Difficulty: For most people the CPA exams are easier than actuarial exams. Actuarial exams test more difficult concepts and get harder as the candidate progresses through them. Number of Exams: Actuaries need to pass 10 exams in order to be fully qualified, whereas accountants have to pass 4 exams within 18 months.

All versions of the examination are constructed to be of comparable difficulty to one another. For the January 2023 administration of Examination P, an average of 71% correct was needed to pass the exam.

Exam registration opens approximately 6 weeks prior to the registration deadline. Please check the individual exam pages for more information.

Yes! You can definitely take an actuarial exam more than once. Less than 50% of people that attempt Exam P and FM (the first two actuarial exams) actually pass each sitting. And that includes people that are writing for their second, third or forth time too.