Help and support

This page contains general queries commonly raised by students about the actuarial exams. More detailed help and advice for students is also available.

Click on a section title to see the answers for each section:

Subject specific questions

What textbooks do I need to study Subjects CB2, SP6 and SP9?

Please see our Subjects CB2, SP6 and SP9 advice.

What is Subject CB3?

Subject CB3 is the Business Management Module. Please refer to the IFoA's website. for more information.

Can I study Subject CP1 over two sessions?

Yes you can study Subject CP1 over two sessions. Please refer to the CP1 page for more details.

What can I do if I am struggling with the assumed knowledge for Subject CS1?

After ordering your study material you will be given access to the 'Studying Subject CS1' course within our virtual learning environment, The Hub. From here, you can download a copy of the assumed knowledge chapter (Chapter 0) covering graphical representation of data; measures of location, spread and symmetry; probability and random variables.

There are a number of mathematical and statistical techniques that are considered assumed knowledge for all Core Principles subjects. Our course 'Pure Maths and Statistics for Actuarial Studies' covers the required techniques. More information can be found here.

Core Reading and Syllabuses

Does the Core Reading change between the April and September/October exams each year?

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 help and advice for students retaking a subject.

Can I buy a copy of the Formulae and Tables from ActEd?

No. You will need to order your copy of the Formulae and Tables from the IFoA. Please refer to the IFoA's website for more information.

Exams

Can I check my exam entry with ActEd?

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

Which calculator can I use?

Please refer to the Examinations Handbook on the IFoA's website for more information.

Can ActEd arrange exam counselling?

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

Do I qualify for exemptions?

The IFoA is responsible for awarding exemptions.

What if I have a special educational need or health condition?

Students with special educational need or health condition who may require special facilities in the exam room should contact the IFoA at education.services@actuaries.org.uk. ActEd also provides Learning support for students with a special educational need or health condition.

Study material

What study material is best for me?

See our Products and services pages for information and guidance on what to choose.

What's the difference between the ASET and the Examiners' Report?

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.

Does ActEd provide additional reading lists?

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

Ordering materials and shipping

Can I pass my material onto a friend or share them with a colleague?

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

Can I order on behalf of another student?

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.

I have made an order, when will I receive my material?

Study materials are sent directly from our printers by courier. In most cases study material arrives within 5-10 working days of ordering, assuming the relevant availability date stated below 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 and/or order eBooks rather than paper copies.

How will my material be sent?

Material deliveries will be sent by courier and the delivery will require a signature.

Where can I find PBOR, Online Classroom and The Vault?

These products are accessed through our virtual learning environment, The Hub.

eBooks

When and how will I receive my eBook token or code?

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 unique eBook 'token' or 'code'. These are generally sent 2-3 working days after you place your order.

Does the eBook come in PDF format?

No. eBooks can only be accessed using Vital Source Bookshelf using your unique token or code. You will be required to create an account before activating the token or code.

Can I print the eBook?

Yes, however bear in mind that eBooks are not designed to be printed in full. Printing is enabled to allow you to print, for example, chapter summaries or to work offline on a small sample of pages.

The print quality from printing your own eBooks is unlikely to be as high as a printed hard copy from ActEd. If you require a clean, high-quality printed copy then we recommend you order a hard copy in addition to, or instead of, an eBook.

Printing has limitations:

• You may print up to 100% of the pages from Bookshelf.
• There is a restriction in Bookshelf that limits the number of pages that can be printed each day.
• Bookshelf will overlay each page with a watermark and copyright statement.

Before you print, please ensure that:

• a working printer is connected to your device and
• there is ample paper and toner in the printer

Failing to make these checks may result in a print failure and the software may 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.

I have more questions about ebooks. Is there further information?

The eBook support page provides lots more information and advice.

Marking

Can I cancel any unused Marking Vouchers?

Please read the Marking services section for more details.

I have last year's assignments, can I submit these?

No, we only accept the most up to date assignments. If you are now ordering marking and you have ordered assignments before in the same subject, 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.

I have last year's Mock, can I submit this?

No. If you are looking to submit a mock for marking, we only accept the most up-to-date version.

Study hours

How many study hours will I need for each subject?

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

Tutorials

Can I book onto a tutorial which is showing as full?

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.

What is the Finalisation Date and can I still book a place on a tutorial after the finalisation date?

The Finalisation Date is the cut-off date for applications considered when we decide whether a course will run as scheduled. All tutorials are initially advertised as provisional and are only confirmed if we receive a sufficient number of applications by the finalisation date (this is normally around 8 applications but depends on demand for other courses). If your provisional course is cancelled then we will endeavour to offer you a place on an alternative course. This makes it important for you to provide a second and third choice tutorial where possible. The finalisation process can take a little while and so you will not usually receive your confirmed tutorial place until 2-3 working days after the relevant finalisation date. We will not be able to confirm a place until this time and we ask for your patience in the days immediately following the finalisation date. 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 in our Tutorial Bulletin.

Could we have tutorials in Liverpool / York / Norwich / Southampton / Belfast / Reigate / St Albans / Brighton ... ?

ActEd is 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.

I can't attend one day of my tutorial, can I attend one day of another course?

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.

Can I cancel my place on a tutorial?

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

Can I cancel my place on a tutorial if I did not get the results I expected in an exam?

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

Online Classroom and Live Online tutorials

What is the difference between an Online Classroom and a Live Online Tutorial?

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 content of a typical tutorial, covering the majority of the course.

The Live Online tutorials provide you with the traditional structure and support of face-to-face tutorials as they are delivered live, but with the convenience of attending tutorials wherever you are as they are online. This means you can interact with the tutor.

Introduction

You may find the following video useful as an introduction to ActEd and the actuarial exams.

New students

Student Brochure

Download the 2026 ActEd Student Brochure

New students webinar - October 2025

A webinar for new students joining the profession will be held on Friday next week (10/10/2025) at 1pm. More details can be found New students webinar - October 2025 details can be foundhere.

When should I order if I am sitting an exam for the first time?

Please read the IFoA Qualification Handbook carefully to understand how the exam system works. It is important that you start studying as soon as possible - we would expect this to be on, but ideally before, 1 November 2025 for the April 2026 exams, so you should order your materials and apply for tutorials as soon as possible.

Where to start

See our Products and services pages for information and guidance on what to choose.

In addition to the ActEd study materials mentioned above, you will also need a copy of the Formulae and Tables for Examinations of the Faculty of Actuaries and the Institute of Actuaries, 3rd Edition (2025). These are available separately from the IFoA.

What level of mathematics and statistics is required?

There are a number of mathematical and statistical techniques that are considered assumed knowledge for the Core Principles subjects.

Algebra

• Manipulating equations and inequalities
• Working with logs and exponentials
• Solving simultaneous linear equations in 2 variables
• Solving quadratic equations

Series

• The sums of geometric, exponential and binomial series

Calculus

• Differentiation and integration of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions
• The product, quotient and chain rule for differentiation
• Integration by parts and integration by substitution
• Using differentiation to determine and identify turning points
• Using integration to determine the area under a curve

Statistics

• Averages and measures of spread
• Mean and variance of random variables
• Calculating probabilities

What can I do to get my mathematics and statistics up to scratch?

If your mathematics or statistics is a little rusty you may wish to consider purchasing additional material to help you get up to speed. The course ' Pure Maths and Statistics for Actuarial Studies. is available from ActEd and it covers the mathematical techniques that are required for the Core Principles subjects, some of which are beyond A-Level (or Higher) standard. You do not need to work through the whole course in order - you can just refer to it when you need help on a particular topic.

Exam Entries

Please note that all enquiries related to exam entries should be directed to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Tel: +44 (0) 207 632 2100
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 268211
Email: memberservices@actuaries.org.uk
Website: actuaries.org.uk

Overview

Please order all paper, marking & electronic products and tutorials using our online store.

If you are unable to use the online store then please complete and email to us our Materials Application form and/or Tutorial Application form.

If you are not sure which products to order, we have further guidance on our Products and services page.

Your ActEd student number

If you are ordering from us for the first time then please use the "Enter Details" button when you are asked to login to the online store. If you are using an order form then please write "New Student" across the top of the form and leave the reference number blank.

You will be allocated an ActEd Student number when we process your first order and we will subsequently use this on all personal correspondence from ActEd. Please note that it is not the same as your Actuarial Reference Number (ARN) used by the IFoA - we are separate organisations.

Please quote/use your ActEd Student Number for all subsequent orders to avoid any unnecessary delays with your order.

Equal opportunities

If you have a learning disability and/or learning difficulty and/or health problem which you would like us to be aware of then please let us know when you order and someone from ActEd will contact you to establish what additional support we can provide for you.

Ordering paper products/eBooks before tutorials

As our tutorials are based around the course notes and therefore require students to have worked through some or all of the current course notes before each tutorial, you should order your material before or at the same time as registering on tutorials. If you order tutorials before your core study material, your application may be delayed while we try to contact you to advise you of the situation.

Invoicing and payment

Unless your company has pre-arranged payment facilities with ActEd, we will require payment in advance. If you wish to pay by card, we strongly recommend that you use our online store. Alternatively, if you are unable to access the online store, we will issue an invoice on receipt of your order form, which will require payment before your order is processed. Please do not provide credit card details via email.

Invoices to be settled by your employer (or your employer's agent) will be addressed to you personally at your office address unless your employer has already authorised the use of its company account for your order. If you would like us to address these invoices differently, please give details when you order. Please provide your company's requisition number, if applicable, when you place your order. If invoices are not settled within 30 days we may block future orders and/or prevent you from using on-going services (eg marking and tutorials) without offering any refund.

For provisional tutorials, unless your company has pre-arranged payment facilities with ActEd, debit or credit card details must be provided when you place an order. Invoices are issued, and credit card payments taken, between 5 and 15 working days after the relevant Finalisation Date once a place has been confirmed. If this time has already passed, we will charge your credit card or invoice you as soon as possible, and within 5 working days, after you have been given a confirmed place on a course.

Confirmation of orders

Paper, marking & electronic products

When you place your order online you will receive an automated confirmation email generated by the online store. Your order will be checked and processed as soon as possible, after which you will receive a second email to update you on your order.

Tutorials

When you place your order online you will receive an automated confirmation email. We will email you shortly after with details of your tutorial booking(s). If you do not receive an acknowledgement within four working days for each course you have applied for, please email ActEd immediately to check that we have received your order.

Delivery of materials

Study materials are sent directly from our printers by courier. In most cases study material arrives within 5-10 working days of ordering, assuming the relevant availability date stated below 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 and/or order eBooks rather than paper copies.

As we like to keep our materials as up to date as possible, some of the study materials are not available until midway through a session. However, you are still encouraged to place your order in full at the start of the session. We'll despatch immediately all the items available at the time of your order and automatically send any outstanding items as they become available.

Special repeat-purchase rates

Special repeat-purchase rates are available for students who have previously purchased similar material at the full price from ActEd.

CMP Upgrade

In most subjects we are likely to produce a CMP Upgrade which you can use to find out how the Syllabus and Core Reading have changed from 2025 to 2026 and to amend your 2025 CMP to make it suitable for study for the 2026 exams. Where possible, it includes all significant changes to the Core Reading. However, if a large proportion of the material has changed significantly, making it inappropriate to include all changes, the upgrade will only outline what has changed. In this case we recommend you purchase a replacement CMP (printed copy or eBook) or Course Notes at a significantly reduced price. Where available, recent CMP Upgrades can be downloaded free of charge from each subject's 'Studying Subject' course within The Hub. The 'Studying Subject' course is made available when you purchase materials or tutorials in a subject or, for those who have previously purchased materials, you can order the Studying Subject course free of charge via our e-store.

Additional products and services

You may wish to consider purchasing products and services that you didn't purchase in your previous attempt. See our Products and services pages for information and guidance on what to choose.

In particular, the Additional Mock Pack consists of two further mock exams in all subjects and is ideal if you are retaking and have already sat the Mock Exam. If you have not used Tuition or Marking (of Series X / Y Assignments and/or Mock Exams) before then you might find these very useful in preparing for your resit.

Exam results

In this video we discuss what to do when you get your exam results, in particular if you have failed an exam.

Logging in

You will need a username to login, which will be created for you when your online course is ready for use. If your course is ready at the time you make a purchase, then you should receive an email with your login information within 1 working day. You may need to check your spam / junk folder for this information.

Next steps

If you have purchased an Online Classroom, then have a look around the course as soon as you can, to see what's there and to get comfortable with the technology, even if you don't plan to start using the resources straight away. We recommend that you start with the 'Welcome' presentation, which is in the 'Getting Started' section of the course.

In the Studying Subject course in The Hub, we recommend you start by reviewing the contents of the 'Welcome' section.

Tutor Talk is a series of videos discussing various areas of studying for the actuarial exams that students might find useful during their progress through the exams. You will also find the videos linked on the relevant page of the ActEd website and on our YouTube channel.

New students

An introduction to ActEd and the actuarial exams.

Tutorial options

This video explains some of the options available for our Tutorials.

Materials

In this edition we discuss some of the revision materials you might find useful when revising for the IFoA's exams.

Apprenticeships

In this video we talk about the apprenticeships scheme and the support offered by ActEd.

Exam results

In this video we'll discuss what to do when you get your exam results, in particular if you have failed an exam.

Online Classroom

In this video we discuss ActEd's Online Classroom.

Assignments, Mock Exams and Marking

• ActEd marking
• The Hub

Exam wellbeing

In this video we talk about exam wellbeing.

Tutorials process

This video explains the process around booking tutorials.

Marking process

This video discusses the marking process including how to submit your script and how it will be returned to you.

Revision (early subjects)

Paper B subjects

Later subjects

Revision (later subjects)

SA exams

Using Word for later exams

CS2 Risk Modelling and Survival Analysis

Using Word for early exams

E-materials and environmental impact

Closed book exams