Preparing for actuarial exams is a journey you do not have to go through alone. Coaching Actuaries is your partner in passing and building a career in actuarial science.
Studying for actuarial exams is an intellectually rigorous challenge every aspiring actuary has to take on. Mastering extensive syllabi can feel like an endless marathon against time itself, but there’s always a proper way to do it.
When you know what to avoid, you enhance your study approach and streamline your path to certification. Below, we reveal four common mistakes that can derail your efforts and offer insights into overcoming them.
A Hint at Actuary Exam Difficulty
Actuarial exams are professional tests administered by prestigious organizations such as the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). They determine a candidate’s ability to apply mathematical, statistical, and financial concepts to risk management.
Actuary exam difficulty is inherent in its essence, with pass rates often ranging between 40% and 60%. As such, only the most prepared and proficient takers move forward in the actuarial profession.
Studying is non-negotiable. Every session, practice problem, and review cycle is crucial to your success.
Actuarial Exam Preparation Mistakes
You can do everything the experts tell you, from gathering high-quality study materials to setting a strict study schedule, and still fall short of achieving your desired score. The roadblocks lie in the finer details, and awareness is the first step toward addressing them.
Here are four mistakes every aspiring actuary should steer clear of.
1. Passive Reading
Passive reading feels like studying, but it does not truly work. Reading your study materials without engaging with them leads to quick forgetting and a false sense of learning.
Actuarial exams require problem-solving skills and more, which passive reading alone will not develop. Try watching video lessons to absorb concepts with visual and auditory explanations and taking detailed notes in your own words to improve retention.
You can also be interactive by using actuarial exam flashcards, asking questions about confusing subjects, and seeking answers in study groups or online communities. Join actuarial exam forums to discuss problems, share insights, and gain new perspectives.
2. Re-Reading to Review
At first glance, re-reading your study materials appears to be a logical way to review. After all, the more you go over the content, the better you should remember it. Unfortunately, this approach is often more deceptive than practical.
Re-reading gives you the illusion of understanding without testing your knowledge. It is one of the most common bad study habits, with learners mindlessly going over the same pages repeatedly and rarely reaching deep comprehension.
Instead of re-reading as a review strategy, focus on active recall and self-testing to enhance your understanding. For instance, answer Exam P practice questions under exam conditions, quiz yourself on key formulas, or explain topics without looking at your notes.
If you do need to revisit certain sections, practice selective re-reading. Return only to the areas where you know you struggle. This way, you spend your study time efficiently, reinforcing the subjects that truly demand more attention while not wasting hours on those you have already mastered.
3. Reviewing Only After Reading
Many aspiring actuaries read through all their study materials in one go and save the review for the very end. You will have at least some familiarity with every topic, and reviewing should reinforce it.
However, what this method actually requires is simply relearning the material from scratch. A far better technique is to space out your study sessions with built-in review times. For example, a 4-week study schedule might look like this:
- Week 1: Read and take notes on Chapters 1 to 3. At the end of each study session, spend 15 minutes reviewing key points from previous days.
- Week 2: Read Chapters 4 to 6 while reviewing Chapters 1 to 3 through practice problems and self-testing.
- Week 3: Read Chapters 7 to 9, review all previous chapters, and focus on weak areas identified in practice tests.
- Week 4: Full review with timed practice exams, targeted problem-solving, and concept reinforcement.
Consistently reviewing as you go helps you retain more information, reduce the need for cramming, and deepen your understanding over time.
4. Skipping Study Breaks
With countless pages to skim, formulas to memorize, and practice problems to solve, many actuarial candidates feel pressured to study nonstop in hopes of covering everything. Perhaps the more hours you spend with your materials, the better your chances of passing.
Wrong.
Studying without breaks can do more harm than good, resulting in burnout and mental fatigue. Study-life balance is necessary, as your brain must rest to process and absorb information. Purposeful breaks, whether five minutes or an hour, refresh you and boost your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.
Recommended activities include the following:
- Taking a short walk.
- Doing a quick workout.
- Listening to music or meditating.
- Hanging out with friends or family.
- Playing a game or doing a puzzle.
Engaging in a completely different activity will keep you interested in your studies, rather than making you feel overwhelmed or bored. Short breaks also serve as reward systems for your hard work and dedication.
Study With Coaching Actuaries
Preparing for actuarial exams is a journey you do not have to go through alone.
Coaching Actuaries is your partner in passing and building a career in actuarial science! We designed our courses to help you study smarter, not harder. Combine varying study materials, adaptive learning tools, and personalized study schedules to stay on the right track.
At Coaching Actuaries, you have expert guidance to avoid common mistakes and maximize your chances of success. Do not let ineffective habits slow you down—start studying the right way. Contact us today!