Starting Course 3: a few questions

[bg23516]

As I intend to start studying for Course 3 next week, I need to order study materials. I intend to get all of the textbooks, and a few study manuals. However, I have a few questions:

1) Is it worth getting the solutions manual to Loss Models? Or are the problems basically useless?

2) I hear Mahler's notes are excellent, and I fully intend to buy them. As for the LifeCon side, I've narrowed it down to a few options: Arch-3, Actex, or Batten's book, or some combination of the three.

Suggestions on the bext combo would be appreciated. I have the Arch 3 sample, and I like it, but I am concerned about whether just Arch3 and Mahler's notes are enough to pass. In which case, I would order Actex because I've heard it is full of good problems. Is Batten's book really that good for LifeCons, or is Arch3 + Actex good enough?

For reference, I have a solid probability background, and I work P/C. I know the Probability Models material pretty well already.

I know this stuff has been asked before, but in light of the passing candidate list being out, I figured maybe people would have more to say.

[Elisha]

Do ARch-3 and Batten. Actex isn't that great.

[bg23516]

Are there a decent number of practice questions available using this combination? That's a concern for me.

[J-Man]

I used Actex and Batten. I liked the Actex manual, especially the section on life contingencies.

[Double Down Trent]

I have Batten and have taken his seminar. Personally, I found that his book was not mych better than Actex unless you've been instructed by him. If you can't attend a seminar with Batten (NEAS, GSU), I would recommend the Actex because it has so many more problems.

[burton leon reynolds]

I agree with Bobby B.

[Elisha]

Batten does MAF (Midwester Actuarial Forum) as well. There seminar is held at Allstate. Go to CAS website and look at regional affiliates.

I studied almost entirely from the Actex, and passed Course 3 this sitting (my second). Hope this helps!

[Nelle]

I had the texts, Actex, and HTP. I read and worked through Actex cover-to-cover and found it to be the most useful because of the problems. I did not find the texts to be very helpful to me. I was able to pass, but probably just barely. I have heard good things about Mahler's stuff, but haven't used it...

[tesla_styx]

I used CSM almost exclusively for 2 and 3... although i did tend mahler's C3 classes

[Studyin' Machine]

Definitely go to a Batten seminar if your company will pay for it. He was a lifesaver. I'm also at a P/C company and hate the life contingencies material. For the other half of the material I used Mahler's guides. If you can understand his study guides I don't think his portion of the (NEAS) seminar is necessary. Between the problems Batten hands out at the seminar and the Mahler guides I had more than enough to keep me busy. Never even opened a book. I passed on my first try.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Definitely go to a Batten seminar if your company will pay for it. He was a lifesaver. I'm also at a P/C company and hate the life contingencies material. For the other half of the material I used Mahler's guides. If you can understand his study guides I don't think his portion of the (NEAS) seminar is necessary. Between the problems Batten hands out at the seminar and the Mahler guides I had more than enough to keep me busy. Never even opened a book. I passed on my first try.How many hours do you think you put in?

[Studyin' Machine]

How many hours do you think you put in?

About 350, including seminar time.