Student Guide for Actuarial Examination

IAI February 2025 Exams

(Core Principle Subjects)
 Table of Contents
Introduction Page 2
Process Flow Page 3
Pre-Exam Preparations Page 4
On the Day of Examination Page 9
Post-Examination Page 13

Page 1 of 14
Introduction
This student guide endeavours to furnish comprehensive information essential for examinees
appearing the upcoming Actuarial examination. It outlines the key elements for pre-exam
preparations, offers guidance for the exam day and provides insights for post-examination
procedures.

Student Guide accompanies with:

1. Mitigating Circumstance Policy and Procedure

2. Notice for Exam Entry Fee Refund
3. Policy for Differently Abled Candidates
4. Instructions of Hall Ticket

All examinees are entrusted with the responsibility of thoroughly perusing and acquainting
themselves with the above contents along with student guide prior appearing for IAI exams.

Minimum Technical Requirements1

Below are the minimum hardware and software requirements that shall be furnished by you
for smooth functioning of exam browser.

Personal Desktop/ Laptop

Hardware Web Camera
Microphone
Licensed Windows 10 and above
(NOTE: Devices running on IOS / MACBOOK ARE NOT
Operating System
ALLOWED)
.NET Framework 4.5.1 and above
Web Browser Google Chrome – 131.0.6778.205 Version and above
(Any One) (Recommended)
Firefox - 131.0.2903.86 and above (Recommended)
Internet Minimum speed of 1 Mbps and above
(Note: Please do not use mobile hotspot.).
RAM Minimum 2 GB and above
Note:
1. Device should have free space of more than 750 MB on the default hard drive.
2. No tablet or mobile devices are eligible.

For the following subjects, below are some add-on requirements to be fulfilled alongside
with above:
CM1, CM2 : MS Office (Licensed) - 2010 or above

Note:
1. Functional Keys, Escape key and right click of the mouse will be disabled during the time
of examination. Refer FAQ section on IAI Website.
2. During the exam, access to any cloud storage services including but not limited OneDrive,
Google Drive, Dropbox etc, is strictly prohibited.

CS1, CS2:
✓ MS Office (Licensed) - 2010 or above
✓ R version 3.6.1 or higher

Any modifications in above technical requirements will be notified by the Institute.

1

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✓ R Studio – Version 1.1 or higher for 32 bit operating system
Version 1.2 or higher for 64 bit operating system
Indicative (not limited to) list of Packages – base, stats, utils, graphics, fpp, markov
chain, forecast, dplyr, readxl, psych, corrplot, flexsurv, survival, caret, data.table,
diagram, expm, fracdiff, ggplot2, markovchain, MASS, metrics, moments, plyr, pracma,
pROC, randomForest, readr, rpart.plot, survminer, rpart, tseries, methods, lattice,
grDevices, datasets, cluster, fable, fitdistrplus, copula, rsample, mvtnorm, sde, actuar
etc.

Process Flow:
MCQ: CB1, CB2, CB3, CM1A, CM2A, CS1A, CS2A
Upload Type: CS1B, CS2B, CM1B, CM2B
Download
and
Update Install Go
Attend
30 days Refer all all the the exam Check System through
the mock
from the exam browsers browser your check the entire
exam(s)
instructio and system done exam
the exam (Follow on
ns/guideli applicatio compatibi successful process
date the exam scheduled
nes ns of your lity ly during
software dates
system the mock
guidelines
)

Login 30
mins.
Read the Clarify/re Clarify/re
before the Keep hall Check Two day
Instructio solve the solve the
exam time, ticket and On the your before
ns and fill doubts or doubts or
using the identity day of system actual
the technical technical
exam link proof Exam compatibi exam
mandator issues issues
from your handy lity date
y details identified identified
member
login

For upload
For MCQ
type exams,
type
Authoriza Type the
exams, CM (Paper
Upload tion Exam will responses of
select/ch B)Download & Save
your process Invigilator start once long answer
oose the the Excel Solution
photo will start will verify your type
correct Template with your
and 15 mins your details questions in
option(s) Roll number and
Identity before details are the word
from right remember the path
proof the exam verified (CS1B,CS2B)/e
hand side of the file
time xcel
of exam
(CM1B,CM2B)
screen
template

The last
For upload type
15 Keep an
Go to the Keep exams Access
minutes eye on
last saving the solution
Click on of Exam exam
Successful question, your template by
Finish test time is timer
upload upload solution choosing
button to notification
designate available
your file Excel/Word for
end the will appear d only to on top
answerscr manually the subject from
exam upload right of
ipt/solutio on regular the Taskbar and
the exam
n basis browsing the
answer screen
download folder
script

Page 3 of 14
Pre-Exam Preparations
Communications:
➢ You are strongly advised to use registered email id and contact number - throughout the
examination process.
➢ You will be granted access to the online home-based exam platform.
➢ You will receive exam link and other exam related information’s 2 days before your
exam.
➢ All Frequently Asked Questions are available on official website of the Institute.
➢ You are advised to email your queries for assistance at [email protected].
➢ During Examinations if you face any technical issue, kindly contact the helpline
number available on the Examination platform +91 80471 90902/ email the issue on
[email protected] keeping copy to [email protected]. In case you
are not able to reach the helpline number, kindly contact Institute immediately at
91 22 62433334/36/61 or +91 8080225226/ 7021196454/ 9930530506.
(Note: Proctor is only for Invigilation. Please do not contact the Proctor for
technical issues.)

System Check
➢ Institute will arrange for mock exams before the actual exam providing a good
opportunity for students to test their system compatibility. The details will be shared
only with candidates registered for the upcoming exam session.
➢ Click here to test your internet speed.
➢ Click here to test your system compatibility.
➢ You are advised to use any third-party browser to check your microphone and webcam.
➢ You are strongly advised to check hardware and software of your system well prior mock
and final examination.
➢ You are strongly advised to uninstall all screen sharing applications like zoom, teams,
any desk, etc & antivirus during the exams.
➢ Disable the windows firewall in your system as they may interfere in proper functioning
of exam secure browser.
➢ You will receive exam link 2 days before the actual examination to check for system
compatibility during home based online examination.
➢ Ensure necessary steps for challenges faced during mock exam or system compatibility
check well prior the final exams.
➢ It is advised to turn ON the system speaker with maximum volume for notifications and
messages from proctors.

Exam Instructions
➢ You can use only scientific calculator as per IAI approved list during the examination.
➢ You can use only hard copy of Actuarial table during the examination. (Note: Print or
xerox copy is not allowed)
➢ You will be asked to provide a 360-degree view of the exam surroundings by the
proctor/invigilator during the examination.
➢ Any candidate who appears or registers for the examinations from the excluded country
as per Registration Announcement may have their Exam or result cancelled of the
respective examination.
➢ Do not read the questions aloud during the exam.
➢ Ensure to maintain ethical standards and exam conditions while appearing exam.
➢ Ensure there is enough light on your face. You are not allowed to move away from the
exam screen.
➢ Please ensure that the web camera is not covered/ blocked by any object, even your
hands while giving the exam as the same shall be treated as violation.

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➢ In case you get disconnected, please click on the same exam link shared with you and
you may be able to resume where you had left off after 7-8 minutes. In case you are not
able to reconnect within 20 minutes from the time of disruption, kindly call the
technical support as well as inform Institute immediately for assistance.
➢ All your screen activities will be recorded and captured. Ensure that you do not open
any irrelevant application/files other than that mentioned in the question/exam
instructions.
➢ Don’t use any electronic devices like mobile phones, earphones/headphones, rubber
earplugs, tablets, smart watch etc. during the exam it will be treated as violation.
➢ You can navigate the questions by navigation panel on top of exam window or by clicking
“Next” available on bottom right of exam window.
➢ You are strongly advised to keep a track of exam timer to avoid loss of time.
➢ Do not press F5 key at any point during the examination.
➢ For text editor-based examination i.e., CB1,CB2,CB3 and Paper A (CM & CS) Series
subjects do not press Ctrl+Z shortcut key at any point during the examination.
➢ Kindly navigate the questions appropriately, ensure you do not click on “All questions”
button available on top right of the exam window. You can also navigate using “Prev
Question” and “Next Question” buttons available on bottom right of exam platform.
➢ The examination will end automatically at the exam end time.
➢ For CS1B, CS2B, CM1B & CM2B Subjects,
1. You can download and save the solution template and data files (if any) from the
link provided along with question paper. Keep a note of location you saved the
solution template and data files (if any).
2. Solution template should be saved with roll number only. No other file name will
be permitted.
3. Keep a track of exam timer, you are advised to keep a check on exam timer while
working on the solution.
4. Do not mention your name/member id/roll number inside the solution
document/worksheet.
5. You are strongly advised to keep saving your answer scripts on your local drive and
upload the same on examination platform in a timely manner.
6. The exam timer includes additional 15 minutes of upload time, it is mandatory
to apportion the last 15 minutes to just upload your answer script/solution. Any
working done during additional 15 minutes might lead to loss of attempt or failure
in uploading the answer script. The last successfully uploaded answer script in exam
platform shall be considered for evaluation.
7. Upload option will be available on the last question.
8. Steps to upload the solution/answer script:
i) Click on “Select File”.
ii) Navigate the location you previously saved your file.
iii) Select the file and click on “open/upload”.
iv) You are allowed to re-upload the file (if required). To re-upload the file
please delete the earlier file uploaded, then follow the steps again for
uploading the file.
Note:
1. AutoSave feature is not applicable for mentioned subjects.
2. It is responsibility of the candidate to keep a track of exam timer.
3. Upload your answer script/solutions before the timer gets over.

9. Finish test button will be available at the top right corner and click on it only once
you have answered all the questions.

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Actuarial Notations/Symbols

Notation / Symbols / Meaning Symbol / Notation that may be used

Mathematical
Multiplication, × *
Division, ÷ /
Approximately equal, ≈ ~= OR; approx. = OR; c. =
Inequalities e.g. a ≥ b and c ≤ d a >= b and c <= d
Proportionality, a ∝ b a is proportional to b

Square root √… sqrt(…)

Superscripted letters, 𝑎𝑥 a^x
Subscripted letters, e.g. 𝑋i j X_ij OR; Xij

Exponential, 𝑒 𝑥 exp(x) OR; e^x

Accented symbols, e.g. b^hat, X^bar
OR; bhat, Xbar
Use the typed word for the letter e.g. mu, sigma,
alpha, beta, theta, phi, lambda, eta, rho, delta.
Match case of Greek letter, for example phi for φ
Greek letters, e.g. 𝜇, 𝜎, 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝜃, 𝜑, 𝜆, 𝜂, 𝜌, 𝛿 and PHI for Φ.
OR; an Arabic alternative where available
e.g. a instead of alpha, b instead of beta, d for delta
or D for DELTA.
Symbols, e.g. infinity symbol, ∞ Infinity OR; Inf
f’(x), f’’(x), df/ds (stating partial, if necessary)
Derivatives, e.g. 𝑓′(𝑥), 𝑓′′(𝑥),
OR; df/dx, d^2f/dx^2
Integral, e.g.

INT(a,b):f'(t) dt
OR; Integral over a to b (f’(t)) OR; int(a,b)[ f’(t)]
And
Solved Integral, e.g.

= [f(t)]:(a,b)

Summation, e.g.

sigma(a,b): mu(t)
OR; sum(a,b): mu(t)
OR; Sum over a to b (mu(t))
OR; Sum(a,b)[mu(t)]

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Product, e.g.
Product (a,b):f(x)
OR; product over a to b(f(x))

Statistical
Expected values e.g. 𝐸(…) E(…)
Conditional expectation, e.g. 𝐸(𝑋|𝑌) E(X given Y)
Variance, 𝑉(…) V(…)
Covariance, Cov(…) Cov(…)
Distributions, e.g.
chi-squared_m
OR; chi-squared with m degrees of freedom

Binomial Coefficient, e.g.

n choose r
OR; choose (n, r)

Compound interest functions

i( p) i(p)

d ( p) d(p)

 delta

n v^n

s s:<n>
n

a abar:<n>
n

a(p):<n>

Life table functions

ly
Ly/Lx
lx
dx
dx/Ly
ly

k px kpx

m| qx m|qx

pxy px:y

Page 7 of 14
 adue:x:<n>

a(p):x

adue:x:y

adue:x:y:<n>

adue(p):x:y:<n>

adue:x|y

m|adue:x

EA:x:<n>

EAbar:x:<n>

TA:x:<n>

PE:[x]:<n>

I(TA):x:<n>

Disclaimer: The above list is not exhaustive, and other symbol & equation notations may also be acceptable.

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On the Day of Examination

You are strongly advised the below do’s and don’ts before sitting for online examinations.

Do's Don'ts
Keep yourself cool and calm Don't panic during the examination
Keep your exam desk neat and clean. Don't use sticky notes, notepads, etc.
Keep your Hall Ticket and Government ID Don't move away from system during the
proof in original handy. live examination.
You can keep only approved scientific Don't use any electronic gadget viz. Cell
calculator, Actuarial table, blank papers Phones, Earphones/Headphones/Earplugs,
and pen with you for rough work Smart Watch, Fitness Band, etc.
Keep your mail id logged-in before exam Don’t access any other browser or social
start time. accounts during the exam.
Keep a transparent water bottle. Don’t connect any external ports to system
Keep track of exam timer available on the during the Examination.
upper right corner of the exam window
during the examination
Use restroom before login.
To adhere the instructions to the examinees
Don’t violate the instructions to the
available in the hall ticket and the
examinees and instructions given by
instructions of the proctor/invigilator
proctor/invigilator
throughout the examination.
Note: Candidates are strongly advised to appear examination in smart casuals.

Steps to Start Examination

1. Click on Start Test button available on the email received from

[email protected]. Exam link and instructions will be made available under your
examination tab of your member login one day before the exam.
2. Close all the background applications, clear all cache, browser history, uninstall
antivirus, screen sharing applications and disable windows firewall before accessing
online exam platform.
3. Ensure all notifications, pop-ups are closed/blocked before you start the examination
to avoid the computer screen navigation away from the online examination window.
4. You are advised to check your system compatibility before starting the examination.
System compatibility check link will be sent along with exam link.
5. To download and install the examination software2.
Note: Kindly uninstall the exam software installed for earlier examination session(s).
While uninstalling the software, kindly ensure you delete the existing software folder
from the local drive. You need to download and install the latest exam software from
the provided exam link. If you have already appeared for the mock exam scheduled
before the actual exam, please skip this step.
6. Login to the exam platform 30 mins before exam start time using the link shared by IAI.
(Do not share your examination link with anyone).
7. In case if you face any technical issue kindly contact technical support number available
on your examination screen/hall ticket.

2 We recommend that you should complete this step at least one week before the day of examination.
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 Note: If you are not provided with proper assistance within 10 mins from login time
kindly contact IAI on +91 022 62433334/36/61 or email us on [email protected]
8. Click on Start Test (wait for few seconds, the system will close the background
applications and start the test).
9. Check the subject name, question count and test duration. Click on “Proceed”.
10. Post system compatibility check, share your screen and allow access to microphone &
camera, then click on “Proceed”.
11. Read the exam instructions thoroughly, click on “Agree & Proceed”.
12. Fill the following details, check the terms & condition and click on submit:
a. Member ID
b. Roll number
c. Name
d. Email ID
13. Click pictures of yourself and Government approved Photo ID using the web camera of
the laptop/desktop and submit for approval. In case the clicked picture is not properly
visible then you will receive a prompt to capture the picture again.
14. Profile verification will start 15 mins before the exam start time. You will be in queue
till your profile gets verified.
15. Proctor shall verify your hall ticket during the examination.
16. Read the Instructions and click on “Start Test” to start the examination.
(Note: Your exam timer will start immediately after clicking the “Start Test” button
and will end accordingly)

Subject wise approach to write solution:

Subject Approach to Write Solution

CB, Paper A (CS & CM) Select the correct option within the platform.
Open a new word document from the task bar of the exam
CS (Paper B) platform and copy & paste the R codes and output question wise
and upload the same in exam platform.
Download and save the Solution Template (Excel) embedded
CM (Paper B) within the question and then upload the worked solution template
back to the exam platform.

For Paper B (CS & CM), It is the responsibility of student to track the exam timer. The
exam timer includes additional 15 minutes of upload time, it is mandatory for you to
utilize the last 15 minutes only to upload your answer script/solution. You will find the
upload option on the last question. Any working done during that additional 15 minutes
might lead to loss of attempt or failure in uploading the answer script. The last successfully
uploaded answer script in exam platform shall be considered for evaluation.

Step for CB series , Paper A (CS & CM)

For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ’s), you can select the correct option within the
platform. (No working or calculation is required for MCQ’s)

Step for CM1B and CM2B:

- You can access MS-Excel from taskbar in the exam platform.

- You will be provided with link to download the answer template within the question
paper.
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- On clicking the link, you will be asked to save the file, kindly save the file with your roll
number only.
Step to open file
i. Open a blank excel file from taskbar, click on “File” option.
ii. Select Open option, browse the location.
iii. Select all files from the bottom right of the popped-up screen.
iv. Select the required file and click on “Open”.
v. If you face file corrupt issue, please follow below steps:
a) Open a blank excel file from taskbar, click on “File” option.
b) Go to option > Trust Centre > Trust Centre Settings > Protected View >
Uncheck all the three options > Click on “Ok”.

- You are advised to open the downloaded file with default file type (MS Office).
- Save as excel workbook with your “Roll Number” e.g. CM1B2001 in your local drive.
- Write the solutions of respective question mentioned in excel and upload the file in the
exam platform.
➢ You are strongly advised to save your work in the MS Excel worksheet in your local drive
periodically till it is ready for upload in the exam platform in a timely manner.
Note: Please be informed your working will not get auto saved in the exam platform.
➢ The last successfully uploaded file by you will be considered as answer script.
- After submission you will receive a submission confirmation pop-up on the screen.
Note: If you don’t get the submission pop-up, re-upload the file.

Step for CS1B and CS2B:

➢ You can access R/R Studio of available in your system from examination platform.
Note: R Studio must be installed in following path C:\Program Files (i.e. default
windows drive). If the Secure Exam Browser is unable to locate the R Studio, you
can manually locate the “R Studio.exe” by browsing to the saved location.
➢ You are advised to open a new word document from the task bar of exam platform with
default file type (MS Office).
➢ You can write the respective codes in R and copy the R codes & output and paste to MS
Word document question wise. Save as the document only with your “Roll Number”
e.g. CS1B2001 in your local drive and upload in exam platform.

➢ You can access “R”, MS-Excel & MS-Word from taskbar in the exam platform.
➢ You will be provided with link to download the dataset (if any) within the question
paper.
Step to open file
i. Open a blank excel file from taskbar, click on “File” option.
ii. Select Open option, browse the location.
iii. Select all files from the bottom right of the popped-up screen.
iv. Select the required file and click on “Open”.
v. If you face file corrupt issue, please follow below steps:
a) Open a blank excel file from taskbar, click on “File” option.
b) Go to option > Trust Centre > Trust Centre Settings > Protected View >
Uncheck all the three options > Click on “Ok”.
➢ You are strongly advised to save your work in the MS Word Document in your local drive
periodically till it is ready for upload in the exam platform in a timely manner.
Note: Please be informed your working will not get auto saved in the exam platform.
➢ The last successfully uploaded file by you will be considered as answer script.

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➢ After submission you will receive a submission confirmation pop-up on the screen.
Note: If you don’t get the submission pop-up, re-upload the file.

Please take note of the following:

• You can use any standard function available in Excel, Word and R (excluding
the use of Macros).
• You can use the Equation Editor to construct any actuarial
notation/symbol/equation. Alternately, you can use any other form of
presentation of the same as long as any third person can comprehend what
is written.
• You are not permitted to handwrite mathematical equations. This includes
the use of freehand drawing tools or other hardware such as drawing
tablets, which are prohibited.
• You are prohibited to use ‘Dictate’ or any similar function. You are expected
to complete all examination answers using keyboard entry into the
applicable platform as outlined earlier (To view Click Here).
• You are requested to delete or disable any customized add-ins within the MS
Office platform as its use or access is prohibited during the examination
session.
• You are prohibited to use RMarkdown and knitR during the R-based
examination. (Note: Please ensure that the R-history is blank before the
start of the examination.)

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Note: Proctor/Invigilator is only for supervision, in case of technical help, kindly
contact the helpline number available on the Examination platform. In case you are
unable to reach the helpline number kindly contact the Institute immediately.

Malpractices

➢ You may be asked to provide a 360-degree view of the exam surroundings by the
proctor/invigilator during the examination.
➢ Violations may include but not limited to:
- Using mobile, headphones, smartwatches or any other electronic devices.
- Communicating with someone during the exam.
- Referring notes/materials during the exam.
- Moving away from exam screen without permission.
- Disabling camera or microphone during exam.
➢ Any malpractices noticed/violation of instructions by proctor/invigilator shall lead
to termination of your examination.
➢ Candidates are not permitted to appear for the examinations from the same
premises.
➢ It is brought to your notice that in accordance with provisions contained in the
Professional Conduct Standard, if any candidate is found copying or involved in
any other form of malpractice, during or in connection with the examination,
then he/she will be liable to disqualification from the examination and
disciplinary action. Candidates found guilty could face suspension of two years
leading to academic loss.
➢ All screen activities will be recorded and captured. Ensure that you do not open any
irrelevant application/files other than that mentioned in the question/exam
instructions.
➢ Don’t use any electronic devices like mobile phones, earphones/headphones,
tablets, smart watch etc. during the exam; it will be treated as violation.

Technical Issue/ Internet failure/ Electricity failure

➢ You are strongly advised to keep alternate arrangement for

software/hardware/internet/power supply disruption at least a day before or on the
exam day/during the examination.
➢ No extra time shall be granted for any software/hardware failures faced during the
examinations.
kindly contact the helpline number available on the Examination platform +91
80471 90902/ email the issue on [email protected] keeping copy to
[email protected]. In case you are not able to reach the helpline number,
kindly contact Institute immediately at 91 22 62433334/36/61 or +91
8080225226/ 7021196454/9930530506.

Post-Examination

➢ Post Submission of exam, please fill the survey form for feedback on Question paper
available on exam platform.
➢ Post completion of all exams you need to submit the survey for feedback on Exam
platform shared via email by IAI. This survey will be available for 24 hours from the
exam end time.

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➢ The students are advised to email at [email protected] for the issues relating
to the examination. Queries which are received within 2 days of completion of
examination will only be entertained.

*****************************

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