course 2 advice

[cardsrule]

I plan on starting to study for course 2 soon. I already have the CSM study manual and was thinking about getting Klein's How to Pass manual. For someone who's not had the stuff before, should these 2 manuals be sufficient for me to learn the material well enough to pass. Thanks.

[Drzy]

Absolutely. Those are the two I used, and I'm near certain I passed (2nd try).

[rookie]

I dont think these would have been enough for me. I used them both, May 02 was my first sitting, and Im hoping I passed. I think Klein was very good, but not till you have already read through everything, it doesnt teach you, it makes you better (faster) and tells you what to concentrate on. I would recomend the Temple pack, they teach you, not just outlines like CSM. I only used CSM for practice problems (the supplement) I didnt really like the regular manual. I really liked the Temple manuals(3), didnt care for Actex this time, although I understand they are good for C3. good luck!

[Atu]

I will suggest to read the textbooks and use a manual as an aid of summarizing and practicing. There are some questions that are really easy to answer if you read the books.

[friend123]

I want to sit for exam 2 this November. I listed the choices for me. Please tell which is definitely worth buying. Where can i get a cheaper one?

Temple Pack.
CSM study manual
Klein's How to Pass manual

Anything else?

[The Drunken Actuary]

CSM is good. Manual and supplement.

I highly recommend the textbooks for C2. Micro and Finanace were good reads, I even liked the Interest Theory book, although I understand that some people do not. I had a college course last semester that used the Kellison Interest Theory book, so that helped, but I studied Micro and Finance on my own. The Macro study note was one of the worst things I have ever read, but thats just me. I didn't use a study manual, and I hope to have passed, but it will be close. My biggest mistake was not working enough practive problems. Work all of the old tests and as many additional problems as you can.

[friend123]

Hi,everyone,

Thanks for all your inputs.

Do you think Temple Micro &Macroeconomics worth buying? I read all the useful information for course 2. It seems that temple study manual is good for interest theory and coporate finance,right?

Where can i buy a cheaper one?

Thanks.

[Muidiri]

Not too sure about the study guides... but I DEFINITELY recommend the texts for this course. I used only the texts and some hand-me-down Actex problem sets, and I passed on the first try a few sittings back.

The Macro Study Note is REALLY BAD (in my opinion), but the other three texts are good. Micro was really entertaining, and reads very well. Finance was kinda dry, but at least it made fun of itself being dry, and it had some good concepts explained pretty well. Even if you don't study from Kellison, you should probably own it. I reference mine at work on a pretty regular basis - it's just chock full of useful info that an actuary can't seem to get along without...

[Mr. BoH]

Textbooks, textbooks, textbooks. Read them all cover to cover - for this exam more than any other. I passed this exam on my first try without opening a study guide.

Macro study note is absolutely worthless - it is riddled with typos.

[GenkiGirl]

How much time did you study for this test? Which attempt??

Any good study tips...

I am a little concerned as I can't start studying until mid August....should I be worried??

[The Drunken Actuary]

If it were me, and it were my first attempt, I would be worried. I guess it depends on how much background you have in the material. If its all new, I doubt you will have time to finish it all between August and November.

[GenkiGirl]

eek....I'm in big trouble then...I have never seen any of it before.....when is the deadline for applying for the test....I may just have to wait until may....Or take it and then again in May. Which is a good order to study in....or is it just best to do all three books concurrently...

Good thing to note is that I have gobs of free time...and can study at work as my job is super laxs and I have no resposibilities outside of work...

[The Drunken Actuary]

How many days are you going to have 10 days till vacation? Anyway, If you have never seen the material you will be hard pressed to get through it all, let alone master it in three months. But you might as well take it, who knows, you might get lucky.

[Summer]

oh on! what about me? I did theory of interest in school. haven't really looked at it since, but I loved that stuff in school, and don't think it will take that long to remember.

I took 1 course in micro and 2 in marcro in university, but i don't think i know it well enough to be confident that i know everyhting, neither do i think i covered everything that the exam covers (micro was in 1st year).

Finance, I know next to nothing. I have read the actex on it like a year ago, and decided not to write course 2 as i was more confused than when i started.

I won't start studying until August...is there any HOPE for me???? :roll:

[fallout]

oh on! what about me? I did theory of interest in school. haven't really looked at it since, but I loved that stuff in school, and don't think it will take that long to remember.

I took 1 course in micro and 2 in marcro in university, but i don't think i know it well enough to be confident that i know everyhting, neither do i think i covered everything that the exam covers (micro was in 1st year).

Finance, I know next to nothing. I have read the actex on it like a year ago, and decided not to write course 2 as i was more confused than when i started.

I won't start studying until August...is there any HOPE for me???? :roll:

The micro and finance texts are a pretty easy read, and I think the best place to get this material. I would recommend for you getting the CSM manual for Finance rather than the actex.

I still have not heard of any good place to study the macro that is covered in the study note without wasting a lot of time studying non related material, but perhaps the "how to pass part 2" might be enough for someone with your macro background. The exam questions for macro are fairly easy, and very few.

The interest theory on this exam can be very tricky, but I thought the May 2002 int theory questikns were actually easier than on previous exams.

You can definetly pass if you start studying in August. Just don't plan too many days off.

[edsmith]

I just passed course 1 and am a semester away from having a master's in economics. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a course 2 textbook that focuses more on the finance part of the exam since my econ background is pretty sound. Thanks!

[Dr T Non-Fan]

After Course 1, there are definitive syllabi. Check the online catalog.
Brealey and Myers, I believe.

[Summer]

I guess i should also mention that my hubbie has his master's in eco and also took many master's business and finance courses.

At first, he was going to write the exam with me (you know, healthy competition)), then he decided it was a waste of $$.

So, then he was going to sit down the day the exam went on the internet and write the exam, and I would hopefully remember what I got and see who "wins", then they decide not to post the exams.

So, we are just going to read the texts together (too bad the info can't just jump out of his brain and into mine).

He also just wrote the second part of the CFA.

This may not do me all this good, though if I only have just over 3 months to learn it all...

Starting on monday with the intrest of theory, as one of the books has to be ordered, and hubbie wants to start on the eco book.

Thanks, fallout for the info. I'm going to see if my company will pay for that manual instead of the actex, as i already have a hand-me-down copy (from Spring 2000), and I found it confusing and it has gotten bad reviews as well.