Tailoring your actuarial resume to highlight each SOA (Society of Actuaries) or CAS (Casualty Actuarial Society) exam you’ve passed is one of the smartest moves you can make to stand out in the competitive actuarial job market. Each exam you clear isn’t just a credential—it’s a demonstration of your growing expertise, dedication, and readiness for more complex responsibilities. But how do you effectively showcase this on your resume in a way that resonates with hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS)? Let’s walk through practical steps and examples that will help you craft a resume that truly reflects your exam progress and strengthens your overall profile.
First things first: create a dedicated “Exams and Certifications” section on your resume. This should be clearly visible near the top, just below your summary or education sections, to immediately signal your professional development. List each exam you’ve passed by its official name, such as “SOA Exam P (Probability)” or “CAS Exam 4 (Basic Techniques for Ratemaking and Estimating Claims Liabilities).” Using the formal titles ensures recruiters recognize them instantly and that ATS software picks up relevant keywords[7].
Don’t just list exams as dry credentials; add a brief note about what each exam entails or what skills it represents. For instance, if you’ve passed Exam FM (Financial Mathematics), you could write:
- SOA Exam FM (Financial Mathematics): Demonstrated proficiency in interest theory, annuities, loans, bonds, and general financial concepts critical to actuarial analysis.
This helps recruiters who may not be deeply familiar with each exam understand the value you bring. You can tailor this description based on the job you’re applying for, emphasizing skills that align with the role’s requirements[2].
If you’ve passed multiple exams, consider grouping them by relevancy or level. For example:
- Preliminary Exams: SOA Exam P, SOA Exam FM
- Validation by Educational Experience (VEE): Economics, Corporate Finance
- Advanced Exams: CAS Exam 5, SOA Exam C (if applicable)
This structure shows a logical progression and highlights your commitment to the profession. If you’re currently sitting for an exam or have one scheduled, include those too with a note like “Exam scheduled for December 2025,” demonstrating ongoing dedication[1].
Next, tie your exam progress into your experience and skills sections. Employers want to see how your exam knowledge translates into real-world actuarial work. For example, under your internship or job experience, you might write:
Applied concepts from SOA Exam P and FM to develop statistical models that improved risk forecasting accuracy by 15%.
Utilized knowledge from CAS Exam 4 to assist in ratemaking and claims reserving, contributing to more precise pricing strategies.
This shows you’re not just passing exams but actively applying what you learn—something recruiters highly value[2][4].
Also, consider customizing your resume summary or objective to highlight your exam achievements upfront. For example:
- “Actuarial analyst with 3 passed SOA exams (P, FM, IFM) and hands-on experience in predictive modeling and risk assessment seeking to leverage quantitative skills in a dynamic insurance environment.”
This approach gives a quick snapshot of your qualifications and signals to employers that you’re progressing steadily on the path to full credentialing[4].
Another tip is to incorporate relevant keywords from the job description that relate to your exam knowledge. For instance, if a job posting emphasizes “financial mathematics,” “probability modeling,” or “risk management,” ensure these terms appear naturally in your exam descriptions and experience bullet points. This boosts your chances of passing ATS filters and catches the eye of hiring managers[3].
For those still early in their exam journey, it’s perfectly acceptable—and even encouraged—to list exams you have passed even if the results are pending or exams you plan to take soon. This signals ambition and forward momentum[1]. Just be transparent about their status.
While the exams are crucial, don’t forget to highlight complementary skills and experiences that reinforce your actuarial competencies. Programming languages like R, Python, SAS, or VBA, and software tools such as Excel or SQL, are often mentioned alongside exam progress to present a well-rounded profile. For example:
- “Leveraged statistical concepts from SOA Exam C combined with proficiency in R and SAS to build models predicting claim frequency.”
This kind of integration creates a narrative of continuous learning and practical application, making your resume more engaging and credible[2][4].
Here’s a simple example of how an “Exams and Certifications” section might look:
Exams and Certifications
- SOA Exam P (Probability) – Passed June 2024
- SOA Exam FM (Financial Mathematics) – Passed December 2024
- VEE: Economics and Corporate Finance – Completed 2023
- CAS Exam 4 (Basic Techniques for Ratemaking and Estimating Claims Liabilities) – Passed August 2025
- SOA Exam IFM (Investment and Financial Markets) – Scheduled December 2025
In your experience section, you might see:
Actuarial Intern | XYZ Insurance | Summer 2025
- Applied financial mathematics concepts from SOA Exam FM to assist in portfolio valuation and asset-liability management.
- Supported ratemaking efforts using methodologies from CAS Exam 4, improving pricing accuracy by 10%.
- Developed Excel VBA macros to automate data analysis, reducing processing time by 25%.
As you pass more exams, you can adjust your resume to place heavier emphasis on advanced topics, moving away from preliminary exams and focusing on specialized skills. This evolution keeps your resume fresh and aligned with your growing expertise[8].
Finally, remember that your resume is a living document. Tailoring it for each job application by emphasizing the exams and skills most relevant to the position can make a big difference. For example, if applying for a pricing analyst role, highlight your CAS exams and pricing-related projects more prominently. For a risk analyst role, emphasize SOA exams and risk modeling experience. This targeted approach helps you connect your credentials directly with the employer’s needs[3][4].
In sum, showcasing your SOA or CAS exam progress on your resume is more than listing passed tests—it’s about demonstrating your growing skill set, your ability to apply actuarial principles, and your readiness for professional challenges. With thoughtful presentation, clear explanations, and tailored content, your resume can effectively tell the story of your actuarial journey and open doors to exciting career opportunities.