For those who have known me for a long time, some of this will be a little bit of a repeat -
As an Actuary, i have a series of professional examinations to pass in order to achieve my credentials... 99.9% of the time these are done after achieving a B.S. or other undergraduate degree (i had 2 exams done before getting my degree)
The exams are disgustingly hard - as the profession becomes more "known," the best up and coming mathematical minds in the world are taking these exams .... They are offered twice per year, once in May and once in November. Not all, but most of them are 40 multiple choice questions, for which you get 4 hours to complete....
Now comes the good part - of the 500-600 geeks taking these things world-wide every sitting, only approx. 35% pass... the pass rate is not set at a specific number of correct answers.... but instead is determined after all of the scores have been tallied, with the purposeful intention of only passing 33-38%.... Therefore, you have to be among the best, no matter how hard or easy a specific sitting is... And finally, to demonstrate just how hard these exams are - the pass mark is typically set around 50-55% correct..... Yea, only 35% of people can get half the problems right!
Either way - I've been working on these exams since right before I graduated college. One-by-one, i've knocked them off and kept my nose to the grind... 4-5 hours of studying per day, for about 4-5 months at a time... luckily i do get some paid study time from my employer.... In mid-November i recieved confirmation that i had passed the 8th component of the exam process... this is monumental, as i've now achieved what i've been working so hard for... last week i recieved notification that copmleted all of the requirements necessary and I was recieving my first credential - I am now an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA)... soon to follow will be my MAAA
when I started college, they told us that 75% of the incoming freshman would drop out of the program, and that it would take most people past the age 30 to recieve their first credential (ASA) - then, if they wanted, they could go after their final credential (FSA) .... Well, they werent' totally wrong - my incoming class had 35 Actuarial Science students in it, and we only graduated 8.... however, i'm pumped, as I've gotten my first credential at the age of 25....
Unfortunately the celebration is short-lived, as i will be taking my first FSA exam on April 29.... (only 2 more exams to go!) Nonethless, its a huge achievement, as it pretty much comes with a guarantee of permanent job security, as well as the professional recognition among the other brilliant minds i work with....
Just thought I'd share - for those who don't hate us GM guys! :p I'm pumped about it! This is certainly the biggest achievement of my life (even more so than being Valedictorian)!!!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by SonofaBish
Bookmarks