Coaching Actuaries’ Post

Celebrating Persistence and Gratitude Yesterday, I received the result for my SP8 actuarial exam, marking the 10th paper I’ve cleared on this journey. This one feels extra special because it took me three attempts to get here—a first in my actuarial journey. To be honest, this wasn’t an easy road. The anxiety and fear leading up to each result day were immense. But this milestone is a reminder that persistence truly pays off, and setbacks are just stepping stones towards growth. I owe this achievement not just to my efforts but to the unwavering support of the people around me. To those who encouraged me to keep going when self-doubt crept in, who reminded me that failure isn’t final, and who celebrated every small win along the way—thank you. Your belief in me made all the difference. To anyone facing challenges or setbacks in their own journey: don’t lose hope. Success isn’t about never falling; it’s about rising every time you do. Here’s to more growth, resilience, and reaching new heights! 10/13 ✅ #ActuarialJourney #Persistence #Gratitude #Resilience

FAILED THE THIRD TIME? OR PASSED MY FIRST ACTUARIAL EXAM IN FIRST ATTEMPT? Yesterday , even after passing my first actuarial exam (CS1) in the very first go , I totally shelled myself , just bcoz of failing another exam (CM1) for the third time. I was completely shattered and was questioning myself again and again , "Tisri baar bhi fail Khushi?" Telling and weeping to each and everyone around me , "Tisri baar bhi fail hogyi mai yrr!" Wasn't even in the sense to accept the failure. Wasn't even in the sense to enjoy the other success. Jese mene CS1 ke result ko dekha hi nahi , bas crying over and over abt CM1. I got blanked on what to do next?(regarding CM1) Lost confidence to share this out. Making the day all abt the failure and Ignoring the subject I passed. This is huge heartbreak for every second student to get failed in the same exam again and again and again. But then , My family & friends , who are always there for me , made me realised , never to subordinate success over failure , And to think abt my first ever success of this Actuarial Journey , not abt the failure. To hung up around failure could led in destroying the tiny happy moments of success. So , You don't have to lose hope and confidence in yourself. This quote is so true by "Morihei Ueshiba" ; "Failure is the key to success ; each mistake teaches us something." And Here I am , happily sharing first success of my actuarial journey!! Thanking my parents,family,friends and specially Ashnut Kothary, FIA Sir, Gunjan Goyal, AIA Maam ! This wouldn't have been possible without these lovely ppls! . . CS1 it is!✨ PS: Abhi toh maine start kiya hai!😉

After just re-sitting CS2 (Part 1) actuarial exams, one key focus for me going forward for studying will be on further refining my output/input ratio. In other words, focussing even more on applying the 80/20 rule. The rule that states that 20% of your efforts lead to 80% of your results. So studying not just harder but “smarter”. While I found the time revising for areas I felt quite comfortable with “helpful”… shorter bursts of intentional time allocated to exploring problem areas or deeper levels of understanding was “more impactful”. Furthermore, out of all my study periods, I really found the following 7 things made my study incredibly productive: 1) first thing in the morning 2) before looking at phone or any other distractions 3) with noise cancelling headphones on 4) in a room without window or blinds down 5) having drink of water on my desk 6) clearing my desk before/after each study period 7) knowing the night before exactly what I wanted to focus on Whether you’re studying/studied actuarial exams, CFA exams, any other exams or looking to do/done deeply productive work… what things help you be your most productive self?

Being a financial adviser is more than just completing transactions In our final episode of "Journey to Adviser," Dale shares his story. Having previously worked at an estate agency, he realised he didn't want to engage in merely transactional relationships with clients. He always enjoyed helping people and it was that realisation that led him to pursue a career as a financial adviser. You can listen to Dale’s full story here: https://lnkd.in/daepPVvP ⭐️ Starting your journey to becoming a Financial Adviser? We are experts in preparing you for the CII and CISI exams. We support you through your learning journey every step of the way. Learn more about our study support here: https://lnkd.in/ex7RdGrA Finding a rewarding career is one of the most important things you will ever do. The Future Financial Adviser is a community where you can access career advice and learn about opportunities within the financial advice profession. If you are already in the profession, they can help you find the right roles and progress in your career. Join the Future Financial Adviser Community: https://lnkd.in/e-gm6n9W #financecareer #financialadviser #careergoals #careerchange #learnwithoutlimits #studentsuccess Gayle Conway Jon Dodson FPFS CIPD John Smith FPFS David Tait Jack Morris DipPFS John Hunter Melanie Mckail Hayley Steel Stuart Douglas Angelo Kornecki FPFS, P.G.C.E Phil Newton Commercial Director Redmill Advance Ltd

As an actuary, you seldom have the information required to solve a problem with certainty. Nonetheless, you need to present your best solution. The ability to make decisions based on incomplete information is one of the most important skills an actuary can possess. Depending on your mindset, developing this skill can be intimidating. Much of our academic training leads us to believe that problems have “right” or “wrong” solutions. But this distinction is not so clear in practice. Consider loss reserving as an example. While there are an unlimited number of “wrong” ways to estimate loss reserves, there is no single “right” approach. Making decisions based on incomplete information can be a messy process. In this way, it mirrors life: you have to do the best with what you’ve got. Nonetheless, there are ways to optimize this process. Here two tips to help become comfortable making decisions under uncertain conditions: #1 Sensitivity test assumptions. Suppose you estimate loss reserves at $10 million. What are the assumptions underlying your estimate? How would your estimate change if your assumptions changed by X%? Routinely sensitivity testing assumptions will give you a sense for how much sway they have. Once you have identified the most influential assumptions, refine your focus accordingly. #2 Look at the implications inherent in selected estimates. Once you select an actuarial estimate, you can calculate the assumptions implicit in your selection. For example, what is the implied reported loss development pattern underlying your estimate of IBNR? How does this compare to historical development patterns? By reverse-engineering your own estimates, you can gain a comfort level by comparing the implicit assumptions to comparable benchmarks. What techniques do you use to get comfortable with estimates based on incomplete information?

Failing an exam, especially one as challenging as actuarial exams, can feel like a huge setback, but remember: failure is not the end—it’s part of the journey to success. Actuarial exams are designed to be tough because they lead to a rewarding and highly respected career. Many successful actuaries didn’t pass every exam on their first try—but they kept going. What matters is your determination to stand up, learn, and try again. Each failure teaches you something valuable: about the subject, about strategy, and about yourself. Reflect on what went wrong, adjust your approach, and trust that your efforts will compound—much like interest—and eventually lead to success. Remember, passing these exams is not about perfection but perseverance. You’ve already shown courage by attempting something so challenging. Keep pushing forward; you are stronger and smarter than you think. Your future self will thank you for not giving up. #actuaries #actuarialprofessional ##actuariesinmaking #actuarialstuff #actuariesoffuture #ifoaexams #ifoaupdate #actuarialexams #iaiexams #motivation #exams

Studying for an upper-level actuarial exam is more of a marathon than a sprint. Tracking your study hours is key to staying on course. 🌟 Why Track Your Study Hours? • Understand Your Study Patterns -> Identify when you are most productive • Stay Accountable -> A visual tracker keeps you motivated and focused • Measure Progress -> Stay on track to avoid last-minute cramming Learn more about the benefits of tracking your study hours and download our “Study Hours Tracker” spreadsheet to track the focused hours you study each week. 📅💪

The Rollercoaster of Exam Results As an actuarial student, the period of waiting for exam results is a unique blend of emotions. Now that the results are out, it's time to reflect on this journey. There was that unmistakable flutter in the stomach, a mix of anticipation and anxiety. It felt like having butterflies doing somersaults! The stress was overwhelming. Thoughts of "Did I do enough?" and "What if I missed something?" kept many of us up at night, replaying the exam over and over in our heads. Amidst the stress, there was also a spark of excitement. The hope that all the hard work, late-night study sessions, and sacrifices would pay off. The dream of seeing a "Pass" next to our names kept us going. During this time, the support from family, friends, and fellow students was invaluable. Sharing our worries and hopes with them made the wait a little more bearable. Regardless of the outcome, this period is also a time for reflection. It's a chance to think about what we've learned, how we've grown, and what we'll do differently next time. Congratulations to everyone who passed! Your dedication and hard work have paid off. Celebrate this achievement and continue striving for excellence. To those who didn't clear the exam this time, remember that this is not the end of the road. Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Use this experience as a stepping stone to come back stronger. Reflect on what you can improve, seek guidance, and keep pushing forward. Your perseverance and dedication will pay off in the long run. Let's keep our heads high and our spirits higher. This is just one step in our journey. Onward and upward!

Being a financial adviser is about providing security for the future... 💫 Everyone has more than one career in their lifetime, and we are pleased to have supported many individuals in transitioning back to studying, achieving important qualifications, and passing their exams. If you are considering a career in financial services, we hope that some of our students will inspire you... 📹 In this episode of Journey to Adviser, Sam shares his story. After enjoying a successful career as a professional golfer, he decided it was time for a change now that he had a young family. This led him to embark on his journey to become a financial adviser. You can watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eFs4SwVB ⭐️ Starting your journey to becoming a financial adviser? We are experts in preparing you for the CII and CISI exams. We support you through your learning journey every step of the way. Learn more about our study support here: https://lnkd.in/ex7RdGrA Finding a rewarding career is one of the most important things you will ever do. Join the Future Financial Adviser Community: https://lnkd.in/e-gm6n9W Future Financial Adviser is a community where you can access career advice and learn about opportunities within the financial advice profession. If you are already in the profession, they can help you find the right roles and progress in your career. #financecareer #financialadviser #careergoals #careerchange #learnwithoutlimits #studentsuccess Gayle Conway Jon Dodson FPFS CIPD John Smith FPFS David Tait Jack Morris DipPFS John Hunter Melanie Mckail Hayley Steel

👎🏻𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦? 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐲 It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game, especially when you see people clearing 2-3 exams in one go on social media. But here’s the truth: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 -it’s a personal journey. Everyone’s path is unique, and it’s important to focus on your progress, not someone else’s. I remember failing my first actuarial exam—CM1—by just one mark. It was disheartening at the time, but it taught me a valuable lesson. That one mark made me realize how important every bit of effort and focus is. It pushed me to revisit my study methods, dive deeper into the concepts, and refine my approach to learning. That failure turned into a pivotal moment in my journey. And I feel everyone SHOULD fail atleast one time. Failing an actuarial exam is part of the career. It doesn’t define your abilities or your future success. In fact, most actuaries have experienced failure at some point along the way, and it only made them stronger. The earlier you face setbacks, the better you can bounce back with resilience and a renewed focus. In the long term, no one is going to ask whether you cleared all your exams on the first try. What matters is your perseverance, your ability to learn from failure, and how you apply that experience to improve. So, if you’ve faced a setback, remember—it’s just a stepping stone on your path to becoming a stronger actuary. Keep pushing forward! Let me know if you have anything to add to this 😄👇🏻 #Actuarial #insurance #fail #exams #ifoa #soa #iai #acturialscience