Actuarial Exam Blog

Expert articles on exam preparation, study strategies, career paths, and technical concepts for aspiring actuaries.

Exam Guides2026-09-036 min read

Combinatorics and Counting Principles for Exam P

Master permutations, combinations, and counting techniques for SOA Exam P.

Exam Guides
Exam Guides5 min read

Conditional Probability and Bayes' Theorem for Actuaries

Learn conditional probability and Bayes' Theorem with actuarial examples for Exam P.

2026-09-04

Exam Guides6 min read

Discrete Random Variables: PMF, CDF, and Expected Value

Understand discrete random variables, probability mass functions, and expected values for Exam P.

2026-09-05

Exam Guides6 min read

Continuous Random Variables: PDF, CDF, and Percentiles

Master continuous distributions, density functions, and percentile calculations for Exam P.

2026-09-06

Exam Guides5 min read

Binomial Distribution: Properties, Formulas, and Exam P Applications

Study the binomial distribution, its properties, and typical Exam P applications.

2026-09-07

Exam Guides5 min read

Poisson Distribution: Derivation, Properties, and Insurance Applications

Explore the Poisson distribution, its derivation from the binomial, and insurance applications.

2026-09-08

Exam Guides5 min read

Normal Distribution: Z-Scores, Standard Normal, and CLT for Exam P

Review the normal distribution, z-scores, and central limit theorem applications for Exam P.

2026-09-09

Exam Guides6 min read

Exponential Distribution: Memoryless Property and Survival Models

Understand the exponential distribution, its memoryless property, and survival model applications.

2026-09-10

Exam Guides6 min read

Uniform Distribution: Continuous and Discrete for Exam P

Review both continuous and discrete uniform distributions and their Exam P applications.

2026-09-11

Exam Guides6 min read

Gamma Distribution: Shape, Rate, and Connection to Poisson

Study the gamma distribution, its parameters, and its connection to the Poisson process.

2026-09-12

Exam Guides7 min read

Joint Distributions: Bivariate Random Variables for Exam P

Learn joint distributions, joint PMFs and PDFs for bivariate random variables on Exam P.

2026-09-13

Exam Guides7 min read

Marginal and Conditional Distributions for Actuarial Exam P

Derive marginal and conditional distributions from joint distributions for Exam P.

2026-09-14

Exam Guides6 min read

Covariance and Correlation: Measuring Dependence for Exam P

Learn covariance and correlation calculations and their meaning for Exam P.

2026-09-15

Exam Guides6 min read

Moment Generating Functions: Theory and Applications

Master moment generating functions and their use in identifying distributions for Exam P.

2026-09-16

Exam Guides6 min read

Transformations of Random Variables for Exam P

Learn how to find distributions of transformed random variables for Exam P.

2026-09-17

Exam Guides6 min read

Order Statistics: Min, Max, and Range for Actuarial Applications

Study order statistics and their role in actuarial modeling for Exam P.

2026-09-18

Exam Guides7 min read

Central Limit Theorem: Statement, Proof Sketch, and Applications

Understand the Central Limit Theorem and how to apply it on Exam P.

2026-09-19

Exam Guides7 min read

Law of Large Numbers: Weak and Strong Forms for Actuaries

Learn both forms of the Law of Large Numbers and their actuarial significance.

2026-09-20

Exam Guides7 min read

Deductibles and Policy Limits: Insurance Applications of Probability

Apply probability concepts to deductibles and policy limits for Exam P.

2026-09-21

Exam Guides6 min read

Loss Distributions: Modeling Insurance Claims with Probability

Explore how probability distributions model insurance claim amounts for Exam P.

2026-09-22

Exam Guides6 min read

Mixture Distributions and Their Actuarial Applications

Understand mixture distributions and how they model heterogeneous insurance portfolios.

2026-09-23

Exam Guides7 min read

Survival Functions and Hazard Rates for Exam P

Study survival functions, hazard rates, and their connections for Exam P.

2026-09-24

Exam Guides7 min read

Expected Value and Variance: Computational Techniques for Exam P

Master computational shortcuts for expected values and variances on Exam P.

2026-09-25

Exam Guides7 min read

Multivariate Normal Distribution Basics for Exam P

Learn the bivariate and multivariate normal distribution fundamentals for Exam P.

2026-09-26

Exam Guides6 min read

Probability Inequalities: Chebyshev, Markov, and Jensen

Review essential probability inequalities for Exam P: Chebyshev, Markov, and Jensen.

2026-09-27

Exam Guides6 min read

Double Expectation and Total Variance Formulas

Master the law of total expectation and total variance for Exam P.

2026-09-28

Exam Guides6 min read

Compound Distributions: Frequency and Severity Models

Learn compound distributions combining frequency and severity for Exam P.

2026-09-29

Exam Guides6 min read

Tail Probabilities and Heavy-Tailed Distributions

Understand tail behavior and heavy-tailed distributions for Exam P.

2026-09-30

Exam Guides7 min read

Convolutions and Sums of Random Variables for Exam P

Learn convolution techniques for finding distributions of sums on Exam P.

2026-10-01

Exam Guides5 min read

Exam P Formula Sheet: Every Formula You Need to Memorize

A comprehensive formula sheet covering every key formula for SOA Exam P.

2026-10-02

Exam Guides6 min read

Time Value of Money: Present and Future Value for Exam FM

Understand present value, future value, and the time value of money for Exam FM.

2026-10-03

Exam Guides6 min read

Simple vs. Compound Interest: Fundamentals for Actuaries

Compare simple and compound interest and their formulas for Exam FM.

2026-10-04

Exam Guides5 min read

Effective and Nominal Interest Rates for Exam FM

Master the conversion between effective and nominal interest rates for Exam FM.

2026-10-05

Exam Guides5 min read

Force of Interest: Continuous Compounding for Actuaries

Understand the force of interest and continuous compounding for Exam FM.

2026-10-06

Exam Guides5 min read

Annuities-Immediate: Present and Accumulated Value Formulas

Master annuity-immediate formulas for present and accumulated values on Exam FM.

2026-10-07

Exam Guides5 min read

Annuities-Due: Timing Differences and Key Formulas for Exam FM

Learn annuity-due formulas and how they differ from annuities-immediate for Exam FM.

2026-10-08

Exam Guides6 min read

Deferred Annuities and Perpetuities for Exam FM

Study deferred annuities and perpetuities and their Exam FM applications.

2026-10-09

Exam Guides5 min read

Increasing and Decreasing Annuities for Exam FM

Learn increasing and decreasing annuity formulas for Exam FM.

2026-10-10

Exam Guides5 min read

Amortization Schedules: Principal and Interest Breakdown

Master loan amortization schedules and payment breakdowns for Exam FM.

2026-10-11

Exam Guides5 min read

Sinking Funds: How They Work and Exam FM Calculations

Understand sinking fund loan repayment and its comparison to amortization for Exam FM.

2026-10-12

Exam Guides6 min read

Bond Pricing: Par, Premium, and Discount Bonds for Actuaries

Learn bond pricing formulas and par, premium, and discount concepts for Exam FM.

2026-10-13

Exam Guides5 min read

Bond Amortization: Book Value and Premium/Discount Schedules

Study bond amortization schedules and book value calculations for Exam FM.

2026-10-14

Exam Guides5 min read

Callable Bonds and Yield Calculations for Exam FM

Understand callable bonds and yield rate calculations for Exam FM.

2026-10-15

Exam Guides4 min read

Term Structure of Interest Rates: Spot and Forward Rates

Study spot rates, forward rates, and the term structure of interest rates for Exam FM.

2026-10-16

Exam Guides6 min read

Duration and Convexity: Interest Rate Risk for Exam FM

Learn Macaulay duration, modified duration, and convexity for Exam FM.

2026-10-17

About the ActuaryPractice Blog

The ActuaryPractice blog covers every aspect of actuarial exam preparation. Our 500+ articles span five categories: Exam Guides with topic-by-topic breakdowns, Study Strategy articles with evidence-based preparation techniques, Career and Certification guides for navigating the profession, Technical Deep Dives into advanced mathematical concepts, and Industry and Practice overviews connecting exam material to real-world actuarial work.

Whether you are starting with Exam P or preparing for Exam LTAM, you will find articles that go beyond surface-level summaries to provide the depth you need. New articles are published daily.