The SOA has now released the significant changes effective for the Fall 2025 sitting of FSA Group and Health Exams. The public announcement can be found here:
This page will not attempt to summarize or duplicate the entire announcement, but instead will focus on the changes between the previous set of exams and the new ones.
The intended reader is someone who has been taking FSA health exams before the transition and intends to continue taking FSA health exams after the transition.
There were previously 3 health-related exams. Now, there are 4.
The syllabi for the new health exams can be found here:
Two new additions on top of the syllabi typically provided by the SoA is a course strategy guide and introductory study note.
Links to all three of these will be provided on the left-hand side of the page when you are logged in for easy access.
The course strategy guides serve as a roadmap for
what to learn,
why it matters, and
how to study it effectively so you can tackle the assessment with confidence. More specifically, it provides the following:
Course Overview & Objectives
A one-page summary telling you what the course is about, why it exists (its role in the broader SOA curriculum), and how it builds on or feeds into the other Group & Health (GH) or cross-practice (CP) courses.
Recommended Study Approach
A step-by-step plan for how to tackle the materials: read the Guide, scan the learning objectives/outcomes, watch any linked videos, then work through the syllabus readings in a prescribed order—highlighting what to skim on first pass versus drill into later.
Syllabus Topics & Learning Outcomes
A clear listing of the major “buckets” of content (e.g. Reserving, Financial Statements, Risk Adjustment, Plan Provisions, etc.), often broken into five or six topics, each with descriptions of what you’re expected to learn.
Reading List & Sequence
For each topic you get a curated sequence of readings (textbook chapters, SOA study notes, professional articles, ASOPs/standards) flagged with “first read,” “second read,” “skim now, study later,” etc.
Assessment Guidance
Advice on exam format (multi-part, scenario-based questions), the emphasis on critical thinking over rote answers, and tips on how to apply what you’ve learned as opposed to simply recalling details.
The introductory study note isn't content to learn - it's your one-stop shop for
what exam you're taking,
how it's structured,
what materials count,
where to find updates, and
which study notes you'll need. More specifically, it provides the following:
Exam Logistics & Format
They open with the exam date, duration (three hours), format (written-answer, 50 points), and location scheduling.
Curriculum & Sequence Policy
A reminder that you can take any four fellowship courses in any order, but you must include one 100-level/200-level pairing in your four.
Syllabus & Materials
Clarification of what “syllabus materials” are (textbooks, readings, videos, strategy guide, study notes), where to find the full syllabus and Learning Objectives, how updates or errata will be communicated, and where past exams live.
Study Aids & Guidance
Pointers to the Course Strategy Guide, the SOA’s Guide to Written Exams for cognitive verbs, seminars/workshops and study manuals (with a disclaimer that they’re not official SOA content).
Exam Day Rules & Calculator Policy
The strict list of approved TI calculator models (with memory-clearing rules), plus disqualification for non-approved devices.
Study Notes Appendix
A table of the course’s SOA-published study notes (with former codes, and “*” marking which notes are in the revision set), along with any errata notices.
Disclaimers & Acknowledgments
Statement that study notes aren’t SOA’s official opinions, thanks to authors, and notice of joint sponsorship by actuarial bodies.
In terms of how the exams have changed from their predecessors, find a summary below:
GH101 has the following changes compared to its predecessor GHDP:
- The previous sections, "Plan Provisions and Government Programs", "Manual Rates", and "Underwriting" remain, but have been significantly slimmed down. Specifically, the "Government Programs" section was removed (and transferred to GH201).
- A significant portion of the "Employee Benefit Strategy" section from GHRM was added to the this exam's syllabus.
- There are a handful of videos, a form of content which has not been present in the previous syllabi before.
GH201U has the following changes compared to its predecessor GHVRU:
- The previous sections, "Reserving", "Financial Statements", and "Regulation" remain, but have been significantly slimmed down.
- A section titled "Government Programs" was added, which came from the previous GHDP syllabus.
- A small section titled "Flow of Funds" was added.
- There are a handful of videos, a form of content which has not been present in the previous syllabi before.
GH301 has the following changes compared to its predecessor GHRM:
- The previous sections, "Provider Reimbursement", "Claims and Disease Management", and "Risk Adjustment" remain, but have been significantly slimmed down.
- The "Employee Benefit Strategy" section was removed (and transferred to GH101).
- Two small sections, titled "Medical Data" and "Predictive Analytics", were added, which are both eLearning Modules, a form of content which has not been present in the previous syllabi before.
- A small section titled "Social Determinants of Health" was added.
CP321 is composed of the following:
- Plan and Product Provisions - this section comes from items that were removed from the previous GHDP syllabus.
- Manual Rates - this section comes from items that were removed from the previous GHDP syllabus (both "Manual Rates" and "Underwriting").
- Reserving - this section comes from items that were removed from the previous GHVRU syllabus.
- Financial Statements - this section comes from items that were removed from the previous GHVRU syllabus.
- Asset Adequacy - this is a small section composed of two study notes and an ASOP.
- Retiree Group Benefits - this is a fairly large section composed of several new study notes and a few websites.
If you have any questions about the transition, do not hesitate to reach out to us at support@justenoughprep.com, and we will be happy to help assist.