Document Type

Dissertation

First Faculty Advisor

Bishop, James

Keywords

Actuarial; Five-Factor; Personality; Exam; conscientiousness; neuroticism; performance

Publisher

Bryant University

Abstract

Existing literature indicates that there is some connection between personality and both academic and work-related performance. The author's intent for the research described herein is to explore this connection for students majoring in actuarial mathematics with regard to their performance on actuarial certification exams. Specifically, using the five-factor model of personality, the author seeks to predict the number of attempts required to pass the first two exams in the process (Exam 1/P - probability; Exam 2/FM - financial mathematics) using measures of the five dimensions of the five-factor model (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability) through regression analysis. The author also examined the same variables’ effect on a binary passing indicator. The sample consists of 100 actuarial mathematics majors at three universities in southern New England. Although the results are not conclusive, it appears that conscientiousness correlates positively with performance and neuroticism correlates negatively with performance. In the future, the author suggests research with a larger sample size and an examination of non-linear relationships.

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