To help ensure a smooth examination experience, candidates registered to write ASSA-administered examinations remotely in Semester 2 2026 are required to complete pre-examination testing.

The testing process consists of two phases. Phase 1 is mandatory for all remote candidates, while Phase 2 is compulsory for specified candidates and strongly recommended for all other remote candidates.

Testing Overview

Important: ASSA will communicate Phase 1 testing outcomes during the week of 17 August 2026. Candidates are requested not to contact the ASSA office for their results before then, as results will only be available once testing has been completed and reviewed. 

Candidates who do not successfully complete the remote testing requirements and elect to transfer their examination booking to an ASSA-designated examination venue may still be required to complete compulsory venue candidate testing. This applies to candidates writing an ASSA-administered examination for the first time. Further information regarding the venue testing process will be communicated, where applicable. 

All remote candidates must complete and pass Phase 1 testing between 11 and 14 August 2026.

Phase 1 testing assesses whether the candidate’s device, internet connection and software environment meet the technical requirements necessary for a secure and stable remote examination experience. 

Candidates may complete the equipment test as many times as necessary during the Phase 1 testing window until they achieve a pass result. However, repeated failed attempts should be approached with caution. Experience from previous semesters indicates that candidates who require numerous attempts before passing are significantly more likely to experience technical difficulties on exam day. 

As a practical guideline, if candidates have not passed the majority of the tests within their first three testing attempts, ASSA strongly encourages them to consider moving their examination booking to an ASSA examination centre rather than continuing to test repeatedly until they achieve a pass result. 

Candidates who do not successfully pass Phase 1 testing will be required to either: 

The required choice must be submitted through the prescribed online form by 19 August 2026. 

Candidates who do not respond within the stipulated timeframe will be automatically deregistered.  

Candidates based internationally who do not have reasonable access to an ASSA venue must contact the ASSA office immediately if they experience persistent testing challenges. 

Important: Candidates choosing to write remotely should carefully consider whether they are able to maintain a stable, fully compliant and continuously invigilated examination environment for the full duration of the examination. 

By electing to write remotely, candidates acknowledge and accept the additional technical and operational risks associated with not writing at an ASSA designated examination venue. These include, but are not limited to, internet connectivity failures, power interruptions, hardware or software failures and other unforeseen disruptions that are outside ASSA’s control. 

Candidates should note that there is no tolerance for periods of non-invigilation during a remote examination. Any interruption to the required invigilation process, regardless of the cause, may result in an examination attempt being declared invalid.  

Similarly, should candidates experience technical difficulties during the examination, support will be provided remotely. The examination countdown timer will continue running while any technical issues are investigated and resolved. No additional writing time will be granted for time lost during these interactions. 

If a candidate becomes disconnected from the remote examination environment but is subsequently able to reconnect, they will be required to complete the onboarding process again from the beginning, including all required room scans, identity verification and integrity checks. The examination timer will continue running throughout this process and no time lost will be restored. 

Candidates writing ASSA-administered examinations remotely must use a laptop only to complete their examination. 

The use of desktop computers is not permitted under any circumstances. 

In addition, candidates may not use any external devices during the examination, including: 

Candidates must use their laptop’s built-in keyboard and built-in trackpad (or integrated pointing device) for the full duration of the examination. 

These equipment requirements apply only to ASSA-administered examinations. Candidates writing IFoA-administered examinations should refer to the equipment requirements communicated by the IFoA. 

Minimum Technical Requirements (Phase 1) 

A candidate’s setup must meet the following minimum specifications: 

Technical requirements extend beyond laptops to network stability and internet reliability. 
Corporate devices with firewalls, administrative restrictions or remote desktop software (e.g. AnyDesk, TeamViewer, RemotePC) are strongly discouraged, as these frequently prevent successful proctor connection. 

Candidates are strongly advised to review the Technology & Exam Environment Requirements Guide before testing. 

How to Complete Phase 1 Testing 

Candidates should:

How to Read Your Test Results 

After running the test, expand and review results under: 

Candidates must review each section carefully. A successful test requires that all required specifications are met and no critical compatibility or connectivity failures are reflected. 

Detailed guidance on interpreting results is available in the Test-it-out Guide. 

Phase 2 – Exam-Day Simulation 

Only candidates who successfully pass Phase 1 testing will be able to participate in Phase 2 testing. 
 
Phase 2 is designed to ensure that candidates are familiar with the ASSA examination platform, examination procedures and the key actions they will need to complete before and during their examination. It also provides candidates with an opportunity to practise the critical processes they will follow on examination day in advance. 

Candidates participating in Phase 2 will be required to successfully complete the following exam readiness activities: 

Successfully completing these activities will help ensure that candidates are familiar with the examination platform and procedures before examination day, significantly reducing the likelihood of preventable issues during the examination. 

Phase 2 testing will be available from 24–28 August 2026 from 08:00 to 22:00 with a test exam duration of up to one hour per candidate. Candidates are encouraged to complete the activities as early as possible rather than waiting until the final day. 

Considering Writing at a Venue? 

While remote examinations provide flexibility for candidates who are unable to attend an examination venue, ASSA strongly recommends that candidates who are reasonably able to do so choose to write at an ASSA-designated examination venue. 

Venue examinations provide a more stable, lower-risk and better-supported examination experience. ASSA prepares and manages the examination environment, provides technical support throughout the examination, and ensures compliance with the examination requirements, allowing candidates to focus on demonstrating their knowledge rather than managing technology and their examination environment. 

By contrast, candidates writing remotely assume responsibility for their equipment, internet connectivity, examination environment and continued compliance with all remote invigilation requirements throughout the examination. 

Candidates who experience repeated difficulties during Phase 1 testing are strongly encouraged to consider transferring to an ASSA-designated examination venue, which provides a more stable, lower-risk and better-supported examination environment. 

Important Reminder 
By electing to write virtually, candidates accept the inherent risks associated with internet connectivity and external disruptions that are outside ASSA’s control. 

If you have any questions or experience difficulties during testing, please contact the ASSA office at assaadmin@actuarialsociety.org.za.