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Command verbs used in the Associate and Fellowship exams

Exam questions should test a range of knowledge and skills. They should test and reward critical appreciation and the ability to apply what has been learned rather than the reproduction of memorised facts.

As you progress through the our exams, you are required to demonstrate higher-level cognitive and intellectual skills, i.e. it is not enough to demonstrate that you can remember facts and figures; you need to show you are able to interpret the meaning of data and evaluate their significance. 

To assist you in answering exam questions we introduced a set of command verbs for the different levels of cognition. Please note that this list is for the standard online exam questions and does not cover direct questioning words for multiple-choice questions (e.g. What, Why, Who, etc.) or specific verbs.

Knowledge

Command Verb Definition
Define Give the exact meaning of.
Describe Express, fully and clearly, the details/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/facts of…. without elaboration. 
(e.g. “State the principles of investment”.)
Write Down Provide exactly what has been asked for, without explanation or elaboration.

Application

Command Verb Definition
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 the first principles (or from the given starting point).
Describe Express, fully and clearly, the details/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, purpose, 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/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

1. Demonstrate that the given result is correct.

2. Display the output of a specific part of a computer package item.
(Note: This second definition applies to only problem-based assessments for CS1, CS2, CM1, and CM2.)
Simplify Give an equivalent, but simpler, version of a mathematical expression.
Simulate/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/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.

Higher Order Skills

Command Verb Definition
Analyse Break down into component parts.
Assess Judge the effectiveness, implications, relevance, importance, suitability, and/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 it 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 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/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”.) 

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