If you are a non-member planning to take this exam as your first step into the actuarial profession then please see our specialist advice.

Please see our CT7, ST6 and ST9 advice.

CT9 is the Business Awareness Module. Please refer to the IFoA's website for more details.

Yes you can study CA1 over two sessions. Please refer to the CA1 help and advice page for more details.

Please refer to the CA2 help and advice page for more details.

Please refer to the CP3 help and advice page for more details.

No. The Core Reading does not change between the April and September/October exams. However it does change between the September and April exams and students should read the CMP Upgrade if they are retaking in the next academic year.

No. You will need to order your copy of the Formulae and Tables from the IFoA's Publications Unit.

No. The IFoA is responsible for all aspects of the examination system.

The IFoA issues a list of calculators that can be used. Please refer to their Instructions for candidates sitting an exam for more information.

No. The IFoA is responsible for all aspects of the examination system.

It varies a lot by individual but the average time for students starting without any exemptions is 5-6 years. But many students complete them quicker than this and, unfortunately, some take longer.

The IFoA is responsible for awarding exemptions.

Students with disabilities who may require special facilities in the exam room should contact the IFoA at education.services@actuaries.org.uk. ActEd also provides help and support for students with a disability.

We recommend that all students start with a Combined materials Pack. We have produced a short guide to help you choose other products and services.

The ASET contains hints on exam technique, references to the course material and alternative solutions. It is also updated each year for changes to the syllabus and Core Reading.

Only a relatively small number of students take out courses for these subjects. Based on sales of other materials for these subjects, we don't think that there would be sufficient demand for ASET to make it cost effective to produce and maintain. However, if the number of students buying other course material in these subjects increases significantly, then we will of course consider introducing ASET.

Further Readings lists, where they exist, can be found in the relevant Study Guide.

No. Material is copyright and sold for your own exclusive use.

Yes. You must use the details of the student that the material is being ordered for. You can however pay using your own credit card.

Study materials are sent directly from our printers by courier (for large items) or first class post (for small items sent within Europe). In most cases study material arrives within 4–5 working days of ordering, assuming the relevant availability date has passed. However, delivery may take slightly longer during the 2–3 weeks after each set of exams and exam results. Items sent overseas may take considerably longer, so we recommend that you order as early as possible.

Large or multiple item material deliveries will be sent by courier and the delivery will require a signature. Smaller items will be sent by Royal Mail first class.

Once your order has been received and processed, you will be sent 2 emails. The first one details what we have ordered for you and the second one will contain your eBook token. These are generally sent 1-2 days after you place your order.

No, eBooks can only be used by downloading Adobe Digital Editions onto your PC before activating the token.

Yes, however, if you do print your eBook please be aware of the following – The software will only let you print your e-book once from the device to which you first downloaded your e-book and you may only print 100% of the pages. Hence if you plan to print the material please first download it to a PC from which you are able to print.

Before you print, please ensure that:
(a) a working printer is connected to your PC and
(b) there is ample paper and toner in the printer

Failing to make these checks may result in a print failure and the software will not allow you to reprint again. You will lose your right to print a copy. Print gradually. Do not send the entire eBook to the printer in one job. Once you have used your print allowance, printing will not be possible and you will need to purchase a hard copy from ActEd.

We have created a FAQ document, which answers many more questions, such as hardware, Mac, Android compatibility, Adobe Digital Editions, and trouble-shooting advice.

No. We strongly recommend that you submit your scripts by email. Please refer to Submitting scripts for details.

Please read the marking voucher section for more details.

No, we only accept the most up to date assignments. If you are now ordering marking, we can send the current assignments to you free of charge. You can either make a note on the estore or just send us an email.

No. If you are looking to submit a mock for marking, we only accept the most up-to-date version.
If you choose to order marking, we can send you the most up-to-date mock free of charge. If you are not planning on submitting your mock for marking, but still wish to order the latest version, we can offer you a discounted rate of 50% of the cost.
To check for any syllabus changes, please see the CMP Upgrades on our website.

Guidelines on the amount of study time needed, can be found on the IFoA's website.

Yes, you may still apply for a course that is full to express your preference. You can then also select a 2nd and 3rd choice. If all of your chosen tutorials are full, your name will be added to the waiting list for your first choice course. You may get a place on your first choice tutorial if a space becomes available, eg if a student cancels. Please let us know if you wish to be removed from a waiting list. Otherwise, cancellation charges will apply if you are subsequently allocated a place on that tutorial and you cancel after the finalisation date.

We will endeavour to add extra groups at finalisation for students still on a waiting list at that time. This will depend on the number of students waiting and the resources available.

Yes, you can apply to book a place on a course after the finalisation date but many courses are likely to be full. To maximise your chances of getting a place on your chosen course, you should apply as early as possible and well before the relevant finalisation date. Full details of the application process can be found here.

ActEd is always happy to run tutorials in any location provided that there is sufficient demand. We will set the provisional timetable based on the demand experienced in previous years and on the feedback we received from the recent student survey. However, if we haven't advertised the course you want then please don't give up. Simply submit your request using our online estore or by submitting a Tutorial Application form, by the relevant finalisation date, stating your preference. Perhaps hassle your colleagues to do the same. If you don't state your preference and assume that you won't get what you want then the system won't work.

You've got nothing to lose in ticking the relevant box. At finalisation, we regularly add new courses to meet student demand. Similar comments apply for residential tutorials. Unfortunately, the introduction of more optional subjects (at the specialist levels) will make it harder for us to run tutorials in some locations. However, we will continue to try to run tutorials in a range of locations where possible.

Yes, we allow one "swap" per course but this is subject to space being available on the course you wish to attend. Please contact us for more details. If you are asking to swap into a course that has not been finalised then your request will be held in a file to look at when the course has been confirmed.

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for details of our refund policy.

The same cancellation policy applies as it does for cancelling a place normally (see above).

The Online Classroom is an asynchronous product, ie the tutorials are delivered online but are pre-recorded. The Online Classroom aims to replicate as closely as possible the experience you would face on a typical face-to-face tutorial, covering the majority of the course.

The Live Online Tutorials provide you with the traditional structure and support of classroom learning, but with the convenience of attending classes wherever you are - delivered live online. This means you can interact with the tutor.