Actuarial Exam Day: What to Expect at Prometric
A walkthrough of the Prometric testing center experience for actuarial exam candidates.
Before You Arrive
Arrive 30 minutes early with two forms of valid identification, including one government-issued photo ID. The second ID must have your signature. Your name on the IDs must match the name on your exam registration exactly. If there is any discrepancy, such as a middle name on one but not the other, contact the exam provider before exam day to resolve it. Candidates have been turned away at the door for ID mismatches, so check this well in advance.
You cannot bring personal items into the testing room: no phones, watches, wallets, food, water bottles, or study materials. Prometric provides lockers for your belongings, but the lockers are small, so leave bulky items in your car. Wear comfortable, layered clothing because testing room temperatures vary and you cannot predict whether your workstation will be near a vent. Some candidates bring earplugs in addition to the noise-reducing headphones Prometric provides, though check current policies on this.
The Check-In Process
When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk. Staff will verify your identification, take a digital photograph, and in some cases scan your palm print for identity verification. You will be asked to empty your pockets and may be visually inspected. The process is thorough but routine, so do not let it increase your anxiety. Staff at testing centers handle nervous exam candidates every day and are generally professional and supportive.
After check-in, you will store your belongings in a locker and receive your scratch materials. For most actuarial exams, you receive a dry-erase laminated booklet and markers rather than paper and pencil. The writing feel is different from pen on paper, so if you have not used a dry-erase booklet before, practice with one during your study period. You can request additional booklets during the exam if you run out of space, though this costs a small amount of time.
Your Approved Calculator
Depending on the exam, you may or may not be allowed to bring your own calculator. For SOA Exam P, the TI-30XS MultiView is approved and you should bring your own. For SOA Exam FM, the BA II Plus or BA II Plus Professional is approved. For CAS exams, check the specific calculator policy because it varies by exam. Do not assume that a calculator will be provided. Bring fresh batteries or a backup calculator if possible. Having your familiar calculator rather than a testing center loaner eliminates one source of exam-day stress.
Verify the current calculator policy on the SOA or CAS website at least two weeks before your exam. Policies occasionally change, and bringing an unapproved calculator could result in it being confiscated before the exam. If your approved calculator has a cover or case, you may be asked to leave the case outside the testing room.
During the Exam
After check-in and a brief computer tutorial that shows you how to navigate the exam interface, your exam timer starts. The testing room has individual workstations with dividers between them. Noise-reducing headphones are available at each station. The room will have other test-takers working on various exams, not just actuarial exams, so expect some ambient noise from keyboard clicks, people shifting in their seats, and occasional entries and exits.
The exam interface allows you to navigate between questions freely for computer-based exams. You can flag questions to return to later, which is essential for time management. Read each question carefully, including all answer choices, before selecting your answer. The wording of actuarial exam questions is precise, and missing a key word like "not" or "at least" can lead to an incorrect answer on a problem you actually know how to solve.
Taking Breaks During the Exam
You can take unscheduled breaks during the exam, but the timer does not pause. This means that every minute spent outside the testing room is a minute less for answering questions. If you need a break, keep it brief. Use the restroom if needed and take a few deep breaths to reset your focus, but resist the temptation to take an extended break unless you genuinely need one for mental clarity.
When you leave for a break, you must go through a sign-out and sign-in process at the front desk. You may need to show your ID again when returning. Factor this administrative time into your break calculation. A bathroom break that takes two minutes in the restroom might take five to seven minutes total when you include the sign-out, walk, and sign-in process.
Managing Your Pace and Strategy
Before the exam begins, calculate your target time per question. For a 30-question, 3-hour exam, that is 6 minutes per question. Check your pace every 5 to 10 questions. If you are ahead of schedule, maintain your pace rather than slowing down because having extra time at the end allows for thorough review. If you are behind, move quickly through questions you recognize and flag the rest for your second pass.
Start with the questions you know you can solve. Building early momentum reduces anxiety and ensures you collect points on material you have mastered. Do not spend more than double your target time on any single question during your first pass. If a question is taking too long, flag it and move on. You can always return to it with fresh eyes after working through the rest of the exam.
After Submitting Your Exam
When you have answered all questions and reviewed your flagged items, submit the exam. Some computer-based preliminary exams provide preliminary pass/fail results on screen immediately after submission. This instant feedback is both a blessing and a curse: passing brings immediate relief, while failing can be emotionally difficult when you are still sitting in the testing center. If you fail, give yourself a moment to process the result, collect your belongings, and leave without dwelling on it. Detailed analysis can wait until you are home.
For exams that do not provide immediate results, you will wait several weeks for official results. This waiting period is one of the most stressful parts of the exam process. Try to resist the urge to replay questions in your head or calculate your estimated score. Your preparation is finished, and no amount of post-exam analysis will change the result. Shift your focus to other activities and let the results arrive in their own time.