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Bhavya Mukesh Shah

CM2 Topper in November 2019 Exam

Clearing actuarial papers is always a happy feeling; but getting a 1st Rank put me right on cloud nine. I always credit my parents and mentors for my success.

My first step in preparing for any paper is to understand all the concepts clearly. It’s only after this that I go onto solve questions based on the concept. In order to get full use, I try to read beyond the Combined Materials Pack and use the reference books mentioned in the Notes. After all of this, I solve the Past Exam Papers from the Institute in order to fine-tune my question solving skills. My mentors have always encouraged me to create challenging questions on my own and try to solve them. On the day before exam I prefer going through the summary sheets and every difficult question that I have come across while studying for the paper. On the exam day, I try to keep myself relaxed so I can stay focused for the entire duration of the exam. In addition to getting ranks and scoring good marks, this methodology has helped me in being satisfied with my understanding of the subjects.

Qualifications:

Actuarial Papers: CT1, CT3, CT5,CS2(All India Rank 1) ,CM2(All India Rank 1) ,CB1,CB2 and Appeared CP2

Non – Actuarial: Undergraduate at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics

Experience: Intern at BJRCA where I am responsible for providing support for all General Insurance related process like Actuarial Pricing, Reserving and Underwriting.

Pratik Mohta

CM2 Topper in November 2020 Exam

I am Pratik Mohta and I am a graduate in Economics from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata. I am currently working as an Actuarial Analyst in a consulting firm.

Firstly, I would like to thank IAI for conducting the exams in such tough times when most of the other examinations had to be postponed or cancelled. Since it was an online exam, I initially had a lot of apprehension about attempting a mathematical paper in an online sitting. However, the mock tests conducted by the Institute were very helpful in familiarising us with the new structure. I would also like to thank my parents and friends for their constant support and encouragement. This wouldn't have been possible without them.

Education qualification with Actuarial subject details: Graduation: St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, BSc Economics(H) Actuarial Papers cleared: CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6, CB1, CB3, CM2

Work Experience

• Deputy Manager, ICICI Bank Wealth Management : July 2019 - July 2020

• Actuarial Analyst, Deloitte Consulting : since December 2020

Kathan Jain

Associate

On your journey to becoming an actuary you have to pass a series of exams on a wide variety of subjects. Just as actuarial science is a harmonious blend of statistics and finance, these exams are a blend of both theoretical and practical questions.

There are minimal restrictions on the order in which exams may be given. Many subjects build upon the earlier exams and so it would be wise to attempt those post passing the earlier exams. I would recommend starting with the subjects you feel most comfortable with e.g., someone who has extensively studied finance and accounts could start with giving CB 1and 2 that cover these subjects before moving on to the more mathematical subjects.

The most important skills to pass exams (other than understanding the material) are:

1. Preparing in advance: The material for the exams is vast and thus, one must ensure adequate time is set aside to prepare. Setting an explicit timeline of study goals (and sticking to it!) is equally important. Depending on the vastness of the syllabus, 3-6 months of prep time would be appropriate. Starting early is further needed when one is working in studying. Whilst working it would be best to identify the busy period and accordingly schedule your prep and exams.

2. Time management: As exams are sat with a fixed time, it is imperative that you answer as many of the questions as you can. I would recommend starting off with the questions you find easy and score those marks quickly in order to bank time for the tougher questions.

3. Attention to detail: The questions are worded in a specific manner in order to hint & guide towards what the answer is. It is important to pick on these hints and reference them in your answers. While answering mathematical questions this would translate into ensuring all details mentioned in the question are allowed for e.g., in CM1 if the select mortality is to be used, then using ultimate mortality would mean marks are lost or one has to redo (losing time).

4. Dealing with failure: It’s possible one may not pass all exams in one go. In such a scenario it is important to remember a ‘fail’ isn’t the end of the world. You must dust off and analyze where you went wrong and continuously learn from your mistakes.

Qualification: I hold a B.Sc. (Actuarial Science) degree from YCMOU and I am also an Associate member of IAI.

Work Experience

I am currently employed as an associate at Ankolekar & Co.

Kartikey Laxmanprasad Kandoi

Fellows

I heard about Actuary Profession in 2012 when I was in Deloitte pursuing my Articleship where some of my teammates were doing Actuary. I heard that this is a course for students who love maths and it is quite a lucrative field due to short supply. When i joined the profession there were less than 250 Actuaries so it was a dare for me to start into new field as student when I was on verge of completing my CA. My journey to become Actuary was like roller coaster which started from downside and then taken extreme ups then down and jump and became Actuary. Before entering into Actuary i had never faced failure even I was a all-India Rank holder in CA IPCC exam and I had to taste of failure in very first ACET exam only. My key to success was focused study, taking appropriate guidance for each subject and counselling when i failed any exam. I used to give one extra subject exam where may be i’m not 100% prepared but still i used to give exam and treat that as mock exam for myself and make sure that in next diet that paper should pass. This approach had helped me a lot and I passed all exams in less than total 5 years period, this could have been 4 years as my fellowship paper CA3 took almost a year for me to pass. I would say practical experience which we gain while working in Actuarial field is very helpful in passing higher level exams after CT series.

Actuary is a fulfilling career where we get various new aspects of working in form of different benefit schemes offered by corporates for employee benefits. As this is a specialised filed and working with firm like M/s K. A. Pandit which is one of longest serving Actuarial firm gives an extra advantage to me to progress and prosper in this Actuarial Field.

Education qualification with Actuarial subject details: Chartered Accountant from ICAI (2013), Actuary from IAI (2017), IFOA (2021)

Work Experience Details:

8 years’ experience in employee benefits field, working experience in Life and non-life insurance as well. Specialised in ESOP valuation for large MNC and private companies. Working experience of large PSU banks pension scheme and various social security plans. Currently working as Consulting Actuary, ESOP Advisor at Kandoi & Co, Actuaries and Advisors. I’m also serving Institute of Actuaries of India as Secretary to Advisory Group of Pension, Employee Benefits and Social Security since October 2018.