CAS Exam 8
Exam 8 - Advanced Ratemaking
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
Exam 8 - Advanced Ratemaking is one of the FCAS-level examinations in the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) credentialing pathway, sitting alongside Exams 7 and 9 in the upper tier of the P&C actuarial syllabus. It is written for candidates who have already cleared the ACAS requirements and are working toward Fellowship, typically actuaries employed in pricing, product, or ratemaking roles who need to apply advanced ratemaking theory rather than recall introductory formulas. The exam is offered during the CAS Actuarial Professional Analysis exam windows; the October 2026 window runs October 19 through October 27, 2026, with registration closing September 29, 2026 at 11:59 pm and a refund deadline of October 6, 2026. The exam fee is $850, or $680 for full-time students. The current scope of the exam is defined by the October 2026 Content Outline published by the CAS, so build your study plan from that document rather than from older syllabi. For preparation, the CAS offers free Exam 8 Practice Items and Solutions (August 2026), consisting of retired items from the Fall 2025 administration, which illustrate exam structure, expectations, and grading practices. Past exams and pass marks, Examiners' Reports, and the broader study resource library are also available. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CAS.
What you'll study
About CAS Exam 8 preparation
When is Exam 8 offered and what are the key deadlines?
The CAS Actuarial Professional Analysis exams are scheduled for October 19, 2026 through October 27, 2026. Registration closes September 29, 2026 at 11:59 pm, and the refund deadline is October 6, 2026. Confirm your appointment early, since seating within the window is limited.
How much does it cost to sit Exam 8?
The exam fee is $850. Full-time students pay $680. The CAS also lists discount programs and, for international candidates, exam fee waivers as separate resources, so check those pages before paying if either might apply to your situation.
What material defines what Exam 8 covers?
The CAS publishes an October 2026 Content Outline for Exam 8, available as a download from the exam page. Treat that outline as the authoritative scope statement and map your study materials to it. The public page does not itemize individual content domains or their weights.
Are there official practice questions I can use?
Yes. The CAS released Exam 8 Practice Items and Solutions in August 2026, free of charge. They are retired items from the Fall 2025 administration, intended to show the structure and content of recent exams and to give insight into expectations and grading practices.
Can I get more time if a holiday falls during my window?
If you observe a religious or national holiday on a business day during the exam window, the CAS can extend your window by the number of holiday dates observed, capped at 4 days at the end of the window. Requests are due by the registration deadline, and extended-window appointments are first-come, first-served.
How hard is Exam 8 compared with earlier exams?
It is an FCAS-level exam, so expect application and judgment rather than definition recall. The CAS supports preparation with past exams and pass marks plus Examiners' Reports, which show where candidates lost points. Reviewing those reports is one of the highest-value hours you can spend.
What if I fail - can I retake it, and how many attempts do I get?
The CAS administers exams on a recurring schedule, and candidates commonly sit an exam across multiple administrations. The public exam page does not state a retake limit, waiting period, or attempt cap, so verify current rules through the CAS Candidate FAQ and Contact Us form before planning a repeat attempt.
What is a common reason candidates underperform?
Weak syllabus coverage is a frequent culprit: candidates over-drill familiar calculation types and skip topics they find uncomfortable. Because the outline defines scope, any listed reading is fair game. Use Examiners' Reports to identify where answers typically go wrong, and practice writing full solutions under time pressure.
In what order should I study for Exam 8?
Start from the October 2026 Content Outline, then work topic by topic, layering practice items once each area is understood. Save the retired Fall 2025 practice items for later so they function as a realistic check. Finish with past exams and pass marks and a review of Examiners' Reports.
How do I register, and who do I contact with questions?
Registration runs through the CAS exam registration pages, and exams are delivered at Pearson VUE test centers. For questions about an exam or syllabus materials, the CAS directs candidates to its Contact Us form. This page is independent and is not affiliated with the CAS.