Building the Best Actuarial Flashcard System

What to Put on Flashcards

Flashcards work best for discrete facts: formulas, distribution properties, definitions, and key relationships. Write one concept per card. For a formula card, put the name and context on the front and the formula on the back. Include conditions or assumptions where applicable. Do not put multi-step derivations on flashcards since those are better practiced through worked problems.

Organization and Review

Organize cards by exam topic so you can review specific sections. Color-code or tag cards by difficulty level. Use digital flashcard apps like Anki that schedule reviews using spaced repetition algorithms. Create cards as you study each topic rather than all at once at the end. The act of creating the card is itself a learning exercise. Review your deck daily, spending more time on cards you find difficult. As the exam approaches, focus reviews on cards you still struggle with while maintaining periodic review of mastered cards to prevent forgetting.