R. Butler Posted June 17, 2003 Report Share Posted June 17, 2003 I plan on taking the C-2(DB) in November. Out of the required readings I am hoping I can get by with only the Study Guide. I've got the ERISA Outline Book and I'll probably look at old exams. Is this sufficient for the average candidate? Thanks for any guidance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david rigby Posted June 17, 2003 Report Share Posted June 17, 2003 Depends on whether you are an average candidate. I'm a retirement actuary. Nothing about my comments is intended or should be construed as investment, tax, legal or accounting advice. Occasionally, but not all the time, it might be reasonable to interpret my comments as actuarial or consulting advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwood Posted June 17, 2003 Report Share Posted June 17, 2003 I always found the key to ASPA tests was the old exams. Old tests PLUS all the recommended reading in The ERISA Outline Book [and the Study Guide, of course], is a real good basis for passing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kangerooster Posted August 6, 2004 Report Share Posted August 6, 2004 R. Butler - Did you pass? I am planning on taking the exam in November of 2004 and need some advise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Butler Posted August 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2004 I did not end up taking the exam last November. My testing cite canceled me 2 days before I was scheduled to take the exam & thee was not another open cite within 200 miles of Lexington. ASPA was kind enough to just roll me over to this year. I will also take in November. If you have any questions about the studying e-mail me & I'll pass on the little knowledge I have. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 I am teaching a study course for the DB exam, and I was wondering how I could get my hands on some old exams to help students prepare for the upcoming exam. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kangerooster Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 I'd like to know where you could get them also. I believe the old exams helped me pass the other tests. Since I only work on DB's on a limited basis I am finding it extremely difficult just using the Study Guide. The questions at the end of the chapters sometimes don't have anything to do with the material in the chapter. I am open to suggestions on for advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 For the last several years ASPA has been offering classes covering C-1 through C-4 exams. In each of these there are many sample exam questions. If you know anyone who has attened the conference they will be able to access the slides/handouts from the sessions on the CD-ROM. There are also sample exams in the study guide (or on the ASPA website). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archimage Posted September 9, 2004 Report Share Posted September 9, 2004 Yes, there is a sample exam in the study guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 I did not find a reference to past C2DB exams on the ASPA website. Where do you find those sample exams on the website? I did know about the sample exam in the Study Guide, but I would like to have more exam questions than those to drill my students on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwood Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 ASPA used to sell old exams for $17 each. June 1999 is the last exam they sold before stopping that practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FundeK Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Here is a link to the 2003 Cram Session materials. Please let me know if it works. http://www.aspa.org/archivepages/conferenc...annual/cram.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Distribution Diva Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 Hi kangerooster, I took (and passed!) the DB exam in August. You will need to get the Defined Benefit Answer Book. That should clear up any discrepancies you're finding between the practice questions and the study guide. I hope this helps you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kangerooster Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 I actually did find the cram session material and I think that is going to help a lot. Thanks for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted September 17, 2004 Report Share Posted September 17, 2004 Thank you so much for the link Fundek. This should really help my students. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyH Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Why are (most) of you trying to skip the readings? I had extensive DB experience before I took that test a few years ago and still learned quite a bit from the readings. I don't know if the readings are the same or not now, but part of it was FAS#87 and FAS#88 and they wanted you to read all of that. That is where I drew the line. There were two simple questions about those areas on the tests. Reading that blah was IMO a waste of time. But the rest of it was informative and useful. Having taken all the ASPA exams, the ONLY material that I would encourage skipping (or just skimming) was the FAS "doctrines". At the C-2 level you need only to know the basics, such as the elements of the net periodic pension cost or the difference between a settlement and a curtailment. And I HATED the C-3 reading but eventually managed to get through it before and after many dozens of naps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmyer Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 I took the ASPPA DB exam yesterday, and...it was very tough. I had read the study guide TWICE, answered all the questions in the study guide TWICE, read the DB cram material three times, and read significant portions of the DB Answer Book. I felt prepared going into the exam, and fortunately I did pass. I definitely recommend knowing everything in the study guide backwards-and-forwards -- I found it to be a significantly harder exam than the DC exams. W Myer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Poje Posted November 2, 2004 Report Share Posted November 2, 2004 congratulations. makes you proud of your accomplishment, doesn't it? Its no free ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kangerooster Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Congrats Wmyer I am scheduled to take the exam 12-06 and have also read the study guide, sample exam, 2003 & 2004 cram sessions. Wish me luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kangerooster Posted December 7, 2004 Report Share Posted December 7, 2004 I passed the C2-DB exam yesterday and am feeling quite proud today! For anyone who hasn't taken the exam STUDY STUDY STUDY!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest htatuaca Posted August 26, 2005 Report Share Posted August 26, 2005 I am planning to take the DB exam this fall (2005). The link to the cram session material does not work anymore. Are the 2003 or 2004 cram session materials still available? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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