Suggested study hours and pattern

The actual amount of time each student needs to spend on a particular subject will vary from student to
student. Quality of study time is far more important than quantity of study time. However, the following
guidelines are suggested:
Core technical subjects (CT1CT8)

between 125 and 150 hours depending on the subject and

an individual students past educational background in the
subject

Online Professional Awareness Test (OPAT)

1-5 hours

Business awareness (CT9)

At least 20 hours plus two-day practical exam

Business awareness (CT9) online version

At least 20 hours plus full participation in the online

business game and the submission of seven written
exercises

Actuarial risk management (CA1)

400 hours

Model documentation, analysis and

reporting (CA2)

50 hours

Model documentation, analysis and

reporting (CA2) online version

50hours

Communications (CA3)

50 hours

Specialist technical subjects

200 hours

Specialist applications subjects

300 hours

Specialist applications subjects taken with

UK practice modules

320 hours

Professional Skills Course

4 hours pre-course reading, plus one day course

Professional Skills Course (online version)

8-10 hours over 3 weeks

It is therefore suggested that a reasonable workload for any one study session from September to April might
be:

three Core technical subjects

Actuarial risk management
two Specialist technical subjects
one Specialist technical subject and the chosen Specialist applications subject with the relevant UK
practice module
some other comparable combination

The study session from May to September is shorter and so it may be difficult for a student to study at the
same rate during this time. A student who studies every session with no failures could be expected to attain
Associateship within two years and Fellowship within three years.
July 2013