Class 3 retake is in the books so here are my thoughts. It was definitely worth taking again. I had a few people ask and the analogy I used was that taking any newly released Survivor class is like buying a newly designed model car (which I have done twice in my life). There are always a few hiccups along the way. For me the information was presented better this time around and had a more logical flow. Also picked up a couple of clarifications points I missed the first time and a few additional nuggets. I also discovered that the class information is tweaked from time to time. There was one charting nugget I use quite often provided in my 2013 Survivor 2 class that will be discussed in RTP going forward. The nugget was briefly mentioned in class 3 this weekend only because it helped to support the topic being discussed. My point is that you never know what you will pick up unless you go.
Class 3 is still focused on really starting to get into the art side of trading. The analogy was that of an artist. How do you know when the painting is finished? Why did the artist not stop one brush stroke before and how does the artist know that the painting does not require one or two additional brush strokes? Because it’s done – the artist just knows. I think that is one of the problems I see from time to time in this forum as we have a lot of technical types (myself included). There are various levels of trading experience that contribute and all feedback is welcomed. The problem at times is that too many people want an ABC123 list of reasons why something was done. The ABC123 will only take you so far. I believe there are several individuals in this forum that do not give themselves enough credit for that which they know but cannot explain.
Finally, the new piece that is being added and prompted me to consider retaking the class is a very good nice to know piece of information. I will use it but for me it is not a need to know. I found more value in some other nuggets and walking through GW’s trade. Once again you get to see the entry point and explanation using Survivor thought process. You also get explanations of decision points along the way up until the exit. Same as last year but a more recent trade. We also received a written explanation of three trades from coaching clients that GW graded as basically perfect with minor tweaks. Decision to get in, reasons for staying along the way, and the exits. The first was walked through similar to the GW trade and the remaining two provided so that we could research ourselves. Last but not least there are those charting nuggets that everyone wants that only come up from time to time. Nothing earth shattering. Some are great that I did not know, some I picked up myself from experience, and others I already knew from reading the book list.
I believe the realized value will be based on the personal reason for going. Before I forget the cost of Survivor 1 is being reduced next year to be more in line with the old 2-5 cost around 2006 – 2007. Also introducing an incentive that will allow you to retake any class you have already taken once your have three new paid referrals in a given year. In other words if you have three new people sign up by February 2015 you can
retake any class for free for the remainder of 2015 Feb – Dec (including RTP). I provide this as an FYI update in case anyone is interested – not to drive referral business.
That is about as objective as I can be. Sorry that I cannot go into more detail but restricted by NDA. It was worth my time and picked up a few additional nuggets along the way.
NCT