Actuarial Exams
Actuaries achieve professional status by completing a series of exams given by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Exams P/1, FM/2, MFE/3M and C/4 are identical and given jointly by the SOA and CAS. SOA exam MLC and CAS exam 3L are different. Exam MLC will be granted credit by both the SOA and CAS, but CAS exam 3L will be given credit from only the CAS.
Courses and programs are valuable, but actuarial employers generally view performance on the actuarial exams as their most reliable measure of competence and commitment. This is particularly true at the entry level where one exam is often a minimum for full-time employment. Therefore, you are encouraged to complete exams as early as possible. This will give you an opportunity to complete more exams while in school and give you extra time if you do not pass on your first attempt (not everyone does).
SOA Associateship and Fellowship Requirements
Starting January 1, 2006, candidates may earn the Associateship designation by completing the following requirements:
- All candidates must complete Preliminary Exams P, FM, MFE, MLC, and C
- All candidates must satisfy Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) for three subjects: economics, corporate finance and applied statistics.
- All candidates must complete the Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice (FAP) Modules 1-8 and the two associated exams: FAP Exam 1 (Modules 1-5) and Exam 2 (Modules 6-8).
- All candidates must also complete the Associateship Professionalism Course (APC).
-
For SOA Fellowship, candidates must complete all Associateship requirements plus two examinations and several modules related to the candidates chosen area of practice (chosen from investment, finance, enterprise risk management, group and health, individual life and annuity, and retirement). The Fellowship Admissions Course (FAC) is also required of all candidates.
CAS Associateship and Fellowship Requirements
To earn an Associateship designation, all candidates must:
- Complete Preliminary Exams 1, 2, 3M, 3L, and 4.
- Satisfy Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) for three subjects:
-
- Economics, Corporate Finance and Applied Statistics.
- Complete CAS Exams 5 and 6
- Two CAS online Online Courses.
- Complete the CAS Course on Professionalism.
-
For CAS Fellowship, candidates must complete all Associateship requirements and CAS Exams 7 - 9. View more detailed information at the CAS website.
Preliminary Exams
Probability Exam
- Exam P/1
- Topic: Probability
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Computer Based
- Length: Three Hours
- Classes: Math 5651 or Stat 5101: Probability and Statistics (these classes are identical and cover the same topics)
- Exam P/1 Computer-Based Testing Schedules and Registration Deadlines
- Exam P/1 Information
Financial Mathematics Exam
- Exam FM/2
- Topic: Interest Theory
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Computer Based
- Length: Three Hours
- Classes: Math 4065: Theory of Interest
- Exam FM/2 Computer-Based Testing Schedules and Registration Deadlines
- Exam FM/2 Information
Models of Financial Economics Exam
- Exam MFE/3F
- Topic: Actuarial Models
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Computer Based
- Length: Three Hours
- Classes: Math 5075-5076: Mathematics of Options, Futures and Derivatives
- Exam MFE/3F Computer-Based Testing Schedules and Registration Deadlines
- Exam MFE/3F Information
Life Contingencies Exams
The SOA and CAS offer their own version of the life contingencies exam. Please note again that Exam MLC will be granted credit by both the SOA and CAS, but CAS exam 3L will be given credit from only the CAS.
SOA
- Exam MLC
- Topic: Actuarial Models
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Paper and Pencil
- Length: Three Hours
- Classes: Math 5067-5068: Actuarial Math I, II, Math 5652: Stochastic Processes
- Exam MLC Information, Testing Schedule and Registration Deadlines
CAS
- Exam 3L
- Topic: Actuarial Models
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Paper and Pencil
- Length: Two and a Half Hours
- Classes: Math 5067-5068: Actuarial Math I, II, Math 5652: Stochastic Processes
- Exam 3L Testing Schedule and Registration Deadline
- Exam 3L Information
Construction and Evaluation of Actuarial Models Exam
- Exam C/4
- Topic: Statistics and Actuarial Models
- Offered: Multiple times throughout the year
- Format: Computer based
- Length: Three and a Half Hours
- Classes: Math 5652: Stochastic Processes, Math 5067-5068: Actuarial Math I, II
- Exam C/4 Computer-Based Testing Schedules and Registration Deadlines
- Exam C/4 Information
Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice
The Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice (FAP), required for SOA Associateship, will consist of eight internet-based modules beginning in January 2006. These will be available 24 hours a day and can be completed at a candidate's own pace. Each module consist of several exercises and activities that will need to be completed in addition to an end of module test and/or exercise. The SOA assumes candidates will have passed the four preliminary exams before beginning the modules, but this is not required. Each module is estimated to take 30-50 hours of study and they must be taken in sequence.
FAP will also include two exams. One after completion of Modules 1-5 and one after completion of Modules 6-8.
Here is the current module list:
- Module 1: Role of the Professional Actuary
- Module 2: External Forces
- Module 3: Risk in Actuarial Problems
- Module 4: Actuarial Solutions
- Module 5: Actuarial Models
- Module 6: Model Selection and Solution Design
- Module 7: Selection of Initial Assumptions
- Module 8: Monitoring Results and Completing the Control Cycle
Visit the SOA website for more details and registration information regarding FAP.