Most candidates spend 150-300 hours preparing for Exam STAM, depending on their mathematical background and familiarity with actuarial concepts. A typical study timeline ranges from 3-6 months of consistent preparation. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction can help you identify your specific weak areas and focus your study time more efficiently, potentially reducing the total hours needed while improving your confidence in difficult topics.

Students often struggle with survival analysis, life contingencies, and the application of financial mathematics to insurance problems—these topics require both conceptual understanding and strong problem-solving skills. Additionally, many find the transition from pure probability (Exam P) to applied actuarial scenarios challenging. Working with a tutor can help you break down these complex topics into manageable pieces and connect theoretical concepts to real exam questions.

Practice exams are essential—they familiarize you with the exam format, help you develop pacing strategies, and reveal which topics need more review. Most successful candidates complete multiple full-length practice tests under timed conditions. A tutor can review your practice exam performance with you, identify patterns in your mistakes, and help you refine your test-taking strategy before exam day.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows a tutor to target your specific knowledge gaps rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Tutors can clarify confusing concepts, teach you efficient problem-solving techniques, help you develop a realistic study schedule, and provide targeted feedback on practice problems. This focused approach often leads to faster improvement and greater confidence going into the exam.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have deep knowledge of Exam STAM content and proven success helping students prepare. When you work with Varsity Tutors, we match you with a tutor whose expertise and teaching style fit your needs. You can discuss your study timeline, specific weak areas, and learning preferences to ensure you get personalized instruction tailored to your goals.

Exam STAM is scored on a scale of 0-10, with a passing score of 6. However, many employers and advanced actuarial programs prefer scores of 7 or higher. Your target score depends on your career goals and the competitiveness of positions you're pursuing. A tutor can help you set a realistic goal based on your baseline knowledge and create a study plan designed to achieve it.

Your first session is typically an assessment and planning meeting. The tutor will discuss your background in mathematics and actuarial science, identify your strongest and weakest topics, understand your exam timeline, and learn about your learning style. From there, you'll work together to create a personalized study plan that prioritizes the areas where you need the most support and builds momentum toward exam day.