Exam Q and A

Q: Why didn't I pass Exam __?

A: Candidates who did not pass an exam did not demonstrate sufficient mastery of the learning objectives. In preparing for an exam, the best place to start is by reviewing the study material for the exam. You should review the learning outcomes for the exam, required and suggested texts, study notes, sample questions and solutions, and background information. In addition, the SOA Basic Education Catalog and CAS Syllabus of Basic Education offer many suggestions for candidates regarding methods of study, meeting the learning outcomes and how to structure written–answer responses.

Study manuals are available from various independent sources not associated with the SOA and CAS. These study manuals are neither a part of the course of reading nor a substitute for SOA study materials. They should be viewed as a supplement to official SOA study notes, not a replacement for the actual study materials.

Q: What do I do if I believe I've encountered a defective exam question?

Examples of defects might include typographical errors, ambiguities, or questions that test material no longer in the Course of Reading. Candidates who believe that a question is defective should write to the Ombudsperson within two weeks of the exam administration. The letter should explain in detail why the question seems to be defective. Adhering to the two–week deadline is important, as it allows time to research the problem and consider the impact on grading, if any, provided the question is truly defective. The SOA Education and Examination Committee may make use of candidates' examination books to determine whether their scores should be adjusted. Corrective action can then be taken before scores are finalized, and candidates will receive the appropriate grades for any affected exam without delay.

Q: How do courses get approved for Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit?

Only courses/experiences that are listed in the "Directory of Approved VEE Courses/Experiences" or in the list of "Standardized Exams and Other Educational Experiences" may be used for VEE credit. If a candidate wishes to use a course for VEE credit that is not on an approved list, the candidate should:

Contact the educational institution to determine whether an application has already been submitted to have the course/educational experience approved. If not, you can encourage the institution to submit for approval using the applications and guidelines found at VEE-Validation by Educational Experience.

If the educational institution does not intend to submit an application to have the course/educational experience approved, a candidate may gather the required documentation (course description and syllabus) and submit a course approval application directly to vee@soa.org.

The VEE Administration Committee will review course approval submissions. If approved, the course/experience will be added to the "Directory of Approved VEE Courses/Experiences" or list of "Standardized Exam/Other Experiences." If the course/experience is not approved, the candidate will have to obtain VEE credit using another option.

Candidates may submit the "Application for Validation by Educational Experience Credit" along with the required documentation, for their individual VEE credits, provided that the following conditions have been met:

• The candidate has passed at least two actuarial examinations with the SOA or CAS.
• The courses/experiences have been approved and are listed in the "Directory of Approved VEE Courses/Experiences" or the "Standardized Exams and Other Educational Experiences" lists. (These lists are updated regularly as additional courses/experiences are approved.)