Multiple Candidates
Question: Two other actuarial candidates at my company are also taking on-line courses. Can we work on the homework assignments together?
Answer: Yes; it is helpful to work on these assignments together. A person may know the material better and can explain it to the others. But each candidate must submit his or her own homework; you cannot have a single response for three candidates. Having a study group of two or three candidates helps keep you on schedule, which is important for an 8 week course.
Question: Can one proctor administer the exam for all three candidates?
Answer: Yes. A single proctor can administer the exam for many candidates, just like other exams.
Question: How should we arrange the proctoring?
Answer: Have the SOA or CAS Fellow in charge of the actuarial (student) program send an email to NEAS. We will work with your company to arrange the proctoring schedule for the VEE courses, to minimize the cost for your company and the time for the students. This is easier for everyone than having to deal with half a dozen candidates from the same company. Finding outside courses will cost your company about $7,500 to $9,000 per student for all five courses, plus the time lost in travel to attend classes; the five NEAS on-line courses cost a total of $1,125, with no time lost in travel to attend courses. Your employer has the same incentive you have to keep costs down and efficiency up.
Question: Is the cost the same for several candidates at the same employer?
Answer: Employers with five or more candidates receive discounts, reflecting the lower cost to NEAS; see the NEAS website.