Started studying for FM/2. Tips you wish you knew?

[Sauter]

Hey guys!
I know I've seen some of you on the P/1 forums, but I'm relatively new to FM/2. I decided to dedicate a little time to FM/2 over my break and was wondering what tips/ strategies you wish you knew about FM/2 when you started studying. I'm using ASM 9th edition (2008?). Is this close enough to the current syllabus? Thanks in advance to any tips!

[tomhawk24]

http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actu...d.php?t=187170

[aaronhsmith]

Originally Posted by tomhawk24

http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/actu...d.php?t=187170

+1 on this thread. You'll see a pretty clear pattern with a lot of the responders. Doing copious amounts of practice problems is key to passing FM.

[lllj]

In my opinion, problems with bonds are easier if you ignore the bond formulas and just think if them like annuities with an extra payment at the end.

[hoanglong252]

focus more on the derivatives portion as the exam has been switching its gear towards this portion a lot recently

[StudyingIsFun]

Buy Guo's ebook...it's fantastic in my opinion, especially the portion on interest theory.

Guo needs more love on these forums. I used his books for P and FM and thought they were by far the best resource.

[actuaryinfuture]

I passed my P by using Guo's manual that was really really helpful.
I plan use his manual for FM

Originally Posted by StudyingIsFun

Buy Guo's ebook...it's fantastic in my opinion, especially the portion on interest theory.

Guo needs more love on these forums. I used his books for P and FM and thought they were by far the best resource.

I

[Anthemyst]

I can't emphasize the importance of owning a financial calculator enough. My TI-30XS from P/1 got me through the Financial Math college course I took with relative ease, so I assumed it would be fine for the exam. WRONG. A financial calculator will make your life a million times easier.

Oh, also you can bring more than one calculator with you, if like me you really prefer the multi-view.

[BlackSwans]

problems, problems, problems.......problems problems........x 1000000

also, use a timeline, it helps.

[stevenbl]

Pay extra attention on amortization schedules, especially the formulas coming from level payments. On the first 2 attempts to pass this exam I took, I was given 8 questions involving level payments.