Most candidates benefit from 3-6 months of focused preparation, dedicating 10-15 hours per week to LTAM material. An effective schedule typically includes conceptual learning (40% of time), practice problems (35%), and full-length practice exams (25%). Tutors help you assess your current knowledge level, identify gaps, and create a personalized timeline that fits your schedule while ensuring adequate time for practice and review before your exam date.

Start with a diagnostic practice exam to pinpoint which topics drain your time or generate errors—whether that's force of mortality calculations, annuity valuation, or benefit reserve problems. Tutors use your practice test results to create focused sessions on specific weak areas, providing targeted practice problems and explaining the underlying concepts that trip up most candidates. This targeted approach prevents studying the same strong areas repeatedly and maximizes improvement in the topics that will boost your score most significantly.

LTAM calculation errors are among the most common sources of lost points. Effective strategies include working through problems systematically, double-checking formulas before starting, and recognizing when approximations are acceptable to save time. Tutors help you develop a test-taking rhythm through practice exams and timed problem sets, teaching you which calculations warrant precision versus estimation, how to catch common errors before submitting answers, and techniques to maintain accuracy even when working quickly.

Practice exams serve two purposes: diagnosing weak areas early in your study and building exam stamina as you approach test day. Take your first diagnostic exam before formal studying begins, then incorporate timed practice exams every 2-3 weeks as you progress through content. In the final month, increase frequency to weekly full-length exams. Tutors help you analyze each practice exam—reviewing mistakes, timing patterns, and question types—to extract maximum learning value and ensure you're exam-ready by test day.

Chicago has a strong actuarial community with several insurance and pension companies headquartered or located in the area, creating local networking opportunities and peer study groups. The Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society maintain local chapters and online resources accessible to Chicago candidates. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors familiar with LTAM preparation and the exam format, providing personalized 1-on-1 instruction that complements study groups and self-directed learning.

Exam anxiety typically stems from uncertainty about material or pacing. Build confidence through repeated exposure to exam-style questions and timed practice tests—familiarity with the format and your own capabilities significantly reduces anxiety. Tutors help by creating a structured, evidence-based study plan you can trust, explaining tricky concepts until they click, and conducting practice exam simulations that mimic actual test conditions. Regular success on practice problems and steady score improvements build the confidence that carries into test day.