Marking principles
All assessment processes, including marking, and moderation, will be conducted anonymously unless the nature of the assessment makes this impossible.
All assessments will be marked by two markers, who will have been subject to a quality control test exercise and deemed acceptable by the Principal Examiner. Neither will know the identity of the student, nor will they know the marks the other awards. This is known as blind marking.
All marking is completed against a detailed marking scheme explaining how the assessment is scored. These are also included in the examiners’ reports, and published to the IFoA website after the results are released.
Prior to live marking all markers and the senior examination team sample mark a selection of candidate scripts to align marking standards and test the marking scheme. At this point the senior team are once again assessing marker competency and ensuring a comprehensive marking scheme is available to support marking the exam.
Due to the nature of many assessments, it is accepted that markers may disagree about the mark awarded for a question – this is not an error.
Moderation (Script Review)
After scripts have been double blind marked, a further moderation process, referred to here on in as the script review process, is instigated. A candidate’s script will be subject to review by the senior examination team if one of the following criteria is meet:
- where the first and second mark awarded lie either side of the pass mark
- where the first and second marks are both fails but the average of the two marks is within 2 marks of the pass mark
The review carried out by the Principal Examiner (or nominee) will involve one of the following
- Full remark of script
- Remark of specific questions
- Review and validation of the marks awarded by the first / second markers and the final mark
Once a script has been identified for review the following criteria will be used to identify the minimum remarking which must be applied:
- Where the first and second mark differs by more than one whole mark: and
- If the first and second mark differs by more than 8% of the total marks available for the question/part question.
Third marking must be applied on a per question basis where an exam has four or more questions in total. Where an examination has three or fewer questions in total, third marking may be applied on a per question basis or on a part question by part question basis.
After minimum remarking has been completed, as defined above, if the script remains borderline, which is defined as from 2 marks below the pass mark to 1 mark above it (inclusive), the reviewer will continue to remark questions or parts of questions until either the total mark awarded is no longer classified as borderline or the entire script has been fully remarked.
On occasion a script may be reviewed even if it does not fall within the marking guideline criteria. The Principal examiner, or nominee, have the discretion to review further scripts; this may be done to validate the pass mark or as part of marker quality control mechanisms.
Final Mark
The final mark will be calculated as follows:
- The average of the 1st and 2nd marks only where no additional marking has taken place as part of the script review process.
- A combination of 1st and 2nd mark averages (where no third mark has been awarded as part of the script review process) and the third mark awarded to questions/parts of questions which have been remarked as part of the script review. For Example, the mark for question 1 is the average of 1st and 2nd marking, question 2 is the mark awarded following script review.
- Script review marks only (in cases where the whole script has been remarked)
The final mark reported to candidates will be a whole number from 0 to 100. When marking, Markers may award a 0.5 mark, and due to this in many cases the average of first and second marks, before rounding, can include 0.25 marks. In all cases where the final mark is not a whole number, the final mark reported to candidates is rounded down to the next lower whole number.
All marks are presented and signed off by the Board of Examiners which takes place on either week 9 or 11 after your exam sitting, with final results being published on weeks 10 or 12.
Marking timetable
When |
What |
Who |
---|---|---|
1-4 weeks after examinations sat |
Scripts returned and scanned |
Secure scanning company |
2-7 weeks after examinations sat |
Scripts marked (1st and 2nd marking) |
Markers |
6-8 weeks after examinations sat |
Scripts reviewed. |
Lead/Principal Examiner |
8 or 10 weeks after examinations sat |
Exam results sent to Assessment team |
Principal Examiner/Assessment team |
9 or 11 weeks after examinations sat |
Board of Examiners meets to finalise exam mark |
Board of Examiners |
10 or 12 weeks after examinations sat |
Results released |
Learning Operations |
Filter or search events
Events calendar
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NoCA UK Teleconference–A Risk Management perspective on Artificial Intelligence and FinTech
N/A22 February 2019This teleconference will be presented by Isaac Alfon
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Sessional Event: Antibiotic Resistance Working Party
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ25 February 2019The IFoA Antibiotic Resistance Working Party has studied the rise of Antibiotic resistance (‘ABR’) and how it has become an increasing concern to the medical professions, health services and governments of the world’s major economies.
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Data Science: Opportunities for Actuaries
The IFoA's first virtual event26 February 2019 - 28 February 2019The IFoA are launching their first virtual conference on the topic of Data Science, that is free to attend. This is an exciting and forward thinking move to reach members all over the world and to share knowledge and discuss developments and techniques within data science.
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Professional Skills Training - London (26 February 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ26 February 2019 -
Leicester Actuarial Science Society presents the 5th Annual Worshipful Company of Actuaries Lecture
The University of Leicester, Ken Edwards Lecture Theatre 3 (see map and directions)27 February 2019IFoA President-Elect, John Taylor will discuss his work on 'robo advice' and the implications of technology for the future of the profession, but also his thoughts about the immediate priorities for the actuarial profession based on his first year with the Presidential Team.
The Worshipful Company of Actuaries will also be explaining their work and presenting two prizes: one each to the best performing 2nd year and 3rd year BSc Mathematics and Actuarial Science student at the University during the session.
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ARC: ERM Results Launch Event
Staple inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ28 February 2019This event is now full. We do operate a waiting system for this event should there become availability, which you can register for here and be added to the waitlist. We will email everyone on the waiting list nearer the time to confirm whether there is availability for them to attend.
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Actuaries Rock event – What happened at GIRO?
Gibraltar Financial Services Commission P O Box 940 Suite 3, Ground Floor Atlantic Suites Europort Avenue GX11 - 1AA Gibraltar28 February 2019This event is run by Actuaries Rock, the regional society for actuaries in Gibraltar. To register please email: kmorgan@gfsc.gi
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SIAS Event: Challenges and Opportunities for Actuaries Working in Data Science
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ4 March 2019This talk will present examples of the use of data science in the General Insurance and Health and Care practice areas. It will highlight some of the opportunities and challenges for actuaries in using the latest data science techniques in these fields.
- Lisa Balboa will present on using predictive analytics to improve health care forecasting.
- Alexander Hanks will present a practical example of training a neural network to fit curves to general insurance claims data.
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Highlights of the Life Conference 2018 - London
Ect Venues, 200 Aldersgate, St. Pauls, London EC1A 4HD5 March 2019This event will cover the highlights from the Life Conference 2018 held in Liverpool. The Conference Committee has reviewed session feedback and has put together a high-quality technical programme featuring the best sessions from the Life Conference 2018. Book now to ensure your place.
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Life and F&I One Day Workshop
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ11 March 2019This cross-practice event for Life actuaries and those in finance and investments roles offers high-quality CPD with a series of thought-provoking presentations covering economics and financial markets, responsible investment, CMA review outcome, FCA requirements, asset analytics, and much more.
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Spring Lecture 2019, Live stream at the Lloyds Building - Professor Sir John Curtice
The Old Library, Lloyds, One Lime Street, London, EC3M 7HA13 March 2019In conjunction with the Scottish Board.
Following the popularity of this year’s Spring Lecture, delivered by Professor Sir John Curtice, an additional venue has been sourced for those wishing to attend a London Livestream event.
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Spring Lecture 2019, Edinburgh - Sir John Curtice
Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ13 March 2019In conjunction with the Scottish Board. Edinburgh is now full. However, you can still register here to view the event live online, allowing those who cannot attend in person to stream the lecture to their computer, laptop, tablet, and phones wherever they are in the world.
We do operate a waiting system for each of the Edinburgh and London venues should there be availability, which you can register for here and be added to the waitlist. We will email everyone on the waiting list nearer the time to confirm whether there is availability for them to attend.
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Spring Lecture 2019, Live stream at Staple Inn - Professor Sir John Curtice
Staple Inn, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ13 March 2019In conjunction with the Scottish Board. Following the popularity of this year’s Spring Lecture, delivered by Professor Sir John Curtice, an additional venue has been sourced for Members to attend a London Livestream event at the Lloyd's building. Please register here. Alternatively, you can still register here to view the event live online, allowing those who cannot attend in person to stream the lecture to their computer, laptop, tablet, and phones wherever they are in the world.
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Sessional Meeting: Investment risk for long term investors - risk measurement approaches
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ18 March 2019The term ‘investment risk’ is often used loosely, and frequently confused with the notion of short term price volatility, particularly for equity instruments. For the long term investor, however, what is most apposite is the ability to meet future real cash flows as they become due.
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KSS event – Index Based Longevity Hedging
Royal London St Andrew House, 1 Thistle St, Edinburgh EH2 1DG18 March 2019This KSS talk on Index Based Longevity Hedging - The Dutch Experience and implications for the UK market will cover the structure of deals to date in the Dutch market; the challenges in determining the Solvency 2 capital treatment for such deals and the work done by the Longevity Risk Transfer Working Party of the Dutch Insurance Association; a proposal for a method for quantification of Basis Risk based on a recent paper “Basis Risk in Index Based Longevity Hedges: A Guide for Longevity Hedgers” by Cairns & El Boukfaoui, and implications for the future, both in terms
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Highlights of the Life Conference 2018 - Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel, 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS19 March 2019This event will cover the highlights from the Life Conference 2018 held in Liverpool. The Conference Committee has reviewed session feedback and has put together a high-quality technical programme featuring the best sessions from the Life Conference 2018. Book now to ensure your place.
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Professional Skills Training - London (19 March 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ19 March 2019 -
KSS event - FinTech and The Actuarial Profession
Barnett Waddingham 163 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2JJ20 March 2019This KSS talk from FinTech Scotland's CEO will explore the mission to create an integrated Fintech ecosystem through provision of funding, support, infrastructure and talent that recognises and responds to the needs of all stakeholders - and the overarching aim for Scotland to be one of the top 5 Fintech global leaders by 2020.
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IFoA’s Diversity Advisory Group: The Power of Deep Listening
Aviva, The Agora, Level 2B, St Helens, 1 Undershaft, London EC3P 3DQ21 March 20198th March is International Women’s Day. The IFoA’s Diversity Advisory Group will be facilitating a session later in March as part of this celebration. Subject to availability. All members are welcomed. Please contact Susan Hunter Jones (susan.hunterjones@aviva.com) to register for the session.
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Actuaries Rock event – What does the Government Actuary do?
Gibraltar Financial Services Commission P O Box 940 Suite 3, Ground Floor Atlantic Suites Europort Avenue GX11 - 1AA Gibraltar21 March 2019This event is run by Actuaries Rock, the regional society for actuaries in Gibraltar. To register please email kmorgan@gfsc.gi
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (26 March 19)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA26 March 2019A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2018/2019. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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NOCA event – To Omega and beyond: the evolution of longevity
N/A29 March 2019Presented by Stuart McDonald
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Sessional Meeting: Improving understanding and transparency around the assessment of the inflations
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ15 April 2019This event is now fully booked. Please register here to be added to the waitlist.
We will email everyone on the list nearer the time to confirm whether there is availability for them to attend.
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Professional Skills Training - London (16 April 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ16 April 2019Please register here to join the wait list
A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2018/2019. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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TIGI 2019 (Technical Issues in General Insurance)
Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4LE25-26 April 2019This General Insurance CPD offering has been changed from former years of individual one day seminars to include individual sessions for IFRS 17, Pricing, Capital Modelling and Reserving over a two-day event packaged as Technical Issues in General Insurance, providing attendees with a varied program . The event is suitable for anyone who works, or are interested, in these areas.
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NOCA event – Technological Developments and the Future of Insurance
N/A25 April 2019Presented by Yossi Sirote
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (30 April 19)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA30 April 2019A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2018/2019. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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IFoA Asia Conference 2019, Chengdu
Crowne Plaza Chengdu Panda Garden, Poly Park 198, No. 1980 ShuLong Avenue,Xindu District, Chengdu09-10 May 2019Offering a diverse selection of plenary sessions and cross-practice workshops, the annual Asia Conference is the perfect opportunity to discover and discuss current and developing actuarial topics in Asia, whilst providing excellent opportunity to grow your network of contacts.
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CILA 2019
30 Euston Square, London NW1 2FB14 May 2019CILA is one of the pre-eminent events in the annual Life calendar. It is aimed at practicing life actuaries from life offices, consulting firms and other employers of actuaries. It will also be of interest to all those who work in or advise on, the life assurance market in the UK and Europe.
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KSS event – Bulk Annuity Market Update
Willis Towers Watson 2 Lochrin Square, 96 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA15 May 2019This KSS talk will give a bulk annuity market update over 2018 and for 2019 and beyond. The presenters will also consider bulk annuity options as part of pension scheme de-risking strategies, and how pension schemes can best prepare when requesting a quote in order to achieve a favourable outcome. To book please email Dawn.Neil@willistowerswatson.com.
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (15 May 19)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA15 May 2019 -
KSS event – Bulk Annuity Market Update
Willis Towers Watson 2 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RW16 May 2019This KSS talk will give a bulk annuity market update over 2018 and for 2019 and beyond. The presenters will also consider bulk annuity options as part of pension scheme de-risking strategies, and how pension schemes can best prepare when requesting a quote in order to achieve a favourable outcome. To book a place please email Dawn.Neil@willistowerswatson.com
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Professional Skills Training - London (16 May 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ16 May 2019 -
Risk and Investment one day Conference 2019
Amba Hotel, Charing Cross, Strand, London WC2N 5HX20-21 May 2019This year's Risk and Investment Conference will be taking place at Amba Hotel, Charing Cross, London.
To book your place click here.
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Sessional Research Event - Saving for Retirement: Rules of Thumb
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ20 May 2019How much does the average person need to save over a full working life to provide a decent retirement income? We call this the Lifetime Pension Contribution (LPC) and have attempted to quantify it.
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NoCA event – Optimising Copula Structures for Risk Management
N/A24 May 2019Presented by Richard Schneider
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Professional Skills Training - London (12 June 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ12 June 2019A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2018/2019. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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NED Event: Behavioural Finance and Boards
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ18 June 2019Substantial work has been undertaken in the field of behavioural finance to explore the psychological factors affecting investment decisions made by individuals. In contrast, “behavioural” factors (such as politics or human psychology) affecting decisions and actions made by institutional investors, such as insurers or pension schemes, are less understood.
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Pensions Conference 2019
Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre, 2 Lower Castle Street, Old Market, Bristol, BS1 3AD18-19 June 2019This year's Pensions Conference will be taking place at the Bristol Marriott City Centre.
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Current Issues in General Insurance (CIGI) 2019
Inmarsat, 99 City Road, London, EC1Y 1BJ19 June 2019CIGI will provide an excellent and diverse line-up of speakers, each providing their insight and knowledge on a range of topics. The programme will be broad in nature, so will be of most value to those with some experience in the industry.
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (20 June 19)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA20 June 2019 -
Sessional: Why the Pensions Dashboard is more than a data collection exercise
Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ24 June 2019The pensions dashboard has been talked about across the industry for a long time and now nears implementation with DWP’s consultation ending in January 2019.
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Professional Skills Training - London (25 June 19)
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ25 June 2019A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2018/2019. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.