Actuarial Science (AS): What is that?!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t & selamat sejahtera guys! (and girls) :D

   Alhamdulillah, we have gone through Ramadan; a month full of blessings for more than a week now... How's your puasa so far? You have not skipped any days so far right? If you do, hmmmm, I hope because of heath problem, and not because of you can't stand looking at foods ok! Hahaha... XD

   Ok, in this entry, I'm gonna share with you all about AS (I will use AS as short form.for Actuarial Science from now on. Penatlah nak taip panjang2. XP)

"Apa tu?"
"Apa yang actual sangat pasal sains?"
"Susah kan course ni? Lagi susah dari medik orang kata."
"Banyak gile Maths dalam course ni."
"Huiissshhhh, ramai pelajar drop tau course ni. Ko x takut ke?"

   These are a few common comments that I've heard so far as an AS student. That's why when people ask me what course am I reading now in university, most probably I would say "Maths" instead of AS because if I say AS, then I'm gonna need to spend a few minutes to tell them about AS. But, the most irritating feedback (seriously, all people that I've met will say this) if I say that I'm a Math student is;

"Nak jadi cikgu ke?"

OMG!!! That is people's perception towards Maths students. I can't blame them for thinking that way since most of Maths students will end up either as Lecturers or Teachers, but that was before! Maths students nowadays are being employed in financial sector as well! So people, please change your mindset ok! >_<

   In a summary, I would like say that AS is a combination of knowledge of Statistics (not Maths ok), Finance and Economics to assess risks and uncertainties. So, don't think that AS is all about Maths, which is totally wrong! You will learn Economics and Finance as well. Most of top universities in UK and Australian universities put AS under their respective business school!  Since it's dealing with uncertainties and risks, most of AS graduates are found in either insurance or investment sector. Not forgetting the banking sector as well.

   The professionals in AS field are called Actuaries (singular: Actuary), not Actuarists, Actuarians, but Actuaries. It is a professional course, just like Accountancy, Engineering where AS also have it's own professional bodies such as:

UK         - Institute of Actuaries
Australia - Institute of Actuaries Australia
US         - Society of Actuaries (less familiar with)
              - Casualty of Actuaries (less familiar with)


When you take the professional papers, you will be branching out into either one of these four streams:

1. Life insurance
2. General insurance
3. Superannuation
4. Investment


   So, just like Accountancy, a degree in AS doesn't mean when you have graduated, you are automatically an Actuary. You must pass all professional papers 1st before you can be entitled as Actuary. On average, people will qualify as Actuary after 8-10 years of work-and-study life (including 3-4 years of degree studies) And, based on statistics, the world's passing rate for these prof.papers are less than 40%! Woahhoooo! Take it easy guys. At least, it shows that you can PASS the papers but of course it's not gonna be easy eh! ;)
*being optimistic*

   I have not yet taken any of the papers, but my seniors did and none of them pass it in 1st trial. Most will pass after they have felt the failure 1st (I said most, not all). Since i don't have the experience of sitting for the prof.papers (yet), so, I won't go into details about it. Regarding my studies, so far, Alhamdulillah, I am doing well and InsyaAllah will keep this momentum till the end. Ganbatte! ^_^

   This course is as hard as other course. I won't say it it neither easier nor harder compare to other courses. Seriously, it's up to you. Just like what I have said before, if you enjoy your studies, success will chase after you and I do enjoy my studies and life as a university student. I am not trying to comfort you if you are considering to read AS after this, but that's a reality. Yes, in my university, Chinese students dominate this course, but I take it as as a challenge. Out of 30++ students, only 5 are Malays. Maybe this course is not yet popular among the Malay student due to the perceptions mentioned above. Frankly speaking, I love to fight them in terms of academic performance because they are really good at it, and in most cases, got better result than me. But, *kimcana (a korean word which means 'It's alright'), I believe that I can succeed in this field. I believe in myself. :)

   Now, my university is applying for Institute of Actuaries' accreditation. If let say we got the accreditation (InsyaAllah), we will get exemptions for some of the professional papers, hopefully for all Core Technical (CT) papers because that's what mostly undergraduate degree in AS will get. (for more info about Institute of Actuaries, you can go to this website: http://www.actuaries.org.uk/). Please spend some time to read it ok. (",)
Then, we only need to concentrate on our studies without thinking of sitting and passing the prof.papers while studying. Fuuuuhhh, if that happens, I'll be the most happiest AS stundent in the world! Hahaha :D

   I guess that all what I gonna share with y'all for this entry. Keep supporting my blog ok!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t & don't forget to smile always! ^^,