20 August 2026

Pillar: Every III Subject Explained, on One Page

Pillar: Every III Subject Explained, on One Page

The III catalogue is large, the codes are not self-explanatory, and most candidates meet it as a wall of numbers. This page is the map: every subject, what it is, what it is worth, and where to read more.

How the qualification is structured

Three levels, each with a credit threshold: Licentiate at 60 credits, Associateship at 250, Fellowship at 490. Subjects are worth 30 or 40 credits each, and are either compulsory at a level or optional within a stream.

Most subjects belong to the life or general stream; a few are open to both, which makes them useful if you have not committed to a direction. See life versus general if you are still deciding, and how credit points work for the arithmetic.

Every exam works the same way

Whichever paper you sit: online, multiple choice, 120 minutes, 100 marks, 60% to pass, 75% for distinction. All questions are compulsory, so there is never a reason to leave one blank. Up to six papers may be taken in a sitting, and simple and scientific calculators are permitted.

Licentiate

Start at the Licentiate guide.

Associateship — general stream

Associateship — life stream

Open to both streams

Fellowship

Compulsory papers at 40 credits each:

Actuarial science papers: AS-03 Finance and Economics, AS-05 (iv) Finance and Investment, AS-05 (v) Actuarial Aspects of Risk Management.

See the Fellowship guide for the full route.

Agent certification

IC-38 is a separate track from the III certifications — the licensing exam for insurance agents, not part of the Licentiate ladder. If you are unsure which you need, read IC-38 versus III Licentiate.

Where to start

Pick your level, read its guide, then build a study plan with a target date. If you are working full-time, this is how to fit it in.

IIISyllabusExam GuideIndex

Ready to start preparing?

Free to start — no payment required for practice questions.

Browse All Subjects →