ACA-Sec1 test plan - ACA Cloud Security Associate Updated: 2023

The ISA CST Associate certificate program is designed to provide you with validation that you have the fundamental on-the-job skills needed to excel as a control systems technician working in industrial automation environments.

The CST Associate certificate program defines the criteria needed to be eligible to sit for the test and offers a detailed test review course to help you prepare. Successful completion of the test review course satisfies the eligibility requirements to sit for the exam—even if you don’t meet the education and work experience requirements listed below.

A Step Closer to Certification

Earning this valuable certificate not only provides proof of your instrumentation and control skills, it also counts as a full year of work experience toward the requirements to earn the ISA Certified Control Systems Technician® (CCST®) certification—a mark of career excellence that affirms your commitment to quality and demonstrates your expertise.

Exam Eligibility

1. Completed a two-year academic degree in a related technology area (e.g., degree in instrumentation engineering technology). Related technology areas include instrumentation, measurement and control, electrical, electronics, or mechanical technologies. Computer programming courses related to practical engineering applications qualify.
2. Successfully completed 16 semester course hours or 24 quarter hours from an educational institution within the automation and controls field and/or related areas. Courses in basic science, mathematics, social science, humanities, and communications do not count toward the eligibility requirements.
3. Two years of work experience in a related technology area and the minimum education of a high school diploma.
4. Successfully complete the ISA CST Associate Certificate test Review Course (TS08M). The test fee is included with the purchase of the course.

Exam Review Course

• Describe and apply the fundamentals of temperature, flow, level, and pressure instrumentation 
• Interpret basic P&IDs and define calibration principles 
• Demonstrate appropriate loop checking techniques and start-up of control systems 
• Exam specifications by domain

The Exam

The CST Associate certificate test focuses on the technical knowledge typically covered in a technician training program. You will find the distribution of test questions in the table below.
Note: The CST Associate certificate test is a closed book exam.

Exam Registration

Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

Medical exams are among the top reasons people hesitate to buy life insurance. You imagine sitting in a doctor's waiting room, doing blood draws, standing on a scale, and many other things that make us uncomfortable. But it's easy to understand why life insurance medical exams remain an industry stap — an insurer must gauge its risk before it grants you a policy. Ironically, medical exams lower insurance premiums for the average life insurance customer.

Of course, medical exams may sound overwhelming, especially if you've abandoned a life insurance application or been denied. This is where no medical test life insurance comes in. The stereotypical no medical test policy includes no medical data of any kind. Many buyers also expect coverage in days, or at least that's the idea. Despite what you might hear, it isn't quite that simple.

Who should buy a no medical test life insurance policy?

Many shoppers are misinformed about the target audience for no medical test life insurance. "Who should buy a no medical test life insurance" should be rephrased as "who will qualify for no medical test life insurance coverage?" These policies eliminate the inconvenience of a medical test for healthy buyers who don't use tobacco in most cases. However, it comes with higher premiums, and underwriting can be extended as insurers gather medical data from other sources.

Some small funeral cost policies are more flexible, especially if you invest in workplace life insurance. However, more sizable policies not connected to your workplace can only accept limited risk. Seniors, buyers with preexisting health conditions, tobacco users, and other high-risk buyers may not qualify.

How do insurance companies know who presents a more considerable risk? First, no medical test doesn't mean medical records-free. Applications still include basic medical questions, and companies can rescind life insurance policies if you get caught lying on your application. More importantly, life insurance companies may still order a copy of your medical records. So, companies would go off your last blood tests or appointment notes if you have a history of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, etc.

College students and young working adults with no significant medical issues may be ideal candidates for a no medical test life insurance policy. Another thing to note is companies will only issue small life insurance policies without an exam, and premiums are higher. So if you're looking for a $1 million policy or retirement planning options, you should make time for a short medical exam.

What if I don't qualify for a no medical test life insurance policy?

Some companies only offer small life insurance policies with no medical test required. However, most insurers offer a range of permanent and term life insurance policies. If you don't qualify for a no medical test policy, licensed insurance agents can help you apply for a medical test life insurance policy.

While many companies are going online, we recommend working with a licensed insurance agent, especially for no medical test policies. Any time your application is denied, it creates an alert for other life insurance companies you might try to buy from, reducing your chance of getting a policy elsewhere. An agent can help you avoid this by stopping short of denial if you need to switch to a medical test plan.

Types of no medical test life insurance

Life insurance companies sell four life insurance policies without a medical exam. Coverage, pricing, and the application process are a few of the things that vary widely. So what are your no medical test life insurance options?

Simplified issue life insurance

Simplified issue life insurance looks to streamline the approval process. No blood tests or medical exams are required, but applicants answer basic health questions. If the answers given meet underwriting guidelines (the company uses electronic medical records to verify), you may qualify for a policy. Generally, these policies cover non-smokers with minimal known risk factors. However, premiums are higher, and benefits tend to be lower to account for the elevated risk.

Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue is also commonly referred to as guaranteed acceptance. These whole life insurance plans require no medical test or health surveys. Age limits are imposed, with most policies issued to seniors. But if you're within the stated age range, you are guaranteed a life insurance policy. Guaranteed issue life insurance offers death benefit policies topping out around $20,000 to $30,000, depending on the company. The company does not certain the death benefit or premiums, only the policy. So the same policy may or may not be budget-friendly.

The company may also utilize a waiting period, during which beneficiaries would get a refund of premiums. However, the full benefit would only apply once the waiting period passes.

Accelerated underwriting life insurance

Accelerated underwriting uses everything except the medical exam. Underwriters access applicants' public medical records and credit data. Typically, companies take applicants between the ages of 18 and 60. Regular life insurance underwriting could take weeks or even months. Simplified underwriting life insurance policies can be issued the same day with some online insurance providers. It is not guaranteed issuance, and licensed agents may refer some customers for a medical test life insurance policy. However, death benefits could be higher than other no-medical test policies.

Group life insurance

Group life insurance is part of many employer benefit packages. No medical test is required, and death benefits are typically small. More importantly, it's tied to your employment. So if you separate from your employer, the policy will lapse. You can invest in higher death benefits by increasing your monthly deductions, but this is not required.

Pros and cons of no medical test life insurance

Pros:

• No blood tests or other medical exams required
• Quick approval, sometimes even the same day
• Guaranteed issue available within set age limits

Cons:

• More expensive than a medical exam-based life insurance policy
• Death benefits are lower, and waiting periods may apply
• Insurance companies may base your approval on health questionnaires and medical records
• Underwriting may be less tolerant of prior health issues, including things that would otherwise be non-problematic

No medical test life insurance is sometimes mistaken for a fast and easy solution for older adults or those with preexisting health conditions. In reality, it's just the opposite in many cases. Guaranteed issue policies may only be sold through life insurance companies for seniors. You also pay more to get less coverage across the board.

Life insurance companies can still access medical records. So applicants aren't hiding a history of heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions. The only difference is you don't have to meet with a medical professional for a formal exam. If in doubt, non-guaranteed policies may be harder to get.

How to shop for a no medical test life insurance policy

A workplace policy will be issued based on your employment and yearly benefit elections. If you want the best life insurance companies for no medical life insurance that's all yours, remember a few key things:

• Work with a qualified life insurance agent
• Choose a company or brokerage with medical test options
• Compare quotes and coverage to ensure you understand what you're getting
• Be prepared for higher prices with limited death benefits
• Be honest on any health questionnaires

A no medical test life insurance policy's simplicity may be deceiving. It takes one element out of the application process, but underwriters may pull medical records and be stricter about smoking, preexisting conditions, age, and other common risk factors. Unfortunately, being denied by a life insurance company could make it harder to get life insurance coverage in the future.

Your agent can get a soft underwrite if you're working with a broker or company offering medical test policies. If it looks like your application can be denied, your agent could run a medical test life insurance application instead. A great thing about no medical test policies is that many companies offer online estimates. So you can compare pricing based on age, smoking status, desired coverage amount, etc., before you start the application process.

The most important thing to remember is underwriters still consider medical history. So if answering medical questions, answer honestly. If discrepancies come up later, leaving out details about your health may cause significant problems.

FAQs

Shares in Alibaba Group and other leading Chinese tech firms jumped on Wednesday, as investors cheered an unprecedented revamp of the Jack Ma-founded company as heralding the beginning of the end to Beijing’s crackdown on the sector.

Alibaba said on Tuesday it was planning to split into six units and explore fundraisings or listings for most of them, in the biggest restructuring of the technology conglomerate in its 24-year history.

The group’s Hong Kong-listed shares jumped as much as 16.3%, tracking a 14.3% rally in its U.S.-listed shares overnight. Its e-commerce rival JD.com Inc rose 7% and gaming giant Tencent Holdings Ltd gained 5%.

That compared with a 2.3% jump in benchmark Hang Seng Index and a 3.2% gain for the Hang Seng Tech Index.

Alibaba’s revamp “feels like a continuation of the government restructure” of the tech companies and dismantling of the large monopoly businesses in China, said Jon Withaar, head of Asia special situations at Pictet Asset Management.

“We think this is likely a sign that we are moving closer to the end of the regulatory scrutiny on BABA and we would expect that the company moves back into the good graces of the regulators and policy makers after this.”

China’s unprecedented regulatory crackdown in the last couple of years on its marquee domestic companies, mainly from the internet, private education and property sectors, had wiped off billions in market values and weighed on investor sentiment.

Alibaba said on Tuesday it would split into six units--Cloud Intelligence Group, Taobao Tmall Commerce Group, Local Services Group, Cainiao Smart Logistics Group, Global Digital Commerce Group and Digital Media and Entertainment Group.

The group had been planning to spin off individual business units for a long time, according to two sources familiar with the company’s thinking.

“There was a consensus within and outside Alibaba that the stock was trading at a major discount to the inherent value of the businesses,” said one of the people, adding that the company had become “too bloated.”

The person said there would be five initial public offerings from the units, while Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba’s core revenue drivers, will remain with the current listed entity.

Hong Kong is the most likely venue for these IPOs, said the person, and a separate source familiar with Chinese tech companies’ capital markets transactions.

Alibaba did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

PAIN ENDING?

In Japan, Softbank Group Corp., which has a 13.7% stake in Alibaba, shot up 6%.

Alibaba itself would re-organize into a holding company structure, with Daniel Zhang retaining his position as group CEO, and the six sub-divisions each with their own CEOs and boards.

The revamp is the most significant restructuring in the company’s history and comes after Beijing launched a years-long regulatory crackdown on the tech sector, in which Alibaba was a common target.

A day before the re-organization was announced, Alibaba founder Ma, who had been out of mainland China since late 2021, was spotted visiting a primary school in Hangzhou, the city where Alibaba is headquartered.

Brian Tycango, who tracks China’s tech sector at Stansberry Research, says that in addition to enabling higher valuations, the restructuring better protects individual divisions from future government regulation.

“Any new regulations will likely not affect the whole company now--just the particular division that that regulation covers,” Tycango told Reuters.

The type of pet you insure is only one factor in determining your pet insurance costs. For example, the average cost of pet insurance for a dog is $44 per month and $30 per month for a cat, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis. That’s based on a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement level.

Here are some other common factors that determine pet insurance costs.

Annual Maximum, Deductible and Reimbursement Level

These are the three main variables that determine how much reimbursement you’ll get if you file a pet insurance claim: annual maximum, deductible amount and reimbursement percentage. Pet insurance will cost more if you choose a high annual maximum, low deductible and/or high reimbursement level.

Pet’s Age

Younger pets are typically cheaper to insure than older pets. That’s because older pets are more likely to have injuries and illnesses, which means higher vet bills. Those higher insurance claims are passed on to policyholders in the form of higher pet insurance premiums. We found the best prices for pet insurance are after a pet’s first birthday until around age six.

Pet’s Breed

Certain breeds are predisposed to hereditary problems and illnesses, which could result in more vet visits and higher medical costs.

For example, a small mixed breed dog costs $33 per month to insure compared to $76 per month for a French bulldog, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis of the most expensive dogs to insure.

Pet’s Gender

Pet insurance companies have found that female pets usually have fewer claims compared to males, so some insurers use pet gender in pricing. Male pets cost about 5% more than females for pet insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Your Location

The average cost for a veterinarian visit is about $61, based on Forbes Advisor’s analysis. Since average vet costs vary around the country, insurers account for that when setting rates.

By Brenda Goh and Kane Wu

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG (Reuters) -Alibaba Group on Tuesday kicked off its restructuring with a plan to list its logistics arm Cainiao in Hong Kong that would make the unit the first to be separated since the Chinese e-commerce giant announced its break-up six months ago.

Alibaba said on Tuesday it had submitted an application to spin off Cainiao Smart Logistics Network to the Hong Kong stock exchange, but that financial terms such as the size of the offering had not been finalised.

However, Alibaba, which holds a 69.54% stake in Cainiao, will continue to hold more than 50% of shares in Cainiao and it will remain a subsidiary of the company after the spin-off, Alibaba added.

Reuters reported in May that Cainiao aimed to raise between $1 billion and $2 billion. Since Alibaba co-founded Cainiao in 2013 with partners, including conglomerate Fosun Group and some logistics firms, the unit has become a major logistics provider in its own right in China, serving third-party customers as well as Alibaba.

Cainiao said in its prospectus that Alibaba contributed to about 30% of its total revenue in its financial reporting years between 2021-2023 and the three months to the end of June. In turn, revenue from Cainiao accounted for about 10% of Alibaba's revenue in the latest quarter.

Dealmakers have said that they hope Cainiao's IPO, expected to be followed by market debuts from other Alibaba units in the near-term, will revive sluggish fundraising activities in Hong Kong.

Cainiao will need to file with the China Securities Regulatory Commission within three working days of its Hong Kong IPO filing and receive the regulator's greenlight before going ahead with the offering.

Cainiao has appointed Citigroup, Citic Securities <600030.SS and JPMorgan to be the joint sponsors of its IPO.

Cainiao has raised a total of 31 billion yuan ($4.24 billion) in three funding rounds since it was formed in 2015 and its other investors include Primavera Capital, Singaporean sovereign wealth GIC and Temasek as well as Malaysia's Kazanah Nasional, the filing showed.

Story continues

U.S.-listed shares of Alibaba were down 1% at $86.35 by 1314 GMT following Tuesday's announcement.

SIX UNITS

Alibaba in late March announced its biggest restructuring in its 24-year history. It will adopt a holding company management model and split its business into six units, most of which will explore capital increases or market debuts to fund growth.

The revamp was announced a day after Alibaba founder Jack Ma returned home from a year-long stay abroad, and it dovetailed with Beijing's efforts to spur growth in the private sector after two years of crackdown.

In the months since, the company has approved a process to start external financing for its international commerce arm and was also looking to list its cloud unit.

The cloud unit, however, was hit earlier this month by the sudden departure of Daniel Zhang, who had initially left his roles as CEO and chairman of the group to concentrate his focus on the cloud business.

There has been less than $3 billion worth of IPOs in Hong Kong in the first nine months of 2023, according to London Stock Exchange Group data, compared to $4 billion at the same time last year.

Higher global interest rates and tough new rules put in place by Chinese authorities on their companies wanting to list on overseas exchanges has been blamed by analysts for the persistently weak IPO market in Hong Kong.

($1 = 7.3085 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Kane Wu in Hong Kong; Additional reporting by Josh Ye and Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong, Sinead Carew in New York and Ayushman Ojha; Editing by Varun H K and Barbara Lewis)