How Prepared Were You and Which Manual Did You Use

[MiACt]

Since we can't talk about the exam yet, I thought this might be a worthy diversion

[ReddEye]

PAK only baby! Feel like I have a fighting chance.

[butterjuice74]

when can you talk about the exam?

[Caramel]

Originally Posted by ReddEye

PAK only baby! Feel like I have a fighting chance.

I used to be a big fan for JAM, the study manual, the flashcards, the CD (when they were availabe) and the seminar.

But this time, I am in big disappointment with JAM.

In volume III, there are many errors in the solutions, mainly which sections that answers can be found. The Gains from Operations (for Reinsurance) has erros as well. Then, the online seminar did not work for me! Because I had no one to ask questions too.

Yes, theinfiniteactuary said you can e-mail the instructors when you have questions, and this is true, and it's also true that Carmody got back to me within a day or two. But his answers are usually so brief, like "Yes, you are right", or "No, I still get 4.6". No additional explanations. I tried it a few times, and it was very hard to explain a question and what confuses me (if you don't want to type pages in your e-mail); the feedback process became not very effective.

After a few trials (sending my questions to JAM because I registered for online seminar), I just gave up.

While in a live seminar, you can always bring your binders, your papers with scratch of solutions and ask the instructor during the breaks or before/after the seminar starts/ends for that day.

Finally, my last rant is that, the sample 2009 exam that was supposed to be a real mock SOA exam for FETE, it turned out only has morning session, half of the exam!

I need a real 6 hours exams with a lot of questions to simulate the examination day. Trust me, without such practice, my brain isn't used to wake up and fully functional starting from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm. It was a brain marathon, and I needed a mock exam to be a full exam to be useful.

What happens to JAM?! I was so frustrated...

[BitterSweet]

PAK's study materials are very helpful. I didn't use the flash cards because I didn't really memorize any lists (and it's a good thing for this exam), but the mock exams, summaries and condensed summaries were really good.

The only drawback I see, is that most people used PAK, so a lot of people can be well prepared....wich is not a good thing for the individual..since you have to do better than the average to pass...hehhe

But thanks PAK for the great job....
I passed AFE with your help, so double thanks

[wing2000]

I would say doesn't matter which one you use, for this exam, SOA likes to surprise us. You think you know all the material on the manual? you are wrong!

[PAK]

Originally Posted by BitterSweet

PAK's study materials are very helpful. I didn't use the flash cards because I didn't really memorize any lists (and it's a good thing for this exam), but the mock exams, summaries and condensed summaries were really good.

The only drawback I see, is that most people used PAK, so a lot of people can be well prepared....wich is not a good thing for the individual..since you have to do better than the average to pass...hehhe

But thanks PAK for the great job....
I passed AFE with your help, so double thanks

Many thanks! It is my great pleasure to help you! Good luck!

Shoot me an email if you have any questions. =)

[MathinTucson]

Just like generals plan to fight the last war, sometimes I think that the study manuals prepare us to take past exams. The SOA knows this and responds with yesterday's FETE exam.
A study manual with good notes is important, but don't rely on it too heavily to indicate what will be on the exam.

[HenryGale]

PAK material is very good, however, with the direction of this exam is going, I don't think any manual will be good enough... I guess it is SOA trying to tell us: get rid of the manual, completely rely on the stinky study notes and books.

[campbell]

Those of us who do seminars and write manuals do recommend students reading the official syllabus readings - we must summarize out of necessity.

But yes, the exam committee can ask anything from the original readings.