What papers should I read?

[JAS]

I'm mostly using the ALL10 study manual to prepare for Part 5. What papers would you consider a "Must Read" in order to pass?

(and please don't say all of them.)

[J.T.]

I've taken the exam twice (failed both times) and haven't found an article yet that it's OK not to read (obviously, since I've tried it twice).

Hate to give you the answer you didn't want, but I'm not sure that telling you anything else would be honest.

They will ask things that aren't in the All10 manual, or items that need a bit more understanding than All10 can provide. Reading the manual will remind you of the details in the article, however, I'm not sure you should skip the articles.

If you were going to skip articles, check out point distributions. The lowest number of points on past exams tends to show you the articles that won't be tested as much as others.

[Sotally Tober]

(and please don't say all of them.)

Then don't expect many responses.

[DrNO811]

I know someone that managed to get past Course 5 without reading the long and tedious Feldblum articles. (I wouldn't recommend that.)

Unfortunately, you really should read everything. The 3 most heavily tested papers in the past are Ratemaking (McClenahan), Risk Classification (Finger), and Worker's Compensation Ratemaking (Feldblum). Also, expect the new materials such as the Werner paper to be tested this time.

[Ruby]

Also, expect the new materials such as the Werner paper to be tested this time.

...and be ready for another trick by CAS ;)....1 point in the last year's exam for Krakowski's paper....you just never know!

[JAS]

OK, I guess I should state this another way.

I have never read a paper, textbook, etc. when studying for an exam. I have always relied on the study manual alone. (I've had enough success with this method that I'm not going to change now.) I'm always a couple of points away from the pass score.

This time I'm farther along than I normally am at this point, so I thought I might read a couple of the papers to pick up that extra point or two. I'm looking for a paper that would be hard to have a calculation tested, but rather a list or T/F statements.

Anyone know of any good ones?

[MountainHawk]

Good luck with that strategy on 5-9.

[Sotally Tober]

OK, I guess I should state this another way.

I have never read a paper, textbook, etc. when studying for an exam. I have always relied on the study manual alone. (I've had enough success with this method that I'm not going to change now.) I'm always a couple of points away from the pass score.

This time I'm farther along than I normally am at this point, so I thought I might read a couple of the papers to pick up that extra point or two. I'm looking for a paper that would be hard to have a calculation tested, but rather a list or T/F statements.

Anyone know of any good ones?

No. A T/F or MC question can come from ANY paper and are probably equally likely. Just b/c it is a highly mathematical article, doesn't mean it can't or won't have T/F or MC question asked from it. Look at Feldblum's W/C or his Asset Share Pricing paper and see how many T/F & MC questions have been asked. I'd bet quite a few. Highly mathematical, highly testable, plenty of lists, very well understood by the exam writers, and easy, if not easier, to come up with a T/F question from these than other papers. But if you are wondering which articles don't have many calculations, look at your All10, find the article summaries with the fewest numbers and formulas on the outlines, and there you go.

Seriously, this approach you've taken to studying works much, much better on 1-4 than on 5-9. I swear it. You are kidding yourself that you don't need to read the articles b/c, "I've had enough success with this method that I'm not going to change now." Many others have done this too. Seriously, please don't act like a punk-kid who knows it all and listen to those who have paid the price of your mistake. READ THE MATERIAL. It's not that hard. You will never get through 5-9 without reading the material.

Or don't believe me. No skin off my nose. I'm done with that exam.

[JAS]

But if you are wondering which articles don't have many calculations, look at your All10, find the article summaries with the fewest numbers and formulas on the outlines, and there you go.


Thanks, I'll try that.

[JAS]

Thanks to everyone that is concerned about my study habits (no sarcasm intended.) I know this isn't the best way to pass, but this is all I can manage to do without going insane. If it takes me 2, 3 or even more times to pass, I'm alright with that too.

[Sotally Tober]

Thanks to everyone that is concerned about my study habits (no sarcasm intended.) I know this isn't the best way to pass, but this is all I can manage to do without going insane. If it takes me 2, 3 or even more times to pass, I'm alright with that too.

And your employer is OK with that too? Somehow, I doubt it. Not exactly the way to impress and move up. Not to mention, the real insanity is having to wait a full year (which you'd have to do now) after failing, and having to study THE SAME OL' ****! Believe me. Part 7 the second time around...BLOWS! There had better not be third time!

[JAS]

And your employer is OK with that too? Somehow, I doubt it. Not exactly the way to impress and move up. Not to mention, the real insanity is having to wait a full year (which you'd have to do now) after failing, and having to study THE SAME OL' ****! Believe me. Part 7 the second time around...BLOWS! There had better not be third time!


My employer doesn't care whether I take exams or not and I'm not really interested in "moving up."

[DrNO811]

The CAS Principles Paper is one that I've heard you should memorize, and it is almost always 2-4 points on the exam (usually in the form of T/F).

[Maphisto's Sidekick]

My employer doesn't care whether I take exams or not and I'm not really interested in "moving up."

So, why go through the hassle and riggamarole of sitting for exams?

(Does my nose detect a faint swampy scent in the air? :shake: )