Exams & Admissions
Membership / Notices to Members

Strengthening the Candidate Experience: An Update on CAS Admissions

2025 CAS Exam Announcement

Dear CAS Members and Candidates,

As chair of the CAS Admissions Governance Committee (AGC), I’d like to provide an update on recent developments in our Admissions program and reaffirm our commitment to an elevated candidate experience—a core pillar of the 2025 CAS Strategic Plan.

Candidates are the future of our profession. That’s why the CAS continues to evolve its Admissions program to ensure it remains relevant, reliable, and responsive. A key part of this evolution was the Actuarial Professional Analysis (APA), which included a broad-based survey sent to all members and candidates in late 2024. Thousands of you responded, offering valuable insight to help shape the future of our credentialing program. This evaluation helps ensure that our pathways to ACAS and FCAS are built by and for property and casualty actuaries.

In my 2023 Future Fellows interview upon becoming president, I emphasized the importance of engaging the CAS community to shape our future. That principle continues to guide our work in Admissions today. Here are some updates on our activities:

Establishing the AGC

In May 2024, the CAS transitioned the Admissions Transformation Plan Task Force into a standing committee of the Board: the Admissions Governance Committee (AGC). Our goals are to:

  • Partner closely with Admissions staff and volunteers, offering informed and timely guidance through-out key decision points.
  • Protect the focus on strategic priorities, allowing Admissions work to stay on course without distraction.
  • Understand challenges, acting as a bridge between operational teams and Board-level oversight.

Progress Underway

While formal AGC priorities for the future of our Admissions program will be shared soon, I want to offer a preview of work already in motion:

Enhancing Support Around Exams

  • New Grader Insight videos for Exam 5 are already available to help clarify expectations.
  • New sample items with solutions for Exam 5 are under development, using recently retired content. These are targeted for release prior to the October exam administration.
  • A score report enhancement project is underway, with the Candidate Advocate Working Group (CAWG) and Admissions partnering to provide more granular post-exam feedback. The score report enhancement, also beginning with Exam 5, is targeted for 2026 at the earliest.
  • Content outlines are being refined to reflect direct APA feedback around domains and tasks. We are committed to providing candidates with at least six months' notice for any content changes.
  • After APA feedback has been incorporated, we will be adding supporting material to the content outlines to provide candidates with further guidance while preparing for exams. This project will not impact exam content.

These enhancements will roll out in a measured timeframe to all CAS exams following the Exam 5 pilot releases and subsequent adjustments based on lessons learned.

Increasing Exam Frequency

  • The inaugural August MAS exam administration is scheduled, with strong registration numbers confirming the demand for this new sitting.
  • By April 2026, all CAS exams, except for 6I, will be offered at least twice a year, improving flexibility for candidates.

Using APA Insights

  • The APA results, along with feedback from multiple stakeholder groups including the CAWG and Admissions volunteers, are informing our current and future initiatives. This collaborative, data-driven process has been instrumental in identifying what matters most to candidates and employers alike.

Candidate Experience as a Strategic Pillar

Our Strategic Plan elevates the Candidate Experience to a formal priority, and we are taking action to deliver on that commitment, as we:

  • Appoint Jonathan Lim as the General Officer for Candidate Experience.
  • Welcome CAWG representation to the AGC, ensuring candidate perspectives are heard and considered at the highest level.
  • Strengthen the connection between the CAWG and Admissions volunteer leadership.

Any candidates who want to get involved with elevating the candidate experience by serving on the CAWG may apply for consideration; applications will open later this summer. Members who want to support this important work are encouraged to visit the “Volunteering” section of the CAS Portal to indicate their interest and explore additional opportunities to contribute.

Looking Ahead

This is an iterative process, and we are constantly evolving. Your input continues to drive our work as we build a credentialing program that reflects the demands of today’s market while preparing for tomorrow.

Thank you to all who participated in the APA and who continue to engage with us through working groups and feedback channels. Your voice matters.

On behalf of the AGC and the Board, thank you for your support and trust in this important work.

Sincerely,
Frank Chang, FCAS
CAS Past President and Chair, CAS Board of Directors
Chair, Admissions Governance Committee