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Learn about actuarial exams and University of Iowa coursework
“In the forefront of actuarial folklore stands the belief that the actuarial examinations constitute a mystery impenetrable by mortal man.”
Charles A. Spoerl, Transactions of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 1 (1949)
“The primary unifying force of the actuarial profession in North America is the shared experience of the actuarial exams. These difficult and competitive exams . . . yield a bond among actuaries that is stronger and longer lasting than that produced by the entry trials of other professions and careers. Actuaries are unique in the extent to which they remember and discuss their qualifying process, contribute their time to the education and examinations of prospective actuaries, and share a sense of community with those who have traveled the same road. The exams are sufficiently difficult to produce a sense of accomplishment best appreciated by other successful candidates.”
Society of Actuaries Task Force on the Actuary of the Future (1988).
SOA/CAS exam information
Exam Schedules
View exam dates and registration deadlines for upcoming SOA exams.
There are multiple testing windows for exams by computer-based testing (CBT) each year. In a limited/selected number of locations outside the United States where CBT is not available, the exam will be offered by paper and pencil during specified administrations.
ASA Exams
† Exams P and FM are now continuous registrations.
Exam Name | CBT Dates | Paper/Pencil Dates | Registration Deadline |
Probability (P) Exam† | May 10-21, 2024 | May 10, 2024 | April 9, 2024 |
July 19-30, 2024 | Not Administered | June 18, 2024 | |
September 12-23, 2024 | September 12, 2024 | August 13, 2024 | |
November 8 -19, 2024 | Not Administered | October 8, 2024 | |
Financial Mathematics (FM) Exam † | April 2-13, 2024 | Not Administered | March 5, 2024 |
June 10-21, 2024 | June 10, 2024 | May 7, 2024 | |
August 7-18, 2024 | Not Administered | July 9, 2024 | |
October 1-12, 2024 | October 1, 2024 | September 3, 2024 | |
December 2-13, 2024 | Not Administered | November 5, 2024 | |
Predictive Analytics (PA) Exam | April 16-19, 2024 | N/A | March 12, 2024 |
October 15-18, 2024 | N/A | September 10, 2024 | |
Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) Exam | May 23-29, 2024 | May 23, 2024 | April 25, 2024 |
September 3-9, 2024 | September 3, 2024 | August 6, 2024 | |
Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) Exam | July 10-16, 2024 | July 10, 2024 | June 11, 2024 |
November 20-26, 2024 | November 20, 2024 | October 22, 2024 | |
Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics Long-Term (FAM-L) Exam Last Administration | July 10-16, 2024 | July 10, 2024 | June 11, 2024 |
Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics Short-Term (FAM-S) Exam Last Administration | July 10-16, 2024 | July 10, 2024 | June 11, 2024 |
Advanced Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics (ALTAM) Exam | April 23, 2024 | N/A | March 25, 2024 |
October 22, 2024 | N/A | September 23, 2024 | |
Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics (ASTAM) Exam | April 24, 2024 | N/A | March 25, 2024 |
October 23, 2024 | N/A | September 23, 2024 |
Financial Mathematics (FM) Exam | December 2-13, 2024 (CBT) | November 5, 2024 |
- The school code for The University of Iowa is 1615
- The test center name is Iowa City, Iowa
- The center code for Iowa City's paper-and-pencil tests (MLC) is 321
- The center code for Iowa City's computer-based tests (P, FM, MFE, C) is 5005
- VEE credit
- UI Pass Rates (May 2000-May 2007)
Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit
Visit the SOA Validation by Educational Experience requirement homepage.
The VEE topics are not prerequisites for the preliminary exams (Exams P, FM, MLC, MFE and C) and may be fulfilled independently of the exam process. However, you must pass two SOA or CAS actuarial exams before applying to have your VEE credit added to your record.
The VEE Candidate Credit application process is now online. Please use the links below to complete your order. Only paper applications for check orders will still be accepted.
VEE credit
VEE Candidate Credit applications for partial credit will not be accepted (e.g., an already approved regression course may not be submitted alone, but must be accompanied on the same application by an approved time series course). Applications for VEE candidate credit can only be submitted after all requirements for that topic are completed
Three subjects require Validation by Educational Experience (VEE). Validation of these subjects is required in addition to the Preliminary Education examinations. The SOA, CIA, and CAS have implemented VEE requirements for the following subjects:
- VEE-Applied Statistical Methods
- VEE-Corporate Finance
- VEE-Economics
Transferred courses may be used for VEE credit if the accepting university has applied for and received VEE approval for the equivalent course(s).
A candidate must show a grade of a B- or better on a transcript from the original school (which can be a community college) as well as a transcript from the accepting university showing credit for the equivalent course. If the transcript only lists a total number of transfer hours, it must be accompanied by a degree evaluation or similar document that details specific course equivalency.