Course 8R no longer exists

[slam]

It looks like the SOA has further divided Course 8 on the Pension track. First Course 8 for pensions was divided into 8R and 8P. Now, 8R has been further divided into 8RU and 8RC (U.S. and Canada). What's next, my own individualized exam, 8-slam?

Seriously, since there is now country specific material, the SOA has decided to test expense using FAS87, 88, and 132 for US students. That makes sense, but then they're forced to test CICA separately for Canadian students. I'm curious if the exams will be essentially the same except for a few questions.

[Papa]

I would sign up for 8-slam in a minute!

[sb_jim]

slam: "I'm curious if the exams will be essentially the same except for a few questions."

I think the tests will be the same except for a few answers!

[annabel lee]

could a Canadian sign up for 8RU, or an American for 8RC? Not that this really affects my life, but I'm curious.

[Emily]

I think they'll have a few country specific questions, and the rest will be the same. They won't come up with two completely different exams if they don't have to.

It was stupid not to test FAS 87 for U.S. students, and it's stupid not to require the EA exams. What's the point of giving someone an FSA if you don't know whether or not they are qualified to practice?

I think it's a good thing. You'll get to use more of your practical knowledge in preparing for the exam.

[oti]

I think this is all about making it more difficult for us to become FSA's. I am in the situation where I need to decide whether to write the Canadian or the US exams. I live and work in the US, but am Canadian and will return home. So my major question is, do you think they will change the criteria to become and FSA in the two countries, to be based on whether you've written the country specific exams? ie. can i write 8RU, and still be an FSA in Canada? It would be ideal for me to be able to write 8RU, since it's FAS that I work with all the time, but I don't want to be screwed when I return home and have to write 8RC.... I mean who wants to write an exam more than once?????

[Emily]

I doubt they would change the criteria. I mean they wouldn't say you are a U.S. FSA, but not a Canadian FSA. I think the change was made to make the exam process more relevant for pension actuaries. It doesn't work so well for people in your position, but most people practice in one country or the other.

[Erica]

I have not read the specifics, but I would rather study something relevant. I actually want to know FAS stuff better because we use it all the time. However, I am afraid of what the SOA will do to it. They can take something relevant and break it down to the detail so that it is no longer relevant. I guess we will see---

[Emily]

They do seem to have the ability to extract surprisingly irrelevant details from even the most relevant material.

[exams-suck]

Anyone who is going to write 8R-C? I wonder how we are going to study for it as this is the first time they separate the US and Canadian materials.