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PA Study Manual and More!
Begin preparing for the SOA Predictive Analytics (PA) exam with a first-class study manual written by a predictive analytics expert. Designed to support both conceptual understanding and hands-on application, this comprehensive guide helps you build exam-ready skills on a schedule that works for you.
Now enhanced with integrated GOAL questions and Flashcards, included exclusively with the PA Study Manual to support multiple learning styles and reinforce key concepts throughout your study process.
The Exam PA Study Materials include:
- 1,100+ pages of comprehensive, exam-focused content with full syllabus coverage
- 100+ in-text exercises integrated throughout the manual
- 7 full practice exams
- 2 original exams
- 5 past SOA exams
- Integrated GOAL questions to reinforce learning and test understanding as you study
- Over 140 exam-style questions, including practice exams
- Digital Flashcards for efficient review of key concepts
- 114 conceptual review questions available in flashcard format
- Detailed commentary on 8 past SOA PA exams (June 2019–present)
- Downloadable datasets and R Markdown files used throughout the manual
Instructional Videos
Retain more information with our helpful videos that cover key topics in the syllabus. Designed to help you understand the most complex topics and add substantial value to your learning.
We've got you covered with:
- Over 60 instructional videos (covering the core material of Chapters 1-6 of the manual)
- Over 610 hours of video content that walk you through fundamental concepts in PA and the construction of predictive models in R step by step
- Visuals to bring extra value to your learning
- Strong emphasis on key test items in Exam PA
- Now with closed captions in both English and Spanish to make learning more accessible!
Formula and Review Sheet
This at-a-glance tool helps you memorize and recall key formulas and information.
- Covers important formulas needed to prepare you for the actuarial probability exam
- Easy-to-print reference guide you can study with, no matter where you are
About the Authors
Ambrose Lo Ph.D., FSA, CERA
Ambrose Lo, PhD, FSA, CERA, is the author of several study manuals for professional actuarial examinations and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He earned his BS in Actuarial Science (first class honors) and PhD in Actuarial Science from HKU in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and attained his Fellowship of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) in 2013. He joined the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, the University of Iowa (UI) as Assistant Professor of Actuarial Science in August 2014, and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in July 2019. His research interests lie in dependence structures, quantitative risk management as well as optimal (re)insurance. His research papers have been published in top-tier actuarial journals, such as ASTIN Bulletin: The Journal of the International Actuarial Association, Insurance: Mathematics and Economics, and Scandinavian Actuarial Journal. He left the UI and returned to Hong Kong in July 2023.
Besides dedicating himself to actuarial research, Ambrose attaches equal (if not more!) importance to teaching and education, through which he nurtures the next generation of actuaries and serves the actuarial profession. He has taught courses on a wide range of actuarial science topics, such as financial derivatives, mathematics of finance, life contingencies, and statistics for risk modeling. He is the (co)author of the ACTEX Study Manuals for Exams ATPA, MAS-I, MAS-II, PA, and SRM, a Study Manual for Exam FAM, and the textbook Derivative Pricing: A Problem-Based Primer (2018) published by Chapman & Hall/CRC Press. Although helping students pass actuarial exams is an important goal of his teaching, inculcating students with a thorough understanding of the subject and logical reasoning is always his top priority. In recognition of his outstanding teaching, Ambrose has received a number of awards and honors ever since he was a graduate student, including the 2012 Excellent Teaching Assistant Award from the Faculty of Science, HKU, public recognition in the Daily Iowan as a faculty member "making a positive difference in students' lives during their time at UI" for nine years in a row (2016 to 2024), and the 2019-2020 Collegiate Teaching Award from the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
I've bought asm in the past, but switched to actex since asm doesn't have a pa manual. Very happy with Prof. Lo and his support team who helped me get an answer to a question on a Saturday afternoon.
This manual is making all the difference. This material is all new to me and the manual is HUGELY helpful.
Had a problem downloading the files at first. Customer support helped me within a few hours on the weekend. Other than that, the manual has been exceedingly helpful.
Upgraded last week to get the videos too - the manual is probably all you need, but I also like video learning. Toggling between both, I find helpful to cementing the concepts, but also because my brain needs a break from the text. The videos largely cover the same material, but again, I like them and video learning, in general.
this is the best PA material available.
I always use ACTEX and this PA manual; they updated my manual for the new syllabus.
Bought this based on reddit reviews. Prof. Lo is accessible and the manual is really needed. I've been struggling some, but I've found a new approach, starting with watching the videos first.
The manual and videos are good. They cover a lot of the same material in much the same way. For earlier exams the Actex videos often explained concepts by using different instructors so you got a different take on them. I like that approach.
I've had this manual for 3 months now. Just want to thank actex and Lo for it. More to go, but…
I passed using this manual video package. I like actex and used this author's srm manual too. The professors can vary in the videos, but that really has no impact - they are all good.
switched to actex for this PA study guide and videos; best quality overall
Thanks to Dr. Lo; used for SRM too, here also with Dr. Lo's videos
the manual and the videos - both of the highest quality; helps you prepare much more effective for pa.
Thankful to actex for this truly excellent study manual and for the question support when I ran into issues with the r markdown program. Fantastic
Some reviewers felt the pa videos weren't needed, were too similar to the manual - I can't agree, but do agree that the study manual is most important as you prepare for pa. overall quality of manual and videos is excellent.
I passed using this manual video package. I like actex and used' this authors's srm manual too. The professors can vary in the videos, but that really has no impact - they are all good.
I've had this manual for 3 months now. Just want to thank actex and lo for it. More to go, but…
The manual and videos are good. They cover a lot of the same material in much the same way. For earlier exams the Actex videos often explained concepts by using different instructors so you got a different take on them. I like that approach.
Bought this based on redit reviews. Prof. Lo is accessble and the manual is really needed. I've been struggling some, but I've found a new approach, starting with watcching the videos first.
IFoA Core Readings