Product Comparison: Essential vs. Ultimate

Here's a simple table that compares what our Essential and Ultimate study programs offer:

Feature Essential Ultimate
Updated for 2012- Actuarial Study Notes
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Updated for 2012-Online Study Time and Task Manager
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Updated for 2012-Recommended Reading Schedule
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Updated for 2012-Online Study Guide
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Updated for 2012-Pre-Populated Notecards
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Blank Notecards
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Updated for 2012-Modified Past CAS MC & Computational
and Essay Prep Tests
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Updated for 2012- - Online Article Formula Sheets
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Updated for 2012-Online Time & Question Management Module
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Online Progress Reports
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New for 2012 - A minimum of 3 Sets MC exams
(Modified Past CAS Questions)
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New for 2012 - A minimum of 5 Sets of Computational and Essay Exams
(Independently Authored Questions)
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Exams Associated with our Ultimate Study Programs

Having access to a series of tests 5 weeks prior to the exam is extremely beneficial.  Candidates purchasing our Ultimate Study Program receive our Independently Authored Preparatory Tests, which comprise (at a minimum):

  • A minimum of 3 sets of MC exams consisting of a minimum of 60 modified past CAS MC and computational questions (in Paper Format)
  • A minimum of 5 sets of exams with a minimum of 125 challenging Computational and Essay based questions and solutions (In Paper Format).
    These exams include challenging questions for the recently added articles from the 2008 - 2012 Exam 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 syllabus readings (not available in our Essential Study Program).

How these Exams are Structured and Why they are Beneficial to Candidates

Each set of exams focuses on subsections of the syllabus readings. Since each exam identifies what articles are covered on the exam, candidates are able to review many more questions associated with a smaller subset of the syllabus, allowing them to identify their strengths and weaknesses in a more refined manner than having a set of exams covering all the syllabus readings.

This set of 5 exams contain Computational and Essay based questions Only and the recommended time to complete each exams is set at a minimum of 2.5 hours. Thus, candidates can expect that these will be a rigorous and robust set of exams to prepare themselves for the Spring 2012 CAS exams.

CAS examiners develop questions that are aligned as closely as possible to the guidance given in the CAS Learning Objectives and Knowledge Statements.  Therefore, we've aligned the questions appearing in these independently authored exams with the CAS Learning Objectives and Knowledge Statements.

Our Modified Past CAS Question Tests and our Independently Authored Preparatory Tests are included in Volume 3, and will be mailed around 4/2/2012.

   designed by Shepherds Loft