of you studying - would you mark-up or write comments in the margins of a free manual in a situation like this?

I think I would start with Ea2a - since I haven't even passed EA2b yet - we'll see how many tries it takes me and how well I know the material after I pass! But I think I have a pretty decent handle on the Ea2a stuff - and that manual was Baaaad!

[Smurf]

If it is worth the trouble, then why don't Dave Farber and Rick G. come up with one?

I think one can study without a manual. I wish I didn't waste my money on the ACTEX. Just get copies of relevant old exams with the solutions from either Dave or Rick and Dave's study manual of problems/solutions. Then just start working on the problems. At the beginning you'd probably have to look up solutions a lot. Then, look up the regs and codes associated with the problems as you go along and write your own outline.

We have in my department this "Defined Benefit Answer Book by G. Neff McGhie that I find to be very helpful in explaining things. Also, you can order Rick G.'s seminar overheads that outline most of the important topics, or go to his (or Dave's) seminar.

It is impossible to study everything, but if you go through all the old exams you are bound to hit most of the material.

I'm not sitting for one this spring but I'll try to follow this method of studying the next time I sit for an EA exam.

[Traci]

Well - Dave does do a manual of problems and solutions, and Rick sells his slides. I don't know why neither does an outline-type manual. Maybe they see it like you do and figure their time and energy is better spent on what they are already doing (very well).

But you didn't answer my question: If I said, Hey! Here's a free study manual - I just wrote it - would you use it while you study (assuming you found it helpful) and then give me your comments?

(I would settle for big red letters on page three that said "THIS SUCKS - I can't use it!")

[Smurf]

Oh, sorry, Traci. I was typing my post while you posted so I only read your post after.

What? For a chance to tell you you suck! Sure, I'll try it. :D

Of course, you will dedicate the manual to all of us smurfs/smurfettes who helped you perfect it, right?

[Traci]

"""What? For a chance to tell you you suck! Sure, I'll try it. """

ROFL

The things I do to entertain you people! :wink:

And OF COURSE I will dedicate it to you all!!