CAS Revises Examination Discipline Policy

by Future Fellows

The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) Board of Directors has adopted a revised version of the CAS Examination Discipline Policy, effective with the Spring 2018 examination sitting. The policy, which is published in the CAS Syllabus of Examinations, provides examples of improper examination conduct and describes actions the CAS may take if a candidate violates any examination rules.

Revisions were made to the first paragraph of the full policy, which now reads:   

Revised CAS Examination Discipline Policy
(adopted March 12, 2018)
Candidates must not give or receive assistance of any kind during the examination. Any cheating, attempt to cheat, assisting others to cheat, participating therein, or engaging in improper conduct such as noted in the CAS Examination Discipline Policy is a serious violation and will result in the CAS disqualifying the candidate's exam and additional consequences determined by the Vice President Admissions. This may include a temporary or permanent ban from sitting for CAS Examinations. Members of the CAS are also subject to the CAS investigative and discipline process, such as through the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD) or the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA), for any violations of the CAS Code of Professional Conduct. Candidates have agreed in their applications for examination to be bound by the rules and regulations governing the examinations.

See the online CAS Syllabus of Examinations for the complete CAS Examination Discipline Policy.

During the exam registration process, candidates indicate their agreement with the following statement:

I have read the rules and regulations concerning the examination(s) for which I am applying and agree to be bound by them. I have read the CAS "Code of Professional Ethics for Candidates" and agree to be bound by it. I also agree that the results of any examination(s) which I take, and any action taken as a result of my conduct may, at the sole discretion of the Casualty Actuarial Society, be disclosed to any other bona fide actuarial organization that has a legitimate interest in such results and/or actions.

The Code of Professional Ethics for Candidates includes as Rule 4: "An actuarial candidate shall adhere to the CAS Policy on Examination Discipline." Therefore, by registering for a CAS exam, candidates agree to be bound by the policy.

As the revised policy is effective with the Spring 2018 exam sitting, candidates who registered for a spring exam and who do not agree with the revision may cancel their exam registration. The registration cancelation deadline is two weeks before the examination. Candidates who cancel by the deadline will receive a refund of the exam registration fee, minus a $100 administrative fee.