ACET Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2021

To attain the certification of an actuary in India, students need to qualify for the Actuarial Common Entrance Test (ACET) exam. One of the important sections of the ACET exam is its syllabus. It is an entry-level test which one needs to clear in order to join the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) as a student member and to gain the actuary certification. If you are aspiring to give this exam, here is a blog that aims to detail the ACET syllabus and its varied sections that you need to cover in order to ace the exam.

ACET Exam Highlights

Exam Name	Actuarial Common Entrance Test
Conducting Body	IAI (Institute of Actuaries of India)
Frequency	Twice a year
Mode of Examination	Online
No. of Questions	70
Total Duration	3 hours
Marks Distribution	Mathematics- 30 Marks Statistics- 30 Marks Data Interpretation- 15 Marks English- 15 Marks Logical Reasoning- 10 Marks
Pass Percentage	50%
Weightage Distribution	45 Questions- Each of 1 Mark 20 Questions- Each of 2 Marks 5 Questions- Each of 3 Marks
Negative Marking	None

ACET Exam Details

ACET is a compulsory exam in which candidates have to qualify to further appear in multiple actuarial exams offered by the IAI for the actuary certification. Further, it is an online-based examination that is organised thrice a year and at 24 centres around India to make it feasible for students from every state to appear in the exam. However, in 2021, the test will take place online at home. Here are some of the important details that you should be aware of before taking the test.

1. ACET is a 3-hour paper that has 70 multiple choice questions with only one correct answer for each question.
2. Once you register for the exam, you can download the sample question paper
3. ACET exam is conducted in 24 centres in India.
4. ACET exam is conducted on a single day with a single time slot.
5. Passing marks for the ACET exam is 50%. 

ACET Important Dates 2021

Registration Begins	9th July 2021 (From 3:00 PM)
Registration Closes	26th October 2021 (Till 3:00 PM)
Date of Examination	11th December 2021
Date of Results	18th December 2021

ACET Exam Pattern

The ACET exam consists of 70 MCQ type questions of 100 marks in total. The maximum duration of the test is 3 hours. The exam is bifurcated into 2 parts – Part 1 and Part 2. Part 1 will include Mathematics, Statistics and Data Interpretation containing 55% of the questions. On the other hand, Part 2 will include English and Logical Reasoning with 45% of the questions. The questions are of either 1, 2 or 3 marks. The distribution of marks as per the questions are as follows: 

Number of Questions	Marks
45	1 mark each
20	2 marks each
5	3 marks each

Marks for Correct Answer	Negative Marking
1 mark each	0.5 Mark
2 marks each	1 Mark
3 marks each	2 Mark

ACET Syllabus

The five sections of the ACET syllabus are Mathematics, Statistics, English, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation. These sections carry a different weightage of marks and are of equal importance as they focus on varied aspects. In the ACET syllabus, the sections of Mathematics, Statistics and Data Interpretation together hold 55% of the weightage of marks whereas English and Logical Reasoning contributes to 45%. To qualify for the exam, students need to score at least 50% marks in aggregate. The section-wise bifurcation of marks is as follows:

• Statistics – 30 Marks 
• Mathematics – 30 Marks 
• Data Interpretation – 15 Marks 
• Logical Reasoning – 10 Marks 
• English – 15 Marks  

Let’s delve deeper into what each section of the ACET syllabus entails and the different topics you need to cover. 

Statistics

Since statistical applications are an incremental aspect of Actuarial Science, this section aims to evaluate candidates on the fundamental knowledge of statistical concepts. Take a look at the following which lists down the topics and their details covered under the section of Statistics in the ACET syllabus:

Topics	Details
Types of Data	Bar Chart, Histogram, Dot Plot, Statistical Diagrams, Stem-and-leaf, Boxplot
Probabilities	Basic probability rules
Measures of Location	Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Spread	Range, Standard Deviations, Variance, Skewness, Interquartile Range
Continuous Random Variables	Mean, Median, Mode, Definitions, Variance, Coefficient of Skewness, Probabilities, Standard Deviation
Correlation	Scatter Plots, Covariance, Correlation, Coefficient
Continuous Distributions	Exponential, Normal Distribution, Continuous Uniform
Advanced Probabilities	Conditional Probabilities, Tree Diagrams
Discrete Random Variables	Definitions, Mean, Median, Mode, Variance, Coefficient of Skewness, Probabilities, Standard Deviation
Discrete Distribution	Bernoulli, Binomial, Poisson, Discrete Uniform
Regression	–
Permutations and Combination	–

Mathematics

For this section of the ACET syllabus, basic and advanced mathematical concepts are put into question. Here is a list of varied topics you need to cover for this category:

• Numerical Methods 
• Notation and Standard Functions 
• Differentiation 
• Integration 
• Algebra 
• Vectors 
• Matrices 

English

In ACET syllabus, the English section focuses on testing the verbal abilities of the candidates. From comprehension passages to cloze passages, the questions can focus on several basic concepts of English. To help you further, we have enlisted the topics you must study for this section in the following table:

Sentence Correction	Vocabulary Based (Synonyms & Antonyms)
Fill in the Blanks	English Usage or Grammar
Jumbled Paragraphs	Reading Comprehension
Verbal Reasoning	Analogies and Reverse Analogies
Cloze Passage	Facts/ Inferences/ Judgements
Meaning-Usage Match	Summary Questions

Moreover, to assist you in understanding the different concepts in this part of the ACET syllabus, we have detailed some major topics below:

• Grammar: Generally, these questions comprise of 10th standard grammar concepts like the use of modifiers, parallel construction, redundancy, subject-verb agreement, phrasal verbs, articles, prepositions etc.   
• Vocabulary: It aims to test the candidates on their efficiency to crack the secondary shades of meaning, meanings of words, their usage, antonyms, related words etc. 
• Verbal Reasoning: To evaluate candidates on their proficiency towards understanding the relationships or patterns between a group of words or sentences. 

Data Interpretation

The section of Data Interpretation in the ACET syllabus comprises data-related tables and graphs that candidates need to analyze. Here is a list of different topics covered under this part:

• Line Chart  
• Venn Diagram 
• Caselets 
• Pie Chart 
• Tables 
• Column Graphs 
• Bar Graphs  

Logical Reasoning

For Logical Reasoning, the questions can range from syllogism to seating arrangements. Here is a list of concepts encompassed by this part of the ACET syllabus:

• Number and Letter Series 
• Cubes 
• Clocks 
• Venn Diagrams 
• Logical Matching 
• Blood Relations 
• Logical Connectives
• Syllogisms 
• Seating Arrangement   
• Binary Logic
• Logical Sequence 

ACET Exam Study Material

The following books are recommended by Institute of Actuaries of India to prepare for the ACET exam.

1. Challenging Mathematical Problems with Elementary Solutions Editors: A.M. Yaglom and I.M. Yaglom
2. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay, McGraw Hill
3. Problem Solving Strategies Editor: Arthur Engel
4. The Pearson and Guide to Verbal Ability and Logical Reasoning for the CAT Editor: Nishit K. Sinha
5. TOMATO (Test Of Mathematics at Ten plus Two level published by ISI)
6. Trishna’s Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for the CAT and other MBA Entrance Examinations
7. High School English Grammar and Composition– Wren and Martin
8. Word Power Made Easy Editor: Norman Lewis
9. ACTED Study Material – FAC and STATSPACK
10. Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics by New Age International Publishers
11. Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations Editor: Abhijit Guha
12. An Excursion in Mathematics Editors: M. R. Modak, S. A. Katre, V. V. Acharya, V. M. Sholapurkar
13. Problem Primer for the Olympiad Editors: C R Pranesachar, B J Venkatachala, C S Yogananda
14. How to prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT Editor: Arun Sharma
15. Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Examinations Editor: R.S. Aggarwal

ACET Sample Papers 2021

Here are the previous year question papers and their solutions shared IAI. Practice these questions to know your competency for the exam. 

Question Paper	Solution Key
June, 2019	June, 2019
September, 2019	September, 2019
February, 2020	February, 2020
October, 2020	October, 2020
January, 2021	January, 2021

ACET Free Online Mock Test

With concern for the pandemic, ACET is conducting an online exam this year i.e. 2021. The exam will not be held at respective centres but at home. Here are some of the key points of the ACET Online Exam 2021. 

Pre-Exam Prep

1. You will be provided with access to the exam platform.
2. You will receive all the exam related information on your login portal 5 days prior to the exam i.e. 22 March 2021.

Technical Requirements for the Test

Since you need to take an online exam at your home, your computer/ laptop should be equipped with the following to take the test:

1. Webcam with minimum resolution of 640*480
2. Microphone
3. Internet connection of 1 MBPS or more
4. At Least 2 GB RAM in laptop/ computer
5. Minimum 64 MB graphics card
6. Operating system: Windows 10/ Windows 8/ Windows 7
7. Latest Chrome Browser
8. Net Framework

Rules

• You must disable all screen sharing, antivirus and windows firewall. 
• Students will be responsible for any technical glitch/ data failure. 
• You can keep a backup laptop.
• No extra break is allowed if a student’s laptop breaks down.
• If the webcam or microphone is disabled at any point, the script will not be evaluated.

How to Start the Online Examination?

Here is the entire examination process that you must follow during the online exam.

• Download and install the examination software shared with you on your login portal.
• Close all other applications, clear the cache, browser history and antivirus software.
• Once you open the app, you cannot access any other browser than the SEB application.
• Login to the exam 10 minutes before the test starts
• Check your details and confirm the details.
• The exam will start at 10:00 AM and you will not be able to enter after that.
• During the exam, you have to show your Government approved ID Card to complete verification.
• You can use scientific calculator but only these models of scientific calculators are allowed:
  •  Casio FX82 (ES/MS) (with or without any suffix) 
  • Casio FX83 (ES/MS) (with or without any suffix) 
  • Casio FX85 (ES/MS) (with or without any suffix) 
  • Sharp EL531 (with or without any prefix or suffix) 
  • Texas Instruments BA II Plus (with or without any suffix)
  • Texas Instruments TI-30 (with or without any suffix) 
  • Hewlett Packard HP12c (with or without any suffix)
• All your activities will be monitored during the exam and will be recorded. Any discrepancy will lead to cancellation of your exam.
• After completion of the exam, you need to fill a survey shared to you via email.
• In case of any query, you can contact headee@actuariesindia.org

Also Read: Logical Reasoning Books For Competitive Exam 

List of ACET Test Centres in India

The following list of centres is given by the Institute of Actuaries of India. 

Code	Centre Name	Code	Centre Name
1	Mumbai	13	Indore
2	Delhi	14	Nagpur
3	Kolkata	15	Ranchi
4	Bangalore	16	Kochi
5	Gurgaon	17	Bhubaneswar
6	Chennai	18	Dehradun
7	Pune	19	Patna
8	Hyderabad	20	Vizag
9	Jaipur	21	Coimbatore
10	Ahmedabad	22	Surat
11	Lucknow	23	Guwahati
12	Chandigarh	24	Raipur

Thus, we hope that this blog has helped you comprehend the varied elements of the ACET syllabus. If you are aspiring to pursue a degree in Actuarial Science abroad, take the help of Leverage Edu’s AI tool to browse through a wide range of programs and institutions in this field and find the right combination that fits your interests and aspirations.