Yeah, somehow i have to agree. I have to say the only reason I reply to this thread is that there are too many misleading information about actuarial science. There are just too many people complaining how hard to become an actuary from what they heard. They stopped when they thinks it's difficult to achieve. In the end, they achieve nothing.
Actuary didnt get paid for doing nothing and actuary do not just happened to "pass"the exam. There are reasons behind the high salary and good job specs and it didnt come by just complaining and do nothing. Yet, Actuary didnt just become the best job in 2010 for nothing.

If you are determined for a career, you will work hard for it. There is no easy way out in making a successful career. Complaining how hard a career can be are just excuses of lazy people who do not want to work hard. When i was in high school, I used to think that I can get a high paying job that doesnt need to work hard. Guess what, no such thing. Before I decided to take up an actuarial degree, I heard things about actuarial science and how hard it is. Guess what, i am finishing second year now and i passed my first professional paper with only one trial and studied for only one month.

interesting but pointless arguments.....

Take up some internship experience instead of looking from a student's view which is formed either from illusion/hearsay.

When you start working, maybe you will be too tired to argue anymore which relates to which.

Well hello everyone,

Look, i'm merely just 17 years old, soon to sit for my major examination at this age, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia. I've placed actuary as my first option in my career pathway and so would like to seek advice from you guys. From what i've heard, Actuarial Science degree is only available overseas. According to latest news, the JPA scholarship no longers offers you to study overseas. Clearly, scholarship is definitely not an option for me anymore(correct me if i'm wrong). So, can anybody tell me the options i could take after finishing my SPM to get to the actuarial science degree (minising financial expenditure if possible)?

*Is it a good idea to major in other degrees (like computering) first and then get to actuarial science by doing exams like what dubai_gal's doing?
*If i choose to major in actuarial science, my options in job opportunities will narrow, wouldn't it be risky if i couldn't get a job as the actuarial science course is technical?

I am looking to start an Actuarial Science degree (hopefully if I get in) as well.

Please, anyone with knowledge in this area, or who has studied Actuarial Science/Actuarial Maths/Finance, or is in this field, could you please enlighten us with exactly what sort of maths is involved? I have seen that there is a substantial amount of algebra, calculus, and probability and statistics.

Specifically, what other maths subjects are there? And how far is the programming?

Also, I have an important question: when you start an Actuarial Science degree, are you expected to know a lot of the pure maths part? Or will they teach you most of it? What if I didn't take Further Maths?

Thank you.

1. How frequently can you take SOA exams, and how many times are you allowed to repeat for fails (and what happens - consequences - if you do)?

2. Do you mind telling me where you are working (type of firm and country) and where you plan to work after qualifying?