Choosing and prioritizing SOA exams strategically can make a huge difference in your actuarial career growth, especially in 2026 when the exam landscape is evolving. With new exam schedules, multiple pathways, and shifting professional demands, it’s crucial to plan your exam journey thoughtfully rather than just following the typical sequence blindly. The goal is to maximize your learning efficiency, maintain work-life balance, and position yourself strongly in the job market.
First off, understanding the structure of the SOA exams in 2026 is key. The Society of Actuaries offers preliminary exams leading to ASA (Associate of the Society of Actuaries) and then more specialized FSA (Fellow) tracks. In 2026, there’s a notable update: the SOA will offer high-demand FSA courses three times a year—in March, July, and November—to give candidates more flexibility[1]. This change means you can plan your study schedule around your work and personal life more effectively, rather than being locked into just one or two exam windows per year. This flexibility can reduce stress and help you maintain consistent progress.
When it comes to choosing which exams to take first, a common but important piece of advice is to start with the foundational preliminary exams: Exam P (Probability) and Exam FM (Financial Mathematics). These are prerequisites for many of the advanced exams and build critical skills for all actuarial tracks. Statistics show that candidates who pass these exams early tend to build momentum and confidence, which helps with the more difficult exams later[4]. If you’re new to actuarial science, consider dedicating focused blocks of time (e.g., 8-12 weeks) to each, and use practice exams to track your readiness.
Once you have the preliminaries behind you, the strategic part kicks in: how do you prioritize the FSA exams? The SOA offers several specialty tracks such as Corporate Finance and ERM, Health, General Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, and Investments. Think about your career goals first. For example, if you are interested in health insurance or healthcare analytics, focusing early on the GH track (Benefits and Pricing, Valuation and Regulation, Health Analytics and Management) makes sense[1]. Similarly, if you want to work in pensions or retirement planning, the RET track would be more relevant.
A practical tip: align your exam choices with your current job or the role you want to transition into. For instance, if you are working in investment consulting, prioritizing INV 101 (Portfolio Management) and INV 201 (Quantitative Finance) early can increase your value at work and provide immediate benefits. This approach not only motivates you but also helps your employer see the direct value of your exam progress, sometimes even leading to study support or flexible work arrangements.
Another important factor is the exam schedule itself. Because the SOA offers most FSA exams multiple times a year, you can plan your exam calendar by spacing out difficult exams and mixing in lighter ones to avoid burnout[1]. For example, if you take a challenging course like Corporate Finance (CFE 201), consider following it with a slightly less intensive one like Enterprise Risk Management (CFE 101), which is offered more frequently. This staggered approach helps maintain steady progress without overwhelming yourself.
Many candidates underestimate the value of early and consistent exam preparation tools such as question banks, study groups, and coaching resources. For example, Coaching Actuaries offers detailed manuals, video lessons, and quizzes tailored to each exam[4][5]. Using these can make your study sessions more productive. Also, leveraging the computer-based testing format means you can take exams close to home and get quick results, which allows you to adjust your study plans rapidly based on performance[6].
It’s also important to consider your work and life schedule. The SOA tries to avoid major holidays and high-workload seasons in their exam scheduling, but personal circumstances vary widely. For instance, if you know your company has a busy Q4, avoid scheduling exams in November and opt for March or July sessions instead[1]. Balancing work demands and study time is one of the biggest challenges, so build buffer time into your schedule to accommodate unexpected work projects or personal commitments.
A more advanced strategy involves looking at the content overlap between exams. Some exams share foundational topics, so passing one can ease studying for the next. For example, the General Insurance track (GI 101, GI 201, GI 301, GI 302) builds progressively, so completing the earlier courses first will help you perform better on the later ones. Similarly, exams in the Life Insurance and Retirement tracks often have linked concepts around valuation and risk management, so plan your sequence to capitalize on these overlaps.
Another piece of advice I’ve found valuable is to stay updated on syllabus changes. The SOA reviews and updates exam syllabi annually to reflect current actuarial best practices[1][8]. For 2026, all 23 FSA courses will be reviewed and possibly adjusted, so keep an eye on official announcements to avoid studying outdated materials. This is especially important if you plan to take exams late in the year or in early 2027.
To make this more concrete, here’s an example of a strategic exam plan for someone targeting a health insurance specialization in 2026:
- Start with preliminary exams: P and FM (completed by mid-2026)
- Take GH 101 (Benefits and Pricing) in July 2026
- Follow with GH 201 (Valuation and Regulation) in November 2026
- Then prepare for GH 301 (Health Analytics and Management) in March 2027
This plan leverages the three exam windows per year, avoids overloading any single period, and builds progressively in the health track. It also fits well if you work in healthcare actuarial roles, allowing you to apply learnings on the job immediately.
Finally, remember that passing exams is important, but your ultimate goal is career growth. That means complementing your exam work with developing communication skills, gaining practical experience, and networking within the actuarial community. The SOA offers many resources and events that can connect you with mentors and peers who can guide your career[1]. Combining exam success with these activities makes you a well-rounded candidate for promotions or new job opportunities.
In summary, to strategically choose and prioritize your SOA exams for 2026:
- Start with foundational preliminaries early to build momentum.
- Align your FSA track choices with your career goals and current job.
- Use the three yearly exam windows to spread out your workload.
- Leverage study resources and adapt your schedule based on performance.
- Watch for syllabus updates to keep your preparation relevant.
- Consider exam content overlap to plan efficient sequences.
- Balance exam preparation with work and life demands.
- Engage with the actuarial community beyond exams for holistic growth.
By following these practical tips and tailoring your plan to your circumstances, you’ll set yourself up for steady progress and meaningful career advancement in 2026 and beyond.