8I - Calculation problems

[mayreeh]

I'm going to spend the next few days on calculations and I am wondering what the rest of the 8I world is thinking about potential calculation problems.

There are a ton of smaller areas where calculation questions could be asked (such as cost disclosure, dividend calculation, experience study credibility, term conversion experience, or FAS 97 DAC amortization and unlocking) - but the obvious biggee is the Life Insurance text book. Anything from the pricing model could be pulled into a question related to distributable earnings, reinsurance, or cash flow testing. (Among others.)

What are the rest of you doing with regards to calculation issues? If your approach is to work through the problems in Atkinson and Dallas - how are you dealing with the myriad errors in the book and solutions?

[Datatarium]

I would just focus on knowing how to calc reserves and Value Base Earning, and maybe the dividend. If I were you I would spend more like 1 day learning those well and just memorize the rest of the formulas. Spend another day to review the math closer to the exam.

:roll:

[Chai Latte]

:bump:


I think I'm going to fail.
I am so stressed that I can't seem to study.
Three days left....

[phdmom]

mayreeh is psychic...I would have bombed that FAS 97 DAC problem if I took the exam in 2002.

I'm also thinking cost disclosures, extra mortality due to anti-selective lapses, possible a FAS 97 unlocking problem where the actual EGP (AGP?) differs from the expected (there's an example somewhere....), maybe a FAS 120 problem involving EGM's?

Can't wait till Friday.

[mayreeh]

Mayreeh is definitely not psychic.....

There are only so many types of problems. Look at what is there and look at what has been asked in the last few years.

Good luck!

[Gal Friday]

I am having so much trouble studying. I keep thinking I'm going to get really motivated at any moment, but I don't. I think I feel like it's so hopeless my mind refuses to panic about it. Yesterday I studied a few hours then left for a while for a pre-planned event that was supposed to be just a study break. I thought I'd study when I got home, but I never went back to it. Just couldn't take it. I don't even know what to study, I'm so far from passing, I don't know where to start to maximize my (less than 6) score right now. Sigh.

[Joseph]

yea...
time is running out....really worried.

[Chai Latte]

Anoony,

I know what you mean. I did the same this weekend.

Go to the library in the morning and stay there until it closes.
If the library closes early; then, go to a coffee/tea shop until 11 pm or so.
Do not take a break - except for the bathroom, snacking, and meals.
Drink lots of water.
Vitamin B-complex.

It worked for me today.
I hope this continues.

You can do it.

[Abducens]

I was about to say - mayreeh I thought you passed this thing?! But I see the date stamp.

Try to memorize all the topics on the syllabus, i.e. titles of study notes, titles of textbook chapters. On every question try to run through all those topics in your head and see if you can write ANYTHING at all relative to the question.