Confidence in a Smooth Exam Experience – October/November Exam Update

Dear CAS Candidates,

We understand the frustration and disappointment many of you experienced during the May 1 exam administration, and we want to assure you that we have taken significant steps to mitigate risks for the October/November exam sitting.

Since May, we have worked closely with our exam vendor, Pearson VUE, to identify and resolve the technical issues that led to the disruption. Our comprehensive system reviews have been expanded and enhancements have been implemented to strengthen platform stability and reduce the risk of future incidents. We are confident that these improvements will ensure a smooth exam experience for all candidates.

In the unlikely event of any technical issues during the October/November exam administration, please know that CAS has contingency plans in place to respond swiftly and minimize disruption. These contingency plans address power or internet outages, as well as technical issues, such as error messages. Your success and confidence in the process remain our top priorities, and we are fully prepared to support you through any challenges that may arise.

Candidates had also expressed frustrations following the April/May exam sitting about the testing experience (beyond the May 1 issues). To address this, the CAS has strengthened the partnership between the Admissions team and the Candidate Advocate Working Group (CAWG) to identify enhancements to the candidate experience. CAWG members recently completed an additional layer of review for the October/November exam sitting that involved a site visit to a Pearson VUE center to replicate the day-of testing experience. Through this, and other upcoming initiatives, the CAS is committed to identifying opportunities and implementing changes to improve the candidate experience for future sittings. In fact, one of the five pillars of the 2025 CAS Strategic Plan is “Enhancing the Candidate Experience.”

As a reminder, if you experience any administrative irregularities during your exam, such as excessive noise or a faulty mouse or keyboard, please inform the Pearson VUE administrator as soon as the issue occurs. The CAS Candidate Feedback and Grievances policy outlines the process for submitting a grievance to address these situations.

Thank you for your resilience and continued commitment, and best wishes for success with your upcoming exam.

Sincerely, 

Frank Chang, FCAS, CAS President

Watch the Video Message from CAS President Frank Chang to CAS Candidates