Two-day course based examination

The CA3 (Communications) exam has been revised and, from 2009, has been offered as a two-day course, which includes pre-course study, training and assessment. The current written exam will be offered for the last time at the April 2010 exam session.

You can now register online for the CA3 course based exams when paying by credit or debit card. Application forms are available below for use by those paying by other means.

Booking online means that you will have greater access to all the current course dates and locations. You will receive email confirmation of your booking and can print out receipts for the booking.

Face-to-face courses

• Application form for course based exams [pdf]
  Includes dates and fees for courses currently available.
• Application form for one-day retaker course based exam [pdf]
  Includes dates and fees for courses currently available.

Further information on the CA3 course

The current version of Subject CA3 is based on the concepts in the Core Technical subjects and in CA1 Actuarial Risk Management. Questions are set within a financial framework.

In the past the Examiners have expressed concern at the high numbers of students entering for this exam and the low pass rate. It appears that students may be entering the communications exam without thorough preparation, which in turn is leading to the low success rate. It is important that this subject is taken seriously during the study period and that adequate time is given to the preparation. We recommend that you spend around 50 hours preparing for this exam. One of the best forms of preparation is to practise answering exam style questions.

Syllabus for the two-day course.

Can I attend the revised CA3 course?

To attend the revised CA3 course you will need to have:

• Passed or have been granted an exemption by the Profession for all CT subjects and CA1
• At least one year's work experience with an actuarial employer
• Approval from your employer to apply for and attend the course

Students who do not meet the above entry requirements at the time of application will not be permitted to register for the course.

How do I apply to attend the two-day course?

The application form includes the course dates, details of venues and fees. Further course dates are in the process of being finalised. Please contact the Courses Team for more information.

If you wish to sit the old style CA3 written exam please use the application forms, or online entry, available here.

Further information is available from courses@actuaries.org.uk

Where will the revised CA3 course take place?

Courses in 2010/2011 are being scheduled to be held at the following venues

• St Catherine’s College, Oxford
• Regus, Reading
• Regus, Slough
• University of Surrey, Guildford

New venues are being investigated and details of future course dates will be advertised on the application form.

Course venue locations and addresses
How to find hotels or accommodation

What is covered in the revised CA3 course?

Pre-course workbook
Students will be sent a pre-course workbook containing a number of communication exercises, many of which will relate to the office environment.

Day One
This will include preparation for the assessment, led by external communication specialists. The course leaders will draw on material provided by students in the pre-course workbooks.

Day Two
Students will be individually assessed, by an actuary and a non-actuary, in a 5-10 minute oral presentation, which will be filmed. Students will also complete a written assessment, involving the communication of actuarial issues to a non-actuarial audience. This assessment will be in the same format as the current examination.
Where possible WIFI access will be made available at the venues on Day Two for students to use whilst waiting to do their presentation. Therefore delegates may wish to bring work to do.

What do I need to do before attending the two-day course?

Individuals may choose to attend ActEd or other external tutorials prior to attending the course.

The workbook must be completed and returned prior to the course. Students will be able to complete the workbook at home.

Can I see any examples of assessment questions?

Example assessment questions will be made available in the near future.

Will there be a distance learning version?

Yes - this will be developed once the UK courses are up and running.

I have other questions to ask

See the Frequently Asked Questions about the course.

Exam results

Results dates
Results for this course are issued on the Friday, twelve weeks following the course.

Pass lists
Results from the previously held two-day courses.

Current written exam

The CA3 Communications has two questions, each testing a different type of written communication. The paper is of three hours duration.

Will I be able to sit the current CA3 exam?

You will be able to sit the current CA3 exam until April 2010.

You can enter for either exam version. However, if you withdraw from one because you have passed the other you will not be entitled to a refund of the fee paid.

Further information is available from courses@actuaries.org.uk