MAS-I
Exam MAS-I
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ExploreAbout this exam
Exam MAS-I (Modern Actuarial Statistics I) is one of the examinations on the Casualty Actuarial Society's ACAS credentialing pathway. On the CAS website it appears among the 2026 ACAS exams, listed after Exams 1 and 2 and before Exam MAS-II, followed by the CAS DISCs, the Course on Professionalism, and Exams 5 and 6. It is aimed at candidates who have cleared the preliminary probability and financial mathematics exams and are now building the statistical foundation that later property and casualty work - ratemaking, reserving, and modeling - assumes. Expect a quantitative, computation-heavy sitting that rewards fluency with distributions, estimation, and model building rather than memorization.
This page is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Casualty Actuarial Society, and it does not reproduce CAS exam questions. Nothing here replaces the official Syllabus of Basic Education, which is the authoritative statement of what is testable on any given sitting.
Because exam content, format, length, fees, and pass marks are revised periodically, this page deliberately avoids quoting figures. Confirm every logistical detail - registration windows, fees and discount programs, accommodations, and results - directly on the CAS website before planning a sitting. Preparation should center on the official syllabus, the CAS Past Exams & Pass Marks archive, and timed practice under exam-like conditions.
What you'll study
About MAS-I preparation
Where does MAS-I sit on the credentialing pathway?
The CAS lists MAS-I among the ACAS requirement exams, appearing after Exams 1 and 2 and before Exam MAS-II, followed by the CAS DISCs, the Course on Professionalism, and Exams 5 and 6. Ordering on the site is a sequence, not a rule - always confirm current ACAS requirements on the CAS Exams & Admissions pages before you register.
What is the exam format and how long is it?
Format and timing are set by the CAS and are not stated on the source material behind this page, so no figures are quoted here. Check the official Exam MAS-I page and the Syllabus of Basic Education for the current item count, time limit, and any calculator or reference rules before you build a study plan.
How much does it cost to sit MAS-I?
The CAS maintains dedicated Exam Fees and Discount Programs pages, and fees can change between sittings. No amount is reproduced here because it cannot be verified from the available source. Look up the fee schedule on the CAS site at the time you register, and check whether you qualify for a candidate discount program.
How difficult is MAS-I, and what pass mark applies?
Difficulty is subjective, but the exam is quantitative and assumes comfortable command of probability and mathematical statistics. Rather than trusting secondhand pass rates, use the CAS Summary of Exam Statistics and Past Exams & Pass Marks pages, which publish official results and pass marks for prior sittings.
Can I retake the exam if I don't pass?
Retake and registration rules live in the CAS Exam Registration materials and the Candidate FAQ, and they are not stated in the source used for this page. Read those pages before assuming a waiting period or a limit on attempts, and note that registration windows for fall sittings are announced separately.
What study materials should I use?
Start with the Syllabus of Basic Education, which defines the testable material, then work the CAS Past Exams & Pass Marks archive and published Examiners' Reports. The CAS Seminars & Study Aids and Principles & Policies sections add context. Third-party manuals are optional supplements, not substitutes for the syllabus.
Should I take MAS-I before MAS-II?
The CAS pathway lists MAS-I before MAS-II, and the statistics built in MAS-I underpin the modeling content that follows. Unless you have a strong reason to reorder, follow the listed sequence and finish each syllabus thoroughly rather than studying two at once.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Passive reading, skipping timed practice on released questions, and ignoring syllabus learning objectives are the usual culprits. On a computation-heavy exam, also practise showing clean work and managing arithmetic under time pressure, and note the CAS guidance on how adverbs in question wording change what is being asked.
Can I request exam accommodations?
Yes - the CAS maintains a dedicated Exam Accommodations page. Requests typically need lead time and supporting documentation, so review that page and the Know Before You Go guidance as soon as your sitting is confirmed rather than waiting until the registration deadline.