LTAM 2021 exam dates are out

SpaceLobster · October 9, 2020, 3:10pm

2021 LTAM registration dates.

The syllabus shown still says Fall 2020 though.

TheMole · October 9, 2020, 4:42pm

Best eyes on GoActuary don’t see “Fall 2020” with LTAM at your link. Maybe it changed since you posted. I do see “Updated Oct 1, 2020” which could be correct. Though if it changed today, it was updated Oct 9, 2020."

SpaceLobster · October 9, 2020, 4:57pm

They’ve updated the exam dates, but the syllabus stil shows 2020.

TheMole · October 10, 2020, 5:47pm

I suppose. I thought you were saying the syllabus date was wrong. That syllabus is for 2020, and there still is a 2020 exam under it. They haven’t released the 2021 syllabus yet. Even if the textbook will be the same, the syllabus document must change for CBT differences. Even the best eyes on the internet can’t see all the implications.

Some eyes might think that the section of how the Fall 2020 exam would be administered belongs under “Updates” rather than as “Syllabus”, since those changes were later than the February 14, 2020 updates. Some eyes might even think the SOA exam committees don’t know what to do about COVID.

SpaceLobster · October 10, 2020, 5:59pm

Why? What’s the difference?

TheMole · October 10, 2020, 6:41pm

The current syllabus says

The current intent of the Society of Actuaries is that the LTAM Exam Fall 2020 will follow the same format as the previous LTAM Exams. This would include 20 multiple-choice questions worth 40 points and written-answer questions worth 56 points as described in the previous paragraph. This Exam will be taken as a “pencil and paper” exam at various testing centers as administered in the past. However, if the public health environment does not permit such an exam, the LTAM Exam may be modified to allow the student to take it in a computer-based testing (“CBT”) environment. Under these circumstances, the written-answer questions may be modified or adjusted to reflect the CBT environment. The written answer questions will be completed using Word. (Excel will not be used on the LTAM Exam for Fall 2020.) If this alternative is necessary, candidates will be notified as early as possible and sample questions will be provided.

It is inconceivable the 2021 syllabus will have that same paragraph. Even human eyes would widen in amazement if it is there unchanged. Presumably it will say that the 2021 exam will be CBT. Presumably it will address whether Excel will be available for the 2021 exam. Presumably it will have some new sample questions, or existing sample questions reformatted for CBT.

Whether there will be any changes to what candidates need to know, :shrug: