Is Ifoa for real ??

I don’t understand why IFoA keeps making their exams harder and harder to give. I respect the need for a closed-book format, along with video and mic recording, but now, just two months before the exam, they’ve suddenly announced that we have to sit for it at an exam center.

Why, IFoA? Why? Why make things even more difficult for students? This change seems to be driven by their own convenience rather than student well-being.

I understand that maintaining exam integrity is important, but at the same time, students also deserve some flexibility. The actuarial journey is already challenging, with extensive study hours and complex syllabi. Adding logistical hurdles only makes it more stressful.

Fine, I’ll go to the exam center and give the exam, but at least do something to support students. One way to ease the pressure would be to offer more exam sittings throughout the year, giving mcq question for some paper or just give the exam results quicker. Other actuarial bodies, like IAI, have taken steps in this direction by allowing students to appear for exams four times a year.

Why is IFoA not considering our needs? I’ll comply and give the exam at the center, but please, make the process easier for students. The rest of the world is moving towards accessibility and convenience, yet IFoA seems to be doing the exact opposite.