I would like to become an Actuary, but I need your advise.

I have just graduated with a Finance & Business Econ Degree. I will be going to a non target for a Masters in Business Analytics. I would like to become a certified actuary, and I need advice.
I have been researching and trying to find out what I need to be successful in the actuary exams… From what I see, knowledge of Micro and Macroeconomics is very helpful, as well as corporate finance. But where things fall apart is the math. There are different estimates as to the amount of math that I need. Some say I need just up to Calc 3 and maybe Linear Algebra. Some others say that I need to get above calc 3 into the mind bending math, which you’d typically take if you were a math major. I only have Calc 1. I would like to take evening classes and work up to 3 at local community colleges, but it seems like it’s too late for me to go over the mind bending stuff, given that I have already graduated. I am assuming that I cant go over Calc 3 with ought enrolling back into a university as an undergrad again.

My point is that I would like to know what amount of calculus that I need to reach in other to have a fighting chance to pass the SOA exams.

Thank You for your help in advance.

3 Comments
 
Best Response

check out this post http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/thinking-about-actuarial-work-why-i…

The-Boss

I have just graduated with a Finance & Business Econ Degree. I will be going to a non target for a Masters in Business Analytics. I would like to become a certified actuary, and I need advice.
I have been researching and trying to find out what I need to be successful in the actuary exams… From what I see, knowledge of Micro and Macroeconomics is very helpful, as well as corporate finance. But where things fall apart is the math. There are different estimates as to the amount of math that I need. Some say I need just up to Calc 3 and maybe Linear Algebra. Some others say that I need to get above calc 3 into the mind bending math, which you’d typically take if you were a math major. I only have Calc 1. I would like to take evening classes and work up to 3 at local community colleges, but it seems like it’s too late for me to go over the mind bending stuff, given that I have already graduated. I am assuming that I cant go over Calc 3 with ought enrolling back into a university as an undergrad again.

My point is that I would like to know what amount of calculus that I need to reach in other to have a fighting chance to pass the SOA exams.

Thank You for your help in advance.

WSO Content & Social Media. Follow us: Linkedin, IG, Facebook, Twitter.
 

Before attempting to go into such a career you should probably learn how to spell "advice" and say "without" instead of "with ought"

"Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman." -- George Soros
 

Eaque et est cum. Voluptatem expedita sunt praesentium iure dolores quos.

Cum doloribus expedita praesentium odio minima maxime corrupti omnis. Molestiae voluptate enim modi ratione velit qui. Magnam debitis aspernatur consequatur placeat voluptatibus tempore. Temporibus in beatae iste nihil sed blanditiis possimus.

Deleniti doloribus odio qui ad vero. Ut aut qui deleniti qui tenetur nihil est. Consectetur eligendi accusantium doloremque non. Id corrupti quaerat consequuntur temporibus non autem rem. Ea neque est cumque. Maiores aliquid laboriosam est. Qui libero labore et sed id odio.

Sunt earum eos quisquam. Earum quaerat aliquid eum aliquid et nisi quae. Cupiditate culpa quae quia aut. Tenetur in aut molestiae est tempore iure perspiciatis. Veniam rem similique accusamus minima maiores et.

"My caddie's chauffeur informs me that a bank is a place where people put money that isn't properly invested."

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”