200+ Free SOA ASTAM Practice Questions

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Question 1

Score: 0/0

On a QQ plot against an exponential model, the upper-tail points bend above the reference line. What does that usually suggest?

The data have a lighter right tail than the exponential model

The data have a heavier right tail than the exponential model

The data are exactly exponential

The sample mean must be zero

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SOA ASTAM Exam

Written Questions

SOA 2026 syllabus

60 pts

Total Exam Points

SOA

3 hrs

Time Limit

SOA

6-10

Passing Grades

SOA 0-10 scale

$490

Standard Fee

SOA fee table

200

Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep

ASTAM uses 6 written-answer questions worth 60 points in a 3-hour Prometric administration. The Spring 2026 syllabus keeps 6 weighted domains, led by Reserving and Pricing for Short-Term Insurance Coverages (15-29%) and Construction and Selection of Parametric Models (14-24%). SOA reports grades on a 0-10 scale, with 6 or higher passing. The April 2026 sitting runs April 22-28, 2026, and SOA's ASTAM updates page notes January 14, 2026 formula sheet and notation-note refreshes rather than a blueprint overhaul.

Sample SOA ASTAM Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SOA ASTAM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a QQ plot against an exponential model, the upper-tail points bend above the reference line. What does that usually suggest?

A.The data have a lighter right tail than the exponential model

B.The data have a heavier right tail than the exponential model

C.The data are exactly exponential

D.The sample mean must be zero

Explanation: When the upper tail bends above the reference line, the observed large losses exceed what the fitted exponential predicts. That is a classic sign of a heavier right tail than the candidate model.

2A Poisson-Gamma credibility model has prior Gamma(shape=3, rate=1.5) for lambda. Exposures are 1, 2, 2 with counts 2, 3, 4. What is the posterior mean of lambda per unit exposure?

A.1.8462

B.1.8

C.2

D.0.7619

Explanation: For Poisson counts with exposure, the posterior is Gamma(alpha + totalCount, beta + totalExposure). The posterior mean is 1.8462.

3If the cumulative development factor from latest valuation to ultimate is 1.25, what percent reported does that imply?

A.20%

B.80%

C.125%

D.25%

Explanation: Percent reported is the reciprocal of the cumulative development factor. So the implied reported percentage is 1/1.25 = 80%.

4A compound Poisson model has lambda = 3 and claim severity with P(X=1)=0.4 and P(X=3)=0.6. What is Var(S)?

A.6.6

B.17.4

C.2.9

D.5.8

Explanation: For a compound Poisson aggregate, Var(S) = lambda E[X^2]. Here E[X^2] = 0.4(1) + 0.6(9) = 5.8, so Var(S) = 3 * 5.8 = 17.4.

5Observed claim counts over five equal exposures are 0, 2, 1, 3, 4. What is the Poisson MLE of lambda?

A.10

B.2

C.4

D.0.4

Explanation: The Poisson MLE is the sample mean. The counts sum to 10, and dividing by 5 gives 2.

6Which statement best distinguishes the ODP reserving model from the pure Poisson reserving model?

A.ODP allows variance to exceed the mean through a dispersion parameter

B.ODP forces all incremental losses to be deterministic

C.Poisson allows variance to exceed the mean through any dispersion parameter

D.ODP eliminates the need for development factors

Explanation: A pure Poisson model fixes Var(Y) = E[Y]. The ODP model generalizes this to Var(Y) = phi E[Y], allowing overdispersion when phi > 1.

7What is the best interpretation of EPV in the Buhlmann model?

A.The variance of the hypothetical means across risks

B.The square of the collective mean

C.The variance of the credibility premium itself

D.The expected variance of observations within a risk

Explanation: EPV is the average process variance conditional on the risk parameter. It captures within-risk noise rather than between-risk heterogeneity.

8Independent claims X and Y have P(X=0)=0.3, P(X=2)=0.7 and P(Y=1)=0.4, P(Y=3)=0.6. What is P(X+Y=3)?

A.0.18

B.0.46

C.0.28

D.0.56

Explanation: To get total 3, we can have (0,3) or (2,1). Adding those probabilities gives 0.46.

9If the Fisher information for a parameter estimate increases, what usually happens to the estimator variance bound?

A.It increases

B.It stays the same for every model

C.It becomes negative

D.It decreases

Explanation: The Cramer-Rao lower bound is inversely related to Fisher information. More information means a tighter lower bound and lower estimator variance.

10Earned premium is 2000 and the expected loss ratio is 65%. What is the ELR estimate of ultimate losses?

A.2000.65

B.700

C.65

D.1300

Explanation: The ELR method estimates ultimate loss as earned premium times the expected loss ratio. Here that is 2000 * 65% = 1300.

About the SOA ASTAM Exam

SOA Exam ASTAM is the ASA-pathway written-answer exam focused on advanced short-term actuarial mathematics. It emphasizes aggregate loss models, severity modeling, coverage modifications, parametric model selection, credibility, and reserving or pricing techniques for short-term insurance.

Assessment

6 written-answer questions worth 60 points total, with 1 question completed in Excel

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Grade of 6 or higher on SOA's 0-10 scale

Exam Fee

$490 standard fee (Society of Actuaries (SOA))

SOA ASTAM Exam Content Outline

8-18%

Severity Models

Parameter effects, transformations, tail behavior, mean excess and hazard functions, and the generalized extreme value and generalized Pareto families.

12-22%

Aggregate Loss Models

Convolution, compound distributions, Panjer recursion, discretization by rounding, and local moment matching for aggregate loss approximations.

8-18%

Coverage Modifications

Deductibles, policy limits, maximum covered loss, coinsurance, stop-loss reinsurance, loss elimination ratios, increased limits factors, deductible factors, and inflation effects.

14-24%

Construction and Selection of Parametric Models

Maximum likelihood estimation, estimator variance, confidence intervals, delta method, Bayesian estimation, model diagnostics, likelihood-ratio testing, and information criteria.

12-20%

Credibility

Bayesian greatest-accuracy credibility, Buhlmann and Buhlmann-Straub models, plus nonparametric and semiparametric empirical Bayes techniques.

15-29%

Reserving and Pricing for Short-Term Insurance Coverages

Expected loss ratio, chain-ladder, Bornhuetter-Ferguson, Bayesian and frequency-severity reserving, Mack and ODP frameworks, trend, loss-cost and loss-ratio ratemaking, and classification differential changes with balancing back.

How to Pass the SOA ASTAM Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Grade of 6 or higher on SOA's 0-10 scale
Assessment: 6 written-answer questions worth 60 points total, with 1 question completed in Excel
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $490 standard fee

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SOA ASTAM Study Tips from Top Performers

1Spend the most time on reserving and pricing, then parametric model construction or selection, because those two domains dominate the current ASTAM weight range.

2Practice writing compact solution paths, not just computing final numbers. ASTAM is a written-answer exam, so graders need to see setup, assumptions, and the key formula choice.

3Memorize how deductible, limit, coinsurance, and reinsurance modifications convert a ground-up severity into insurer payment. Those transformations recur across both coverage and pricing questions.

4Build one working sheet that links Panjer recursion, credibility weights, chain-ladder factors, Bornhuetter-Ferguson logic, and rate-indication formulas so you can switch domains without re-deriving basics under time pressure.

5Use timed mixed sets with spreadsheet work because SOA specifically includes one Excel response on ASTAM.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on SOA ASTAM?

ASTAM has 6 written-answer questions worth 60 points total. SOA's current syllabus also notes that 1 of the 6 questions is completed in Excel while the remaining responses are entered in answer booklets.

How long is the SOA ASTAM exam?

You get 3 hours for ASTAM. The Spring 2026 SOA exam schedule lists the April 2026 ASTAM administration from April 22, 2026 through April 28, 2026, with registration closing on March 16, 2026.

What is the passing score for ASTAM?

SOA reports ASTAM on its 0-10 grading scale, and grades of 6 through 10 are passing. SOA does not publish a fixed raw percentage because the pass mark is set separately for each sitting.

What topics matter most on ASTAM?

The heaviest domain is Reserving and Pricing for Short-Term Insurance Coverages at 15-29% of the exam. Construction and Selection of Parametric Models (14-24%), Aggregate Loss Models (12-22%), and Credibility (12-20%) also carry major weight, so most candidates should spend the largest blocks of study time there.

What changed for ASTAM in 2026?

SOA's ASTAM updates page dated January 14, 2026 highlights refreshed formula-sheet and notation-note files. I did not find an announced Spring 2026 domain-weight or exam-structure overhaul beyond those official support-material updates.

How much does SOA ASTAM cost?

The current standard ASTAM fee is $490. SOA's fee table also lists a discounted $390 student fee for eligible full-time students.

Is ASTAM multiple choice?

No. ASTAM is a written-answer exam rather than a multiple-choice preliminary exam, which is why practice work should include setup, formula selection, and short written justification rather than answer recognition alone.