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What are the risk factors of writing virtually that I should consider when I am registering for exams?
The risk of technology or infrastructure failure is much higher for virtual candidates than for those writing at an ASSA venue. At venues, systems are professionally managed with strong backup measures to reduce disruptions. Virtual candidates are responsible for managing these risks, which could affect exam performance. If you are able to attend the exams at an ASSA venue, we recommend writing there for greater peace of mind.
How do I check at which venue I will be writing my exam?
Check your registration email to confirm your chosen exam location. ASSA venues are currently in Johannesburg and Cape Town, unless you are registered to write virtually. You can also find this information on your exam permit.
When will I get access to the Exam Platform and Exam?
Successful exam registrations will be loaded to the Exam Platform for the examinations sitting on the morning of the exam.
You may have access to a Testing Exam beforehand but your final examination will only be loaded around an hour before the exam begins.
How do I correct a mistake I made on my exam registration?
You can deregister or change your exam location while registration is still open. After registration closes, any changes (including location) must be requested before your scheduled test exam closes, to allow for proper planning. An admin fee may apply. No changes can be made after your test exam period has closed.
For assistance contact: assaadmin@actuarialsociety.org.za
Can I defer my exam registration from one semester to the next semester?
You cannot defer your exam registration to the next semester. If you want to cancel your exam, please refer to the ASSA refund policy for the rules on de-registration.
Where do I find my candidate number, is it the same for every exam, and how is this used?
Your candidate number is printed on your exam permit and is unique to you. The permit is available two weeks before the exam. Save your answer file with your candidate number and include it in the header of your script. This keeps your identity anonymous to examiners. Failing to use your candidate number may result in your script not being marked.
Technical Setup & Requirements
Are additional (dual screen) or larger monitors allowed?
Guardian Browser does not support the use of a second monitor. Virtual candidates cannot use dual monitors, TVs, or projection screens. You may split the screen on your device to work efficiently. If using a large monitor, your laptop must remain closed, and you should describe this setup on the online incident platform. Venue candidates will be provided with an extra monitor, excluding A211 and A213a written exams.
Must I stay connected to the internet with my webcam and microphone for the entire exam time?
Full invigilation is mandatory, and missing any portion may result in sanctions, including disqualification. The online proctoring service will need access to your webcam and microphone to record the entire exam. To maintain access to the ASSA Exam Platform, a strong uninterrupted internet connection is required.
I will be writing in an office at my work – is that allowed?
You may write your exam at your office, but ensure that the following:
- Stable Wi-Fi and no firewall issues blocking Meazure Learning ProctorU.
- Minimal noise—sound from colleagues could disturb you or trigger flags.
- Clear whiteboards and remove any notes or posters from walls.
- Plan ahead and get permission to book the office if needed.
- Your office must be available for the full exam; do not change locations during the exam.
- Ensure the door to your writing area is behind you and visible on camera.
Preparation and Test Exam
Is it necessary to participate in the Test Exam if I have done it in a previous semester?
It is compulsory to complete a test exam for each subject, as there may be technical updates. Any candidate who does not complete and pass the Phase 1 equipment testing will be required to either move to an ASSA examination centre for their examination or will be deregistered from their examination at no cost. Watch for important test-related messages in the weeks before your exam.
Why is the test exam not open for longer?
From Semester 2 of 2025, ASSA will monitor whether virtual candidates meet technical requirements for virtual exams to take place. Exam venues and services must be booked in advance to allow for the required logistical arrangements.
How will I deal with answers requiring special symbols and characters in the typed exams?
Candidates are encouraged to practise using special characters and symbols (e.g. using Equation Editor) as well as applying it in the Test Exam environment.
Am I able to view the exam instructions ahead of the exam?
Yes, exam instructions will be shared with you along with the Day Before Comms, ahead of exam day.
Am I able to view the answer template ahead of the exam?
Answer templates are different for the various subjects, some may require a physical answer booklet, MS Word document or PowerPoint answer document templates which will be provided on the ASSA Exam Platform on Exam Day.
Where do I get all the exam rules in one place?
You will receive the exam rules at least one week before your exam. You must read and understand them. For virtual exams, proctors check your identity, calculator, and exam environment, but they are not there to explain rules or monitor full compliance. You are responsible for following the rules. Proctoring is supported by metadata and quality checks to ensure incidents are flagged consistently and service standards are maintained.
Exam Day Procedures
Will I be allowed a bathroom break during the exam?
Candidates cannot leave their desk during the exam, as this will be flagged by the proctor. Virtual candidates must announce when they leave and return, and perform a room scan upon returning. Venue candidates must raise their hand and wait for an invigilator’s permission.
What happens if I look around during the exam?
The online proctoring system will flag your movements as suspicious. Your attempt may be scrutinised during investigations, after the exams has taken place.
I experienced unscheduled load-shedding / power failure and lost connectivity for a while during the exam. What should I do?
If you experience a loss in connectivity, reconnect as quickly as possible. No additional time will be provided to candidates who have lost time due to loss of connectivity. Any loss in connectivity or technology not working properly must be self-reported by the candidate on the ASSA incident form, within 24 hours after the exam has concluded. Invigilation is mandatory for all exams for the full duration of the examination. If you cannot re-connect, call the ASSA office immediately.
Exam Format & Materials
Will I need to type my exam answers?
Only A211 and A213 (paper A) are written exams. All other exams are typed-only exams.
Will I have access to the Formulae book (orange book)?
Any Formulae book information, as determined by the Examiner, will be made available online in the ASSA Exam Platform as part of the exam.
However, candidates writing at ASSA-designated venues will also be provided with hard copies of the Formulae and Tables book.
NB. – candidates writing virtually are NOT permitted to use hard copies of the Formulae and Tables book.
Am I allowed to use scrap paper for calculations?
You are only allowed to use clean exam sheets as scrap paper during the examination. No notebooks or other papers will be allowed.
Will I be able to print my exam question paper?
You cannot print the exam paper. Hard copies are not provided to venue candidates to prevent security risks.
You may copy and paste question sections into your answer blocks or MS Office templates.
Are all exams open book exams?
Only F200/B200 subjects are open book as of Semester 2 2024. For the FAQs regarding open book exams, please visit the F200 open book exams section.
Answer Submission & Scanning
May I write my candidate number on my A211 / A213a written answer script while I wait for the exam to open?
Candidates must write their candidate number on the top of each page as part of the 2 hours 15 minutes examination time and not before the start of the examination as per the exam instructions. This rule applies to all ASSA exams and not only A211 and A213a.
I experienced an issue while my exam countdown clock was running. May I write into the upload time to compensate for time lost?
Candidates may not grant themselves extra time for disruptions and write into the specified upload time for their exam under any circumstances. Candidates must report any issues/incidents on the ASSA incident form within 24 hours of the exam.
Candidates who write virtual must monitor their time accordingly and ensure that the sound is enabled where you will be prompted when your time to upload starts.
Writing into upload time may result in your attempt being disqualified.
Post Exam Incident Reporting
I had poor service delivery from the proctor during my virtual exam, who do I report this to?
We encourage you to complete the online survey from the proctor service at the end of the exam. If you had very poor service, please report this through the incident portal so that we can consider your input as part of monitoring the service levels of our service provider.
What happens to my exam incident reported and why do I not get feedback on this?
Incident reporting is not a way to contact ASSA, but a tool to report any issues or rule breaches during exams. These reports are reviewed as part of the process to check exam integrity and service quality.
If a sanction is being considered, a panel will review it independently to ensure fairness and consistency, and to see if any special circumstances apply. You will be informed of the proposed sanction and given a chance to respond before a final decision is made.
Incident reports are handled separately from exam marking. Only after marking is complete are incidents considered alongside performance, if necessary. Examiners cannot award extra marks or adjust results for lost time caused by operational issues. Also, writing personal messages to examiners in your scripts is not allowed and may result in your attempt being disqualified.
Policies & Governance
Why are ASSA’s examination requirements not aligned with the UK IFOA?
ASSA and the IFOA have different governance structures which determine what the standard requirements for exams will be used.
Exams that are outsourced to the IFOA will be written on their standard and according to their rules. These exams include the A1 level subjects, A212, A214, and F106.
Other
Where can I find IFoA subject past papers? (A1 and A212 / A214 / F106?
The IFoA does not make their past papers available on the public domain any more. For ASSA students registered for these exams, ASSA now host the IFoA subject past papers on the Exam Platform which can be access via the Member Site.
What are the most significant changes that I can expect for semester 2 of 2025 compared to prior semesters?
As technology evolves, exam rules and processes are updated to protect integrity and improve the candidate experience. Technical requirements for virtual exams have been raised, and senior proctors are now assigned to address concerns about quality. Proctor queuing has also been improved to reduce waiting times. Updates to the Guardian Browser will further improve the exam process, and candidates must ensure they have the latest version installed.
Test exams have been redesigned to better simulate the real exam day. Examiners have also revised the risk and sanction framework to reflect higher integrity risks. Venue candidates will now be allowed to use a second monitor, but virtual candidates remain limited to one monitor, as dual-monitor setups cannot be securely proctored.
Should ASSA continue to offer virtual exams?
ASSA is committed to giving candidates access to exams and understands that some cannot write at an ASSA venue. While we trust most students act with integrity, our controls must also protect against those who may undermine professional standards.
Online exams carry higher integrity risks than venue exams, though cheating has occurred in both settings, so we monitor risks in both. About one in four candidates write virtually, with over 95% of them located near ASSA venues.
Recently, more than half of virtual candidates completed the proctor survey, and over 70% reported being satisfied or very satisfied. However, we know that even one poor experience is too many, as these are high-stakes exams.
We remain committed to providing a fair and supportive exam environment where you can do your best.
Why can I not write my exam with a fellow actuary invigilating me?
ASSA is still reviewing the option of fellow invigilation for candidates who are not able to write their exams at an ASSA venue and prefer not want to write virtually.