Brady Campbell, Campus Club ambassador at the University of Connecticut, shares the study lessons that helped him pass four actuarial exams.
When I started studying for my first actuarial exam, I definitely did not have the best study habits. I focused more on learning how to do specific types of problems rather than truly understanding the fundamental concepts. While that worked for easier questions, it hurt me when I faced more difficult or unfamiliar ones.
Once I began to really understand the core ideas, I felt much more confident handling tougher problems.
Understand the Concepts, Not Just the Problems
Once I began to really understand the core ideas, I felt much more confident handling tougher problems. Shifting from memorizing problem types to understanding the underlying concepts made the biggest difference in how I approached exam prep.
Ask Questions Early and Often
Another thing I wish I had done earlier was ask more questions as I moved through the material. Early on, if something didn't fully make sense to me, I would tell myself that I'd figure it out later.
Once I started to focus on the topics I was struggling with and ask better questions about the material, I began to see a ton of improvement.
The coaches that Coaching Actuaries provides are a great resource to ask any questions you have.
Build Confidence with Level 3 Quizzes
For practice, starting with level 3 quizzes for each section on Coaching Actuaries worked really well for me. It prevented me from getting overwhelmed by problem difficulty and allowed me to build confidence before moving up in difficulty. I gradually worked my way toward level 6 questions.
Watch Out for Burnout
Burnout is a real thing when studying for exams. Long study sessions were not productive for me and often made me feel exhausted.
Shorter, intense study sessions worked much better and helped me stay consistent.
These habits and techniques were not easy to build all at once. Focusing on one at a time and eventually bringing them together made me see a drastic improvement in my understanding of the material and my performance on exams.
About the Author
Brady Campbell is a senior actuarial science student at the University of Connecticut. He has passed four actuarial exams so far: FM, P, SRM, PA. On campus, he serves as vice president of the UConn Actuarial Society, where he leads the club's mentorship program and supports underclassmen as they navigate the actuarial career path. He is also a member of the UConn women's basketball practice team, an experience he describes as incredible.