Booking process for practical exams

Practical exam dates for 2011/2012

• CT9 Business awareness
• CA2 Model documentation, analysis and reporting
• CA3 Communications

Dates for the 2012/2013 session will be announced in January 2012.

Booking period 1 for 2012 will open in early January.

How do I apply?

Apply either online or by downloading an application form and sending this by fax, email or post to the Practical
exams team in Oxford. For contact details see below.

Why have you made these changes?

We listened to your comments and concerns surrounding the perceived length of time that you were having to wait to sit one of the practical exams. We also carried out analysis of student numbers (both current and predicted) to try and assess the number of exams required. Taking both of these factors into consideration it was clear that the current number and the current process was not working. We therefore increased the number we run and are managing the demand by bringing the booking for these exams more in line with the other exams where all the dates are visible but there are clearly defined booking periods. We feel that this process will aid you in planning your studies more effectively and will hopefully reduce concerns over the lack of available places and the waiting times for the practical exams.

How did you decide on these booking periods?

We used the session as the starting point and then ensured that we were making dates available following the release of the results for both the session based and practical exams. These periods are designed to offer the best booking opportunity for all students, whether you are sitting for the first time or retaking the practical exams.

How is my booking confirmed?

If you book a place online you should visit the members’ area and download a copy of your receipt, which will show the date and location of your practical exam. If you submit a paper application we will send you a receipt once we have completed the booking process.

What happens if any of the practical exams are undersubscribed in a booking period?

Places on undersubscribed exams will be carried over to the next booking period. We endeavour to run all the practical exams we advertise. Inevitably, in cases where we feel that there is not enough demand it may be necessary to cancel and offer students a place on another practical exam.

What happens if there are more applications than places in each booking period?

At the end of each booking period, we will review the number of applications and available spaces for the whole session. In the past additional exams have been added to the advertised programme and we may have to do so again. If this becomes necessary, this new system will allow us to advertise the additional dates so that all students can see the additions made and consider their options at each booking period. We will always publish our annual programme at the start of the year and any additions will be included here.

How long can I expect to wait for a place?

We aim to distribute the exam places on offer fairly, and reduce waiting times. Our long term aim is to provide the same waiting period for the practical exams as for the session based exams and that means that in the future students should not have to wait more than six months. If you are waiting to retake a practical exam you should not have to wait any longer than approximately three months following the issue of the results.

You may need to be flexible in your choice of location and dates in order to achieve this.

What if I only need a practical exam to qualify?

We will endeavour to meet your requirements, whilst offering a fair booking process for all students. Should you only require a practical exam to qualify please contact us to discuss your particular situation.

How are you addressing the need for CT9 practical exams, now that we need all the CT subjects to go on to CA2 and CA3?

We actively encourage you to apply for your CT9 practical exam as soon as possible as this will give us the opportunity to closely monitor the volume of applications compared to the number of spaces available and to address any issues as they arise.

What happens if I cannot make the practical exam that I am booked onto?

We have a cancellation policy, and there may be charges involved if you cancel or request a transfer to another practical exam.

Within 12 weeks of the practical exam date you may only cancel or transfer to another date at no cost for medical reasons or if there are mitigating circumstances. You will need to complete the appropriate form and provide supporting documentation, consistent with the Examination Regulations governing refunds.

From 1 October 2011, you will need to complete either an Application to cancel from a practical exam or an Application for practical exam transfer.

How will my request to transfer be actioned?

We will not process general requests for transfers while the booking period is open and other students are booking places.

All requests to transfer for non-medical reasons will be reviewed during the closed time between booking periods. The date at which a student requests to be transferred will be the date that we acknowledge receipt of the request form, and any fee due will be calculated from this date.

How will my request to cancel from a practical exam be actioned?

The Practical exams team will process all requests for cancellations during the closed time between booking periods. Refunds will only be provided to those students who meet the terms of the cancellation policy.

We will process the refund as either a BACS, cheque or credit card payment, depending on how the original payment was made.

Contact details:

Email: practicalexams@actuaries.org.uk
Fax: +44 (0)1865 268 233
Post: Practical exams team, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Napier House, 4 Worcester Street, Oxford OX1 2AW