ILA 101 will be available for purchase in late September!

Exam ILA 101 Details

Completing the ILA 101 course requires passing an exam. Below we’ll lay out everything you need to know for the exam from registration details, to exam day, to what to do after you receive your results.

Prerequisites

There aren't any formal prerequisites for ILA 101, but it's recommended that you complete all ASA-level exams before attempting ILA 101.

Exam Offerings

The exam for ILA 101 is offered 3 times per year (March, July, November).

Exam Format

Written-answer questions worth a total of 50 points, to be answered in Microsoft Word and Excel

Exam Duration

3 hours

Registration Info

Register online at soa.org before the registration deadline.

Exam Day and Results: Things To Keep In Mind

Don't forget your must-haves for exam day! Know what to bring and what to do after you pass the exam

What to Bring

A government-issued photo ID that includes a signature

Recommended Calculator: TI-30XS MultiView
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A reference to your five-digit candidate ID (for exam submission)

Exam Results

Results will be released on the SOA website about 4 weeks after each testing window ends. Shortly thereafter, you will find your course score on your official SOA transcript.

Passing the Exam

ILA 101 is one of two "sequenced courses" of the 4 technical courses you need to complete to get your FSA designation, with the other two being "additional courses". Complete ILA 201-U or ILA 201-I to meet the sequenced courses requirement in the Individual Life and Annuities practice area. If you are completing sequenced courses from a different practice area, ILA 101 counts as one of the two additional courses.

Expert Tips: Helpful insights from our coaches

Our coaches know this exam inside and out. Check out their expert tips for achieving a passing score.

  • Photo of Derek Koster

    A big part of passing a written-answer course is to accumulate as many partial credit points as possible. Even if you can't fully answer a question, clearly communicate your thought process as much as possible. Be sure to show your work. Include all important steps or formulas.

    Photo of Derek KosterDerek Koster Content Coach
  • Photo of Tong Teh

    This course covers a broad range of material, so it’s important to study with purpose. On your first read through the manual, focus on grasping the key ideas rather than all the details. Use the end-of-section summaries to highlight what’s important, then reinforce your understanding with the Concept Checkers. Repeating this approach for each section will help you learn the material more effectively.

    Photo of Tong TehTong Teh President
  • Photo of Terence Chow

    Time management is key. This 3-hour course includes 2.5 hours of core testing time and 30 minutes of flexible time to use as you see fit. For optimal performance, aim to spend approximately 3 minutes per point (150 minutes for all 50 points). If you encounter a question you're unsure about, don't leave it blank. Instead, to the best of your ability, write down the relevant formulas, outline your solution approach step-by-step, show any partial calculations you can complete, and explain your reasoning briefly.

    Photo of Terence ChowTerence Chow VP of Product

Aspiring Actuary Testimonials: A Word From Our Students

There’s no better proof than a happy student. After each exam, we follow up to hear about your success and collect your feedback. Your input ensures your experience here is always improving!

The Practice module is a significant improvement from simply reviewing exam solutions. Organizing problems on your own takes a lot of time, and this module removes that burden. The grading rubric is also very helpful—it gives you a much clearer picture of your performance than self-grading alone.

Marco
CP 351 Student

I would recommend CA for INV 201. You won't get a better instructor, manual, and layout of the material for such a complicated exam. I also really liked that Dr. Lo was able to group together all relevant past exam questions, and gave cleaner and more coherent solutions.

Adam K
INV 201 Student

Your journey to your FSA starts here

Our ILA 101 course launches late September 2026, built on the latest materials and exam format, so you're always studying the real thing. Stay tuned, and get ready to take your next step with confidence.