2019 05 Exam SRM Syllabus

Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam—May 2019
The Statistics for Risk Modeling exam is a three and one-half hour exam that consists of 35 multiple-choice
questions and is administered as a computer-based test (CBT). For additional details, please refer to Exam
Rules
The goal of the syllabus for this examination is to provide an understanding of the basics of several
important analytic methods. This exam is a prerequisite for the Predictive Analytics exam, which will go
deeper into each of the covered techniques.
The Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam assumes knowledge of probability and mathematical statistics as
covered in the Exam P and VEE Mathematical Statistics subjects.
The following learning objectives are presented with the understanding that candidates are allowed to use
specified calculators on the exam.
A variety of tables is available below for the candidate and will be provided to the candidate at the
examination. These include values for the standard normal distribution, t distribution and chi-square
distribution. Candidates will not be allowed to bring copies of the tables into the examination room.
Please check the Updates section on this exam's home page for any changes to the exam or syllabus.
Each multiple-choice problem includes five answer choices identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E, only one
of which is correct. Candidates must indicate responses to each question on the computer. Candidates will
be given three and one-half hours to complete the exam.
As part of the computer-based testing process, a few pilot questions will be randomly placed in the exam
(both paper and pencil and computer-based forms). These pilot questions are included to judge their
effectiveness for future exams, but they will NOT be used in the scoring of this exam. All other questions will
be considered in the scoring. All unanswered questions are scored incorrect. Therefore, candidates should
answer every question on the exam. There is no set requirement for the distribution of correct answers for
the multiple-choice preliminary examinations. It is possible that a particular answer choice could appear
many times on an examination or not at all. Candidates are advised to answer each question to the best of
their ability, independently from how they have answered other questions on the exam.
Since the CBT exam will be offered over a period of a few days, each candidate will receive a test form
composed of questions selected from a pool of questions. Statistical scaling methods are used to ensure
within reasonable and practical limits that, during the same testing period of a few days, all forms of the test
are comparable in content and passing criteria. The methodology that has been adopted is used by many
credentialing programs that give multiple forms of an exam. Because this is a new exam, results for the first
several administrations will not be instantaneous. Results will be released on the SOA website about 8 weeks
after each testing window ends.
The ranges of weights shown in the Learning Objectives below are intended to apply to the large majority of
exams administered. On occasion, the weights of topics on an individual exam may fall outside the published
range. Candidates should also recognize that some questions may cover multiple learning objectives.
For this exam, ability to solve problems using the R programming language will not be assumed. However,
questions may present R output for interpretation.
Recognized by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Topic: Basics of Statistical Learning (7.5-12.5%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts of statistical learning.
Learning Outcomes
The Candidate will be able to:

a) Explain the types of modeling problems and methods, including supervised versus
unsupervised learning and regression versus classification.
b) Explain the common methods of assessing model accuracy.
c) Employ basic methods of exploratory data analysis, including data checking and validation.
2. Topic: Linear Models (40-50%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning generalized linear models.
Learning Outcomes

a) Describe and explain the components of, in particular, the exponential family of distributions
and link functions.
b) Estimate parameters using least squares and maximum likelihood.
c) Interpret diagnostic tests of model fit and assumption checking, using both graphical and
quantitative methods.
d) Select an appropriate model, considering:
• Distributions and link functions
• Variable transformations and interactions
• Pearson chi-square statistic
• t and F tests
• AIC and BIC
• Likelihood ratio test
e) Interpret model results with emphasis on using the model to answer the underlying business
question.
f) Calculate and interpret predicted values, confidence, and prediction intervals.
g) Understand how approaches may differ compared to using an ordinary least squares model,
including lasso, ridge regression, and KNN.
3. Topic: Time Series Models (12.5-17.5%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning regression-based time series models.
Learning Outcomes

a) Define and explain the concepts and components of stochastic time series processes,
including random walks, stationarity, and autocorrelation.
b) Describe specific time series models, including, exponential smoothing, autoregressive, and
autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic models.
c) Calculate and interpret predicted values and confidence intervals.
4. Topic: Principal Components Analysis (2.5-7.5%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning principal components analysis.
Learning Outcomes

a) Define principal components.
b) Interpret the results of a principal components analysis, considering loading factors and
proportion of variance explained.
c) Explain uses of principal components.
5. Topic: Decision Trees (10-15%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning decision tree models.
Learning Outcomes

a) Explain the purpose and uses of decision trees.
b) Explain and interpret decision trees, considering regression trees and recursive binary
splitting.
c) Explain and interpret bagging, boosting, and random forests.
d) Explain and interpret classification trees, their construction, Gini index, and entropy.
e) Compare decision trees to linear models.
f) Interpret the results of a decision tree analysis.
6. Topic: Cluster Analysis (10-15%)
Learning Objectives
The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning cluster analysis.
Learning Outcomes

a) Explain the uses of clustering.
b) Explain K-means clustering.
c) Explain hierarchical clustering.
d) Explain methods for deciding the number of clusters.
e) Compare hierarchical with K-means clustering.
Textbooks
Regression Modeling with Actuarial and Financial Applications, Edward W. Frees, 2010, New York:
Cambridge. ISBN: 978-0521135962.
Chapter 1 – Background only

Chapter 2 – Sections 1-8
An Introduction to Statistical Learning, with Applications in R, James, Witten, Hastie, Tibshirani, 2013, New
York: Springer. A PDF version of the text can be downloaded at www.statlearning.com

Chapter 5 – Sections 1 and 3 (excluding 5.3.4)
While exercises are not included in the required readings, candidates are encouraged to work them as part
of the learning experience.
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Statistics for Risk Modeling Exam—May 2019

Recognized by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

1. Topic: Basics of Statistical Learning (7.5-12.5%)

The Candidate will understand key concepts of statistical learning.

The Candidate will be able to:

2. Topic: Linear Models (40-50%)

The Candidate will be able to:

The Candidate will be able to:

4. Topic: Principal Components Analysis (2.5-7.5%)

The Candidate will be able to:

The Candidate will be able to:

6. Topic: Cluster Analysis (10-15%)

The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning cluster analysis.

The Candidate will be able to:

Chapter 1 – Background only

Chapter 2 – Sections 1-3

Tables for Exam SRM

Sample Questions and Solutions

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