Taking an insurance license test can be a daunting task for most people, but you aren’t alone. Many people who take any state insurance exam, whether it is for a license to sell insurance or become an insurance adjuster, will fail the first time.
However, that should not discourage you from continuing and getting your license. Insurance companies understand that most people who take their tests are not prepared for what is on the test and they’re not likely to pass it with flying colors. They also recognize that no two candidates are alike, therefore some candidates need more or less time to study than others.
As you prepare to take the insurance license test, you should arm yourself with all the necessary information. You may have already gone through this process in your state before and are just trying to get a better score this time around. One easy way to help ensure that you pass the entire exam is to utilize these 6 helpful tips when taking your test.
Familiarize yourself with the type of questions being asked
You are given a total of 150 questions to answer so you need to be ready for anything. All insurance license tests are made up of multiple-choice questions, but this is not the only thing that can appear on your exam. You may also have some true or false or fill-in-the-blank questions plus there will be essay-type questions.
100 of these questions are used to determine if you qualify for your state’s property and casualty department while 50 more will decide which area within you should be licensed in. Make sure that you review all pertinent information regarding property and casualty insurance before taking your test, i.e., definitions, coverages offered, premiums charged, etc. Also, be certain to go back and thoroughly reread your state’s insurance manual so you know for certain what type of question they are asking.
Try taking sample tests online
Most companies offer online learning tests that are free to take. These tests are commonly known as “practice tests” and can help you determine what areas within property and casualty you need to focus on the most.
The practice test will assess your strengths, weaknesses, knowledge level of specific subjects, etc., so it’s a good idea to take at least one or two of these before actually taking your state exam. There are different property and casualty practice test samples available on the internet, so you can take advantage of this valuable tool and practice for free. These are also wonderful examples of how each one is uniquely set up.
You should expect your state’s test format to be very similar if not identical to these exams. However, keep in mind that your state’s test may also contain some additional questions not found on these practice exams. Don’t be too concerned if you find yourself spending more time than needed answering the same question over again; this happens to most people when they first begin taking insurance tests.
Make flashcards to study from
Flashcards are a great way to help you memorize all those little details that will be part of your insurance test. Make them for every subject that will be on the exam.
For example, when studying definitions make one flashcard for each definition. On the front of the card list, all of its details, and on the back write the definition in a few words so you can easily memorize it. You may also want to include the page number so you can look it up quickly if needed. In addition to definitions, make cards for all types of coverages offered and for premiums charged. This way you can make sure you know everything about the topic and how it’s applied.
Spend plenty of time studying and don’t rush yourself
Don’t try to cram for your exam in a few days or even a week. You need time to get comfortable with the material and the format of how the questions are asked, not to mention getting used to taking insurance tests. Your goal is to finish all 150 questions within 1 hour and 45 minutes, which means you have 20 seconds per question plus one minute extra if needed. This may actually be too much time at first but do yourself a big favor and give yourself plenty of time when you first begin studying.
You also need enough time to work on your “weak” areas so you can better prepare yourself when it comes time for taking your insurance test. Remember that everything you study is just important as everything else because each question on your exam is just as important as the next. This means you’ll need to put equal effort into studying and learning everything you can about each topic covered on your exam.
Create a study schedule and stick to it
As with any type of studying you need to set a schedule and then stick to it. This doesn’t mean that you have to study for hours on end; in fact, it’s better if you study for short periods while taking breaks in between each session. We all know how having long sessions of studying can make us feel exhausted, but it’s worse when we try studying too long without taking time off. This definitely will not help keep your mind fresh and ready to answer the next question.
It’s best to take an hour or two after work to start your studying each night and then possibly a few more hours on days off from work during the weekend. Just remember that no one ever became a success overnight so focus on getting plenty
Don’t over study
If you spend too much time studying for an insurance license test, chances are you will only remember the smallest amount of information. You do not want to cram so much into your head that it starts to affect your physical health and energy levels while taking the test. Once you’ve studied everything thoroughly, put away all of your books and notes while doing other activities. Come back a few days before the exam with one or two things in mind that you didn’t cover during the study period – this way it doesn’t seem like you’re starting from scratch when taking the actual test.
As you can see, passing an insurance license test is not as difficult as many people originally thought. You just need to have a solid study plan, be patient with yourself while studying, and take advantage of all the great tools available to help you when taking your exams. As long as you follow these six tips above, chances are that you will pass your insurance test on the first try.
