Preliminary Exams

In order to achieve professional status as an actuary, one must pass a set of examinations in order to become credentialed. There are two main actuarial organizations in the U.S.: the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuary Society (CAS). The SOA focuses on life, health, and pensions while the CAS specializes in property & casualty (P&C), like auto, home, and liability insurance. The first two actuarial exams that you will take, Probability (Exam P) and Financial Mathematics (Exam FM) count for both organizations.

It is strongly recommended that students take 2-3 preliminary exams in college in order to be considered as a competitive applicant for internships and full-time jobs with actuarial firms. An advanced overview of the preliminary exam requirements can be found at the following links: SOA and CAS.

Notre Dame offers courses that overlap with the content of the first two actuarial exams, but it is still recommended to use additional resources like Coaching Actuaries or Actex to prepare.

Exam P: It is recommended that students take ACMS/MATH 30530 (Probability). 

Exam FM: It is recommended that students take ACMS/MATH 30610 (Introduction to Financial Mathematics)

Exam Reimbursement

All current dues paying members can be reimbursed for exam fees for the passed exams. Please contact the club treasurer with a copy of your exam receipt and a copy of your official SOA transcript (accessible online).

Study Guides

Exam materials are in the math library (basement of Hayes-Healy) for general use. Reimbursements for exam fees and VEE credit fees will not be granted unless all books outstanding have been returned. Please contact the President of the Club if you would like to donate your exam materials, it would be much appreciated!

We would like to thank Jack Zheng and Mengting Zhou for graciously donating their exam materials to the Actuarial Club! Thank you! 

Please contact the club if you would like to donate your books as well! Thank you!