Do you have to be super smart to be an actuary?

Asked by: Prof. Suzanne Block  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (20 votes)

One thing you need more that smarts
The schooling and actuarial exams take most people 7-10 years to complete. Even the smartest aspiring actuaries usually fail a few exams along the way. ... Instead, what you really need is a strong ability to persevere and keep going when you fail an exam.

How smart do you need to be to be an actuary?

The skills developed and honed by successful actuaries include an excellent business sense with knowledge of finance, accounting, and economics; keen analytical, project management, and problem solving skills; specialized math knowledge; strong computer skills; and solid written and oral communication skills.

Is being an actuary hard?

Actuaries are compensated very well. And just like any other well-paid profession, it takes a lot of work to get there. But unlike doctors or lawyers, actuaries need to, in order to become fully credentialed, pass a series of difficult tests called Actuarial Exams. ... Very very hard.

Is it boring to be an actuary?

No. As subjective as the term 'boring' is, I can safely say that people with the acumen for actuarial work will probably find it to be interesting - on most days at least. Needless to say, not everyone will find it equally interesting, or even interesting at all.

Is being an actuary easy?

It is difficult, but it isn't impossible. There are a lot of good answers already. Basically, you need to pass exams and, once you have passed 1-3 exams, apply for jobs until you get one. Typically, you'll need to pass 2 exams.

Before You Become an Actuary… Watch This.

22 related questions found

Are actuaries rich?

Fully qualified actuaries can make $150,000+ annually, so most people would say actuaries make good money. ... Consider the actuarial salary compared to the amount of time/effort it takes to become an actuary. Or, we could compare actuarial salaries to the average American salary.

Are actuaries respected?

The analysis that you do as an actuary will influence key business decisions within whatever company you work for. Your opinion and expertise will be greatly valued by others within your organization, and your work can have an instrumental impact on business results. Actuarial science is a highly-respected profession.

Are actuaries clever?

Since the underlying math that actuaries use isn't all that complex, it's safe to say that you'll be smart enough to be an actuary if you were able to understand the math concepts that were taught in your last year of high school. ... Most experienced actuaries, however, are very smart.

How stressful is being an actuary?

When you learn about a career as an actuary, it's common to hear all the great benefits of it. It pays well, it's low stress, and it's a mentally stimulating and challenging career.

What are the disadvantages of being an actuary?

5 cons of being an actuary
  • Educational requirements. Actuaries often have knowledge in a variety of disciplines. ...
  • Testing requirements. Actuaries often pass a series of exams before becoming fully qualified in their fields. ...
  • High level of responsibility. ...
  • Individual work. ...
  • Work environment.

What type of math do actuaries use?

On the job, the math that actuaries use isn't as complex as it may sound. Actuaries primarily use probability, statistics, and financial mathematics. They'll calculate the probability of events occuring in each month into the future, then apply statistical methods to determine the estimated financial impact.

Why are actuaries paid so much?

8 Actuaries are paid so well in part because few people have the patience or ability to spend five years or more passing all the exams.

Are actuarial exams harder than the bar?

Actuaries have to take a bunch of professional exams to become fully certified. These exams are notorious for being some of the hardest professional exams to pass (comparable to the BAR and CPA).

Is actuarial science a useless degree?

It isn't useless. For a lot of jobs, the exact subject of your degree doesn't really matter, so there will be a lot of non-actuarial jobs you can do with an actuarial science degree (actuarial science won't be the best degree subject for any of those jobs, but it will be fine).

How much do actuaries make UK?

Starting salaries for graduate actuaries are generally between £25,000 and £35,000. As a newly qualified actuarial analyst or consultant, you can expect to earn in the region of £40,000 and £55,000. Increments are usually paid for examination success.

Are actuaries good at math?

2. Math and Numeracy Skills. Actuaries deal with numbers, so being able to do basic arithmetic quickly and correctly is a definite requirement.

How many years does it take to be an actuary?

To become a qualified actuary, it takes between seven and 10 years. Aspiring actuaries spend between three to five years earning their bachelor's degree. However, that's not where you spend the most time you work to become an actuary. Taking and passing all 10 of the actuarial exams takes six to 10 years.

What GPA does an actuary need?

Potential employers suggest the minimum requirements for hiring are a 3.2 GPA or higher and at least 1 actuarial exam. The qualities sought in applicants are high technical ability, good communications skills, and a broad background including courses in mathematics, statistics, business, and the liberal arts.

How many female actuaries are there?

Actuary Statistics By Gender

Among Actuaries, 25.8% of them are women compared to 62.9% which are men.

What is an actuary person?

Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk of potential events, and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.

Who earns more doctor or actuary?

My fathers doctor in Kokilaben makes more then a crore easily. It's how you work gives you money and not the profession. An actuary May earn from 15lpa to infinity depends on how he is working.

Is it harder to be an actuary or a doctor?

It is difficult to say. The process is completely different, which makes direct comparisons impossible. The entry requirements are also very different - getting into medical school is very difficult, but the requirements to start taking the actuarial exams are pretty minimal.

Is an actuary a respectable career?

The salary of an actuary is pretty good. ... You shouldn't go into the actuarial career if you're just after the money. Writing actuarial exams takes a lot of time (a lot of your own time) so if you don't enjoy the process along the way it's likely that you won't stick to it.

Can an actuary be a Millionaire?

In the United States, it would be very strange if a fully credentialed actuary does not become a millionaire. Actuaries are generally well paid and I'd be surprised if there are many fully qualified actuaries (at least in the US) who don't manage to accumulate a million dollars in assets over their careers.