Fall 2020 CAS Exam 9 Thread

[amp]

Sounds like we need some official tags that say when we’re sitting that are verified by the mods

Really though hopefully the CAS will release some guidelines for forum discussion allowed during the testing window for future sittings. Their NDA is pretty clear that as long as you haven’t sat, discussion should be okay, but it’s true the mods here have no way of knowing which of us have actually sat yet.

[CuriousGeorge]

@Vorian_Atreides

Take the position of having just finished sitting for the Exam and you wanted to know where ______ was covered in the syllabus . . .

Would that be allowed to discuss during this time?

As to your specific question, could someone who just sat for the exam signal others by asking such a question? How do any of the moderators know who has or hasn’t sat for a particular Exam?

I do sympathize with y’all; especially those trying to tie up “loose ends”. And I appreciate y’all’s willingness to abide by our current expectations.

The NDA environment does create some real problems going forward, that I think as actuaries we need to find a way to navigate, even outside the exam window. Things like:

1. I saw X on the exam and I wasn’t even sure what it was asking. How can I figure out a way to learn what I obviously don’t know how to approach.
2. I saw Y on the exam and I don’t remember that being on the syllabus. Where is that topic?
3. They tested Z on the exam, and it is unlike any of the published questions. How can we talk about Z and how to solve it without violating the NDA?

These were all very easily managed when they published the exams, but now…

[amp]

I think once the exam window is closed, talking about topics should be fine as long as you don’t say specifics about the question. I think that’s how the SOA prelims are since those exams aren’t published. Saying “I had a question on topic X” without going into any detail shouldn’t be a problem outside of the testing period, but maybe I’m wrong about this.

[Vorian_Atreides]

Note that the moderators are working with the CAS to find that right balance.

[xyz]

Can we ask which past exams are harder than the others? I don’t have enough time to do all the PEs so would like to try the harder ones.

[Vorian_Atreides]

I don’t see any issues with asking about entire Exams. Just avoid asking about specific problems (or for specific problems).

[xyz]

Can someone please share which PE is harder, 2017, 2018, or 2019? I’ll either do one or two of them. Thanks in advance.

[actuice]

I thought there were about the same difficulty. However I did score the lowest on 2019 (self grading) when I took it a couple of weeks ago. I found it to have the trickiest questions (maybe I was weak on some of the topics when took the exam, idk).

[amp]

Just finished grading 2019 this morning. I honestly did similarly on all of 2017-2019. They ask different questions so which one you find “hardest” just depends on what material you know best.

[xyz]

Thanks a lot. That makes sense. Then I’d try one and focus on the material that I don’t do very well.

[xyz]

Thanks a lot!

[CuriousGeorge]

What’s the last day in the regular exam window? Is that today?

[Vorian_Atreides]

The original “exam window” was to go through 12/19/2020; but was subsequently extended through 12/31/2020.

[amp]

The original window only went through 12/9/2020. My exam is on the 9th since I wanted as much time as possible between my 2 exams.

[amp]

I have today and tomorrow off work before my exam on Wednesday, so today I’ve been writing up a summary of everything on 9 similar to what I did for 7. Since the mods don’t want me to post it during the exam period I’ll likely post it after December’s over so anyone who is taking 9 in the future could refer to it if they want.

[skysn93]

I’m writing 9 in the spring, so that would be very helpful for me!