SOA FM Exam - Exam Day #1
So, here it is—the day of the SOA Financial Mathematics exam! As you read this, I am probably traveling by train to Warsaw to take the exam (wish me luck!). I’ll briefly describe what the SOA exam day looks like in Poland: how I travel, where the testing center is, and what the exam process involves. Later today, I’ll share some preliminary information about my exam result and any other thoughts I have about the experience. Let’s go!
I know that preparing for an actuarial exam can be tough—not just because of the material but also due to organizational challenges, such as locating exam centers, knowing when to register, and so on.
How to register for an SOA exam will be a topic for another day. Today, I’ll describe the location of the exam center in Poland, possible transportation options, and what happens before, during, and after the exam.
1. Location
In Poland, there is only one location where SOA exams take place. It is in Warsaw, at Vistula University in Stokłosy. There is another location in my home city of Krakow, but it likely hosts different types of exams. Here is the link to their testing centers in Europe.
2. Transportation
I think the best way to get to Warsaw is by train. Sometimes, you can find reasonably priced plane tickets, but I haven’t tried that option yet. From Warsaw Central Station, you can reach Stokłosy by taking the subway. The Centrum subway stop is about a 7-minute walk from the train station. From there, take the subway in the Kabaty direction and ride to the Stokłosy stop, which takes about 18 minutes. After that, it’s roughly a 5-minute walk to the exam center location.
3. Before the exam
It’s a good idea to arrive at the test center 30–60 minutes before the exam. There is strict security screening before you can take the exam, which includes checking your glasses, emptying your pockets, and leaving your belongings in a locked cupboard. You will also need to verify your identity with an ID that includes both your signature and a photo. After signing some documents, you’ll be ready to enter the computer testing room and begin the exam.
4. During the exam
You can bring water and your SOA-approved calculator with you. Sheets of paper and a pencil are provided by the exam center. Whenever you finish using a sheet, you need to raise your hand, and they will give you a new one.
Before the exam begins, there is a short tutorial on how to use the software provided for the test. This tutorial time is not included in the 2.5 hours allocated for solving the exam problems, so you can take your time to go through it, take a few deep breaths, try to relax, and then start the exam with confidence.
5. After the exam
You’ve just finished your FM exam. Now you can collect your belongings from the cupboard, call family and friends, and head back home. Prometric centers send an email with preliminary information about whether you passed the exam approximately 30 minutes after you finish. In most cases, these preliminary results align with the official results released three months later.
This means you can confidently celebrate if you pass, or start preparing again if you didn’t. Even if the preliminary results are positive, beginning your preparation for the next exam right away is a smart move.
And then… you’re ready to tackle the next challenge!
Summary
I think those were the most important details. As mentioned in another post about preparation, checking traffic conditions and being well-prepared for where and when your exam takes place can be very helpful in reducing stress levels.
I hope this information was helpful to you or will be in the future. Are you planning to take any SOA exams? If you have any specific questions about exam day organization in Poland, feel free to ask—I’ll be happy to help!
As mentioned at the beginning, I’ll provide an additional update about this day later in the evening.
Update:
I’ve just returned home from Warsaw. The weather was cloudy today, and the train ride took about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way—from Krakow to Warsaw and back.
Ok, but I’m sure you’re here for another update (though if you want more weather and train details, let me know!).
The preliminary results from the Prometric test center show I successfully passed the SOA FM Exam! The official results will be released on February 7, 2025.
I feel an enormous sense of relief and joy, and I can confidently say that all those hours spent learning and practicing exam problems were worth it.
Below, I’ve attached some photos from today, starting with my train from Krakow to Warsaw (direction: Gdynia Główna), my ride from the Central Station to the exam center, and the journey back.
