Recommended Study Materials for Actuarial Exams
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when searching for study materials, so we’ve put together our list of recommendations.
Based on your budget, you can see which materials will give you the best odds of passing.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, we will earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. We have experience with each of these materials, and we recommend them because they have helped us (and many others) pass exams. These affiliate links keep our site running so we can keep offering free study tips and resources, so we appreciate your support if you choose to purchase through these links.
Calculators
Regardless of which calculator you choose, you should bring two calculators on exam day. You don’t want to be left hanging if the battery dies or if one breaks. Think of it as cheap insurance.
Get your calculator early so you can be comfortable using it by the exam date. At the end of the day, being comfortable with your calculator is more important than choosing a particular model.
TI-30XS Multiview
Rather than drone on about calculator features, just know that the TI-30XS Multiview is the calculator of choice for most actuarial students. You can’t go wrong with it.
BA II Plus Professional
However, it doesn’t have multiview functionality. You can’t easily scroll through and reference prior answers, like you can with the TI-30XS Multiview.
You don’t need a financial calculator for FM, but it can save you time once you’re comfortable using the financial functions.
SOA Preliminary Exams
Exam P
Minimalist
Just the essentials
Why we recommend ACTEX...
The ACTEX manual contains clear explanations of the material. It comes with flashcards, a pass guarantee, and most importantly, GOAL.
Practice problems are key, and GOAL has over 1500 problems, customizable quizzes, practice exams, and a Readiness Score to measure your progress.
This is the cheapest and most effective way to get everything you need to pass the exam.
Most Popular
For those willing to invest a little extra to improve their odds.
» ACTEX Interactive Study Manual
» Adapt 15- or 30-day Subscription for Online Practice Exams
Why we recommend Adapt...
- Practice exams that adapt to your level of knowledge (get harder as you improve your mastery)
- Earned Level to measure your exam readiness. You will feel confident going into the actual exam if you get your Earned Level close to a 7.
You can start with the ACTEX manual and see if you want to add the Adapt subscription for the extra boost as you get closer to the exam date.
Why we recommend Actuarial Exam Tactics...
Actuarial exams require hundreds of hours of self-study. We wrote AET to bring you the most effective study techniques so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Our most common reader feedback is that they wish they had this book earlier in their exam journey. It’s not a necessity, but this $10-15 can save you hundreds of study hours down the road.
Plus
Premium materials for those who will invest whatever it takes to pass the exam.
» Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle (50% off for full-time students)
Why we recommend Coaching Actuaries...
It has everything you could ever need:
- Study Manual (written explanations)
- Learn P Videos (video explanations)
- Adapt (the gold standard for practice problems/exams)
- Study schedule and formula sheets
We prefer the CA Study Bundle over other online videos for a few reasons:
- The videos are more engaging. You can see the instructor speaking to you, with on-screen formulas and annotations (rather than speaking over PowerPoint slides).
- For about the same price, you also get access to the best practice exam software (Adapt) and an online study manual for additional written explanations.
The Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle is especially useful for two groups of people:
- Those who prefer learning through video rather than reading a study manual
- Career-changers or students who didn’t have actuarial courses in college
Exam FM
Minimalist
Just the essentials
Why we recommend ACTEX...
The ACTEX manual contains clear explanations of the material. It comes with flashcards, a pass guarantee, and most importantly, GOAL.
Practice problems are key, and GOAL has over 1500 problems, customizable quizzes, practice exams, and a Readiness Score to measure your progress.
This is the cheapest and most effective way to get everything you need to pass the exam.
Most Popular
For those willing to invest a little extra to improve their odds.
» ACTEX Interactive Study Manual
» Adapt 15- or 30-day Subscription for Online Practice Exams
Why we recommend Adapt...
The ACTEX manual will still be your primary study tool, but Adapt will give you the extra edge in the final review phase of your studying. Our favorite features:
- Practice exams that adapt to your level of knowledge (get harder as you improve your mastery)
- Earned Level to measure your exam readiness. You will feel confident going into the actual exam if you get your Earned Level close to a 7.
You can start with the ACTEX manual and see if you want to add the Adapt subscription for the extra boost as you get closer to the exam date.
Why we recommend Actuarial Exam Tactics...
Actuarial exams require hundreds of hours of self-study. We wrote AET to bring you the most effective study techniques so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Our most common reader feedback is that they wish they had this book earlier in their exam journey. It’s not a necessity, but this $10-15 can save you hundreds of study hours down the road.
Plus
Premium materials for those who will invest whatever it takes to pass the exam.
» Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle (50% off for full-time students)
Why we recommend Coaching Actuaries...
It has everything you could ever need:
- Study Manual (written explanations)
- Learn FM Videos (video explanations)
- Adapt (the gold standard for practice problems/exams)
- Study schedule and formula sheets
We prefer the CA Study Bundle over other online videos for a few reasons:
- The videos are more engaging. You can see the instructor speaking to you, with on-screen formulas and annotations (rather than speaking over PowerPoint slides).
- For about the same price, you also get access to the best practice exam software (Adapt) and an online study manual for additional written explanations.
The Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle is especially useful for two groups of people:
- Those who prefer learning through video rather than reading a study manual
- Career-changers or students who didn’t have actuarial courses in college
Exam FAM
Minimalist
Just the essentials
Why we recommend ACTEX...
The ACTEX manual contains clear explanations of the material. It comes with flashcards, a pass guarantee, and most importantly, GOAL.
Practice problems are key, and GOAL has over 1500 problems, customizable quizzes, practice exams, and a Readiness Score to measure your progress.
This is the cheapest and most effective way to get everything you need to pass the exam.
Most Popular
For those willing to invest a little extra to improve their odds.
» ACTEX Interactive Study Manual
» Adapt 15- or 30-day Subscription for Online Practice Exams
Why we recommend Adapt...
The ACTEX manual will still be your primary study tool, but Adapt will give you the extra edge in the final review phase of your studying. Our favorite features:
- Practice exams that adapt to your level of knowledge (get harder as you improve your mastery)
- Earned Level to measure your exam readiness. You will feel confident going into the actual exam if you get your Earned Level close to a 7.
You can start with the ACTEX manual and see if you want to add the Adapt subscription for the extra boost as you get closer to the exam date.
Why we recommend Actuarial Exam Tactics...
Actuarial exams require hundreds of hours of self-study. We wrote AET to bring you the most effective study techniques so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Our most common reader feedback is that they wish they had this book earlier in their exam journey. It’s not a necessity, but this $10-15 can save you hundreds of study hours down the road.
Plus
Premium materials for those who will invest whatever it takes to pass the exam.
» Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle (60% off for full-time students)
Why we recommend Coaching Actuaries...
The Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle is essentially a full-blown college course on Exam FAM (except way cheaper than what universities charge you).
It has everything you could ever need:
- Study Manual (written explanations)
- Learn FAM Videos (video explanations)
- Adapt (the gold standard for practice problems/exams)
- Study schedule and formula sheets
We prefer the CA Study Bundle over other online videos for a few reasons:
- The videos are more engaging. You can see the instructor speaking to you, with on-screen formulas and annotations (rather than speaking over PowerPoint slides).
- For about the same price, you also get access to the best practice exam software (Adapt) and an online study manual for additional written explanations.
The Coaching Actuaries Study Bundle is especially useful for two groups of people:
- Those who prefer learning through video rather than reading a study manual
- Career-changers or students who didn’t have actuarial courses in college
Want to Improve Your Odds of Passing?
We'll help you make the exams a little less painful. Sign up to get access to:
- Study Schedule (Excel Template)
- The Power of Habit book summary (stick to that study schedule)
- Study tips from the world's youngest actuary
Don't reinvent the wheel. Join our community of actuarial students who are accelerating their exam progress.