Here is an introduction post from last sitting. This is the way I would approach an exam.
If you are registered for the online seminar, you will have access to the “Lessons” tab, which includes the online videos and mp3 downloadable files. You will also have access to the material in the “Study Manual” tab. The study manual includes outlines, past exam problems, and new problems. In the study manual section, you will also find a suggested study schedule, notecards, quizzes and practice exams. There are tabs for both ratemaking and reserving, depending on the seminar you are taking. If you are only attending the live seminar, you will have access to all of the material in the study manual section.
Here are some comments on how I would approach studying for this exam.
1. I always suggest reading the article first. I typically like to mark on the reading (yellow highlighter, notes in the margin). Remember, you don’t have to understand everything on your first pass through, so don’t spend too much time on any one article.
2. I like going through the past exam problems just to see the kind of problems I’m looking at. I work them if I can, but again, I don’t spend too much time on any one problem. I usually don’t look at the most recent problems, saving them for later, unless there just aren’t any other questions. I like to mark the text where I find the answers with a blue highlighter. Anything in blue or green (because it was marked in yellow from 1.) has been asked before. I just need to understand the past exam questions. Anything that remains in yellow is something I thought looked important during my first pass but hasn’t been asked yet. I liked writing my own problems from this material and saving them for my second pass. You could also make notecards (or edit the ones I provide) and/or mark the study manual if you prefer.
3. Here is where the videos come in for some people. Some students like using them during their first pass. I would have probably used them on my second pass. I liked getting through all the readings as quickly as possible on the first pass.
4. I would always start in early January and plan to be through my first pass by about February 28. Note that if you are only taking half the exam, you won’t need to start so early. The second pass is where I think the videos work really well. On the second pass, I would watch the videos, work the problems with the videos, and then go through all of the problems (past, new, and ones that you write). Now you can work on understanding the material. However, note that you need to cover the material twice as quickly on your second pass. I like to be through this pass by about April 1. You should really feel comfortable with the material after this.
5. In April, this is where you need to log the hours. Make sure you can work every problem/question from the past and new problems section. Rewatch videos for sections that are still giving you trouble. Finally – memorize. April can make the difference between a 5 and a 6.
6. I usually want you to feel good about the material before dipping into the quizzes. It is most effective to take these under test type conditions. I usually take the past exams and practice exam starting about 1-2 weeks before. Again, it is important to use exam like conditions. If you haven’t worked the 2010 exam problems, it is a good indication of how you can expect to feel when taking the exam. Timing is crucial when taking an exam. Work on timing on the quizzes and practice exams. I have seen many students get 5s because they didn’t get to the last 3 or 4 questions. Write thorough answers, but don’t fail because you spent half an hour on a problem. I usually target about 2 – 3 mins per point when practicing problems.
7. The audio files fit in wherever you find them most effective (driving/riding into work, cleaning the house, at work).
I’m sure I forgot a few things. Please note – the method to use is what works best for you. I would usually target about 15 hours per week in January and February, 15-20 in March, and 20-25 in April. Of course, it is less important how long you studied, and more important how well you studied. When I took part 10, I was not ready two weeks before the exam and was forced into about 120 or so hours in the last two weeks (it killed me). Never give up. Study until that last day.
Good luck.
Ken General, News, Ratemaking, Reserving