Final C7 seminar & pre-test

[wat?]

Has anyone asked the SOA about when the final Course 7 pre-test and seminars will be? I understand that the final Course 7 will be near the end of 2006, but has there been any word about the pre-test?

[skudo]

Has anyone asked the SOA about when the final Course 7 pre-test and seminars will be? I understand that the final Course 7 will be near the end of 2006, but has there been any word about the pre-test?

I would guess the last pre-test will be held two month before the last course 7 seminar. You need to pass pre-test before the application deadline (which is four weeks before seminar), and your result for pre-test is estimated to come out four weeks after you take it (SOA did release the June result ONE week after the test!!!).

[wat?]

I would guess the last pre-test will be held two month before the last course 7 seminar. You need to pass pre-test before the application deadline (which is four weeks before seminar), and your result for pre-test is estimated to come out four weeks after you take it (SOA did release the June result ONE week after the test!!!).

Makes sense. My only concern is that in the Fall catalog, the last date for the C7 pre-test is April. While it's very likely that the Spring 2006 catalog may have later dates on the application, there's a chance that the April one may be the last (albeit a small chance). That will have an effect on my planning process.

[skudo]

Makes sense. My only concern is that in the Fall catalog, the last date for the C7 pre-test is April. While it's very likely that the Spring 2006 catalog may have later dates on the application, there's a chance that the April one may be the last (albeit a small chance). That will have an effect on my planning process.

Take the pre-test as soon as you can. It doesn't take long to study for the pre-test.

[Soccerboy]

Take the pre-test as soon as you can. It doesn't take long to study for the pre-test.


Like how long, 4 weeks, 6 weeks?


Im planning on taking the pretest after course 8 in november, so that leaves me a month..is this wise or wishful thinking?

[wat?]

Like how long, 4 weeks, 6 weeks?


Im planning on taking the pretest after course 8 in november, so that leaves me a month..is this wise or wishful thinking?

I'm thinking of doing the same, except right after Course 5. So I get a day more than you. As far as I can see in this forum, though, several people feel it's okay to get through with a month to study.

[skudo]

Like how long, 4 weeks, 6 weeks?


Im planning on taking the pretest after course 8 in november, so that leaves me a month..is this wise or wishful thinking?


I did it right after my course 6 with three weeks between the two exams. Plus, I took a couple days off to get engaged and celebrate my birthday =D It all worked out just fine...

[persephone_ashes]

I'm also planning to do the dec course 7 pre-test. My boss said it took him about 2 weeks to go through the readings and what not...

[Course 5 Zoombie]

I passed C1 to C4 and will be taking C5.
For C7, I will be using C1 to C5 plus experience waiver (will have 4 years working experience in March 2006).
What should I do? Can I register C7 pre-test now?
Thanks.

[skudo]

I passed C1 to C4 and will be taking C5.
For C7, I will be using C1 to C5 plus experience waiver (will have 4 years working experience in March 2006).
What should I do? Can I register C7 pre-test now?
Thanks.

Once you have you course 5 result, send in (email) your resume to ombudperson (i think) to ask for experience waiver. Once it's approved, they will send you a letter (and an email) telling you that you are now approved to register for course 7 pre-test and seminar. If you are going to have 4yr experience in March, you may have to wait until then to send in your resume... doesn't hurt to try once you have course 5 result though.

[Course 5 Zoombie]

Once you have you course 5 result, send in (email) your resume to ombudperson (i think) to ask for experience waiver. Once it's approved, they will send you a letter (and an email) telling you that you are now approved to register for course 7 pre-test and seminar. If you are going to have 4yr experience in March, you may have to wait until then to send in your resume... doesn't hurt to try once you have course 5 result though.

That means the earliest I can send in will be in Jan 2006 right?
How do SoA knows that I have been working for a complete 4 yrs? From my resume?

[skudo]

That means the earliest I can send in will be in Jan 2006 right?
How do SoA knows that I have been working for a complete 4 yrs? From my resume?


I suppose. It may be honor system. They may also be able to check with your current employer / previous employer to account for the experience.

[Course 5 Zoombie]

I suppose. It may be honor system. They may also be able to check with your current employer / previous employer to account for the experience.

Thanks.

Too bad that I can do nothing beside just waiting for my time to come :(

[wat?]

I sent an e-mail to the SOA yesterday about the dates for the 2006 pre-tests and seminar. I got two responses:

The 2006 C7 Seminar schedule will be published to the Web in October. At this point, we plan to offer the C7 Pre-test on February 3, April 7, June 2, August 4, and October 6, 2006.

Please watch for this information at http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/?categoryID=825036

The last pre-test will be October 6, 2006. The dates for the last seminar have not been determined, but will likely be in December of 2006.

I just sent an e-mail today regarding the prerequisites of Course 7 and whether they apply to the Course 7 pre-test or not.

[persephone_ashes]

I sent an e-mail to the SOA yesterday about the dates for the 2006 pre-tests and seminar. I got two responses:





I just sent an e-mail today regarding the prerequisites of Course 7 and whether they apply to the Course 7 pre-test or not.

you the man!

[wat?]

you the man!

you the woman!

[wat?]

Wow - talk about quick response:

You may write the pre-test at any time. There are no prerequisites.

The prerequisites for the seminar are outlined on the back of the application attached.

So, for those of you planning to take Course 7, take the pre-test as soon as you can. I think I might be in for December. Never too early to start planning.

And, FYI, the "application" she refers to in the e-mail is the Course 7 Seminar application from the Fall 2005 Basic Education Catalog.

[persephone_ashes]

Wow - talk about quick response:



So, for those of you planning to take Course 7, take the pre-test as soon as you can. I think I might be in for December. Never too early to start planning.

And, FYI, the "application" she refers to in the e-mail is the Course 7 Seminar application from the Fall 2005 Basic Education Catalog.

sweet, you get what you ask for from the SOA. could you be our spokesman? please?

seriously, thanks for the info! *hugs*

[wat?]

sweet, you get what you ask for from the SOA. could you be our spokesman? please?

seriously, thanks for the info! *hugs*

I'd love to ask about the modules, but I don't think I'll get much of a response. :shrug:

Well, as long as the information helps others, too!

[Course 5 Zoombie]

wat?, THANK YOU!!!

C5 result will release in January. If I take out C7 pre-test in December, and I didn't manage to pass C5 (which I very hope not to happen), will this taking C7 pre-test efforts down into drain?

* I do not intended to take C6.

What will you do if you are in my situation?
Better to wait till C5 result release?

If I registered for Feb 3 pre-test, when will be the dateline?

[wat?]

wat?, THANK YOU!!!

C5 result will release in January. If I take out C7 pre-test in December, and I didn't manage to pass C5 (which I very hope not to happen), will this taking C7 pre-test efforts down into drain?

* I do not intended to take C6.

What will you do if you are in my situation?
Better to wait till C5 result release?

If I registered for Feb 3 pre-test, when will be the dateline?

No problem.

The deadline for registering for any pre-test is two weeks before the test date. Looking at my calendar, that'll be January 20th. I'm guessing they'll be ready to release the Course 5 results a week before that, so if you'd like to chance it, you might be able to squeeze in the application b/t results day and January 20th. Considering you'll also need the study notes ... it might be cutting it very close. But it's your decision. :)

For me, I need to pass 5 & 6 consecutively to be eligible. Do I think it'll happen? Don't know. If I do, though, I'll be set after the results come in for Course 6. I'd rather be ready for it than leave it until the last minute.

However, if you're not taking Course 6 and you don't pass Course 5, then you won't need to take the pre-test - you won't be eligible for Course 7. So ... good luck with your decision.

[Course 5 Zoombie]

Maybe I will leave C7 pre-test till April IF I passed C5.

[persephone_ashes]

my main concern with all this business is that I want an early course 7 because i'm going to be trying to pass 8. of course if i don't pass 5 it won't matter cause i won't be able to get into 7, but assuming i do pass 5 i'd really prefer to go to seminar around march. so its the dec pretest for me! if i end up not passing 5 then it'll be wasted effort, but if i do I think it will be worth it. that way if anything happens with the pre-test or the seminar I have a little wiggle time to repeat before it starts getting serious for 8...

stupid conversion!!!!!!

[Kenny]

Does anyone know the difference between the General and Pension seminars? As a pension student, will I be at any disadvantage by going to a General seminar?

I ask bc the only Pension seminar in the 2nd half of 2006 is in August and I need May '06 C6 + experience waiver to take it, so I am concerned I won't be able to get into the one Pension seminar.

[Gal Friday]

I don't think a pension student would be any worse off at a general seminar than any other person who works in a practice area different than the one covered by the extended case study. For instance, if your ECS deals with variable annuities, a pension student would be no worse off than, say, a health student. In fact, I went to a general seminar and a large proportion of the other people there were pension students. Going to a pension seminar would probably work to your advantage, but going to a general seminar isn't going to be your undoing. I think it's helpful to have prior experience in the practice area of the ECS, but they design them so that it is not necessary by any means.

[Kenny]

I don't think a pension student would be any worse off at a general seminar than any other person who works in a practice area different than the one covered by the extended case study. For instance, if your ECS deals with variable annuities, a pension student would be no worse off than, say, a health student. In fact, I went to a general seminar and a large proportion of the other people there were pension students. Going to a pension seminar would probably work to your advantage, but going to a general seminar isn't going to be your undoing. I think it's helpful to have prior experience in the practice area of the ECS, but they design them so that it is not necessary by any means.
So I will not be at a disadvantage when compared to other students, but might be at a disadvantage when compared to attending a Pension seminar.

[JRinger]

Does anyone know the difference between the General and Pension seminars? As a pension student, will I be at any disadvantage by going to a General seminar?

I ask bc the only Pension seminar in the 2nd half of 2006 is in August and I need May '06 C6 + experience waiver to take it, so I am concerned I won't be able to get into the one Pension seminar.

I work in pension, and I was advised by several people to go to the general seminar (which I did). I was told that the pension seminar can be much harder, because there is a presumption that everyone in attendance has a deep knowledge of the ECS subject matter -- as a result, the level of understanding and analysis required can be much greater. At the general seminar, the ECS is designed so that nobody is advantaged -- the ECS at my general seminar was on an insurance topic, but it was very basic and I don't believe it disadvantaged me in the least.

[wooHoo]

i work in pension and went to a pension. people at my office who went to a general didn't recommend it. i passed.