Coaching Actuaries

Exam PA

Exam PA

Everything You Need To Pass

Coaching Actuaries gives you the tools to study smarter and pass the Predictive Analytics Exam.

Your Coaches

Here To Help

Meet our team of expert coaches who will guide you through
Exam PA.

Dave Kester, FSA, MAAA

Exam PA Video Coach
Attained FSA via the ILA Track

I’ve been helping aspiring actuaries for more than 20 years. When I’m not teaching, I like to read, run, and listen to good math stories. When I was preparing for the actuarial exams, there was nothing like Coaching Actuaries. Now, we combine teaching and technology to guide the next generation of actuarial students.

Content Team

Terence Chow, ASA, CFA

Exam PA Product Manager
Pursuing FSA via the QFI Track

I graduated from Drake University in 2012 and have been working at Coaching Actuaries ever since. I'm equal parts actuary, math geek, amateur baker, and Harry Potter nerd, not necessarily in that order. I love answering questions about how to prepare for an exam or which exam to take next!

Exam PA Overview

What To Expect

Exam Details

Exam Details

Project-based assessment requiring data analysis and report submission

Registration Deadline

November 16, 2021 (Midnight CST)

Exam Duration

5 Hours + Optional 15-Minute Break

Next Available Sitting

December 13-16, 2021

Before the Exam

  • Exams You Should Pass First

    Exams P, FM, and SRM. The two introductory exams, Exam P and Exam FM, provide a foundation for an advanced exam like PA. Exam SRM is a formal prerequisite. Exam PA assumes you have already mastered the material in Exam SRM.

  • Exam PA Offerings

    PA is offered two times per year, with sittings in June and December. Starting 2022, sittings will be in April and October.

  • How Do I Register?

    1. Register online at www.soa.org before the registration deadline.
    2. Wait 3-5 business days to receive an email confirmation letter.
    3. Schedule a seat at a Prometric Center.

    Learn more about how to register for official SOA exams on their website.

  • What To Expect

    Many concepts from Exam SRM are revisited, some with a different angle. Yet, there is a big emphasis on communication. The written report is expected go through more scrutiny than the submitted R code. Knowing the concepts well enough to explain them is one hurdle; the other is finding the appropriate volume of detail that suits the intended audience.

Day of Exam

  • What To Bring:

    • A government-issued photo ID that includes a signature
    • Recommended Calculator: TI-30XS MultiView
      (See Other Options)

  • Tip from Coach Jon

    Time management can make or break your exam. You might feel the urge to polish your analysis and/or work, but resisting and being disciplined is crucial. Be decisive and avoid looking back. If you make a big mistake, you need to quickly assess if spending time correcting it is worthwhile. Instead, it might be better to just acknowledge errors in your report or code submission.

After the Exam

  • Getting Your Exam Results

    Because PA is not a multiple-choice exam, you will not receive an unofficial Pass-Fail result immediately after you finish.

    After approximately 8 to 11 weeks, the SOA will release the list of passing candidates' ID numbers. A few days after this list has been published, you will be able to see your final score in your official SOA transcript when you log into the SOA website.

  • Next Steps

    We recommend that you take Exam LTAM or STAMnext if you have not already done so.

    If you've already taken LTAM and STAM, you will need to obtain your remaining VEE credits, complete your FAP modules, and fulfill your APC requirement in order to attain your ASA designation.

Study Plans

Finding the Right Answer

COVID-19 Peace of Mind Policy:
Exams may be postponed due to COVID-19, but you don’t need to worry thanks to our Peace of Mind Policy. Every exam subscription purchase comes with a complimentary extension you can use anytime before your rescheduled sitting if your planned sitting is postponed. Find out more.

All subscriptions begin at the time of purchase.