Admissions Transformation

With the spring exam administration closing and summer nearing, we recognize that it may be difficult to stay informed about updates being implemented through our Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP), so we are providing multiple updates at this time.

As previously announced with the CAS Admissions Transformation Plan, the CAS will be testing based on the new Content Outlines for Exams MAS-I, MAS-II, and 5 beginning this October/November 2023. With this transition, new item types will be introduced into the October/November 2023 exams. Previously, Exams MAS-I and MAS-II contained multiple choice, single response question types and Exam 5 contained constructed response and spreadsheet question types.

The CAS is pleased to announce that as part of the Admissions Transformation Plan, computer-based practice exams for the MAS exams will be available again exclusively for candidates that are registered for the spring 2023 sitting of MAS-I and/or MAS-II.

The General Officer of the CAS Syllabus and Examination Committee has released a memorandum outlining approved changes for the October/November 2023 CAS source materials.

As previously announced, the work of the CAS Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP) began with the Job Task Analysis (JTA) conducted in 2020, which resulted in recommendations for the high-level domains1 and tasks2 covered on each exam in the ACAS and FCAS exam pathway. This foundational analysis helps to inform the enhancements to all CAS exams, and we are now pleased to announce changes to Exams 7, 8 and 9.

In accordance with the Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP), the CAS anticipates publishing new Content Outlines (formerly Syllabi) later this month for the October/November 2023 Exams MAS-I, MAS-II, and 5. The following information will provide our stakeholders, primarily candidates and academics, with details on the similarities and differences between our former Syllabi and new Content Outlines.  

As previously announced, the Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP) incorporated a Job Task Analysis (JTA) in 2020 to inform enhancements to all CAS exams, beginning with the new Exams MAS-I, MAS-II and 5. The JTA resulted in recommendations for the high-level domains and tasks covered on each exam in the ACAS and FCAS exam pathway.

As we head into the busy end-of-year season, the CAS recognizes that it may be difficult to stay informed about forthcoming updates being implemented through our Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP), so we are providing a preview at this time.

In the spirit of our on-going commitment to transparency as we announce key milestones of the Admissions Transformation Plan (ATP), the CAS is sharing details regarding the process for deciding changes to topics covered on CAS exams. Over the past two years, the CAS utilized three separate analyses to ensure that the content presented on the ACAS and FCAS exams accurately represents a holistic viewpoint of the profession, and evaluates the skills needed to ensure CAS candidates and members are prepared to meet future skill demands.