U
uktous
Member
can anyone rank those exams according to their difficulties?
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B
bystander
Member
I definitely can't and I think you're onto a loser -- no-one ever sits them all so a true answer is hard to get.
One potential source could be to compare pass rates - but bear in mind the number in each sample.
If you are trying to find a quick route to qualify, I'd say choose according to experience and more importantly interest.
No matter how easy a paper, if you don't like the subject it doesn't bode well.
That said if you have ST1 (only guessing as it isn't in your list), ST2 is similar. 5 & 6 are quite specialised so the competition with experienced people may be tough.
Hope you make the right choice
One potential source could be to compare pass rates - but bear in mind the number in each sample.
If you are trying to find a quick route to qualify, I'd say choose according to experience and more importantly interest.
No matter how easy a paper, if you don't like the subject it doesn't bode well.
That said if you have ST1 (only guessing as it isn't in your list), ST2 is similar. 5 & 6 are quite specialised so the competition with experienced people may be tough.
Hope you make the right choice
U
uktous
Member
actually, I am going to study the MSc in applied actuarial science. I can choose any 3 of ST2-6, so I seek for some advise.
M
Muppet
Member
in which case it makes the relevant difficulty of ST2-6 even less relevant given that you're not taking the Profession's exams.
But I think that bystander is still right. You should take the exams that interest you, not those that are easiest. Or is that why you are taking the MSc in the first place??
But I think that bystander is still right. You should take the exams that interest you, not those that are easiest. Or is that why you are taking the MSc in the first place??
U
uktous
Member
it is because i would study a master degree anyway, it would be much worthwhile to spend one year of time to receive both exemptions and a qualification of a master degree
actually, I learned both ST2 and ST4 from my BCs
actually, I learned both ST2 and ST4 from my BCs
Y
YetAnotherStudent
Member
If you're at university do it based on what you enjoy rather than the exam itself. Also take account of what you want to do after and what you want to specialise in.
A small amount of consideration should also be given to what to do if you don't get the exemption and then need to resit the profession's exams.....
A small amount of consideration should also be given to what to do if you don't get the exemption and then need to resit the profession's exams.....
B
bystander
Member
From what you are saying, you definitely have an aversion to the real actuarial exams and seem to have no practical experience. Are you really convinced you want to do the MSc (assuming you haven't started it)?
Employers look for practical skills too and I reckon the more exemptions you have (particularly beyond CTs) the harder it is to get in. Any relevant vacation work may help in part.
That said, it will be vital that one of the 3 you choose is the one you will take on at SA level - or can even that be done by thesis these days? I've lost track of the permutation of rules.
As ST5 and 6 are very closely linked, you are narrowing down your options of who to apply to. If you are really pushing for an answer I'd say ST2/4/5.
ST3 is a hard one to gauge. Loads of GI jobs around but the exam is changing and splitting in to two so I wouldn't want to call it how your 'ST3' would be treated.
Good luck!
Employers look for practical skills too and I reckon the more exemptions you have (particularly beyond CTs) the harder it is to get in. Any relevant vacation work may help in part.
That said, it will be vital that one of the 3 you choose is the one you will take on at SA level - or can even that be done by thesis these days? I've lost track of the permutation of rules.
As ST5 and 6 are very closely linked, you are narrowing down your options of who to apply to. If you are really pushing for an answer I'd say ST2/4/5.
ST3 is a hard one to gauge. Loads of GI jobs around but the exam is changing and splitting in to two so I wouldn't want to call it how your 'ST3' would be treated.
Good luck!
S
sheppard
Member
Good options
St2 is one of the better subjects I have studied in terms of actuarial exams, very practical, not much in terms of learning lists, more to do with preparing the student with industry expectation. I have studied st5, lots of lists, very long lists, very good if you are planning to do pensions in industry, but also interesting in terms of understanding all the transactions occurring in the investment market at the moment.
It won't make you an expert in Variable Annuity (VA) investments, though I'm not too sure what combination of subjects would be best for that - there appears to be a large variety of jobs involved in this area recently.
I have no experience of ST3.
St2 is one of the better subjects I have studied in terms of actuarial exams, very practical, not much in terms of learning lists, more to do with preparing the student with industry expectation. I have studied st5, lots of lists, very long lists, very good if you are planning to do pensions in industry, but also interesting in terms of understanding all the transactions occurring in the investment market at the moment.
It won't make you an expert in Variable Annuity (VA) investments, though I'm not too sure what combination of subjects would be best for that - there appears to be a large variety of jobs involved in this area recently.
I have no experience of ST3.