Need advice - Exam in 10 days

[FSA_To_Be]

Hello all,

My exam is on January 23rd, I managed to get through the material while solving some SOA questions by January 1st, but when I started trying more problems and sample exams, I felt underprepared, especially in transformations of variables. I went back and studied the topics with which I'm not comfortable and will be done by tomorrow night, which leaves only 8 days of full-time hectic job and solving sample exams. What do you think I should do? my options are as follows:
1- Work my *** out during the coming days until the exam in solving practice exams
2- Not show on the exam day instead of risking failure
3- See how things go through the coming days and then decide the night before the exam

I'd really appreciate your advice guys.

[t0ni]

So basically your going to spend the next few days doing sample problems. I suggest you do the 4 free TIA exams. If you have $39 to spare, quickly buy the 14 day trial for ADAPT.

http://www.coachingactuaries.com/Store.aspx

Customize your tests w/o SOA problems, difficulty level 7, and work as many tests as you can. Understand the solutions and go take your test with confidence. I don't know why you wouldn't go, you already paid for it.

[WyoFire]

You absolutely sit for the exam regardless of your preparation. Worst case scenario, it will show you what the exam is like and help you prepare for the next time you take it.

[FSA_To_Be]

Thanks guys, will take my chances and see where that takes me.

[NBran]

You absolutely sit for the exam regardless of your preparation. Worst case scenario, it will show you what the exam is like and help you prepare for the next time you take it.

This. You can't get refunds anymore, anyways. Either way, you're out the 200 dollars, but going to the exam allows for the potential to pass.

[ChrisB]

If one was to take the exam once, fail, then take it a second time and pass, how would that information be portrayed?

Would the passing score hide the failing score? Would anyone know (besides yourself and your colleagues/friends who knew you took the test) that you failed the test the first time you took it? Would your potential employer know? Is there some database that keeps track of everyone who takes the tests and their scores each time they take it that employers have access to?

[HowManyExamsDidYouSay?]

The SOA/CAS publish a list of people who have passed an exam on a particular sitting. They do not post the score, and they do not post the names of anybody who does not pass. The only way anybody would know your score or that you attempted and failed an exam is if you told them. Some employers may ask, but there is no way for them to find out on their own.

[gcsimbahan]

Try Guo and TIA

If you're out of time but have some money to spend.Try purchasing the Guo Exam P reviewer. I think 10 days is plenty of time to read the whole reviewer.Also try the TIA free exams.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

[DG11]

Failing an exam is not a negative. I sat for Exam P in November and failed. I had previously been invited for a second round of interviews with a company for a summer actuarial internship, the resume I sent them had the November date for my exam in bold letters. I was hired.

The actuaries I interviewed with understood how difficult the exams are. Discussing the failed exam in interviews gave an opportunity to demonstrate my dedication to the profession, and assure my interviewers that I would be a good investment for the company. By failing I got my nerves out of the way, learned what taking the exam would be like, and walked away with much more determination to study harder.

Not taking the exam out of fear of failure would be a mistake. Taking the exam pass or fail can only improve your standing in the eyes of potential employers, provided you learn from the experience.

[FSA_To_Be]

So, the exam is in less than 36 hours. I've decided to set for the exam and follow your advice guys, tried to get exposed to as many problems as possible before th exam, mainly SOA 152, ACTEX 5 practice, and the 8 practice exams at the end of Broverman's manual. Tomorrow is the last day for me to keep doing this, thought of sharing my point and will make sure to keep you guys posted after I do the exam.
Best of luck for all

[ActWaryAlways]

So, the exam is in less than 36 hours. I've decided to set for the exam and follow your advice guys, tried to get exposed to as many problems as possible before th exam, mainly SOA 152, ACTEX 5 practice, and the 8 practice exams at the end of Broverman's manual. Tomorrow is the last day for me to keep doing this, thought of sharing my point and will make sure to keep you guys posted after I do the exam.
Best of luck for all

Good luck man. Just finished my last sample exam now (4th TIA), gonna review it and go over some previous exam questions that i got wrong tonight. Mine's tmor morning :shocked:

[keyless]

dont worry so much .. just do ur best and u ll be fine

[FSA_To_Be]

Just got back from the exam, first exam I ever fail in my whole life :coolman:
Now I really need to consider my options, I know I can make it next round, but if my ultimate target is to be in the field of financial analysis, why not go for CFA instead of the longer route of FSA?
Any ideas?

[BeanCounter]

Just got back from the exam, first exam I ever fail in my whole life :coolman:
Now I really need to consider my options, I know I can make it next round, but if my ultimate target is to be in the field of financial analysis, why not go for CFA instead of the longer route of FSA?
Any ideas?

It is fine if you go for CFA only. However, both destinations are consistent. I think it is better to have both if possible.