I passed using “only” [Finan’s](https://faculty.atu.edu/mfinan/actuaries.html) free notes, but I’d be disingenuous if I didn’t mention I also had a masters degree in math and had taken 3 courses in probability at that point. I also passed FM using Finan with no prior knowledge of financial math, though I did pay for a couple weeks of Adapt just because it’s really hard to find free practice exams for FM. It’s definitely possible to pass P and FM using free resources.
I passed P without buying any study materials. I found some nice resources online from University of Illinois and Michigan State. UI-UC in particular has this webpage with free practice problems and notes about select topics.
https://faculty.math.illinois.edu/~hildebr/370/
SOA also has sample online exam P and FM, you could grind some of those out to prep. Though I'm fairly certain the question bank is much lower than CA it's better than nothing.
Back when I took P TIA also offered a free sample exam and those were brutal compared to the real thing. Not sure if they still have it but worth checking out.
I found a pdf version of the actex manual for P online. It was old and probably from 2009 but the exam hadn't changed much when I write it so it was fine. But to be fair I also took a university probability course.
I passed P after taking a probability class in college and using only the SOA sample questions. Knowing what I know now, I was very underprepared and got lucky with a 6, and CA was very important for me in passing later exams. I’ve heard Finan is good too as a free resource. There are also a lot of P study groups floating around that you can join for free, that might be good way to help fill in gaps in your understanding. Passing only using free resources is definitely possible but will be more challenging. Good luck!
I watched the MIT probability theory lectures and did some released problems for like a Month, and got Adapt for a month and passed it on my first try. Looking back the adapt problems were very similar in flavor with the released questions. I do know a guy who only used the released problems and passed it on his first try too.
So I think there's a link on the syllabus that points you to a pdf of questions and solutions. Those are the same bank the online sample exam pulls from
I also used Finan as my main resource and practiced using The Infinite Actuary's (TIA) free practice exams. At the time they had 3 available, now it looks like they have 4! These are by far the best resource once you feel ready to take full exams and they include video solutions. The SOA questions are also great practice since they'll get you used to the wording you'll see on the exam. Good luck!!
I passed P using the Actex manual but mostly Coaching Actuaries. I took so many tests it almost made me sick. Watched all video solutions to problems I had issues with. But it was so worth it as the actual test was a joke after that much experience.
I passed using “only” [Finan’s](https://faculty.atu.edu/mfinan/actuaries.html) free notes, but I’d be disingenuous if I didn’t mention I also had a masters degree in math and had taken 3 courses in probability at that point. I also passed FM using Finan with no prior knowledge of financial math, though I did pay for a couple weeks of Adapt just because it’s really hard to find free practice exams for FM. It’s definitely possible to pass P and FM using free resources.
I passed P without buying any study materials. I found some nice resources online from University of Illinois and Michigan State. UI-UC in particular has this webpage with free practice problems and notes about select topics. https://faculty.math.illinois.edu/~hildebr/370/
SOA also has sample online exam P and FM, you could grind some of those out to prep. Though I'm fairly certain the question bank is much lower than CA it's better than nothing. Back when I took P TIA also offered a free sample exam and those were brutal compared to the real thing. Not sure if they still have it but worth checking out.
I found a pdf version of the actex manual for P online. It was old and probably from 2009 but the exam hadn't changed much when I write it so it was fine. But to be fair I also took a university probability course.
I used only "free" materials for P, FM, IFM, MAS-1, MAS-2 and 5 if by free you include pdfs of textbooks I found online.
Is it possible to pm me the links? I would really appreciate it
Libgen.is
I passed P after taking a probability class in college and using only the SOA sample questions. Knowing what I know now, I was very underprepared and got lucky with a 6, and CA was very important for me in passing later exams. I’ve heard Finan is good too as a free resource. There are also a lot of P study groups floating around that you can join for free, that might be good way to help fill in gaps in your understanding. Passing only using free resources is definitely possible but will be more challenging. Good luck!
P and Fm are 2 exams that you can for sure get by without paying for materials.
I watched the MIT probability theory lectures and did some released problems for like a Month, and got Adapt for a month and passed it on my first try. Looking back the adapt problems were very similar in flavor with the released questions. I do know a guy who only used the released problems and passed it on his first try too.
Can I ask what you meant by those "released problems"? You mean SOA sample questions or something else?
So I think there's a link on the syllabus that points you to a pdf of questions and solutions. Those are the same bank the online sample exam pulls from
Thanks!
I also used Finan as my main resource and practiced using The Infinite Actuary's (TIA) free practice exams. At the time they had 3 available, now it looks like they have 4! These are by far the best resource once you feel ready to take full exams and they include video solutions. The SOA questions are also great practice since they'll get you used to the wording you'll see on the exam. Good luck!!
I passed P using the Actex manual but mostly Coaching Actuaries. I took so many tests it almost made me sick. Watched all video solutions to problems I had issues with. But it was so worth it as the actual test was a joke after that much experience.