Coaching Actuaries

Exam FAM-S

Exam FAM-S

Everything You Need To Pass

Coaching Actuaries gives you the tools to study smarter and pass the short-term component of the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics Exam.

Your Coaches

Here To Help

Meet our team of expert coaches who will guide you through
Exam FAM-S.

Dave Kester, FSA, MAAA

Exam FAM 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.

Product Team

Jia Bin Ho, ASA, CFA, M.B.A.

Exam FAM Product Manager
Pursuing FSA via the QFI Track

I graduated from Drake University in 2012. I'm a math geek who likes to travel. My favorite place I've been to is New York City for all the different museums! One of my bucket list is to visit every state in the US.

Exam FAM-S Overview

What To Expect

Exam Details

20 Computer-based, multiple-choice questions

Registration Deadline

January 30, 2024 (Midnight CST)

Exam Duration

1.75 Hours

Next Available Sitting

March 1-7, 2024 (2nd-to-last sitting)

Before the Exam

  • Exams You Should Pass First

    Exams P and FM. The short-term (S) portion of Exam FAM is built on concepts from P. You will only be eligible to take FAM-S if you have passed Exam LTAM.

  • Exam FAM-S Offerings

    FAM-S will only be offered six times: October 2022, March 2023, July 2023, November 2023, March 2024, and July 2024.

  • 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.

  • Highest-Weighted Concepts

    Questions related to these concepts will appear the most on the exam.

    1. Severity, Frequency, and Aggregate Models
    2. Parametric Estimation
    3. Pricing and Reserving for Short-Term Insurance Coverages

  • Tip from Coach Jon, M.S.

    "Many topics on the exam are application-based. In going through the exam material, focus on understanding as much as possible from a big-picture perspective."

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 Terence, ASA

    "If you've taken a CBT exam before, the format won't surprise you on Exam Day. I was pretty much used to the Prometric CBT experience by the time I took this exam's previous version (Exam C), having taken P, FM, and MFE at the same testing center."

  • Tip from Coach Larry

    "Don't be afraid to skip questions. The CBT platform makes it easy for you to mark a question and come back to it later. Make sure to give yourself enough time to ace easy questions that may be at the end of your exam. Remember, easy questions are worth just as much as hard questions."

After the Exam

  • Getting Your Exam Results

    Because this is a new exam, results for the first several administrations will not be instantaneous. Results will be released on the SOA website about 8 weeks after each testing window ends.

  • Next Steps

    Exams to consider include SRM, PA, and ATPA (if you haven't passed IFM).

    You will need to obtain your remaining VEE credits, complete your modules (Pre-Actuarial Foundations, Actuarial Science Foundations, FAP), and fulfill your APC requirements in order to attain your ASA designation.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: You must have passed LTAM to be eligible to take FAM-S. If you haven't passed LTAM or STAM, then you must take FAM. You cannot take FAM-S and FAM-L separately as a replacement for FAM.