In addition to examinations and courses, it was required that the candidate both complete at least three years work as an actuary and be at least 23 years of age to qualify as a "Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries" (FFA) Core examinations The Core Technical section consisted of the 8 exams and a "Business Awareness Module," CT9. These were usually first sat by a candidate and included the underlying mathematics involved in actuarial work as well as an introduction to financial and economic issues. These were also the most common exams for which candidates may get exemptions. While these were the first exams, candidates coming from a less mathematical background often found these more difficult than the later ones due to the mathematical theory content. Topics covered included annuities, stochastic modelling, time series, and triangles. The Core Applications section consisted of two exams and a modeling course, CA2, that focus on the application of concepts learned, especially to insurance companies. This included the communications model, CA3, which tested the candidate on their ability to communicate complex actuarial concepts to others. Specialist examinations The Specialist Technical section represented the first time the candidate has a choice of which exams to take. The candidate chose two from the various actuarial specialist subjects i.e. Health and Care, Life Insurance, General Insurance, Pensions, Finance or Investments and further technical knowledge on said subjects is attained. The Specialist Applications section allowed the candidate to choose one area for which they take the SA paper and attain full Fellowship; leading to many referring to this as the "Fellowship paper." However, as the rules on the ordering of examinations were relaxed, this examination may be taken before taking some earlier examinations resulting in candidates qualifying on other papers. List of Examinations Core Technical Stage CT1 - Financial Mathematics CT2 - Finance and Financial Reporting CT3 - Probability and Mathematical Statistics CT4 - Models CT5 - Contingencies CT6 - Statistical Methods CT7 - Economics CT8 - Financial Economics CT9 - Business Awareness Module Core Applications Stage CA1 - Actuarial Risk Management CA2 - Model Documentation, Analysis and Reporting CA3 - Communications Specialist Technical Stage ST0 - Alternative Specialist Technical ST1 - Health and Care Specialist Technical ST2 - Life Insurance Specialist Technical ST3 - General Insurance Specialist Technical (replaced with ST7 & ST8 wef 2010) ST4 - Pensions and other Benefits Specialist Technical ST5 - Finance and