The Waiting Is the Hardest Part: How to Handle Your Wait for Exam Results

Awaiting your actuarial exam results can be as challenging as the exam itself! After dedicating hundreds of hours to studying and doing your best on exam day, you're now in limbo—a stage many aspiring actuaries struggle with. Unlike your exam prep, there’s no roadmap for waiting.

As Coach Derek, who supports Coaching Actuaries’ Exam PA course, explains, “Waiting for exam results can be just as, if not more, nerve-wracking than sitting for the exam itself.” This period can feel endless, inspiring doubt and frustration. Coach Parker, who also supports our PA course, calls this a shift from “preparation anxiety” to “results anxiety.”

To help you navigate this challenging time, we’ve collected six tips from Derek and Parker on managing the wait and keeping anxiety in check!

1. Remind Yourself of Your Hard Work

First, reflect on your journey to exam day.

Derek suggests focusing on all the effort you’ve invested: “Think of all the countless hours (or maybe you did count your study hours, because we’re actuaries, right?) you spent preparing for the exam,” he says. This is a good way to reassure yourself that you’ve set yourself up for success. Every hour of prep builds your foundation for passing, so take pride in that journey.

Parker shares a similar sentiment: “If you are really struggling initially with the anxiety and uncertainty, the best thing to do first is trust in yourself and appreciate the hard work you've done. Pass or fail, you can be proud of everything you did leading up to the exam.” Simply acknowledging your efforts can make the wait easier!

2. Focus on What Went Well

You might fixate on the questions you struggled with, but as Derek advises, try not to dwell on them.

“You should NOT focus on the questions that you didn’t answer or you think you answered incorrectly,” says Coach Derek. “Instead, think of ALL of the questions that you thought you answered well.” Shifting your attention to what you did right can encourage a positive mindset.

Derek adds, “Dwelling on only a small number of questions isn’t a good idea, as you can still pass the exam without answering every question, and partial credit for what you did provide can be generous.”

Remember, it’s more likely that your strong answers outweigh any doubts you have, and this reassurance can keep you grounded as you wait!

3. Give Yourself Space

Coach Derek also suggests that checking the calendar constantly for the results release date can add to the stress.

“Let the exam slip from your mind and focus on other things in your life, such as your family, friends, work, and hobbies,” Derek recommends. Ideally, the exam should fade from your daily thoughts until the results day arrives.

Coach Parker supports this approach, encouraging you to reconnect with commitments you set aside: “Spend some time dedicating yourself to parts of your life you may have neglected while studying. Maybe you slacked on health and fitness a bit or you couldn’t dedicate as much time to your relationship as you would’ve liked.”

By shifting focus to other areas, you’ll feel less pressure and more fulfilled, regardless of the exam outcome.

4. Appreciate Your Support System

Parker also recommends recognizing the friends and family who supported you throughout your exam prep. “I wish I had spent time and appreciated friends that really supported me during the exam process. Without the support from them, I wouldn’t have passed in the first place.”

Showing gratitude for your support network not only feels good but also helps you appreciate the broader journey of becoming an actuary.

5. Discover New Goals

While results are pending, consider this an opportunity to focus on something new. Coach Parker found that he could direct his goal-driven nature toward learning something valuable: “During the longer wait for FSA exams, I dedicated a lot of time to learn about management and leadership.”

Investing in a new pursuit not only distracts you from results anxiety but also prepares you for growth in other areas of your career or personal life.

6. Embrace the Bigger Picture

Finally, Coach Derek says that even if things don’t go as planned, it’s not the end of the world—or your career. “Many actuaries that I know have failed exams—including myself—and have gone on to be successful FSAs and ASAs,” he notes.

Passing exams is important, but the journey to becoming an actuary has ups and downs. No single exam defines your capabilities—or your potential.

Waiting is never easy, but by focusing on your hard work, shifting your mindset, and embracing new goals, you can ease your worries and find a healthy balance until exam day. As Derek says, “The best thing you can do is to set yourself up for success for the next sitting.” Whether you pass or need to retake, these moments are just one part of the broader journey to your career goals.