Study Smarter: My Formula for Exam Success

Passing not one, but two actuarial exams before starting college isn’t something most students can say they’ve done, but Patrick Reagon, a STEM Star student, did just that. His journey reflects more than academic achievement; it shows the power of discipline, smart strategy, and a deep commitment to his goals. In this blog, Patrick gives readers an honest look into the tools and habits that helped him succeed, offering relatable advice for anyone navigating the early stages of the actuarial path.

My name is Patrick Reagon, and I am currently a first-year student at Ohio State University, majoring in Statistics. I successfully passed my first actuarial exam, Exam P, in March 2025—just a few months before graduating high school. I then passed Exam FM in August 2025. These exams were by far the most difficult exams I have ever taken, and preparing for them fundamentally shifted how I approached exam taking and studying. In this blog, I will delve into the resources and the strategies I followed.

1. Coaching Actuaries: This was my primary resource for both exams, and I highly recommend their products. Their manual is fantastic due to the many examples and intuitive explanations of every concept. The best part, however, is their tiered exam system, which allows you to feel very prepared—almost as though you’ve taken the exam before sitting for it.

2. Creating a Study Schedule: It’s simple but crucial. A study schedule helped me track whether I was on pace, ahead, or behind, and allowed me to modulate my effort accordingly and know when I had to catch up or take a break.

3. Using a Timer and Notebook: I used a timer app to monitor how long I spent on each study section and recorded the times in a notebook or Excel file. Documenting my study hours was satisfying and insightful, as it revealed exactly how much time I dedicated to exam preparation. When I felt tired or lacked motivation, checking my timer and study records reminded me of the effort I had already invested and the progress I had made.

4. Adaptability: Perhaps the most important skill I developed was adaptability. Being able to assess what was working, what wasn’t, and then adjusting my study methods to best fit my current needs was key. For both of these exams, I spent at least a full month just taking practice exams and doing practice problems—a significant shift from high school.

Overall, besides just learning what the present value of an annuity was, these exams taught me the importance of the resources and strategies you utilize and how important adaptability is.

Patrick’s story is a great reminder that exam success isn’t about having all the answers from day one, it’s about being willing to adapt, learn from setbacks, and commit to consistent effort. His experience shows how intentional preparation can transform not only your exam results but your approach to learning. His reflection is both a guide and a source of motivation as aspiring actuaries begin to chart their own paths forward.