The Society of Actuaries Announces Formation of the Exam Prep Council
September 27, 2023, Schaumburg, IL – The Society of Actuaries (SOA) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Exam Prep Council, a pivotal initiative aimed at enhancing the education and examination preparation for aspiring actuaries around the globe.
The primary mission of the Exam Prep Council is to foster robust communication between the SOA and exam preparation provider organizations to optimize the experience of candidates within the SOA's prequalification education system. The Council will meet regularly to share valuable insights, discuss pathway and syllabus updates, and exchange essential feedback to work towards a unified goal of improving candidates’ journeys.
“I am proud of this new partnership between the SOA and exam prep providers,” said SOA President and Chair John Robinson, FSA, MAAA, FCA. “I believe that this collaboration will benefit everyone involved, most importantly our candidates. The exam preparation organizations are a vital part of the examination ecosystem and provide many valuable benefits to candidates. I look forward to working together to help our candidates have the best possible experience as they make progress toward their SOA designations.”
The Exam Prep Council will function as a consultative forum. Both the SOA and participating providers will retain autonomy over their respective business decisions. Insights and recommendations generated by the Council will be shared with SOA’s leadership and education team. Current charter members of the new Council include ACTEX Learning, Coaching Actuaries and The Infinite Actuary.
“We are especially pleased to be a member of the SOA Exam Prep Council,” said ACTEX CEO Bill Marella. “ACTEX Learning and the SOA have collaborated on select projects for many years, but it was limited in scope. The Council has broad participation from both an expanding number of actuarial exam prep firms and many SOA education and senior leadership staff members who are creating a new and exciting platform for our shared student-focused agenda. Already, our Council meetings have brought forth important dialog and ideas to benefit the candidate experience. Clearly, there is more to come!”
“Coaching Actuaries (CA) is eager to collaborate with the SOA to elevate, educate, and develop future actuaries,” said CA President Tong Khon Teh, FSA, CFA. “We are both passionate about assisting actuarial students in their journey to success.”
“We are thrilled to join other exam prep companies in the SOA’s newly formed Exam Prep Council,” said The Infinite Actuary Director of SOA Exams Eddie Smith. “We believe this is an exciting milestone in actuarial education that brings together multiple organizations’ expertise and unique perspectives to enhance the quality and accessibility of exam preparation materials, ultimately benefiting aspiring actuaries worldwide.”
The Exam Prep Council is a significant step forward in the SOA's commitment to enhancing the education and examination preparation experience for aspiring actuaries, furthering its mission to empower candidates to excel in measuring and managing risk. The Council is open to any providers interested in collaborating and that meet the following requirements:
- Be a legally recognized organization whose primary business is to provide exam prep services.
- Offer exam prep services for more than one exam/course in the SOA credentialing pathway.
- Sign a membership agreement and a Nondisclosure Agreement.
- Adhere to antitrust laws and regulations.
For more information or to inquire about joining the Exam Prep Provider Council, contact Joe Wurzburger at jwurzburger@soa.org.
About the Society of Actuaries
With roots dating back to 1889, the SOA is the world’s largest actuarial professional organization with more than 32,000 actuaries as members. Through research and education, the SOA’s mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and enhance actuaries’ ability to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business, and societal challenges. The SOA’s vision is for actuaries to be the leading professionals in measuring and managing risk. Visit soa.org.