Hot Topics Survey Overview: Exams
As you have hopefully seen in other articles included in this issue of Future Fellows, the CAS Candidate Liaison Committee (CLC) is in the process of revitalizing our efforts to reach candidates and relay candidate feedback. In addition to the new annual candidate survey, which is discussed in another article, we have also begun a series of Hot Topics Surveys that are designed to focus on single topics affecting the candidate community. They are shorter than the annual survey, with the aim to give the CLC a quick “pulse reading” on candidates’ viewpoints.
It should come as no surprise that the first Hot Topics Survey centered on exams. Passing the exams is the main focus of every candidate, and it is also the topic we deal with the most on the CLC. Twenty-two survey questions covered a variety of topics, some of which were very specific. For example, we asked for feedback on whether the information provided on exams on the CAS website was clear and complete. There was also a question about how exam results should be released and whether advanced notice is preferred or not. One of the more interesting specific questions asked was about whether exam credit should be given for college classes. For this question, respondents were fairly evenly split between yes and no. For those that chose yes, the preliminary exams were the exams most chosen as appropriate for college classes.
Other questions on the exam Hot Topics Survey were more general in nature. Because this is the first time the CLC has specifically surveyed candidates about exams, these types of questions give us insight into the motivations and concerns of the community. For example, one of the questions asked candidates what they enjoy most about actuarial exams. Your first thought might be, “Nothing. I hate everything about exams,” which was an actual option on the survey. Surprisingly, less than 20% of people selected it. What is probably not a surprise is that most respondents view exam raises and bonuses as the best part of exams. We also asked what candidates find most frustrating about exams. The significant personal time investment, along with the disappointment of failing and potential exam defects, were main drivers of frustration. I know the CAS takes very seriously the investment candidates make in the exam process. The results of this survey will help the CLC convey more clearly what specific issues need to be addressed. The remaining questions on the survey covered exam structure, length and included material. Many of the open-form responses were very detailed, particularly on the exams themselves, which we on the CLC very much appreciate.
So, what happens next? The CLC is currently in the process of summarizing the survey results and identifying takeaways. Some of those takeaways are “just do it” items, while others are much more complicated. We will then bring the results to the Syllabus & Examination Committee for review and discussion. Two members of the CLC also attend the committee’s meeting each month to advocate for the candidate viewpoint and discuss survey responses when available.
If you did not take the exam survey but want to give further feedback on exams, please reach out to the CLC. You can also contact us if you’d like to be on the mailing list for future Hot Topics Surveys. We plan to hold future surveys a few times a year.
