The Society of Actuaries adjusted the Exam FAM format starting with the November 2024 administration: FAM went from 40 to 34 multiple-choice questions in the same 3.5 hours, and SOA removed syllabus material to match. This page summarizes the format change, what was removed, what stayed the same (exam time, prerequisites), and how to adjust cram strategy for the new question count.
Retaking on the new SOA Exam FAM? Failed before the transition, sitting after? See the cram + retaker plan.See cram planFAM is now 34 multiple-choice questions for the full sitting. SOA announced this on July 18, 2024, effective with the November 2024 administration. Pacing recalibrates against 34 items rather than the previous 40.
Every FAM sitter — pacing assumptions and mock-exam calibration shift.
Re-time mocks to 34-question conditions. Per-item time budget recalibrates — drill at that pace specifically.
To fit the shorter exam, SOA removed short-term coverage-type identification, population mortality curves, and a whole topic on parametric and non-parametric estimation. The current syllabus lists 10 topics, each with its own weight band.
Candidates studying from materials written before November 2024.
Check your manual against the current SOA syllabus and skip the removed material.
Fewer questions over the same 3.5-hour window gives each item more time; SOA cut the count because candidates had too little time. Coaching Actuaries ADAPT and other timed-mock platforms have updated their FAM templates to match — verify yours.
Candidates whose mock-exam practice was tuned to the old item count.
Switch to 34-question timed mocks in the final 2 weeks of prep. Old-format mocks overstate per-question pressure.
FAM is still the prerequisite for both ALTAM and ASTAM. Pass FAM, then choose advanced exam based on career direction.
Nobody.
No path change.
Side-by-side comparison of what shifted and what stayed the same. Use this for a fast sanity check on your prep materials.
| Area | Old | New |
|---|---|---|
| Question count | 40 multiple-choice questions | 34 multiple-choice questions |
| Topic areas | Pre-reduction syllabus | 10 |
| Topic weights | Per FAM blueprint | Per FAM blueprint |
| Prerequisite for ALTAM/ASTAM | Yes | Yes |
| Pass mark | SOA scaled | SOA scaled |
Advice diverges sharply depending on when you sit. The branches below cover the standard cases plus the overlap case (retakers caught between the old and new versions).
You sat the pre-change format. If you passed, no impact. If you failed, your retake is on the 34-MCQ format — recalibrate mock timing accordingly. Content gaps from your last attempt are still actionable, minus the material SOA removed.
You sit the 34-MCQ format. Pull current Coaching Actuaries ADAPT templates (CA updated to match). Use ASM and ACTEX editions that match the reduced syllabus; their mock-exam supplements should be on the new format. Verify before drilling.
You failed pre-change and your retake is post-change. Concentrate retake content review on your weak topic areas (use SOA pass/fail signal + your ADAPT EL trajectory). Then add 2 weeks of strict 34-MCQ timed-mock pacing before your sitting.
Walk this list before your next study session. It is short and concrete.
Confirm your ADAPT (or other mock platform) is calibrated to 34 questions.
Re-set your per-question time budget to match the new pace.
If retaking, pull your last ADAPT EL trajectory — your weak topics are still actionable.
Verify your manual (ASM, ACTEX) supplement materials reflect the new format for mocks.
In the final 2 weeks: drill 34-MCQ timed mocks exclusively.
Yes. SOA removed syllabus material alongside the cut to 34 MCQs; the current syllabus lists 10 topics, each with its own weight band.
Mostly. Materials written before November 2024 cover material SOA has since removed, so skip it. Verify that any timed-mock components in your materials have been updated to 34 questions.
No. FAM is still the prerequisite. ALTAM and ASTAM are unchanged.
SOA states the questions keep the same level of difficulty; the change gives each item more time. Plan around discipline on individual items, not overall content volume.
All change items above are paraphrased from the public SOA Exam FAM updates page (public). Verify directly before committing your study plan.
SOA Exam FAM updates page (public)Upload your SOA Exam FAM materials and exclam.ai builds a daily plan that matches your sitting date — including the right weight calibration for the version of the exam you're taking.