study method

[vitamink]

I will take 6 this time and I am a rookie for upper level exams.

I just printed out all the materials for the exam6 website. But I don't know how to read those papers. I finished 2 papers but feel I didn't get anything in my head. Need I read those papers with the manual?

Any sugguestion about the study method is really appreciated.

Thanks

[JohnGalt]

Did you read the Wiser paper first? That paper explains the basics of reserving, and you need to understand it first before you can grasp some of the more advanced reserving techniques.

John

[vitamink]

Yeah, I read that one first, did you take any notes when you read it? or you went through it with the manual? Because I almost forgot it after one week. I am just afraid I will forget them all when i finish all the paper.

[J.T.]

Yea, that can be an issue. I would usually take notes as I went through, then read the manual, work a few problems to reinforce the concepts, and make notecards or lists to work on.

Each week, I would spend at least an hour reviewing all of my notes for the previous weeks papers. It's hard trying to remember paper #1 12 weeks down the line.

Good luck.

[vitamink]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

[Maine-iac]

My favorite method was:

- Read through for sense. May or may not outline depending on time constraints and type of material. (Outlining helped me retain what I read, but I never used these outlines after I made them, and they were tremendously time-consuming.)
- Read manual section with great care.
- Work manual problems

Then move to next paper and repeat. Keep track of hours spent and progress, as it is very easy to slip behind.