In Chapter 0 on page 9, the course notes make some suggestions of papers that you might like to read to prepare for the SA2 exam. The profession has recently deleted their guide to the specialist applications exams that is mentioned here, so the link in the course notes doesn't work any more. The profession intends to release a new guide (although that may not be for some time) and I will post the link to the new guide on this thread once it is available. I think the profession's guide was useful as Subject SA2 is rather different from the earlier exams and is best approached in a different way. This is my summary of the guide that I discuss in tutorials: "As well as your knowledge of the course, SA2 tests the higher-level skills of analysis, synthesis and critical judgement. You will be used to using your analysis and synthesis skills in the earlier subjects. However, the need to display critical judgement is crucial in SA2 - so you need to discuss a wide range of points, but these should be structured so that the most important points are discussed first and in most detail. To assist in this you should plan your answer before you start writing it so that you are clear what the question is about and what the key issues are. The guide says that you can be asked in the exam to apply the principles of the Core Reading to less familiar circumstances. So don't be surprised if you are asked about something that is not covered in the course. The actuarial world is always changing and the examiners want to make sure that you can react to these changes. But don't panic, the examiners won't expect a perfect answer, but are looking for a good discussion of some possible approaches. The guide says you need a deep understanding of the subject, so you need to know both the ST2 and SA2 Core Reading very well. Be aware that there can be 1, 2, 3 or 4 questions on the exam, but most usually 2 or 3. So you will have relatively few questions on the paper, but they will go into a lot of depth on a particular topic. The guide also says that you should do the additional reading listed in Chapter 0. This is to improve your ability to handle the questions on less familiar circumstances mentioned above. Also check out the topical issues thread on this forum. When the examiners are looking for inspiration to write the exam questions they might be reading through these papers and looking at current life insurance issues to try to generate ideas." I hope the information above is useful. Best wishes for your study of SA2. Mike
Hi Amit The 2020 additional reading requirements will be listed in the 2020 Core Reading when it is available. The 2020 ActEd CMP should be available later in the month. The Topical issues document, posted on this forum in January of each year, provides topical issues you may want to read. Hope this helps. Thanks Em
Or if you can't wait for that, you can also find the resources listed at the IFoA's website as follows: https://www.actuaries.org.uk/studyi...nsurance/resources-subject-sa2-life-insurance You could maybe keep an eye out for any updates that might happen for 2020, but do bear in mind that these are not required reading for SA2 - more suggested reading. As is currently stated in both the Core Reading and on the above website: "Students may find it useful to consult some of the suggested reading listed in Unit 16 of the SA2 Core Reading to obtain a wider appreciation or different viewpoint when studying a particular topic. However, students are not expected to have read all of the items on the list or to have gained a detailed knowledge of any particular topic additional to that contained in the Core Reading. Equally, students may use other sources of information to enhance their wider understanding, ..."
