Some Questions about Resumes and Recruiters.

[New Pagodi]

Hello. I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this question, so I won’t be offended if someone has to move or delete this thread. I just took exam P today, and I was given a provisional pass. Based on this should I update my resume and my profile on actuarial grad network indicating that I’ve passed, or should I wait for the official results?

Also, I’ve talked to some of the recruiting firms in the past and they basically told me to go away until I’ve passed at least the first exam. Should I try contacting them again with the news of the provisional pass, or should I wait for the official results, or should I wait until I’ve passed the second exam as well?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Cepheid]

I have been wondering the same thing. If I understand the grading process, a preliminary pass is pretty much a pass, but a preliminary fail may not necessarily be a fail if you are right on the border, as SOA/CAS will discuss all the questions before setting the final pass mark.

What I was thinking of doing (assuming I pass!) was to write that I passed and leave the subject of score for the interview, if it even comes up. Or I was going to write something like "passed, score pending."

As for waiting to pass the second exam, I think that really depends on your background. If you're fresh out of school and have a relevant degree, one exam may be enough whereas if you're a career changer with an unrelated degree, two might be better. At least that's what I've gathered from reading prior posts. I see no reason not to update your resume and put it out there anyway, though. You never know when you might get a bite.

[Thomas H]

I don't remember anything about a provisional pass. I took Exam P in September 2005. Is this something new or did I just not notice it after I took the exam?

[New Pagodi]

I have been wondering the same thing. If I understand the grading process, a preliminary pass is pretty much a pass, but a preliminary fail may not necessarily be a fail if you are right on the border, as SOA/CAS will discuss all the questions before setting the final pass mark.

What I was thinking of doing (assuming I pass!) was to write that I passed and leave the subject of score for the interview, if it even comes up. Or I was going to write something like "passed, score pending."

As for waiting to pass the second exam, I think that really depends on your background. If you're fresh out of school and have a relevant degree, one exam may be enough whereas if you're a career changer with an unrelated degree, two might be better. At least that's what I've gathered from reading prior posts. I see no reason not to update your resume and put it out there anyway, though. You never know when you might get a bite.

Thank you.


I don't remember anything about a provisional pass. I took Exam P in September 2005. Is this something new or did I just not notice it after I took the exam?

I believe the provisional scoring is a fairly recent addition.