The Actuarial Nexus, L.L.C.

Exam SRM candidates, Today, I would like to announce the release of a free Exam Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) study manual. The manual and all accompanying study materials will be free for one sitting only (up through September 10th, 2024). The topics covered include, but are not limited to: - Matrix Algebra - Maximum Likelihood Estimation - Input and Output Variables - Prediction and Inference - Parametric Methods - Non-Parametric Methods - Supervised vs Unsupervised Learning - Regression vs Classification - Mean Squared Error - Bias-Variance Tradeoff - Bayes Classifier - K-Nearest Neighbors - The Validation Set Approach - Leave-One-Out Cross-Validation - K-Fold Cross-Validation - Simple Linear Regression - Bias and Standard Error - Sum of Squares and R-Squared - The t-Test - Multiple Linear Regression - The F-Test - ANOVA - Subset Selection - Choosing the Best Model - Residual Analysis - Influential Points - Collinearity - Heteroscedasticity - Ridge Regression - The Lasso - Binary Dependent Variables - Logit and Probit Models - Nominal and Ordinal Dependent Variables - Count Dependent Variables - Generalized Linear Models - Estimation in GLMs - Introduction to Time Series - Stationarity - Forecast Evaluation - Autoregressive Models - Smoothing - Exponential Smoothing - Seasonal Adjustments - Unit Root Test - ARCH and GARCH Models - Introduction to Decision Trees - Regression Trees - Binary Splitting - Pruning - Classification Trees - Trees vs Linear Models - Bagging - Random Forests - Boosting - Introduction to Unsupervised Learning - Principal Components Regression - Principal Component Analysis - Clustering - K-Means Clustering - Hierarchical Clustering This is a developing program, so users should expect updates, minor corrections, more chapters, and hundreds of new practice questions leading up to the September sitting. Please note that this is a supplemental pilot program right now, so use it at your own risk. Given that it's new, there's no guarantee of its effectiveness as a stand-alone resource for the September sitting. However, if you are looking for an additional resource or another perspective on the source material at no cost, this may be for you. Exam SRM prep materials are already quite scarce, let alone accessible without substantial payment. If you find this course and its accompanying materials valuable, please consider raising awareness by sharing this resource with others who might benefit from it. #actuary #actuaries #examSRM

Edit: Exam FAM was updated on July 22, 2024. Changes include: - 15% reduction to the number of questions (40 to 34). The exam is still 3.5 hours long. - 5%-10% syllabus reduction (my high-level estimate). - the potential for increased pass rates. The SOA does not anticipate similar changes for other preliminary exams (e.g. Exam SRM). See https://lnkd.in/gndNxh8E for details. ----------------------- The path to Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) is seemingly straightforward: Pass Exams -> ... -> Get Credentialed However, there are some important decisions to make along the way. The first is the decision between Exam P or FM, which we covered in a previous post. The next decision is between Exam SRM and Exam FAM. I believe this is the most critical decision point for an aspiring associate. The material on SRM naturally leads to PA and ATPA. The material on FAM naturally leads to ALTAM or ASTAM. Deciding between SRM and FAM can define the candidate's study regimen for the next several months (or even years in some cases). This post highlights the key differences between SRM and FAM. Exam SRM primarily tests statistical learning. The topics overlap with data science, and the questions on the exam are the most conceptual of all ASA exams. The average pass rate is the highest of all exams, although it does seem to be coming down now. Exam FAM tests insurance math. The syllabus is enormous (11 learning objectives), and the pass rates are lower than SRM. FAM also does not provide instant results, so you will have to wait the standard ~8 weeks to determine whether you can begin studying for the next exam. Personally, if I had to choose, I would get the "easier" exam out of the way first and go with SRM. There are many benefits to this, which we covered in a previous post (linked below). Despite this, everyone's situation is different, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons and pick the path that best meets your personal needs. #actuary #actuaries #examSRM #examFAM

Almost all actuaries start with Exam P or Exam FM, but what are the differences? Exam P assumes prior knowledge of integrals and derivatives, so it's a good choice for candidates with a background in calculus. The breadth of calculus knowledge was trimmed down in fall 2022, so it's more approachable now even if you don't know any calculus starting off. Exam FM still requires a strong background in math, but it's mostly based in arithmetic and algebra. A big part of the exam is memorizing formulas and knowing when to apply them. Both exams share many similarities, and their pass rates are comparable. Personally, I found Exam P to be more intuitive, but performed better on Exam FM. If you're serious about becoming a credentialed actuary, you will eventually need to pass both. Although the pass rates are <50% for both exams, passing either is entirely achievable with the right approach to studying. Learning how to study for actuarial exams is truly the hardest exam! If you're struggling to pass, consider the following: - Have I gone through hundreds of practice questions? - Am I reviewing the questions I got wrong? - Am I taking mock exams, building endurance and tracking my time? - Am I performing above the pass mark (71%) on practice questions and mock exams? More often than not, passing Exam P or FM is not a skill issue. It's an exercise in applying structure to your study approach. Learn more and get started at The Actuarial Nexus. Link in the comments below. #actuary #actuaries #examp #examfm