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To prepare for actuarial science exams, you'll need to meet the requirements set by the Actuarial Society. The first step is to earn a bachelor's degree in a field such as mathematics, statistics, or economics.
The Actuarial Society offers various exams to test your skills and knowledge. There are over 10 exams to choose from, each focusing on a specific area of actuarial science.
To become an actuary, you'll need to pass a series of exams, known as the Professional Examination Program (PEP). The PEP consists of three levels: Associate, Fellow, and Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst.
Exam Providers
Exam providers play a crucial role in the actuarial science exam process.
The two main exam providers for actuarial science exams are the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS).
The SOA offers a range of exams that cover various aspects of actuarial science, including probability and statistics, finance, and investments.
The CAS, on the other hand, focuses on property and casualty insurance exams.
Society of Actuary
The Society of Actuary is a well-established organization that plays a crucial role in the actuarial profession. It was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The Society has over 30,000 members worldwide, making it one of the largest actuarial organizations globally. Its members are highly qualified professionals who work in various fields, including insurance, finance, and healthcare.
The Society of Actuary offers various certifications, including the Fellow of the Society of Actuary (FSA) and the Associate of the Society of Actuary (ASA). These certifications are highly respected in the industry and demonstrate an individual's expertise and commitment to the field.
The Society also provides a range of resources and tools for its members, including educational materials, research studies, and career development opportunities.
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) is not explicitly mentioned in the provided article sections, but we can infer some information about exam providers in the context of actuarial exams. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) is one exam provider mentioned, and it has a website where you can find more detailed information on their exams.
The CAS exam covers a range of topics, including Probability Models, Statistics, Extended Linear Models, and Time series with Constant Variance. This exam is a significant part of the actuarial certification process.
The CAS exam format includes a 4-hour exam, MAS-II - Modern Actuarial Statistics-II, which covers Introduction to Credibility, Linear Mixed Models, Bayesian Analysis and Markov Chain Monte Carlo, and Statistical Learning.
Here's a list of some other exams and topics mentioned in the article sections:
- Exam 5 - Basic Techniques for Ratemaking and Estimating Claim Liabilities: This exam covers Ratemaking Process, Exposure Base, Premiums in Ratemaking, and other related topics.
- Exam 6 - Financial Mathematics: This exam covers Regulation of Insurance and Canadian Insurance Law, Government and Industry Insurance Programs, Financial Reporting and Solvency, and Professional Responsibilities of the Actuary in Financial Reporting.
- Exam 7 - Financial Economics: This exam covers Regulation of Insurance and United States Insurance Law, Government and Industry Insurance Programs, Financial Reporting and Taxation, and Professional Responsibilities of the Actuary in Financial Reporting.
Exam Structure
Exam P/1 (Probability) is a three-hour multiple-choice examination covering calculus-based probability and statistics. Many of the problems on this exam are set as word problems involving risk.
The exam is administered by the SOA and offered six times during the year via computer-based testing. Students should be prepared to take this exam after completing STAT 441.
Exam FM/2 (Financial Mathematics) is a three-hour multiple-choice examination covering interest theory and introductory financial mathematics. The exam is administered by the SOA and offered six times during the year via computer-based testing.
Students should be prepared to take this exam after completing ACRS 325.
Exam Preparation
To prepare for actuarial science exams, it's essential to spend quality study time beyond college coursework. Plan to spend 100 total hours of class and study time preparing for each hour of exam time. For example, you'll need about 300 hours of prep time for a three-hour exam.
It's crucial to work through practice problems and use study manuals to help you prepare. Valparaiso University's actuarial science director recommends purchasing or borrowing a study manual, and students can also find study manuals through actuarial booksellers.
Studying for the
Studying for the actuarial exams requires a significant amount of time and effort. The general rule of thumb is to spend 100 total hours of class and study time preparing for each hour of exam time.
The actuarial exams are challenging, and students should plan to spend additional study time beyond the college coursework. This means that for a three-hour exam, you'll need to spend around 300 hours preparing.
Working through practice problems is essential for success on the exams. It's recommended that you purchase or borrow a study manual to help you prepare.
Valparaiso University's actuarial science director has study manuals available for borrowing, or you can purchase one through an actuarial bookseller. This will give you access to valuable study resources and practice problems.
The SOA course catalog is a great resource for finding the syllabus for each exam. Within the syllabus, you'll find electronic links to required study notes and sample exam problems with solutions.
Don't forget to download the study notes and sample problems – they're a crucial part of your exam prep. You can also find additional practice exam problems online to help you prepare.
Valparaiso University offers exam-prep courses for Exam P/1 and Exam FM/2, which can be a great way to get additional support and guidance.
Summer Courses
Summer Courses can be a great way to get a head start on your exam preparation. Many colleges and universities offer online courses during the summer months.
If you're looking to take a course online, you're in luck - several sections are opening soon. For example, Business Administration: Managerial Finance (online) is one of the courses that will be available.
The course will be taught by Andrew Prevost and will be worth 3 credits. You can set a reminder to stay on top of when the course becomes available.
If you're interested in economics, there are several courses to choose from. Principles of Macroeconomics (online) will be offered in two sections, taught by Erkmen Aslim and Nathalie Mathieu-Bolh, respectively.
Here are some of the summer courses that will be available:
- Business Administration: Managerial Finance (online) - taught by Andrew Prevost
- Principles of Macroeconomics (online) - taught by Erkmen Aslim
- Principles of Macroeconomics (online) - taught by Nathalie Mathieu-Bolh
- Principles of Microeconomics (online) - taught by Emily Beam
- Mathematics: Fndmntls of Financial Math (online) - taught by Joseph Kudrle
- Statistics: Applied Probability (online) - taught by Katherine Merrill
- Statistics: Basic Statistical Methods 2 (online) - taught by Katherine Merrill
VEE Requirements
To fulfill the VEE requirements, students must complete approved coursework in addition to passing professional actuarial exams.
The Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society require students to complete courses in specific areas. The CAS requires courses in economics and accounting and finance, while the SOA also requires coursework in mathematical statistics.
You can earn VEE credits by completing university coursework or online courses that meet the required topics.
The three required VEE topics for the ASA pathway are economics, accounting and finance, and mathematical statistics.
To earn VEE credits, you must pass two SOA, CAS, or CIA actuarial exams before applying for VEE credit.
Here are some VEE-approved courses at Valpo:
- Mathematical Statistics – STAT 442
- Economics – ECON 221 and 222
- Accounting and Finance – ACC 205 and FIN 304
Faculty and Resources
Our faculty members are experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. They have created a curriculum that maps directly to the certification exams in Actuarial Science.
The curriculum is designed to help you become familiar with the content of the exams, which can give you a significant advantage in your studies. This is especially important because the exams are notoriously challenging.
Our primary instructors are a senior lecturer and a lecturer, both of whom have extensive experience in teaching and business. They are dedicated to helping you succeed in your studies.
Here are the primary instructors who will be guiding you through the program:
- Senior lecturer
- Lecturer
Their teaching experience and business acumen make them well-suited to help you navigate the complex world of Actuarial Science.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 actuarial exams?
The 7 actuarial exams are: Exam P, Exam FM, Exam FAM, ALTAM, ASTAM, SRM, and PA, which cover various aspects of actuarial science and mathematics. These exams are a crucial step in becoming a certified actuary and advancing in the field.
Are actuary exams harder than CPA?
Actuary exams are considered more challenging than CPA exams due to their specialized nature and longer certification process. If you're interested in a career in finance, understanding the differences between actuary and accounting certifications can help you make an informed decision.
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