Education Task Force Incorporates Feedback into Work Plan

Comments from CAS members, students, and other interested parties have helped to focus the work of the CAS Task Force on Review of Education and Examination Process. Requests for feedback were placed on the CAS Web Site, in The Actuarial Review, Notice of Examinations, and Future Fellows.

Task force members have reviewed and discussed all of the feedback received to date. They have developed preliminary recommendations in some areas but continue to discuss and research other issues. In reviewing the process, the task force members found that the current education and examination system is generally healthy but there is room for improvement.

Task force members will continue to review feedback on the CAS education and examination process. Anyone wishing to provide feedback should do so as soon as possible. Send comments via E-mail to tdowney@casact.org (please type "Feedback" in the subject field) or send to:

Task Force on Review of Education and Examination Process and Procedures

Casualty Actuarial Society
1100 N. Glebe Road, Suite 600
Arlington, VA 22201-4798
Fax: (703) 276-3108
Most of the comments focus on the examinations, including the grading process. The most repeated remark is that there is too much rote memorization required on CAS examinations. Students and members are encouraging the use of more creative questions that focus on core concepts.

The following statements, all voiced by more than one person, illustrate the types of concerns expressed by those submitting comments to the task force. Task force members are taking these and other comments under consideration.

Examinations

• Too much rote memorization required—use more "thinking questions" on exams.
• Students should have the right to obtain copies of their own answers.
• Pass ratio seems fixed; people are more prepared, but the same percentage seems to pass.
• Allow more time on the examinations. They are difficult to complete, even if the student is prepared.
• Reveal the raw scores and the passing mark.
• Examination quality is inconsistent from sitting to sitting—there should be a way to judge consistency.
• Have exams prepared by professionals—too much is expected of volunteers.
• Eliminate trick questions (including triple true/false or multiple-choice questions).
• Exam questions do not reflect the syllabus readings.
• Use multiple-choice essay questions (e.g., "Match the statement with the reasons provided").
• Syllabus and exam processes have improved over the past few years.
• Continue to release CAS examinations with answers.

Syllabus

• Syllabus readings are out of date—"classic" old material should be compiled into a Study Note.
• Too much material is on the syllabus/examinations.
• Study Notes and articles should be updated/rewritten on a regular basis.
• Syllabus readings are high quality.
• CAS readings are poorly written and largely incomprehensible.
• Some older Study Kit articles are not clearly printed and should be retyped.
• Professionals could help coordinate Syllabus readings.

General Comments

• Develop a "para-actuarial" designation—broaden scope of actuarial profession.
• New education and examination system seems better than current one.

All comments that were sent to the task force via E-mail are available in the Students' Corner.

The task force appointed liaisons to interact with the CAS admissions committees (Education Policy, Syllabus, Examination, and Student Liaison Committees), the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, the Society of Actuaries, and educators.

The task force will submit a preliminary report to the CAS Executive Council in August.