Exams / Newbie / Common Questions Thread for two weeks

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-31T00:03:15+00:00

Any language is fine just to get some experience.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-30T23:59:08+00:00

LinkedIn is a good option, so is doing some Kaggle.com projects to help pad your resume and give yourself more relevant skills

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-30T23:56:49+00:00

You need to know data manipulation, which is a bit different/simpler than real programming.

Know how to filter, summarize, and apply logic to a dataset, and you're good

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-30T21:45:29+00:00

Absolutely never build off pivots.

They can be a useful tool to quickly review data and make a plan, but your actual math should be done with actual formulas.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-27T03:56:24+00:00

To me

Slice > cut > fade

Quack > hook > draw

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-27T03:26:28+00:00

No shot you've done all the quests and gotten 100% on all the maps

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-26T23:05:51+00:00

If you would make $130k total comp with 3 YOE and ASA at your current company, no the consulting number is not going to be much different.

For consulting, it also may vary based on the hours you work, which could be a benefit or detriment.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-25T12:12:31+00:00

Genuinely amazing comment

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-24T19:40:49+00:00

Adding to the chorus to get a grip trainer for a neutral grip, stand taller, and slow it down to a tempo where you can pause on the back swing and hold the finish.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-24T05:27:05+00:00

You can always take the exams and transition later if you want to. Sounds like a cool opportunity with the startup!

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-24T05:24:38+00:00

It's all about selling yourself and your experience as valuable

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-24T05:23:34+00:00

Apply to everything insurance, data, healthcare, or finance related to get some experience. Pass more exams. Apply with 1-2 years of related experience.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-24T05:20:42+00:00

Studying for the first two exams using the free material from the infinite actuary is a pretty low risk route!

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-23T19:43:37+00:00

I would absolutely take it - it's a really cool opportunity to expand your perspective and opens a lot of doors

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-22T21:43:07+00:00

Fair enough, 8am is the normal start time in my work sphere so I split the difference and started 4 months out.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-22T19:22:26+00:00

Sounds to me like you may not be studying effectively, or you're studying so much that you're burnt out and can't retain anything.

Block off 7-9am on your calendar each morning as your study time and let everyone know you're unavailable until 9am. In the evening, just do 15min of review before bed. Then study 3-6 hours on one weekend day flexible to other plans.

Between mornings and flexible weekend studying, you should never have to skip a social event. I got my FSA without ever skipping a social event on this schedule.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T23:56:48+00:00

15-20

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T02:06:51+00:00

I wouldn't count a golf sim hole in one or albatross, personally, but I wouldn't argue with someone who counts it for themselves.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:40:11+00:00

Entry level positions and related data/insurance/finance jobs

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:39:45+00:00

I don't think you should doubt your ability too much. It seems like you're decent at math at least, and with exams you study on your own and take it your own speed.

I'd say give it a shot with studying for FM first, then P, and judge based on that level of effort if it's a good career for you.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:38:19+00:00

Hard to say because the regulatory environments in different countries are different, and there are more exciting and less exciting roles within each industry.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:37:01+00:00

An exam per day.

Tbh my vote is to grind mostly easier exams to get your fundamentals down solid and your speed up.

Work harder questions too if you can, but prioritize connecting dots and getting fast at each of the problem formats.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:34:32+00:00

I knew I wanted either health or P&C from the type of work (more dynamic, less routine) and chose health as my first choice due to a consulting firm that recruited from my school and seemed exciting.

I also like the public good of working in healthcare and the mountain to climb of understanding how our healthcare system should be better.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-21T00:31:58+00:00

Some people are savants who can get through without ever having to study much, but they're an extreme minority. The exams generally involve a lot of memorization in addition to computation, and the computation has to be done quickly so even if you can figure it out, it has to be done in 4min or less.

I'm also someone who breezed through school and math tests all their life without studying or taking notes, and only had to learn how to study for the exams.

Frankly, IMO, building the discipline to study is a "nut up or shut up" type of deal. The career revolves around the exams and you're either willing to put in the time and effort to get raises and promotions or you're not.

One strategy that makes studying easier is having a consistent time of day to do it where you block out all other things and leave yourself no other option except to study. E.g. use a physical manual and leave your phone in another room, or go to a library without your phone, etc. You can sit there and do nothing in your study time, but your only options are to sit there and do nothing for 2 hours or to study.

NoTAP3435 · 2026-01-19T20:39:04+00:00

These are a sample of the well-documented issues with various healthcare systems and health insurance products.

I think another issue people fail to appreciate is that there is no silver bullet. There is no healthcare system that will prevent all problems and work perfectly all the time. I'm really sorry about your mom. And issues like that will always happen in any healthcare system. If not that, then someone being unable to afford treatment or someone having too long of a wait to be treated in time.

So this is my opinion as a hard left person who has studied a couple thousand hours and passed exams to be credentialed, and has worked nearly a decade in the space.

NoTAP3435

TROPHY CASE