In a few months, the CAS and Candidate Advocate Working Group will be asking for candidate feedback in the fourth candidate survey. The prior candidate survey was conducted in July 2023 and the results were shared with the CAS Board in May 2024 to update CAS leadership on the current state of candidates. A summary of the results was also posted on the CAS site in June 2024 (https://www.casact.org/article/2023-cas-candidate-survey-summary).

Why the Candidate Survey matters

If you have opinions about the CAS or the ACAS/FCAS credentialing pathway, the Candidate Survey is the place to voice those thoughts. Just like the actuarial profession relies on credible and aggregated insurance data, the CAS relies on credible and aggregated survey results to help them make informed decisions. Many CAS candidates email or call the CAS with concerns or complaints at some point in their exam journeys, and while those interactions are important, they are singular data points. The aggregated results of 1,000+ candidates provide the CAS with significantly greater insight into the evolving candidate experience and opportunities to enhance the candidate journey.

In 2023, the candidate survey had a 20.2% response rate; it was sent to 5,052 active candidates, and 1,020 responses were received. This was a dramatic improvement from the 2021 candidate survey (when only 8.8% of active candidates responded), and we’re hoping that the 2026 survey will draw an even larger response rate.

How recent CAS changes aligned with 2023 Candidate Survey results

Credential travel time

In 2023, the survey results indicated that credential travel time was a key area of focus for candidates — the amount of time it takes for a candidate who passes their first exam to receive their ACAS/FCAS credential. The survey data helped support the decision to increase the frequency of exam sittings for Exams MAS-I, MAS-II, 7, 8, and 9.

Releasing past exam questions and solutions

Another area of focus in candidate feedback was the availability of released exam questions and solutions. The CAS continues to actively work in this area and released previously nonreleased questions for Exam 5, as well as grader insight videos with solutions based on additional Exam 5 questions. After releasing these resources, the CAS conducted focus groups to gather feedback and has since released previously nonreleased questions for Exams 6C and 7, with plans to expand these releases to other exams.

CAS Strategic Plan updates

The CAS Board adopted the 2025 Strategic Plan in November 2024, and one of the Strategic Plan pillars is “Enhancing the Candidate Experience.” This was included as one of the five key pillars in part because of the 2023 Candidate Survey data that the Strategic Plan Task Force reviewed when developing the Strategic Plan.

Admissions projects in progress: Score report enhancement & content outline updates

In July 2025, the CAS announced various ways it is focusing on strengthening the candidate experience, specifically mentioning two Admissions updates that are still in progress:

• A score report enhancement project, which is expected to provide more granular post-exam feedback for candidates.
• Content outline updates, including adding supporting material that provides additional guidance as candidates prepare for exams.

Both efforts were supported by feedback from the Candidate Survey.

What this means for the 2026 Candidate Survey

For the CAS to prioritize changes, there needs to be clear evidence that there is a need to be addressed. In the 2023 Candidate Survey, two commonly raised topics were travel time and access to past exam questions and solutions. In response to that feedback, the CAS has taken steps over the past few years to improve the candidate experience in both areas.

Before completing the 2026 Candidate Survey, take some time to reflect on what matters most to you as a candidate and what would have the greatest impact on the candidate experience. Consider discussing your ideas with colleagues to gain additional perspectives. Use your survey responses to share what you believe the CAS should focus on over the next 2–3 years before the next Candidate Survey. ff