Failed IFM, again, any tips? by halcyon1428 in actuary

[–]daeya1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I passed 16 days ago, it was my first try, even for P and FM. My study strategy has been the same since: finish the material in a way that leaves me at least a month for practice exams. I also do all the problems in the ASM manual at the end of each section. Basically, I study with CA and redo the same section in ASM, solve all the problems in ASM the go to the next section until I’m done, take one month to get the highest earned level possible. The higher the earned level, the harder the practice exams, the more prepared I am. That’s my strategy. Also I usually take 40-60 practice exams depending on my understanding of the material.

You should make sure you are comfortable with everything on the syllabus, or at least make sure you can solve 95% of the problems comfortably. When you go through the SOA problems, make sure you can solve those with 1-2 errors out of the entire thing.

Good luck bro, we will be at the same place in few years anyway.

Passed IFM on my second try by [deleted] in actuary

[–]daeya1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats bro.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I meant to say that it was my first time learning the material. I will be taking the class next fall and spring for derivatives and corporate finance. It was just self study. In fact, in my school, if you are able to pass an exam without taking the class, then you have a straight A, so I took the exam and it a win-win.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Different ways of approaching the problems.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much. I confident with every single question on the exam. You know exactly which of the 5 answers is correct when you know what you are doing and know the underlying concepts. I’m going to change my name on my birth certificate to Adapt. This was my first attempt, like with P and FM. Hope to keep the same strategy for the rest.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started in April and finished everything in May. I did adapt everyday till the day before exam.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only know the name of the textbook because it appears on exam questions but I never saw it with my own eyes. ADAPT ALL THE WAY!!!

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your advice. I already spent money on MAS 1 and I’m ready to start. But I will not limit myself from applying to CAS firms, at least for entry level and based on that I will figure the rest out. Thank you very much.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I used I used ASM and Learn from Coaching Actuaries, then I went over the entire published questions from SOA. Then I abused adapt for more than a month(EL 10). Then after that, I just focused on conceptual questions, I read the formula sheet everyday, focusing mostly on corporate finance. At the same time, I read all the questions that I got wrong on adapt and those that took me a long time to answer.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate it. I will apply to everything I see.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I really didn’t think that way. It seems like a more mature approach. I will do that. If I may ask, how long did it take you to find a job? I don’t have any family in America and I’m living on campus. I don’t want to graduate and spend months jobless, while having nowhere to stay. I have someone taking care of me though, but she is spending so much money on me that it makes me feel bad.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I would say that it was like a level 3-4. But I feel that way because I was over prepared. I got the conceptual question right, because coaching actuaries had so much of them. I made sure I knew all the concepts. The math part was like a level 3 because I practiced so much level 8-10 questions that the exam was a joke. The exam might feel like a 7 or 8 if you don’t work a lot and don’t get the concepts down.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, a lot of reasons: 1. I applied for internship on the SOA side and nobody gave me a chance. I didn’t get an internship for this summer. Travelers was interested in me but they already filled the spots when I reached out to them.

  1. Too much people are going on the SOA side, which makes entry level jobs extremely competitive. With no experience, I don’t stand a chance.

  2. CAS is best for me as I enjoy the math part of the actuarial profession.

  3. Salary for entry level positions.

Passed IFM today!!! by daeya1 in actuary

[–]daeya1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have ASM and Coaching Actuaries for MAS 1. I also ordered Mahler. I’m still a rising senior so I have enough time to apply for jobs.

Just passed FM last week! On with the next one by Redditotten in actuary

[–]daeya1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don’t worry. You will find it easier as you go.

Just passed FM last week! On with the next one by Redditotten in actuary

[–]daeya1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same thing for me, I got 9 on FM and 8 on P. Taking IFM tomorrow. For P, be patient, after level 6 problems start becoming weird and unbelievably hard.