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The ALU Curriculum Committee reviews the topics and content in each of the ALU textbooks on a regular cycle.

Note: Starting with the April 2025 ALU exams, the Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) book is no longer required curriculum for any ALU exams. While not required nor tested, this remains an excellent resource for underwriters.

ALU 101 Exam Textbooks:

Basic Life Insurance Underwriting, 12th Edition
Students are responsible for the entire ALU 101 text.

ALU 201 Exam Textbooks:  

Intermediate Medical Life Insurance Underwriting, 9th Edition
Students are responsible for the entire ALU 201 text.

ALU 202 Exam Textbooks:

Intermediate Non-Medical Life Insurance Underwriting, 11th Edition.
Students are responsible for the entire ALU 202 text.

ALU 301 Exam Textbooks:

Advanced Life Insurance Underwriting, 11th Edition
Students are responsible for the entire ALU 301 text.

In addition to the assigned reading materials, ALU 301 students will be expected to have general knowledge of:

1. medical abbreviations and terminology;
2. normal values for commonly encountered laboratory tests;
3. basic electrocardiographic patterns and their significance;
4. general anatomy and physiology to the degree consistent with day-to-day underwriting and;
5. commonly encountered diseases and impairments.

Sample ALU 101 Exam Questions:

ALU 101 Sample Test Questions

Sample Test Questions Format:

ALU exams use a combination of four question styles to test content knowledge. An example of the four styles of questions is provided below. Sample questions are also available at the end of each chapter within the textbooks.

Straight answer:

The presence of red blood cells in the urine is:

1. hematuria
2. glycosuria
3. proteinuria
4. albuminuria

Except question:

All of the following statements regarding the suicide provision are correct EXCEPT:

1. The burden of proof that death was due to suicide is the responsibility of the beneficiary.
2. Most life insurance policies include the provision.
3. The insurer will refund all premiums paid if a claim is denied due to suicide.
4. It specifies the period of time during which a suicide will not be a covered risk.

Multi-option:

Flat extra ratings are typically used when assessing which of the following risks?

A. morbid obesity

B. scuba diving

C. underground mining

Answer options:

1. A only is correct
2. B only is correct
3. B and C only are correct
4. A, B, and C are correct

Case study question:

Two friends have gone into business together and have been extremely successful. They hired

another friend who is exceptional at sales and has the relationships necessary to help them enter a

new market share, as their Vice President of Sales. As part of this new venture, they have taken out a

significant loan to boost inventory for anticipated sales. The founders have an agreement to buy each

other's share of the business upon death, for a stated amount, in order to continue the business

seamlessly. They decide to visit their insurance agent to purchase insurance for their situation.

The type of buy-sell agreement the founders have is:

1. fringe benefit
2. estate planning
3. cross purchase
4. stock redemption

Fundamentals of Risk Selection:

The revised Fundamentals of Risk Selection booklet is now available.

Selected Bibliographies for ALU Textbook Chapters:

ALU 101	ALU 201	ALU 202	ALU 301
Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 1	Chapter 1
Chapter 2	Chapter 2	Chapter 2	Chapter 2
Chapter 3	Chapter 3	Chapter 3	Chapter 3
Chapter 4	Chapter 4	Chapter 4	Chapter 4
Chapter 5	Chapter 5	Chapter 5	Chapter 5
Chapter 6	Chapter 6	Chapter 6	Chapter 6
Chapter 7	Chapter 7	Chapter 7	Chapter 7
Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Chapter 8	Chapter 8
Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Chapter 9	Chapter 9
Chapter 10	Chapter 10	Chapter 10	Chapter 10
Chapter 11	Chapter 11	Chapter 11	Chapter 11
Chapter 12	Chapter 12	Chapter 12	Chapter 12
Chapter 13	Chapter 13	Chapter 13	Chapter 13
Chapter 14	Chapter 14	Chapter 14	Chapter 14
Chapter 15	Chapter 15	Chapter 15