Which one is easier: 3F or 3L?

[Encrypted]

I am planning to take exam 3 in November as the next sitting is in April. Which part of exam 3 do you think I would be able to prepare in this time? Is 3L easier than 3F?

If I fail the November exam, I will take both in April.

[Actuarialsuck]

Depends on many things... such as your background, etc. Have you looked at what's on each exam?

[actuary44]

If you haven't signed up for 3L yet, you're already too late. Deadline was 9 days ago.
That leaves you with 3F, but if you haven't even started studying yet, good luck preparing for it in a month and a half.

[Encrypted]

I just figured that out. I had a perception that 3F and 3L are in the same time window. I am going to register for 3F and do my best to prepare, or I will just take it again in April.

[x_chuck_x]

I think MFE and MLC are in the same window. 3L is a couple of weeks before the MLC exam. The date for the MLC exam is right before the MFE window. MLC is also closed now, so if you haven't decided yet it's either MFE or nothing until the spring.

[jesusislord]

3L is far easier than 3F. one main advantage is a nice archive of historical exams for every past sitting.

[General_Hodge_Podge]

Originally Posted by jesusislord

3L is far easier than 3F. one main advantage is a nice archive of historical exams for every past sitting.

well everyone has access to the historical exams. its only an advantage if your competition isn't utilizing the material.

[jesusislord]

3-F exams are not as readily available, especially the most recent sittings.

[General_Hodge_Podge]

Originally Posted by jesusislord

3-F exams are not as readily available, especially the most recent sittings.

I understand. my point is something is only an advantage if it gives you better odds of passing relative to your competition. if all the other test takers have the same advantage...it really isn't an advantage.

[x_chuck_x]

Originally Posted by General_Hodge_Podge

I understand. my point is something is only an advantage if it gives you better odds of passing relative to your competition. if all the other test takers have the same advantage...it really isn't an advantage.

The "advantage" in reference is not an advantage over other test takers but over the other exam. The OP asked to compare the 2 exams and their relative difficulties. The response was that one of the things that may make 3L easier than 3F/MFE is that CAS releases ALL of the past exams. So there is a better set of practice problems in the number of released prior exams. There are at least 6 available vs only 2 (2007 and 2009) for MFE.

So ONLY if you consider every other test taker to be "the competition" is it an advantage over them. Most people do not approach the exams that way, I don't think. If they are, I need to be more wary of advice gleaned from this forum. Someone might try and sabotage my preparation with bad advice.