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OverviewNature of WorkKnowledge AreasSkills Utilized
Job ActivitiesAbilitiesJob ConditionsWork SatisfactionEducation/Training

Ability Areas

Learn about the most important abilities for Actuaries. Also, find out how proficient you have to be in each ability.

Importance*More Info
1.Mathematical Reasoning81
2.Inductive Reasoning78
3.Deductive Reasoning75
4.Information Ordering72
Oral Expression72
6.Written Expression69
Written Comprehension69
Oral Comprehension69
9.Category Flexibility63
Problem Sensitivity63
* Importance out of 100

Score Key
  Importance for success in this profession
  Level of proficiency needed

Ability Area Scores

Mathematical Reasoning
The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
81
66
Determine how much 10 oranges will cost when they are priced at 2 for 20 centsDecide how to calculate profits to determine the amounts of yearly bonusesDetermine the mathematics required to simulate a space craft landing on the moon
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
78
68
Decide what to wear based on the weather reportDetermine the prime suspect based on crime scene evidenceDiagnose a disease using results of many different lab tests
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
75
66
Know that a stalled car can coast downhillDecide what factors to consider in selecting stocksDesign an aircraft wing using principles of aerodynamics
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
72
57
Put things in numerical orderFollow the correct steps to make changeAssemble a nuclear warhead
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
72
68
Cancel newspaper delivery by phoneGive instructions to a lost motoristExplain advanced principles of genetics to college freshmen
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
69
66
Write a note to remind someone to take food out of the freezerWrite a job recommendation for a subordinateWrite an advanced economics textbook
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
69
68
Understand signs on the highwayUnderstand an apartment leaseUnderstand an instruction book on repairing missile guidance systems
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
69
64
Understand a television commercialUnderstand a coach's oral instructions for a sportUnderstand a lecture on advanced physics
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
63
59
Sort nails in a toolbox on the basis of length"Classify flowers according to size, color, and smell""Classify man-made fibers in terms of their strength, cost, flexibility, melting points, etc."
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
63
45
Recognize that an unplugged lamp won't workRecognize from the mood of prisoners that a prison riot is likely to occurRecognize an illness at an early stage of a disease when there are only a few symptoms