Does this course give me credit toward The Institutes Designations?

Yes! AU 300 gives you credit toward the CPCU, Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Insurance (AINS), and Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designations.

How long does the course take?

AU 300 typically takes students 4-6 weeks to complete.

How is The Institutes Designations' exam structured?

Virtual exams are timed. You will have 65 minutes to complete 50 questions.

How do testing windows work?

We offer The Institutes Designations' exams in 4 testing windows throughout the year.* You can complete your exam at any time in the testing window that you registered for. Access your exam from your account when the window opens and complete any time until 11:59 p.m. ET on the final day of the window. Quarter 1: January 15 – March 15 Quarter 2: April 15 – June 15 Quarter 3: July 15 – September 15 Quarter 4: October 15 – December 15 *Exam windows that close on a weekend will be extended to the following business day.

Does this course give me credit toward The Institutes Designations?

Yes! AU 300 gives you credit toward the CPCU, Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Insurance (AINS), and Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designations.

How long does the course take?

AU 300 typically takes students 4-6 weeks to complete.

How is The Institutes Designations' exam structured?

Virtual exams are timed. You will have 65 minutes to complete 50 questions.

How do testing windows work?

We offer The Institutes Designations' exams in 4 testing windows throughout the year.* You can complete your exam at any time in the testing window that you registered for. Access your exam from your account when the window opens and complete any time until 11:59 p.m. ET on the final day of the window. Quarter 1: January 15 – March 15. Quarter 2: April 15 – June 15. Quarter 3: July 15 – September 15. Quarter 4: October 15 – December 15. *Exam windows that close on a weekend will be extended to the following business day.

Course offered by

The Institutes Knowledge Group

AU 300: Strengthening Commercial Underwriting Decision-Making

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Overview Skills You’ll Gain Exam Prep Tools FAQs

Overview

Build a strong foundation in commercial underwriting and strengthen your ability to make confident, informed decisions. By completing this course, you will learn how to analyze commercial risks, evaluate underwriting and financial information, assess account suitability, and apply key tools to support effective underwriting decisions.

4-6 WEEKS

Technical

Skills You’ll Gain

Analyze commercial risks to identify the exposures and characteristics that matter most when assessing account suitability.

Confidently evaluate underwriting information to distinguish relevant evidence from incomplete, conflicting, or lower-value details.

Make stronger, more informed commercial underwriting decisions by applying financial, operational, and risk-analysis tools.

Explain and defend commercial underwriting decisions by showing how available evidence supports the recommended action.

Ready-Made Career Skills:

Commercial Underwriting
Decision-Making
Risk Analysis
Financial Analysis
Critical Thinking
Problem Solving

Assignments

Assignment 1:

Today's Commercial Underwriting Environment

40 Minutes

Assignment 2:

Evaluating Commercial Exposures

35 Minutes

Assignment 3:

Evaluating Financial Data

45 Minutes

Assignment 4:

Evaluating an Organization's Key Characteristics

40 Minutes

Assignment 5:

Developing an Underwriting Solution

30 Minutes

This course comes with proven, comprehensive study materials to help you take The Institutes Designations’ exam with confidence:

Interactive Online Course: Learn at your own pace through a structured learning experience and modules featuring animations, video, question/answer scenarios, and more.
AI Learning Support: Get help when you need it with an AI-powered tool built directly into your course. Ask questions, get explanations, and stay focused as you work through core topics.
Mobile App with Audio: A flexible and convenient way to assess your understanding anytime, anywhere, and includes audio versions of your course material.
Practice Questions: Test your understanding throughout the course with knowledge checks and exam practice questions designed to reinforce key concepts, identify areas for review, and help you prepare with confidence.
Simulated Exam: Strengthen your readiness using a timed exam that mirrors the structure and difficulty of the actual exam. Students who complete the simulated exam pass at higher rates than those who don't.
Resources: Take advantage of optional learning resources to reinforce your understanding and support your personal study routine.

Try AU For Free!

Sample AU in just 30-45 minutes to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Does this course give me credit toward The Institutes Designations?
- Yes! AU 300 gives you credit toward the CPCU, Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Insurance (AINS), and Associate in Surplus Lines Insurance (ASLI) designations.
How long does the course take?
- AU 300 typically takes students 4-6 weeks to complete.
How is The Institutes Designations' exam structured?
- Virtual exams are timed. You will have 65 minutes to complete 50 questions.
How do testing windows work?
- We offer The Institutes Designations' exams in 4 testing windows throughout the year.* You can complete your exam at any time in the testing window that you registered for. Access your exam from your account when the window opens and complete any time until 11:59 p.m. ET on the final day of the window.
  - Quarter 1: January 15 – March 15
  - Quarter 2: April 15 – June 15
  - Quarter 3: July 15 – September 15
  - Quarter 4: October 15 – December 15

*Exam windows that close on a weekend will be extended to the following business day.