IAI SA2 exam-day guide
IAI SA2 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID matching your registration name
Bring the original government-issued photo ID (typically passport or national ID card) whose name exactly matches your exam registration. If you registered under a slightly different name form, resolve the mismatch with the provider before test day. Confirm with the provider which ID types it accepts and whether a digital ID is allowed.
Exam appointment confirmation and candidate number
Have your booking confirmation, candidate/registration number, and the provider's contact details accessible (printed or on your phone) in case of check-in problems. Confirm with the provider whether printed confirmation is required.
Approved calculator (if permitted for SA2)
SA2 is a quantitative actuarial subject, so a calculator is normally essential. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted, whether it must be a specific approved model, and whether the test platform supplies an on-screen calculator. Do not assume your everyday calculator is allowed.
Confirmed test format, venue or online setup
Know in advance whether you sit at a test centre or sit remotely with online proctoring, and what each requires. For remote sittings, test your camera, microphone, browser, and internet connection ahead of time and have a backup connection plan. Confirm with the provider the exact platform and system requirements.
Permitted reference material or formula tables
Some actuarial exams allow specified tables or a provided formula booklet. Confirm with the provider exactly what is supplied on-screen or in the test room and what you may bring; do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or annotated material.
Scratch paper, pens, and permitted stationery
Confirm the provider's rules on rough paper, pens/pencils, and whether the test centre supplies them. For remote sittings, rules on blank paper and showing it to the proctor at the start and end are strict; follow them exactly.
Water, snack, and any medication
Long sittings are draining. Confirm with the provider what food, drink, and medication are allowed at your seat or during breaks; some centres restrict items at the desk. If you have a medical or access arrangement, confirm it is approved in advance.
Rest and logistics plan
Plan travel to the venue or a quiet, private room for remote sittings, with arrival or login well before the start time. Protect sleep in the final nights; fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of cramming.
Watch or timing awareness
Know the total time, the number of questions or marks, and whether there are section time limits. Confirm with the provider whether a clock is displayed and whether a physical watch is permitted.
Access arrangements confirmed in writing
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm with the provider that approval is in place and that the test centre or platform has been notified. Keep the approval email accessible.
Review the exam regulations and misconduct policy
Read the provider's current exam regulations on permitted items, behaviour, and misconduct before the day. Confirm with the provider any point you are unsure about rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Shift from learning to retrieval and exam technique. Work through condensed summaries of the SA2 syllabus areas, especially the topics you most often get wrong, and practise past-style questions under timed conditions. Rehearse the mechanics: reading the command word, allocating time by marks, showing workings, and stating assumptions. Do not start new topics you have never studied. Confirm your logistics: ID, venue or remote setup, calculator rules, and access arrangements. Sleep on a normal schedule.
Do a light review only: key formulas, definitions, and a short list of your recurring errors. Stop heavy study in the evening. Prepare everything you need the next day (ID, confirmation, calculator, stationery, water) and lay it out. Check travel times or test your remote setup once more. Eat properly and go to bed early; avoid last-minute cramming that displaces sleep.
Eat a proper meal, arrive at the venue or log in early per the provider's instructions, and allow buffer for check-in and ID verification. Do not study new material; a brief skim of your formula or error sheet is enough. Stay calm during check-in and follow proctor instructions exactly. If something goes wrong, contact the provider immediately and keep a record.
Read the instructions and time allocation carefully. Do an initial pass answering questions you know well, then return to harder ones; do not let one question consume a disproportionate share of time. Show workings clearly where marks are awarded for method, and state assumptions explicitly, as SA2 rewards structured application of actuarial principles. Watch the clock against marks remaining, and reserve the final minutes to check for unanswered questions and transcription errors. If the platform allows flagged questions, use flags to mark items to revisit.
Rules to check
Bring only permitted items to your desk; confirm with the provider the full list of allowed and prohibited materials, including calculators, notes, and electronic devices, before the exam.
Your identity will be checked against your registration; present valid photo ID in the required form and ensure your registered name matches it. Confirm with the provider what to do if it does not.
Do not communicate with anyone other than the invigilator or proctor during the exam, and do not access unauthorised material or devices. Misconduct can lead to invalidation of your result.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks: confirm in advance whether breaks are permitted, whether the clock stops, and what you may access during them. Do not assume breaks are allowed.
Understand the scoring and pass standard before the day: confirm with the provider how marks are allocated, whether there is negative marking, and how the pass mark is set. Do not rely on rumour.
If you believe there is a technical failure, disruption, or irregularity, report it to the invigilator or proctor immediately and follow up with the provider in writing, as time limits for special consideration may apply.
Be aware that exam regulations, permitted materials, and platform requirements can change; confirm the current rules with the provider rather than relying on older candidate accounts.