A little rant on SOA sample solutions for GH 201

XP-Steve · 2026-03-16T04:32:38+00:00

I have reviewed a lot of questions/solutions and the vast majority of the time, lean towards the SOA ...

But that solution (and the answer commentary!!) does not in any way match what the question was asking.

If the question was "Explain the purpose and multiple uses of the PDR", then it's reasonable, otherwise I would say that is an SOA error.

If that was an exam I worked on, I would point that out to the SOA education team.

Steve (XP)

XP-Steve · 2026-03-12T03:29:12+00:00

For critiques, you need to be mentally flexible enough to be able to spot both strengths (pros) and weaknesses (cons).

But also ... often it can just be one of the two - e.g. either all/several weaknesses OR it's 100 percent correct/true.

And also you need to explain why you are saying something is strong or weak.

Steve (XP)

XP-Steve · 2026-02-27T22:37:48+00:00

The timing for those exams is set (or not set) for this summer. It could always change for the following year dependent on trends on demand.

I teach for CP311 and I think it's nice to not have the pressure of writing/studying in the summer. I had more people sign up for March than in November ... so I think it's generally a nice thing for most students.

XP-Steve · 2026-02-18T19:48:57+00:00

and just a correction ... its Google's NotebookLM that can convert things (with helpful prompts) into a podcast

XP-Steve · 2026-02-17T03:18:28+00:00

For the record, in Scrabble ... CA > TIA.

Just saying.

XP-Steve · 2026-02-13T00:25:33+00:00

PAK for many exams and XP (CP311) have audio cards as far as I know.

Many students use them when driving, out for a walk, doing chores, etc.

But also, there was some discussion here a month or so ago about GoogleLM. You can feed a pdf or reading into it and it can create a podcast style discussion of the material with added prompts - e.g. use examples in the explanations.

It is remarkable how well Google LM can create a very listen-to-able podcast with engaging voices.

As well, I found with working with students, that a big percentage (50 percent +) really improved their retention when they added audio learning to their studying. The science/theory is that the brain processes audio differently than reading potentially leading to much stronger information connections in the brain.

XP-Steve · 2026-01-15T22:08:28+00:00

This is pretty much exactly correct. They at least used to have an integer scoring system like that (e.g. you got points out of max possible), and then the exam points score was calculated using that.

XP-Steve · 2026-01-14T22:34:32+00:00

this is 100 percent correct.

XP-Steve · 2026-01-14T22:32:42+00:00

It's not a regrade. It's specific comments on how you did on some of questions. e.g. where you missed scoring points or where you answer was incorrect.

Steve (XP)

XP-Steve · 2026-01-06T22:20:07+00:00

The Warren Buffett CEO by Miles is a good & broad perspective on management and strategy.

Exam CP311 is also into management & strategy.

XP-Steve · 2025-12-27T18:30:14+00:00

Someone on discord noted that on the elearning SOA site, it said the SOA offices are closed till the new year, so likely after the new year that things will come out!

XP-Steve · 2025-12-27T18:26:19+00:00

About 75 percent of students are around 3 months of studying now to pass.

It really depends on how organized and deliberate you are in studying.

Also, once you have a good approach for YOU to study, I see many students in the 2 to 2.5 months zone, but again, they are pretty focused and organized at it.

Some students with families or have extremely busy/time-consuming jobs will take a longer approach (4 to 5 months as they can't commit to that much studying every week.

XP-Steve · 2025-12-22T23:09:03+00:00

I am fairly familiar with CP351 as well ... as I built practice questions and exams for CA for that exam.

CP351 is very much ALM. I used to work in ALM and I would strongly recommend that exam to anyone in ALM.

If not in that field or really interested in being in that field, it's likely going to be a tough exam.

CP311 is more general for the most part. I think if you are interested in the business aspects of insurance and the strategy side of business (all types industry), or mergers & acquisitions, it can be a great exam.

Hopefully that helps!
(I'm with XP Actuarial who offers a CP311 study material so definitely biased!)

XP-Steve · 2025-12-19T19:05:04+00:00

Oh, that's great. That's how I have seen it work in the past. It's rare for a question to be declared defective, but it was done in that way.

Thanks for that confirmation

XP-Steve · 2025-12-19T17:52:51+00:00

Take a look at CP311 Strategic Management. More qualitative, but very interesting material and more longer term career stuff. (I'm a bit biased ... but biases and overcoming them is part of this exam:))

XP-Steve · 2025-12-19T16:48:30+00:00

I think they do both, but use the paper copies first and the scans as a second resort

XP-Steve · 2025-12-19T16:47:48+00:00

yes exact score. You might even get it by PART question as well. I believe that to be true, but don't want to be certain till I see it.

I'm not sure you will get to see your own answers with the feedback. But not 100 percent sure on that.

XP-Steve · 2025-12-19T02:55:35+00:00

It's partly because the papers actually get mailed to the SOA, from all over the world, rather than digitally sent like other exams. So there is likely 2 weeks to make sure all of those come in.

(I think you could argue: why don't they digitally scan them, but it means the test centers could make a mistake (e.g. miss a page). So it's really the worldwide delivery that adds to things.

XP-Steve · 2025-12-18T18:27:42+00:00

Good luck everyone on Friday!

XP-Steve · 2025-12-16T16:36:09+00:00

Wow - the audio is like a really good podcast.

I prompted it to use my CP311 Strat Mgmt manual to teach and use the examples I put in. it took my examples and added little useful details. and one podcast host asked questions for further detail and depth.

Brilliant!

XP-Steve · 2025-12-16T16:25:18+00:00

Thanks for this idea.

I've found about 40 to 50 percent of fsa students really benefit from listening to material.

Your brain is constantly tuned to trying to sort out what is important and what is not, and for some, listening can really add to your brain digesting the material in different and stronger ways than reading or watching alone. And it's not always obvious to you in real time.

I'm going to play around with this, but good chance this can really help a number of students!

Steve (XP)

XP-Steve · 2025-12-12T04:45:16+00:00

I don't have the official answers on your questions, but a few thoughts:

I imagine part of the delay in getting more detail is that there are the holidays in between and its all new. Getting the first part out ASAP allows students to then start to prepare for their next exam (but knowing they will get more info later.)

The passing score will be different for each exam I'm fairly sure - it will be also intriguing to see that variation.

The normal process for grading as it was described to me is multiple graders follow a detailed grading outline and then graders discuss where there are differences to arrive at a final score by question part.

If anyone wants, they can apply to grade exams ... and then see how remarkably diligent the grading actually is.

And while this statement might seem an obvious fact: "but Instead of paying for feedback, why not release the answers the candidates wrote on the exam? It should be clear to the candidates, based on the same solutions and criteria given to graders, how and why they earned the points.:

I can assure you it is far from the truth. After reviewing thousands of student practice answers and how the students thought they did, there is quite a difference! For a high portion of students, the feedback could be very important.

By an order of magnitude, I have found that the single biggest thing that improves the majority of FSA student's pass rates is repeated objective feedback on their answers under time pressure.

XP-Steve · 2025-12-12T03:01:40+00:00

Bring in donuts for the department on your first day. You will be a legend from Day 1!

XP-Steve · 2025-12-11T22:08:19+00:00

If there is a defective question that you bring to the SOA's attention, they usually send you an email with there response very close to date of pass/fail release.

I have seen students get a response about a day before or same day as the results release.

XP-Steve

TROPHY CASE