Command Verbs - IFoA exam Flashcards
Define
Give the exact meaning of.
Describe
Express, fully and clearly, the details or facts of. e.g. Describe the benefits payable under a term assurance policy.
Draw
Produce a representation of…a diagram, graph, chart etc. e.g. Draw a diagram to illustrate the profit-maximising price.
Label
Attach a name to unidentified terms …on a graph, chart, diagram, table. e.g. Label the axes.
List
Make a list of. e.g. List the Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council.
State
Express the details or facts of…. without elaboration. e.g. State the principles of investment.
Write Down
Provide exactly what has been asked for, without explanation or elaboration.
Calculate
Ascertain or reckon mathematically.
Construct
Produce what has been asked for, with appropriate structure. e.g. Construct a table showing….
Demonstrate
Prove with certainty or exhibit by practical means.
Derive
Develop a result from first principles or from the given starting point ,
Describe
Express, fully and clearly, the details or facts of. e.g. Describe the risks arising under a specific given scenario.
Determine
Find the solution by argument or calculation, making clear your reasoning. e.g. Determine the type of event that has occurred, based on the data provided.
Draft
Produce a document in the specified format e.g. report, letter, etc. Note: Draft applies to assessments for CP3 only.
Draw
Produce a representation of…a diagram, graph, chart etc. e.g. Draw a scatterplot.
Explain
Make clear the meaning or purpose or details of, or the justification for.
Express
Write down the result in the specified terms.
Fit
Choose and implement a model or distribution that determines a relationship between observed values in a population and the expected values from the model or distribution. e.g. Fit a generalised linear model to the data.
Give
Write down what has been asked for, without elaboration. e.g. Give an example of….
Label
Attach a name to unidentified terms …on a graph, chart, diagram, table. e.g. Label the curves which correspond to each of the given scenarios.
List
Make a list of. e.g. List the assumptions or rating factors that would be required to price this product.
Outline
Describe briefly without elaboration or explanation.
Perform
Undertake the specified test or task.
Plot
Illustrate the given information or data using a chart or graph. Note: Plot implies that more accuracy is required than Sketch.
Prepare
Make or get ready for use. Note: Prepare a Report is restricted to CP2 and CP3.
Prove
Demonstrate the truth of what is indicated, through mathematical argument.
Sample
To take a sample from a distribution. Note: Sample applies to only problem-based assessments for CS1, CS2, CM1 and CM2.
Show
- Demonstrate that the given result is correct.
- Display the output of a specific part of a computer package item.
Note: This second definition applies to only problem-based assessmentsfor CS1, CS2, CM1 and CM2.
Simplify
Give an equivalent, but simpler, version of a mathematical expression.
Simulate or Generate
Produce the values or models that have been asked for.
e.g. Simulate 20,000 values from the stated distribution.
e.g.Generate 1,000 random values from a distribution.
Note: Simulate applies to only problem-based assessments for CS1, CS2, CM1 and CM2.
Sketch
Produce a rough graph, chart or diagram of.
Solve
Find a mathematical answer to.
State
Express the details or facts of…. without elaboration. e.g. State whether the investor should take a long or short position on the option in this situation.
Test
Check or examine something. e.g. Test the hypothesis that…
Update
Amend by adding new information or making corrections.
e.g. Update the plot, overlaying the density function.
Note: Update applies to only problem-based assessments for CS1, CS2, CM1 and CM2.
Verify
Demonstrate to be true.
Analyse
Break down into component parts.
Assess
Judge the effectiveness, implications, relevance, importance, suitability and or or value of.
Comment on
Give brief conclusions on.
Compare
Highlight the similarities and differences between.
Contrast
Highlight the differences between.
Determine
Find the solution by argument or calculation, making clear your reasoning. e.g. Determine the most appropriate course of action for the company, within the given constraints.
Discuss
Write about in some detail, taking into account different issues or points of view.
Estimate
Calculate a result, using judgement to decide on suitable assumptions and or or approximations. Used when the result is not definitive. Assumptions made should be expressed clearly and intermediate workings should be shown.
Evaluate
Judge the suitability of something for a given purpose.
Identify
Select after consideration of the possible options or alternatives.
Justify
Provide reasons to support.
Propose
Select and then communicate a solution, action or range of possible solutions or actions. Justification is not expected unless explicitly asked for, e.g. with reasons.
Recommend
Select and then communicate a preferred solution or course of action. Justification is not expected unless explicitly asked for, e.g. with reasons.
Set out
Write down in a structured way.
Suggest
Communicate a range of solutions, actions or reasons without justification. This is normally used in a situation where there is insufficient information provided to form a definitive recommendation or proposal, e.g. Suggest possible reasons or Suggest possible actions.
Knowledge verbs
Define Describe Draw Label List State Write Down
Application verbs
Calculate Construct Demonstrate Derive Describe Determine Draft Draw Explain Express Fit Give Label List Outline Perform Plot Prepare Prove Sample Show Simplify Simulate/Generate Sketch Solve State Test Update Verify
Higher order verbs
Analyse Assess Comment on Compare Contrast Determine Discuss Estimate Evaluate Identify Justify Propose Recommend Set out Suggest
