Actuarial Exam P (Probability) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Actuarial Exam P (Probability), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$275 per exam (10+ exams total path)
Provider
SOA (Society of Actuaries)
Validity
Lifetime (per exam)
Available
Global
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
3-5+ years of professional experience typically required
Specific Requirements
- There are no formal education prerequisites. Any candidate may register for Exam P without a degree, prior exams or sponsorship.
- The SOA syllabus assumes an understanding of calculus including series, differentiation and integration.
- The syllabus expects the candidate to be familiar with the concepts introduced in the SOA study note Risk and Insurance.
- Registration must be completed by the published deadline for the chosen window. Exams P and FM use continuous registration, and the SOA does not accept registrations after the deadline has passed.
- A Prometric appointment must be scheduled no later than 48 hours before the exam start time on the final day of the testing window.
- Candidates requiring testing accommodations must submit a written request with their application rather than arranging it at the test centre.
Number of Questions
30 multiple-choice questions. A few pilot questions are randomly placed in each form and are not used in scoring, but they are not identified to the candidate.
Duration
Three hours
Question Format
Multiple choice with five options labelled A through E, only one correct, Calculation questions on probability, expected value, variance and moments, Applied insurance questions involving deductibles, coinsurance percentages, benefit limits and inflation, Conditional probability questions using Bayes Theorem and the law of total probability, Joint, marginal and conditional distribution questions for discrete random variables, Central Limit Theorem approximation questions for linear combinations of independent and identically distributed random variables
Passing Requirement
The SOA reports grades on a 0 to 10 scale, where 6 to 10 are passing and 0 to 5 are failing, and publishes official decile scores through its online transcript facility. The underlying pass mark is set before the exam is administered using Item Response Theory and is published afterwards with the results: for the January 2026 administration an average of 71 percent correct was needed to pass.
How It Is Delivered
Computer-based testing at Prometric centres over a twelve-day window, with a rescheduled appointment confined to that same window, with a paper and pencil sitting on the first day of selected windows for candidates without access to a Prometric centre. A table of values for the normal distribution is provided during the exam under an Exhibit button, and candidates may not bring their own copy.
Languages Offered
English (Prometric lists the exam as Probability English: U.S., Canada, Intl.), French (Prometric lists a separate Probability French: Canada version)
Visit the official SOA (Society of Actuaries) certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the Actuarial Exam P (Probability)?
There are no formal education prerequisites. Any candidate may register for Exam P without a degree, prior exams or sponsorship.. The SOA syllabus assumes an understanding of calculus including series, differentiation and integration.. The syllabus expects the candidate to be familiar with the concepts introduced in the SOA study note Risk and Insurance.. Registration must be completed by the published deadline for the chosen window. Exams P and FM use continuous registration, and the SOA does not accept registrations after the deadline has passed.. A Prometric appointment must be scheduled no later than 48 hours before the exam start time on the final day of the testing window.. Candidates requiring testing accommodations must submit a written request with their application rather than arranging it at the test centre..
How much does the Actuarial Exam P (Probability) cost?
The Actuarial Exam P (Probability) exam costs $275 per exam (10+ exams total path). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Actuarial Exam P (Probability)?
Visit the official SOA (Society of Actuaries) certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the Actuarial Exam P (Probability)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for Actuarial Exam P (Probability)?
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