Best Actuarial Exam Prep Courses
Actuarial exams are hard to prepare for when you do not have a clear study plan. The math is dense, the questions take repetition, and it is easy to waste time on materials that do not match how you actually learn.
The right prep course depends on what you need most. Some students want full lessons and notes. Others need stronger practice questions, a study manual, free Exam P or FM prep, or direct help from a tutor. Today, I’ll walk you through the top courses. Here is what I found.
Quick Picks
- AnalystPrep: Best for affordable paid prep
- Coaching Actuaries: Best for adaptive practice
- ACTEX Learning: Best for study manuals
- The Infinite Actuary: Best for free Exam P and FM prep
- Actuary Exam Tutor: Best for one-on-one help
1. Analyst Prep Actuary Exam Study Guide
Good for: students who want a lower-cost actuarial prep course with notes, videos, and practice questions
Main strength: study notes, question banks, mock exams, quizzes, and performance tracking
Course style: self-paced online course with videos, notes, practice tools, and tutor support
Watch out for: it is not as adaptive or structured as Coaching Actuaries
AnalystPrep is the first course I would look at if you want actuarial exam prep that feels complete without jumping straight to the most expensive option.
The course is built around study notes, video lessons, quizzes, mock exams, and performance tracking. That makes it a good fit if you want everything in one place but do not need a live class or a super-intense study system.
The main thing I liked was how simple the layout felt. You can work through the notes, watch the videos, drill questions, and check your progress without feeling like the course is overly complicated.
It is especially useful for students studying for Exam P or Exam FM who want a paid course with more structure than random free resources. I would not say the practice tools are as strong as Coaching Actuaries’ Adapt system, but AnalystPrep still gives you a clear way to study and review weak areas.
This is the course I would pick if you want a budget-friendly paid option that covers the basics well and gives you enough practice to stay on track.
Best Features
- Study Notes: useful when you want a written review before jumping into questions
- Video Lessons: helpful if you need the material explained instead of only reading it
- Question Bank: gives you repeated practice after each topic
- Mock Exams: helps you test your timing and readiness before exam day
- Performance Tracking: shows where you are improving and where you still need work
- Ask-A-Tutor Support: helpful if you get stuck and need a direct explanation
Pros
✅ More affordable than some full actuarial prep courses
✅ Study notes are easy to use for review
✅ Includes videos, quizzes, and mock exams
✅ I liked the clean course layout
✅ Good option for Exam P and FM students
Cons
❌ Not as adaptive as Coaching Actuaries
❌ Less useful if you only want free prep
❌ Self-paced format still requires discipline
AnalystPrep Bottom Line
AnalystPrep is the best first pick if you want a lower-cost paid actuarial prep course with notes, videos, quizzes, mock exams, and progress tracking. I would use it if you want a simple study setup without paying for the most expensive course right away.
2. Coaching Actuaries Exam Prep
Good for: students who want a clear study path and strong practice tools
Main strength: Adapt, earned level tracking, custom quizzes, and practice exams
Course style: online manual, videos, quizzes, practice exams, study scheduler, forums
Watch out for: it costs more than free or manual-only options
Coaching Actuaries is the course I would look at first if you want your prep to feel organized.
The main reason is Adapt. It is not just a regular question bank. It adjusts to your level, builds quizzes, gives practice exams, and helps you track whether you are getting closer to exam-ready.
That matters because actuarial exams are not just about knowing formulas. You have to get fast, accurate, and comfortable with the way exam questions are written.
I liked Coaching Actuaries most for students who need structure. The platform makes it easier to see what you should study, what you are weak on, and whether you are actually improving.
It is not the cheapest option. But if I were paying for one serious actuarial prep course, this is the one I would compare everything else against.
Best Features
- Adapt Practice Tool: helps you build quizzes and practice exams based on your level
- Earned Level: gives you a simple way to track exam readiness
- Adaptive Study Scheduler: keeps your study timeline from turning into random studying
- Video Lessons: helpful if you want explanations instead of only reading a manual
- Discussion Forums: useful when you get stuck and need course-specific help
Pros
✅ Best practice system I reviewed
✅ Earned level makes progress easier to track
✅ Strong setup for Exam P and FM prep
✅ I liked the custom quiz tools
✅ Good for students who need structure
Cons
❌ More expensive than free options
❌ May be too much if you only need extra questions
❌ Full value usually comes from the bigger package
Coaching Actuaries is good prep course if you want practice, structure, and readiness tracking. I would use it if you want a real study system and not just a pile of videos or PDFs.
3. ACTEX Study Materials
Good for: students who would rather study from a manual than sit through a full course
Main strength: ACTEX manuals, GOAL practice questions, flashcards, formula sheets, and exam-style drills
Course style: textbook-style prep with optional online practice tools
Watch out for: it can feel dry if you need videos, weekly structure, or a dashboard telling you what to do next
ACTEX is the more traditional pick. It is not trying to be the flashiest actuarial course. It is more for students who want a manual, examples, practice problems, and a clear set of materials to work through.
The manuals are the main reason to choose it. If reading explanations and solving problems by hand is how the material sticks, ACTEX makes more sense than a video-first course. It gives you more of that college-textbook style, which can be a better fit for actuarial exams than short surface-level lessons.
The online practice side depends on what you buy, but GOAL is the main add-on to look at. It gives you exam-style questions, detailed solutions, quizzes, and simulated exams. That makes ACTEX stronger than just buying a book and hoping you can build a study plan around it.
I would put ACTEX behind AnalystPrep and Coaching Actuaries because it takes more self-discipline. You have to be okay with sitting down, reading, working examples, and building momentum without a course pushing you every week.
Best Features
- ACTEX Study Manuals: full written prep for students who want detailed explanations
- GOAL Practice: exam-style questions with quizzes and simulated exam modes
- Detailed Solutions: better for seeing where your process went wrong
- Formula Sheets: quick review material for the final stretch
- Flashcards: good for formulas, definitions, and repeated review
- Optional Videos And Bootcamps: extra support if the manual alone is not enough
Pros
✅ Strong fit for textbook-style learners
✅ GOAL adds real practice beyond the manual
✅ Detailed solutions help with missed questions
✅ Good option if videos do not stick for you
✅ Flexible enough to use as a main course or supplement
Cons
❌ Not as guided as Coaching Actuaries
❌ Can feel dry compared with video-heavy courses
❌ Requires more self-discipline
❌ Not the best pick if you need weekly structure
ACTEX Bottom Line
ACTEX is best for students who want serious written prep with practice tools around it. It is not the most guided course on this list, but it works well if you learn by reading, working problems, and reviewing mistakes in detail.
4. The Infinite Actuary Review
Good for: students starting with Exam P or FM who do not want to pay for prep yet
Main strength: full Exam P and FM courses are now free
Course style: video lessons, study planner, practice problems, CBT exams, flashcards, formula sheets, and forum support
Watch out for: the free value is strongest for P and FM, not every actuarial exam
The Infinite Actuary is a much better pick now than it used to be because the full Exam P and Exam FM courses are free. Not a short trial. Not a few sample videos. The actual courses are listed as free on TIA’s site.
That makes it hard to ignore if you are still early in the exam path. Paying hundreds right away does not make much sense if you can start with a full course that already gives you lessons, practice problems, CBT-style exams, formula sheets, flashcards, and a study planner.
The Exam FM course is especially packed. TIA lists 80+ video lessons, 1,200+ solved problems, 6 sample exams, and detailed formula sheets. That is more than enough to make it a serious option, not just a free backup.
The tradeoff is that TIA feels more like a traditional video course. It gives you plenty to work through, but it does not have the same Adapt-style readiness score that Coaching Actuaries is known for. So if you need a very clear “am I ready?” number, Coaching Actuaries still has the edge.
But for a student trying to start Exam P or FM without spending money, TIA is the obvious place to check first.
Best Features
- Free Exam P And FM Courses: full course access without paying upfront
- Video Lessons: better if you want someone to walk through the material
- Solved Problems: gives you more than just formulas and definitions
- CBT Practice Exams: helps you get used to exam-style practice
- Formula Sheets: good for final review
- Discussion Forum: gives you somewhere to ask questions instead of studying alone
Pros
✅ Full Exam P and FM courses are free
✅ Strong option before paying for another course
✅ Includes videos, problems, exams, and review tools
✅ Exam FM course has a large solved-problem bank
✅ Better than piecing together random free materials
Cons
❌ Not as adaptive as Coaching Actuaries
❌ No earned-level style readiness score
❌ Free course value is mainly for P and FM
❌ Video-first format may not fit every student
The Infinite Actuary Bottom Line
TThe Infinite Actuary is the best free starting point for Exam P and Exam FM. It makes the most sense for students who want a real course before spending money on paid prep. Coaching Actuaries is still better for adaptive practice, but TIA is the smarter first stop if cost matters.
5. Actuary Exam Tutor SOA Exam Prep
Good for: students who are stuck on specific exam topics
Main strength: one-on-one, semi-private, and group tutoring
Course style: live tutoring, not a self-paced course dashboard
Watch out for: pricing is not as clear as a normal course, and the structure depends on the tutoring setup
Actuary Exam Tutor is not the course to choose if you want videos, a dashboard, and a giant question bank.
It is for students who need someone to explain the material directly. That could mean one-on-one tutoring, semi-private tutoring, or a group program. The original review also notes that the instructors have credentials like Ph.D., FSA, MBA, and CERA, so this is more expert help than casual peer tutoring.
This makes the most sense if you already tried studying and know where you are getting stuck. If you are missing the same type of questions over and over, tutoring can be better than buying another course and hoping it fixes the problem.
The downside is that it is not as simple as buying a course and starting right away. The old review points out that pricing is handled on a consultation basis, which makes the total cost harder to know upfront. It also may not feel structured enough if you want a full start-to-finish course plan.
So I would not put this above the bigger course options. But it still has a place for students who need actual help from a person, especially after self-study stops working.
Best Features
- One-On-One Tutoring: best when you need a tutor focused only on your weak areas
- Semi-Private Tutoring: gives you more guidance without fully private sessions
- Group Programs: better if you want live teaching with other students
- Credentialed Instructors: stronger than relying on forums or random explanations
- Custom Help: works better when your problem is specific, not general motivation
Pros
✅ Better fit for students who need a real tutor
✅ One-on-one help can target weak spots fast
✅ Group and semi-private options add flexibility
✅ Instructor credentials are stronger than most prep forums
Cons
❌ Pricing is not clear upfront
❌ Not a full self-paced course
❌ Less structure than a normal prep program
❌ Group tutoring depends on the class setup
Actuary Exam Tutor Bottom Line
Actuary Exam Tutor is best for students who need live help, not another stack of study materials. I would use it if you are stuck, retaking, or need someone to walk you through the topics that keep costing you points. It is not the strongest full-course option, but it makes sense as a tutoring add-on.
How To Choose An Actuarial Exam Prep Course
- Choose AnalystPrep if you want a paid course with notes, videos, quizzes, and mock exams without going straight to the most expensive option.
- Choose Coaching Actuaries if practice is your weak spot and you want adaptive questions, practice exams, and a better way to judge readiness.
- Choose ACTEX Learning if you study better from manuals, written examples, and problem sets.
- Choose The Infinite Actuary if you are starting with Exam P or Exam FM and want to try free full-course prep first.
- Choose Actuary Exam Tutor if you already know where you are stuck and need a person to explain it.
- Use Be An Actuary if you are still figuring out the career path, scholarships, internships, or exam order.
Commitment to Expert Updates
Staying Current with the Latest Trends in Actuarial Exam Preparation
At AIS-CPA, we understand the importance of providing the most current and relevant information to our readers. That’s why we are committed to regularly updating our content on the best actuarial exam prep courses for 2026. Our team diligently reviews and refreshes the course details, pricing, and any new features or changes, ensuring that the information you receive is not just comprehensive but also up-to-date. This commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in actuarial exam preparation means you can trust our recommendations to make informed decisions about your study resources. Whether there are new course offerings, changes in exam formats, or updates in pricing, you can rely on us to keep you informed with the most recent and accurate information in the field of actuarial science.
My Final Verdict
The best actuarial exam prep course depends on how you study.
AnalystPrep is the best fit if you want affordable paid prep with notes, videos, questions, and mock exams in one place. Coaching Actuaries is better if you care more about adaptive practice and knowing when you are actually ready. ACTEX Learning makes more sense if you like manuals and written explanations.
If you are starting with Exam P or Exam FM, check The Infinite Actuary before paying for anything because the full courses are free. Actuary Exam Tutor is the better pick if you have already tried studying and need someone to explain the parts that are not clicking.
FAQs
What Is The Best Actuarial Exam Prep Course?
The best actuarial exam prep course depends on how you study. AnalystPrep is a good first pick for affordable paid prep. Coaching Actuaries is stronger for adaptive practice. ACTEX is better for students who want manuals and written explanations.
Is AnalystPrep Good For Actuarial Exams?
Yes. AnalystPrep is good for students who want a self-paced course with study notes, videos, question banks, quizzes, mock exams, and tracking. It is a good fit for students who want paid prep without the highest price.
Is Coaching Actuaries Worth It?
Coaching Actuaries is worth it if you want adaptive practice, practice exams, and readiness tracking. It costs more than some options, but it gives more structure than a basic question bank.
Is ACTEX Good For Actuarial Exams?
ACTEX is good if you learn well from manuals. It is better for students who can sit down, read explanations, work problems, and stay on track without a course pushing them every week.
Can I Become An Actuary Without An Actuarial Science Degree?
Yes. You do not need an actuarial science degree to become an actuary. Many students come from math, statistics, finance, economics, or related majors. Exams, internships, and technical skills matter a lot.