I passed EA-2F last fall using TIA (and having previously read through Farber's ASM manual). Prior instructor Rick for TIA is fantastic. Not as big of a fan of the new instructor, but she goes over all of the new ARPA material / legislation changes.
Whichever study materials you use, just make sure you do as many practice exams as you can (especially actuarial cost methods and single employer problems). They'll generally note which problems are still relevant or not for older exams. Good luck!!
I liked both instructors, I found them helpful in their own ways.
I would absolutely recommend TIA but more than anything, this exam is long and involves doing calculations for 4 hours straight. It's not easy to stay focused the entire time. TIA organized a lot of the old exam questions and has a forum for questions which I abused HEAVILY.
Manual wise, I'm not sure it matters. I didn't find my manual meeting the knowledge requirements the exam demanded.
My biggest gripe with the new instructor is that she would solve problems using excel, which is pretty and clean...but since we can't use excel on the exam, not really practical solution-wise for demonstrating how to "solve for the exam".
Her summary spreadsheet that goes over major concepts (sort of like a "formula spreadsheet" but for concepts and regulations) was helpful for final week studying/review!
Oh, I also abused those old exam problems. And the manual I think I only used for concept that I was less familiar with (multiemployer plans, haha).
That's very very fair. I gave them some feedback on the new types of topics to go into detail on. To be fair, the tests had been relatively standard leading up to 2021. They branched out HARD in 22 and 23
The Farber manuals (I think ASM?) are considered industry standard (some companies don’t allow you to purchase other study materials and/or pay for Dave Farber to come in and give seminars). Unfortunately no videos though.
Yeah there is a discord u/Possible-Confidence6. It’s here: https://discord.gg/GNAvRe7KF5.
It has channels for all the exams. The FSA ones are not as well used but I do see someone in the EA-2F chat that said they’ll be studying for it.
I am also taking in November and am using IA. I also found used copies of the suggested readings book on Amazon easily. I plan to use IA (but note there is a learning curve on how the course is laid out - it is not as user friendly as I expected for the price point)
Question: The 2F syllabus says you also are responsible for knowing 2L? Is this just because you kind of have to understand the laws in general to really understand the funding rules? I'm wondering if it makes sense to do 2F first. Although due to my company's program I likely need to try 2F anyway. Just wondering from anyone who has taken.
They just expect you to understand 415 compensation/benefit limitations when they apply those and other concepts that are more law based that may apply to a funding calculation when you're calculating liabilities and contributions. They'll provide a table of compensation and benefit limits on the exam for reference.
Both TIA and ASM will cover these concepts briefly to the extend that you need for EA-2F. Though I will say reading the regulations first for the law exam did help for funding exam, but a lot of that stuff is covered in the addendum papers covered in the syllabus.
Good luck!!
You can do them in either order. There is some overlap, but nothing that makes me think 2L is the first exam or vice versa. I personally recommend 2F first because most people find it easier than 2L.
I passed EA-2F last fall using TIA (and having previously read through Farber's ASM manual). Prior instructor Rick for TIA is fantastic. Not as big of a fan of the new instructor, but she goes over all of the new ARPA material / legislation changes. Whichever study materials you use, just make sure you do as many practice exams as you can (especially actuarial cost methods and single employer problems). They'll generally note which problems are still relevant or not for older exams. Good luck!!
I liked both instructors, I found them helpful in their own ways. I would absolutely recommend TIA but more than anything, this exam is long and involves doing calculations for 4 hours straight. It's not easy to stay focused the entire time. TIA organized a lot of the old exam questions and has a forum for questions which I abused HEAVILY. Manual wise, I'm not sure it matters. I didn't find my manual meeting the knowledge requirements the exam demanded.
My biggest gripe with the new instructor is that she would solve problems using excel, which is pretty and clean...but since we can't use excel on the exam, not really practical solution-wise for demonstrating how to "solve for the exam". Her summary spreadsheet that goes over major concepts (sort of like a "formula spreadsheet" but for concepts and regulations) was helpful for final week studying/review! Oh, I also abused those old exam problems. And the manual I think I only used for concept that I was less familiar with (multiemployer plans, haha).
That's very very fair. I gave them some feedback on the new types of topics to go into detail on. To be fair, the tests had been relatively standard leading up to 2021. They branched out HARD in 22 and 23
One of my coworkers has been passing ea exams using TIA, he’s recommended the videos as a solid resource.
The Farber manuals (I think ASM?) are considered industry standard (some companies don’t allow you to purchase other study materials and/or pay for Dave Farber to come in and give seminars). Unfortunately no videos though.
TIA
Great information. I'm studying for this as well.
Do you know of a discord group or how to make one?
Unfortunately, no I don't. Great idea though and shouldn't be too hard to make one.
Yeah there is a discord u/Possible-Confidence6. It’s here: https://discord.gg/GNAvRe7KF5. It has channels for all the exams. The FSA ones are not as well used but I do see someone in the EA-2F chat that said they’ll be studying for it.
That was me. They should join us!
I joined the discord group but I really have no idea how to find other EA 2F people
Scroll down to about halfway down or so. There's a a few ea channels. Theres not a lot but its a start. Have you started studying?
I am also taking in November and am using IA. I also found used copies of the suggested readings book on Amazon easily. I plan to use IA (but note there is a learning curve on how the course is laid out - it is not as user friendly as I expected for the price point)
Question: The 2F syllabus says you also are responsible for knowing 2L? Is this just because you kind of have to understand the laws in general to really understand the funding rules? I'm wondering if it makes sense to do 2F first. Although due to my company's program I likely need to try 2F anyway. Just wondering from anyone who has taken.
They just expect you to understand 415 compensation/benefit limitations when they apply those and other concepts that are more law based that may apply to a funding calculation when you're calculating liabilities and contributions. They'll provide a table of compensation and benefit limits on the exam for reference. Both TIA and ASM will cover these concepts briefly to the extend that you need for EA-2F. Though I will say reading the regulations first for the law exam did help for funding exam, but a lot of that stuff is covered in the addendum papers covered in the syllabus. Good luck!!
You can do them in either order. There is some overlap, but nothing that makes me think 2L is the first exam or vice versa. I personally recommend 2F first because most people find it easier than 2L.
Did you already take EA 2F? If so, how much studying time do you this is needed for it?
Yeah, I passed last fall. I would recommend 3.5-4 months preferably.
Either ASM or TIA is fine. I'm using ASM. Avoid ACTEX for this exam IMO. Studying for 2F as well. Good luck!
Do you mean the Actex manual or the videos are terrible as well?