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ARe: Associate in Reinsurance Designation Exam Practice Test

140 questions available

The Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) designation, administered by The Institutes, is the premier professional certification for reinsurance professionals. This comprehensive credential validates expertise across the entire reinsurance value chain, including treaty and facultative reinsurance, underwriting, claims, accounting, and regulatory frameworks. Earning the ARe demonstrates mastery of complex risk transfer mechanisms, contract wording, and the financial principles that govern the global reinsurance market. It signifies a professional's ability to analyze risk portfolios, structure reinsurance programs, and navigate the legal and operational intricacies of reinsurance transactions. In an industry built on specialized knowledge and trust, the ARe serves as a recognized benchmark of competency, signaling to employers, clients, and markets a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of this critical sector of the insurance ecosystem.

Certification exam
95 Exam questions
3 hours 30 minutes Time Limit
Associate Level
Practice bank
140 Practice Questions
2 hours 20 minutes Practice Time
Start Practice
The bank 140 Practice questions checked against the official objectives.
NCARB140 practice questionsBlueprint 1.0Bank updated 2026-05-04

Sample Questions

Try a few questions to see what the full exam is like.

Reinsurance Foundations

A property cat reinsurer's largest exposure-management metric is usually:

Treaty Provisions

A 'service of suit' clause in a treaty with a non-US reinsurer typically:

Claims Administration

Which dispute-resolution mechanism is most commonly invoked first under a US reinsurance treaty?

Reinsurance Strategy

A cedent's reinsurance strategy aimed at smoothing earnings, supporting growth, and protecting against tail events is BEST described as:

Reinsurance Types

Under US statutory rules (SSAP 62R) and FASB ASC 944 / FAS 113, what is the consequence if a reinsurance contract does NOT transfer significant insurance risk?

Why This Certification Opens Doors

The ARe designation is a career-defining credential that distinguishes you as a subject matter expert in the specialized field of reinsurance. It directly impacts career advancement by qualifying professionals for senior underwriting, broking, claims, and analytical roles. Industry-wide recognition from carriers, brokers, and regulatory bodies enhances professional credibility and marketability. In a relationship-driven industry, the ARe provides a tangible validation of your technical knowledge, fostering trust with clients and colleagues. It is often a prerequisite or strongly preferred qualification for leadership positions, directly linking certification attainment to increased responsibility, compensation potential, and influence within the global reinsurance community.

These are the backgrounds the certifying body suggests. Check the vendor's own page for anything it formally requires.

Exam Blueprint

Each domain is weighted to match the real certification exam, so a full practice simulation predicts your result.

01Building Analysis and Programming
25%
02Codes and Regulations
25%
03Environmental and Contextual Conditions
25%
04Site Analysis and Programming
25%

Exam Details ARe | 3 hours 30 minutes

Exam Code ARe
Vendor NCARB
Time Limit 3 hours 30 minutes
Exam questions 95
Exam Format Linear computer-based with case study sections (Prometric CBT)
Available In
English
Retake Policy 60-day waiting period between attempts

Study Resources

ARE 5.0 GuidelinesOfficialstudy_guide
NCARB$0
Free official guidelines and exam guides for all 6 ARE 5.0 divisions
View
NCARB Practice ExamsOfficialPractice Exam
NCARBFree
Official practice materials and case study examples available through NCARB
View

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites for sitting for the ARe designation exams?

Candidates must have successfully completed CPCU 500 or its equivalent (such as INS 21, 22, and 23) before receiving the ARe designation. This ensures all candidates possess the essential property and casualty insurance fundamentals upon which reinsurance principles are built. You may begin taking ARe courses and exams concurrently with or before completing the prerequisite, but the designation will not be awarded until CPCU 500 or its equivalent is verified.

How is the ARe exam structured, and what is the passing score?

The ARe designation is earned by passing three comprehensive exams: ARe 136 (Reinsurance Principles), ARe 137 (Reinsurance Practices), and ARe 138 (Reinsurance Law and Regulation). Each exam typically consists of 60-75 multiple-choice questions. A scaled score of 70 or higher is required to pass each exam. The scoring scale accounts for minor variations in difficulty across different exam forms.

Who is the ideal candidate for the ARe designation?

The ARe is ideal for professionals actively working in or seeking to advance within the reinsurance sector. This includes treaty and facultative underwriters and brokers, reinsurance claims specialists, risk managers, analysts, accountants, and attorneys specializing in insurance. It is equally valuable for primary insurance company staff who manage reinsurance programs and ceding companies.

How does the ARe differ from the CPCU designation?

The CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) is a broad, prestigious credential covering the entire P&C insurance landscape. The ARe is a specialized, deep-dive designation focused exclusively on reinsurance. They are complementary; many professionals earn CPCU first for a strong generalist foundation and then pursue ARe to establish specialist expertise in reinsurance, a common and respected career path.

What are the continuing education requirements for maintaining the ARe designation?

To maintain your ARe designation, you must adhere to The Institutes' Code of Professional Ethics and fulfill ongoing continuing education (CE) requirements. This typically involves completing a minimum number of CE credit hours every two-year reporting period, which can be achieved through approved courses, seminars, webinars, and other educational activities relevant to the insurance and reinsurance profession.