If you’re thinking about a career as a property and casualty (P&C) insurance agent, passing your state licensing exam is the first step.
This comprehensive exam tests your knowledge on a broad variety of topics, from property, casualty, and liability insurance to the basics of claims handling. The exam is multiple choice, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
While the P&C exams can vary somewhat in each state, they all cover the same general material. Here are some tips on what to do before and during the exam to help you pass your exam with flying colors.
Preparing for the Exam
Being prepared is everything. The P&C exam is tough, and you’ll need to show up ready to pass. Here are some tips for getting ready:
Enroll in a pre-licensing course: Even if it’s not required in your state, you should enroll in an exam prep course. A high-quality course by a reputable provider will teach you everything you need to know to pass your exam.
Review the test content outline: Every state publishes a test content outline (TCO) with a detailed list of all the topics on the exam. While your pre-licensing course should cover everything you’ll see on the exam, it can’t hurt to review the TCO.
Get organized: Once you sign up for an exam prep course, review the materials and make a study plan. If your course includes a hardcopy textbook, review it, but don’t skip around. Follow the course material as instructed.
Take notes: Whether you use flashcards or an app on your phone, the act of writing or typing out notes is proven to reinforce learning. And, you can use your notes right up until the moments before you take your exam, but not during the exam (exams are closed book).
Put in the time: There’s no getting around it, you must make time to study. The P&C exam is full of tricky concepts and information that are not common knowledge. Plan to dedicate 35-40 hours of time to learn the material. Give yourself 1-2 weeks to study, minimum.
Use the practice exams and quizzes: Your pre-licensing course will include practice exams and mock tests. Don’t skip these. Practice quizzes help you gauge your understanding of topics and pinpoint areas for improvement.
Taking the Exam
These test-taking strategies will help you remain calm, focused, and productive during your exam.
Read each question carefully: Test authors often try to make the exams harder by writing answer choices that are designed to confuse you. Read each question carefully and pay close attention to words like “not” and “if.” For example, “Which one of these is NOT…”
Answer easy questions first: The more questions you’re able to answer with confidence, the better your chances of passing. Don’t dwell too long on tricky questions. Instead, mark them for review and come back to them later, if time allows.
Manage your time: Most students finish the exam with time left over, so don’t panic and start rushing through the exam from the start. But do check the time every so often and assess how much time is left to answer the remaining questions. If you find yourself running short on time, skip questions that stump you and move on to easier ones.
Stay calm and confident: Nerves can lead to brain fog, making it hard to focus. Know how to manage test anxiety before you sit for the exam. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization. Make sure you’re well prepared, and trust in your abilities.
Use the process of elimination: If you’re unsure about an answer, eliminate all options you know are incorrect and focus on the remaining answer choices. This strategy increases your odds of choosing the right answer.
Review your answers: If you have time left over, review your answers and double-check for any missed questions. Pay particular attention to questions designed to throw you off, such as questions that frame things in the negative (e.g., “Which one of these is NOT”).
Prepare for Your P&C Exam with America’s Professor
Whether you take the exam in person or a proctored (monitored) exam online, your test will be scored right away. You will know on the spot whether you passed; however, you will not be told which questions you got right or wrong.
If you need to retake the exam, most states require a waiting period of 1-3 days. Having to retake the exam is a hassle, and there is an exam fee for each attempt. Give yourself the best chance of passing on your first try by enrolling in a pre-licensing course for the P&C exam.
America’s Professor has been helping students prepare for their insurance licensing exams for decades. Our courses are easy to follow, and we strive to keep the material fun, engaging, and memorable. When you sign up for a course, you’ll get instant access to streaming lectures online, followed by a hardcopy textbook in the mail.
Learn why students love America’s Professor and sign up today.
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