Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
MODELING AND SIMULATION BASICS | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED MODELING AND
SIMULATION | 2026/2027
MODELING AND SIMULATION BASICS
1. Which statement best defines a model in the context of modeling and
simulation?
A. An exact physical copy of a system built at full scale
B. A simplified representation of a real or proposed system used to study
its behavior
C. A computer program that replaces the real system permanently
D. A set of measured data collected from a system
ANSWER : B. A simplified representation of a real or proposed
system used to study its behavior
A model abstracts the essential features of a system so that its behavior
can be studied without working on the system itself.
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,Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
2. Simulation is best described as:
A. A closed-form mathematical solution of a set of equations
B. The imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over
time
C. A purely graphical drawing of a system layout
D. The physical testing of a finished product
ANSWER : B. The imitation of the operation of a real-world process
or system over time
Simulation executes a model over time so the analyst can observe how
the system would behave.
3. A collection of entities that interact together toward the
accomplishment of some logical end is called a:
A. Event
B. Model
C. Attribute
D. System
ANSWER : D. System
A system is a set of interacting entities working toward a common
purpose.
4. In a bank simulation, customers are considered:
A. State variables
B. Events
C. Entities
D. Activities
ANSWER : C. Entities
Entities are the objects of interest that move through the system, such as
customers.
5. A property of an entity, such as a customer's account balance or
arrival time, is called a(n):
A. Event
B. Activity
C. Attribute
D. Resource
ANSWER : C. Attribute
Attributes describe characteristics of individual entities.
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,Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
6. A time period of specified length, such as the duration of a service, is
called a(n):
A. Activity
B. Delay
C. Event
D. Entity
ANSWER : A. Activity
An activity has a duration known when it begins, such as a service time
drawn from a distribution.
7. The collection of variables needed to describe a system at any point
in time is called the:
A. System boundary
B. System state
C. System environment
D. Event list
ANSWER : B. System state
State variables together capture all the information needed to describe
the system at a given instant.
8. An instantaneous occurrence that may change the state of the system
is called a(n):
A. Event
B. Activity
C. Attribute
D. Process
ANSWER : A. Event
Events, such as an arrival or departure, happen at a point in time and can
change state variables.
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, Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
9. Changes occurring outside the system that affect it are said to occur
in the system:
A. Boundary
B. State
C. Entity set
D. Environment
ANSWER : D. Environment
The environment lies outside the system boundary but can influence what
happens inside it.
10. An activity that occurs within the system, such as service
completion, is called a(n):
A. Exogenous activity
B. External event
C. Endogenous activity
D. Boundary activity
ANSWER : C. Endogenous activity
Endogenous refers to activities and events occurring within the system.
11. Customer arrivals originating from outside a store are an example
of a(n):
A. Permanent entity
B. Endogenous event
C. Exogenous event
D. State variable
ANSWER : C. Exogenous event
Exogenous events come from the environment outside the system.
12. Which situation is the most appropriate reason to use simulation?
A. Real experimentation is cheaper and faster than modeling
B. The system is too complex for analytical methods to give a practical
solution
C. A simple closed-form formula already gives the exact ANSWER
D. The problem can be solved by common sense alone
ANSWER : B. The system is too complex for analytical methods to
give a practical solution
Simulation is most valuable when analytical solutions are impossible or
impractical because of complexity.
Page 4 of 55
MODELING AND SIMULATION BASICS | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED MODELING AND
SIMULATION | 2026/2027
MODELING AND SIMULATION BASICS
1. Which statement best defines a model in the context of modeling and
simulation?
A. An exact physical copy of a system built at full scale
B. A simplified representation of a real or proposed system used to study
its behavior
C. A computer program that replaces the real system permanently
D. A set of measured data collected from a system
ANSWER : B. A simplified representation of a real or proposed
system used to study its behavior
A model abstracts the essential features of a system so that its behavior
can be studied without working on the system itself.
Page 1 of 55
,Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
2. Simulation is best described as:
A. A closed-form mathematical solution of a set of equations
B. The imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over
time
C. A purely graphical drawing of a system layout
D. The physical testing of a finished product
ANSWER : B. The imitation of the operation of a real-world process
or system over time
Simulation executes a model over time so the analyst can observe how
the system would behave.
3. A collection of entities that interact together toward the
accomplishment of some logical end is called a:
A. Event
B. Model
C. Attribute
D. System
ANSWER : D. System
A system is a set of interacting entities working toward a common
purpose.
4. In a bank simulation, customers are considered:
A. State variables
B. Events
C. Entities
D. Activities
ANSWER : C. Entities
Entities are the objects of interest that move through the system, such as
customers.
5. A property of an entity, such as a customer's account balance or
arrival time, is called a(n):
A. Event
B. Activity
C. Attribute
D. Resource
ANSWER : C. Attribute
Attributes describe characteristics of individual entities.
Page 2 of 55
,Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
6. A time period of specified length, such as the duration of a service, is
called a(n):
A. Activity
B. Delay
C. Event
D. Entity
ANSWER : A. Activity
An activity has a duration known when it begins, such as a service time
drawn from a distribution.
7. The collection of variables needed to describe a system at any point
in time is called the:
A. System boundary
B. System state
C. System environment
D. Event list
ANSWER : B. System state
State variables together capture all the information needed to describe
the system at a given instant.
8. An instantaneous occurrence that may change the state of the system
is called a(n):
A. Event
B. Activity
C. Attribute
D. Process
ANSWER : A. Event
Events, such as an arrival or departure, happen at a point in time and can
change state variables.
Page 3 of 55
, Modeling and Simulation Basics Course Examination
9. Changes occurring outside the system that affect it are said to occur
in the system:
A. Boundary
B. State
C. Entity set
D. Environment
ANSWER : D. Environment
The environment lies outside the system boundary but can influence what
happens inside it.
10. An activity that occurs within the system, such as service
completion, is called a(n):
A. Exogenous activity
B. External event
C. Endogenous activity
D. Boundary activity
ANSWER : C. Endogenous activity
Endogenous refers to activities and events occurring within the system.
11. Customer arrivals originating from outside a store are an example
of a(n):
A. Permanent entity
B. Endogenous event
C. Exogenous event
D. State variable
ANSWER : C. Exogenous event
Exogenous events come from the environment outside the system.
12. Which situation is the most appropriate reason to use simulation?
A. Real experimentation is cheaper and faster than modeling
B. The system is too complex for analytical methods to give a practical
solution
C. A simple closed-form formula already gives the exact ANSWER
D. The problem can be solved by common sense alone
ANSWER : B. The system is too complex for analytical methods to
give a practical solution
Simulation is most valuable when analytical solutions are impossible or
impractical because of complexity.
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