Advice on written exam: study and strategy

[campbell]

The following items may be helpful in the run up to the SOA fall written exams:

First, an article I wrote on how to answer the written questions, so as to maximize your results [and not annoy the graders]:

http://soa.org/library/newsletters/t...-campbell.aspx

Second, attached, some study advice for the last weeks before the exam, and exam day strategy itself. I wrote it for my AFE seminar, but it's so general, it works for any of the written exams.

[fogertyfan]

Thanks for the list, that is very helpful.

Let's say they have a question about Medicare general enrollment period (which is Jan-March) and I'm not quite sure what it is. I put down you can enroll at any time in the year.

You mentioned the grading is additive, so they can only add points. Does this mean I would not lose or gain any additional points in the above example? Is it worth it to write down something that I'm not 100% sure on, as long as it doesn't contradict something I've said? Thanks!

[campbell]

Originally Posted by fogertyfan

Thanks for the list, that is very helpful.

Let's say they have a question about Medicare general enrollment period (which is Jan-March) and I'm not quite sure what it is. I put down you can enroll at any time in the year.

You mentioned the grading is additive, so they can only add points. Does this mean I would not lose or gain any additional points in the above example? Is it worth it to write down something that I'm not 100% sure on, as long as it doesn't contradict something I've said? Thanks!

Yes. It is better to write something than nothing, unless you contradict yourself. You might pick up some points. You can't get points from stuff the graders don't see.

If no contradictions, the worst that will happen is you've just wasted a little bit of time. [if you're not sure, don't waste too much time trying to think it through... remember stick to the time budget of 3 minutes per exam point]

[Passacaglia]

Does this apply to lists as well? Say they're looking for 5 "issues" and I write something like 10 items -- they'll look at all of them still?

[campbell]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Does this apply to lists as well? Say they're looking for 5 "issues" and I write something like 10 items -- they'll look at all of them still?

Yes, they look at everything you write. [especially looking for the aforesaid contradictions]. But you will get credit for at most 5 correct answers in the example you mention.

[Passacaglia]

Originally Posted by campbell

Yes, they look at everything you write. [especially looking for the aforesaid contradictions]. But you will get credit for at most 5 correct answers in the example you mention.

Thanks, that helps a lot! I'm sitting here getting confused as to what is a "principle" and what is an "issue" and what is a "consideration", and knowing I can just plow through all of them in a pinch is comforting.

[campbell]

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Thanks, that helps a lot! I'm sitting here getting confused as to what is a "principle" and what is an "issue" and what is a "consideration", and knowing I can just plow through all of them in a pinch is comforting.

Yeah, if you've got the time, just write it all down. It will not hurt you.

That said, make sure you don't spend to much time on any given sub-part of a question. 3 minutes per exam point. On a first pass, do not allow yourself to go over this.

[Passacaglia]

Right. I'll have to remember to bring in a watch.

[campbell]

Yes, you should. Time management is even more crucial on the written exams than the prelims, I think.

[Passacaglia]

That's a good point. Time management has never been an issue for me (when I've failed it's been because I simply didn't know how to do enough of the problems, never ran out of time), but with all the writing, I'm worried that (provided I can answer enough questions) it will be this time.