{"id":21085,"date":"2026-08-26T16:14:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T21:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/?p=21085"},"modified":"2026-08-26T16:26:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T21:26:12","slug":"what-is-an-actuarial-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/what-is-an-actuarial-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Actuarial Exam? Everything You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":" <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One exam. Then another. Then several more.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is the part people leave out when they say actuaries \u201ctake an exam.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process can sound confusing when every test has a different name, subject, and place in the pathway. It gets much easier once you see how everything connects.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, I\u2019ll break down what <a href=\"https:\/\/www.soa.org\/education\/exam-req\/edu-asa-req\/\">actuarial exams<\/a> are, who takes them, and what the full process actually looks like.<\/p> <p class=\"custom_key wp-block-paragraph\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\"><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list custom_underline\"> <li><strong>Expect a Multi-Year Process:<\/strong> Actuarial candidates complete several exams over the course of their training.<\/li> <li><strong>Progress Into Specialized Topics:<\/strong> Exam subjects become more focused as you move through the credentialing process.<\/li> <li><strong>Know What Varies:<\/strong> Exam formats, fees, and pass rates differ depending on the exam.<\/li> <li><strong>Understand the SOA and CAS Paths:<\/strong> Each organization leads toward different actuarial career specialties.<\/li> <li><strong>Look Beyond the Exams:<\/strong> Earning actuarial credentials also requires additional education and professional requirements.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 id=\"h-so-what-is-an-actuarial-exam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>So, What Is an Actuarial Exam?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How does an insurance company decide what to charge you\u2014or whether it has enough money to cover claims 30 years from now?<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Actuaries use math and data to answer those questions. Actuarial exams prove they can actually do it.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exams cover things like:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Predicting insurance claims<\/li> <li>Pricing policies<\/li> <li>Calculating retirement payments<\/li> <li>Measuring investment risk<\/li> <li>Building models from financial data<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not one licensing exam taken after college. It is a series completed over several years. Passing one or two can help you compete for internships and entry-level actuarial jobs, then you keep earning credits while working toward your full credential.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-what-are-the-different-types-of-actuarial-exams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are the Different Types of Actuarial Exams?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exam process moves from general math into more advanced career specialties.<\/p> <style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"supsystic-table-540_91619-css\">\/* Here you can add custom CSS for the current table *\/ \/* Lean more about CSS: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cascading_Style_Sheets *\/ \/* To prevent the use of styles to other tables use \"#supsystic-table-540\" as a base selector for example: #supsystic-table-540 { ... } #supsystic-table-540 tbody { ... } #supsystic-table-540 tbody tr { ... } *\/ div#supsystic-table-540_wrapper { width: 60%; margin: 0 auto; } table#supsystic-table-540 { border: none !important; } .supsystic-tables-wrap .dataTables_scrollHead table.supsystic-table { border-bottom: unset !important; 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font-size: 11px !important; } div#supsystic-table-540_wrapper { width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; } } <\/style> <div id=\"supsystic-table-540_91619\" class=\"supsystic-tables-wrap \" style=\" width:100%; visibility: hidden; \" data-table-width-fixed=\"100%\" data-table-width-mobile=\"100%\" ><table id=\"supsystic-table-540\" class=\"supsystic-table border stripe hover lightboxImg cell-border\" data-id=\"540\" data-view-id=\"540_91619\" data-title=\"Different Types of Actuarial Exams\" data-currency-format=\"$1,000.00\" data-percent-format=\"10.00%\" data-date-format=\"DD.MM.YYYY\" data-time-format=\"HH:mm\" data-features=\"[&quot;after_table_loaded_script&quot;]\" data-search-value=\"\" data-loader-icon-name=\"default\" data-loader-icon-items=\"0\" data-loader-color=\"#000000\" data-processing-bg=\"#ffffff\" data-processing-color=\"#000000\" data-lightbox-img=\"\" data-head=\"on\" data-head-rows-count=\"1\" data-pagination-length=\"50,100,All\" data-auto-index=\"off\" data-searching-settings=\"{&quot;columnSearchPosition&quot;:&quot;bottom&quot;,&quot;minChars&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-lang=\"default\" data-override=\"{&quot;emptyTable&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;info&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoEmpty&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;infoFiltered&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;lengthMenu&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;search&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;previous&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;next&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;zeroRecords&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;exportLabel&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;file&quot;:&quot;default&quot;}\" data-merged=\"[]\" data-responsive-mode=\"2\" data-from-history=\"0\" ><thead><tr><th data-cell-id=\"A1\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"bold htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Exam Stage\" data-order=\"Exam Stage\" style=\"min-width: 33.3333%; width: 33.3333%;\" >Exam Stage <\/th><th data-cell-id=\"B1\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"bold htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"What It Covers\" data-order=\"What It Covers\" style=\"min-width: 33.3333%; width: 33.3333%;\" >What It Covers <\/th><th data-cell-id=\"C1\" data-x=\"2\" data-y=\"1\" data-db-index=\"1\" class=\"bold htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Examples\" data-order=\"Examples\" style=\"min-width: 33.3333%; width: 33.3333%;\" >Examples <\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A2\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Foundational exams\" data-order=\"Foundational exams\" >Foundational exams <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B2\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Probability, financial mathematics, and statistics\" data-order=\"Probability, financial mathematics, and statistics\" >Probability, financial mathematics, and statistics <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"C2\" data-x=\"2\" data-y=\"2\" data-db-index=\"2\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"P, FM, SRM\" data-order=\"P, FM, SRM\" >P, FM, SRM <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A3\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Associate-level exams\" data-order=\"Associate-level exams\" >Associate-level exams <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B3\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Insurance mathematics, modeling, pricing, reserves, and analytics\" data-order=\"Insurance mathematics, modeling, pricing, reserves, and analytics\" >Insurance mathematics, modeling, pricing, reserves, and analytics <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"C3\" data-x=\"2\" data-y=\"3\" data-db-index=\"3\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"FAM, PA, MAS-I, MAS-II\" data-order=\"FAM, PA, MAS-I, MAS-II\" >FAM, PA, MAS-I, MAS-II <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A4\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Advanced associate exams\" data-order=\"Advanced associate exams\" >Advanced associate exams <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B4\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"More specialized insurance and risk problems\" data-order=\"More specialized insurance and risk problems\" >More specialized insurance and risk problems <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"C4\" data-x=\"2\" data-y=\"4\" data-db-index=\"4\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"ALTAM, ASTAM, CAS Exams 5 and 6\" data-order=\"ALTAM, ASTAM, CAS Exams 5 and 6\" >ALTAM, ASTAM, CAS Exams 5 and 6 <\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height:px\" ><td data-cell-id=\"A5\" data-x=\"0\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Fellowship exams\" data-order=\"Fellowship exams\" >Fellowship exams <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"B5\" data-x=\"1\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"Advanced topics based on a chosen career specialty\" data-order=\"Advanced topics based on a chosen career specialty\" >Advanced topics based on a chosen career specialty <\/td><td data-cell-id=\"C5\" data-x=\"2\" data-y=\"5\" data-db-index=\"5\" class=\"htCenter\" data-cell-type=\"text\" data-original-value=\"FSA specialty exams or CAS Exams 7, 8, and 9\" data-order=\"FSA specialty exams or CAS Exams 7, 8, and 9\" >FSA specialty exams or CAS Exams 7, 8, and 9 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><!-- \/#supsystic-table-540.supsystic-table --><\/div><!-- \/.supsystic-tables-wrap --><!-- Tables Generator by Supsystic --><!-- Version:1.13.1 --><!-- http:\/\/supsystic.com\/ --> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exams are not the only requirements. Depending on the pathway, candidates may also complete online modules, educational credits, projects, and professionalism courses.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You will not take every exam in the table. Your chosen credential determines which ones belong in your path.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-actuarial-exam-format-and-requirements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Actuarial Exam Format and Requirements<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no universal actuarial exam format or price.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some exams are multiple-choice. Others require written explanations, data analysis, spreadsheets, projects, or longer constructed responses.<\/p> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"Actuarial exam format and requirements for SOA and CAS tests\" class=\"wp-image-21087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1-280x280.png 280w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info1.png 1254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is what generally changes:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Question Count:<\/strong> Each exam has its own number of questions or tasks.<\/li> <li><strong>Testing Time:<\/strong> Sessions can range from a few hours to take-home assessments completed over several days.<\/li> <li><strong>Exam Fee:<\/strong> Prices increase as candidates reach more advanced exams.<\/li> <li><strong>Testing Method:<\/strong> Most SOA exams use computer-based testing, although some assessments are completed differently.<\/li> <li><strong>Results:<\/strong> Certain preliminary exams provide an unofficial result shortly after testing. Others require several weeks of grading.<\/li> <li><strong>Registration:<\/strong> Early exams are open to college students, career changers, and working professionals.<\/li> <\/ul> <h2 id=\"h-what-is-covered-on-actuarial-exams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Covered on Actuarial Exams?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subjects change as you move through the process.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-math-and-statistics\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Math and Statistics<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The early material creates the foundation for everything that follows.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may study:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Probability<\/li> <li>Financial mathematics<\/li> <li>Interest rates and cash flows<\/li> <li>Statistical models<\/li> <li>Random variables and distributions<\/li> <li>Regression and time-series analysis<\/li> <\/ul> <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"What is covered on actuarial exams: math, insurance, analytics, and specialties\" class=\"wp-image-21088\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2-280x280.png 280w, https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-info2.png 1254w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure> <h3 id=\"h-insurance-and-financial-risk\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Insurance and Financial Risk<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later exams apply that math to the decisions insurance companies and financial institutions make.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Topics may include:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Insurance benefits and premiums<\/li> <li>Ratemaking<\/li> <li>Claim liabilities and reserves<\/li> <li>Asset and liability management<\/li> <li>Investment risk<\/li> <li>Financial reporting<\/li> <li>Insurance regulation<\/li> <\/ul> <h3 id=\"h-data-and-predictive-analytics\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Data and Predictive Analytics<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some exams test whether you can work with data instead of only solving a calculation.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That can include:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Choosing a statistical model<\/li> <li>Analyzing a data set<\/li> <li>Testing whether a model works<\/li> <li>Explaining results clearly<\/li> <li>Using predictions to solve a business problem<\/li> <\/ul> <h3 id=\"h-advanced-specialties\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Advanced Specialties<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fellowship exams focus on a specific area of actuarial work. Options may include life insurance, health benefits, retirement, investments, enterprise risk, property insurance, casualty insurance, or reinsurance.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-why-are-there-different-actuarial-exam-paths\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Are There Different Actuarial Exam Paths?<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The two main U.S. actuarial organizations prepare candidates for different careers.<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>\u27a1\ufe0f SOA:<\/strong> Life insurance, health insurance, retirement, investments, finance, and enterprise risk<\/li> <li><strong>\u27a1\ufe0f CAS:<\/strong> Auto, home, business, liability, and other property and casualty insurance<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SOA candidates work toward the ASA credential and may later continue toward the FSA. CAS candidates work toward ACAS and then FCAS.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-actuarial-exam-scoring-pass-rates-and-difficulty\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Actuarial Exam Scoring, Pass Rates, and Difficulty<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no universal passing percentage. The SOA and CAS set pass marks for individual exams and report each sitting separately.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The SOA grades many exams from 0 to 10, with 6 as the lowest passing grade. That does not mean 60% correct.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.actuarialexampassrates.com\/recent-sittings\">Recent pass rates<\/a> show how much difficulty can vary:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>SOA Exam PA:<\/strong> 65.0%<\/li> <li><strong>CAS MAS-I:<\/strong> 43.4%<\/li> <li><strong>CAS Exam 5:<\/strong> 38.3%<\/li> <li><strong>CAS Exam 7:<\/strong> 23.7%<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some exams passed nearly two-thirds of candidates, while others passed fewer than one in four. The challenge may involve multi-step math, choosing the correct method, analyzing data, or explaining an answer clearly.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-how-to-prepare-for-an-actuarial-exam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Prepare for an Actuarial Exam<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You cannot really cram your way through these exams.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A solid study routine looks like:<\/p> <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Follow the syllabus for your exact exam<\/li> <li>Learn one topic at a time<\/li> <li>Complete practice problems immediately afterward<\/li> <li>Keep a list of mistakes by topic<\/li> <li>Redo missed questions without viewing the solution<\/li> <li>Practice with unfamiliar questions<\/li> <li>Take timed exams before test day<\/li> <\/ul> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not count a question as mastered because you recognize the answer. You should be able to solve it again when the numbers, wording, or situation changes.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A prep course can help organize the lessons, formulas, question bank, and practice exams when building everything yourself feels like another job.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-my-final-thoughts-on-actuarial-exams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>My Final Thoughts on Actuarial Exams<\/strong><\/h2> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An actuarial exam is difficult by design, but it&#8217;s also a manageable career milestone, not a mysterious test of genius.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose the pathway that matches the actuarial work you want, confirm its current requirements, and focus on one exam at a time. One pass will not finish the journey, but it can help you compete for internships, entry-level roles, and employer support.<\/p> <h2 id=\"h-faqs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2> <h3 id=\"h-are-actuarial-exams-harder-than-college-exams\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Are actuarial exams harder than college exams?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often, yes. They cover more material than a typical college test and require you to solve unfamiliar problems accurately within a strict time limit.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-do-you-need-a-degree-to-take-an-actuarial-exam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do you need a degree to take an actuarial exam?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Anyone can register for an early actuarial exam. However, employers typically expect candidates to have a bachelor\u2019s degree and strong math skills.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-can-you-take-actuarial-exams-while-in-college\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can you take actuarial exams while in college?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Passing one or two exams before graduation can strengthen your applications for actuarial internships and entry-level jobs.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-do-actuarial-exam-credits-expire\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do actuarial exam credits expire?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passed exams generally do not expire. When requirements change, the SOA and CAS publish transition rules explaining how previously earned credits apply.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-what-score-do-you-need-to-pass-an-actuarial-exam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What score do you need to pass an actuarial exam?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It depends on the exam. The SOA uses a 0\u201310 scale for many exams, with 6 passing, but that does not mean 60% correct.<\/p> <h3 id=\"h-can-you-become-an-actuary-after-passing-one-exam\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Can you become an actuary after passing one exam?<\/strong><\/h3> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can qualify for some entry-level actuarial jobs, but you are not fully credentialed. Earning an ASA, FSA, ACAS, or FCAS requires additional exams and requirements.<\/p> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One exam. Then another. Then several more. That is the part people leave out when they say actuaries \u201ctake an exam.\u201d The process can sound confusing when every test has a different name, subject, and place in the pathway. It gets much easier once you see how everything connects. In this guide, I\u2019ll break down [&hellip;]<\/p> ","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":21086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,244],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers-education","category-finance"],"acf":{"external_author":[13188],"external_editor":"","select_template":"default","not_show_feature_image":true,"hide_toc":false},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/What-Is-an-Actuarial-Exam-feature-img-768x473.png","author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/author\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is an Actuarial Exam? Everything You Should Know<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what actuarial exams are, what they cover, how formats and costs vary, and how the SOA and CAS pathways work.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/careers-education\/what-is-an-actuarial-exam\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is an Actuarial Exam? 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