Journey to Passing Exam P

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by oceankyle

Request: More Music.

Ha ha, I used to be a DJ at my college.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by hungry1190

"I did try to study ACTEX Manual. But can't seem to solve the problems. So I turned to TIA for now before I just jumped into Actex Manual."

A major part of the study process is to try and decode the solutions. I spent about 60-70% of my study time doing this. It was difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating, but it paid off in the end. So you should add "decoding solutions" to your study schedule if you haven't already been doing that.

;] Ha ha, you funny. Trying to get me to go all Da Vinci code.

Yea I just figured out 1 of the decoding part for one of the problem sets I was working on tonight. I'm going to make sure it's the right method instead of just assuming that it works for one.

Ha ha just started, buddy! Thanks for posting the tip.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by hungry1190

Either one. Depends on which way works best for you. I try the problems myself and go to the solutions if I can't figure them out. I usually spend a considerable amount of time trying to figure out why the problem is done a certain way and why my way is wrong. And I try to fill in the blanks that are left out of the solutions.

Awesome strategy.

I just finished the problem sets. Man, it's so sad. I'm going to figure out the solutions while watching the videos tomorrow.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by oceankyle

Studying for P I feel like I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out the solution on my own. Now studying for FM if I can't figure it out in a few minutes or have the framework I move to the solution and then come back to the problem later. Not sure if this is best, but it seems more efficient. I failed P so this is one of the little changes I decided to make.

I used that method for my first and second attempt. At first, I believed that I got it hence I went through 153 SOA and studied the formulas and how they were used through that. Trying to find shortcuts. Instead of understanding what the question was really asking.

This is not the best method to use to study for Exam P. I'll explain later in my post.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by TheShark

What are you majoring in?

I like your journal, it's very organized.

Majoring in Business Administration while working in two different departments [Billing and Accounting] at a growing corporation.

I know I should major in A.S., but didn't know which career path I wanted to choose until last year.

[DyalDragon]

How are you working problems?

Are you looking at solutions after every problem? Or are you just going back through all the solutions after you get done with the problem set?

[The_Seeker]

Random Important Information

• Hours [For 02/01] - 3 Hours Total: 9 Hours and 30 minutes <-- I studied at 9 pm to 12 AM. I have more energy and more focus at this hour.
• Music - Stronger by Kanye West
• 1/28 Saturday <-- I didn't study. I took notes all day for Section A.
• 1/29 Sunday <-- Gave myself a break to clear out my head to figure out how I'm going to study for February. Laundry. Preparing meals for this week.
• 1/30 Came home late from work. Past out.
• 1/31 Ran 6 miles after reading the posts and didn't want to respond in anger.
  

Today, I finally registered and studied. I got my anger out yesterday. Funny, how I got negative from online and family and friends in real life. But I'm going to make sure I push myself to become what I want to become. Do I have a quote for you!

I rewatched "The Law of Probability" because I noticed when I was looking over my notes, I didn't actually understand the symbols very well. Of course I know union and intersection, and complements, but more like how would you say them when you are explaining to someone else? I find it very helpful to talk it out and pretend you had to explain someone else who has no idea about the topic.

Using the weekend to take notes ahead is the best idea instead of taking notes while watching the video. When you take notes ahead, you review them to see which ones you have questions on. While you're watching the video, you can make a note for yourself what David said. I found this method useful for learning.

After I finished "The Law of Probability" I did the problem sets. I did print out Section A Problem Sets in the library. Use your college library to print these out. I had an extra notebook that I used for problem sets.

For "The Law of Probability" there were 15 problem sets. I tried to solve a few of them which I thought would get right. Unfortunately only 1 problem I got right. -_-; Tomorrow I'm going to watch how David solve the 14 questions and where I went wrong. I'm going to use red pen for corrections tomorrow.

My syllabus for tomorrow is to watch the videos for solutions. Learn and understand the concept of "Law of Probability" in my notes and problem sets. Then redo the 15 questions again to make sure I get 15/15. After that I'll move to learning the next part of Section A.

I do not recommend learning the solutions first figuring out how to solve it because chances are you might be missing a step and ASSUMING this is the way to solve it. This was how I studied for my Exam P on my first attempt and second attempt. Bad idea.

My method is to solve the questions first after watching the lecture video and make sure I got and understood the concept. Then apply it to the problem sets. Then watch the next videos, and finally redo them again until I get them all right. I recommend using an extra notebook for your problem sets. Keep the printed copy for future use rather you fail your EXAM P again or you need to relearn EXAM P for your other exams.

Just to let everyone know, I am a girl. Yes, I know I have Spiderman icon. I happen to like Spiderman. He seems the coolest character to me. Call me bro/dude ;] don't get mad if I call you sis/chick. I post to respond to other posters before I study. After I study, I post how I studied and my solution. I don't just post like people post their statuses on Facebook/Twitter. I am not wasting my time by doing this because I know this will be useful for future posters. Yes, I am a slower learner. It doesn't mean I will not be able to learn this stuff. It might take time for me to understand. No, I do not go to an Ivy League or Top 20 college. I am just a regular person chasing after their dreams. No, I am not going to follow just because I have this, then I can't accomplish that. The only person who can stop me from becoming what I want to become by giving up because other says "You can't. You're wasting your time and money." is myself.

If I do end up passing this Exam P on March 24, I will post pictures to prove that I did get both zeros on the first and second attempt, and whatever the score is for the third. If I don't pass, I will go on another attempt until I do.

Lessons that I learned

• Take notes ahead when you have a chance or on the weekend for one notebook. <-- Label Notebook: Study Guide Exam P
• Take notes while listening to music not watching the video.
• Use the other notebook for problem sets. Trust me you're going to use a lot of papers to solve these problems. Label Notebook: Exam P Problem Sets and SOA 153
• Learn the concept by reading them out and figure out how would you explain to another person who does not understand the topic.
• Workout to clear your head and find the right attitude.
• Find out your block time to study for Exam P where you are more energetic. For me I find it between 9PM-12AM.

Remember, to get some sleep. Don't pull an all-nighter. You will end up sleeping 10 hours and miss your class/work. If you don't have time to make breakfast, make a smoothie and have a granola bar. Make sure you have snacks if you haven't been eating a good breakfast. Lunch is usually when I eat a big meal so I have enough energy to carry out throughout the day and I have a small dinner just to keep me a wake before midnight. I usually have dinner at 8 after my workout and shower.

Quote from G.I. Jane:

Sen. Lillian DeHaven: Don't you even think of playing politics with me, little darlin', you'll be up way past your bedtime.
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: And don't YOU think that I'll sit idly by while anyone smears my good name. Now you get those charges VOIDED, Senator. And you do it today!
Sen. Lillian DeHaven: [tauntingly] Or what?
Lt. Jordan O'Neil: You like pissed off? Watch this.

When you're pissed off, you have a lot energy to focus and concentrate on. It makes you want to go after what you want. Right now all I want to do is pass this Exam P on March 24.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by DyalDragon

How are you working problems?

Are you looking at solutions after every problem? Or are you just going back through all the solutions after you get done with the problem set?

Not so good. My problem is I don't understand what the question is asking. When I do, I chose the wrong answer. I was missing one step.


First I go through the problems to see if I understood the concept. The wrongs that I got wrong, I watch videos and make sure I understand it. And then redo the problems until I get them all right. :]

[bellaisa]

Originally Posted by The_Seeker

Not so good. My problem is I don't understand what the question is asking. When I do, I chose the wrong answer. I was missing one step.


First I go through the problems to see if I understood the concept. The wrongs that I got wrong, I watch videos and make sure I understand it. And then redo the problems until I get them all right. :]

I was having the same problem of not understanding what certain problems were asking, which is why this is so hard and tricky. After a while and doing some similar problems, you should be able to grasp it a little easier.

Good luck on your studying goals in 2012.

[The_Seeker]

Originally Posted by bellaisa

I was having the same problem of not understanding what certain problems were asking, which is why this is so hard and tricky. After a while and doing some similar problems, you should be able to grasp it a little easier.

Good luck on your studying goals in 2012.

That's exactly why I made this thread. People assume they if you learn the concepts you'll be able to do the problems and be fine on the Exam P or that you study the solutions from SOA 153 and learn the concept like that.

Sometimes just because you understood the "concept" doesn't mean you will get the questions correct. It's a lot thinking and practicing the problems.

This is the reason I made this thread and post my thoughts on it. Methods that I used that failed me but might help others. I'm just providing lists of solutions that I might find helpful for others to pass the Exam P and studying methods.

Thanks! I really do hope I achieve them. I gotta find out when I should take the MLC exam for 2013 since it's not CBT and when to take the CFA so I can get credits for the VEEs.