Testing for Your Insurance License: Tips for Exam Day
If you’re planning to take the insurance license exam, you need to be well-prepared come exam day.
Before you schedule your exam, you should take a pre-licensing education course—even if your state’s insurance department doesn’t require it. Exam prep courses cover everything you need to know to pass the exam. Just make sure to choose a comprehensive course through a reputable provider.
Once you have a thorough understanding of the material, it’s time to take your state insurance license exam. You might feel a little anxious about what to expect, so we’ve compiled some helpful tips and information below.
1: Come prepared.
Whether you’re taking the exam in person at an insurance license testing center or online, you need to show up prepared.
Some states require not one but two forms of government-issued ID with signatures and/or photos. If you’re taking the exam online, you’ll submit photos of your government-issued ID and your testing environment for approval before the exam.
If your state’s Department of Insurance requires you to complete a pre-licensing course, be prepared to present your Certificate of Completion.
Be sure to review your state’s candidate handbook before the exam. It contains all the information you’ll need on what to bring. The exam provider for your state (usually Pearson VUE, Prometric, or PSI Exams) should provide a link to the candidate handbook for your state. You can also search online. To see an example, view the Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook.
2: Arrive early.
If you’re taking the test in person, plan to get there 30-45 minutes before your scheduled exam time. This will give you extra time in case you run into any problems or have trouble finding the facility. You’ll have time to relax, clear your head, and look at your notes or flashcards one more time before the exam.
Once you arrive at the testing center, you will sign in and verify your identification and test registration. Late arrivals are not allowed. If you are late, you will have to reschedule your exam for another day—and pay an additional fee.
For online exams, you should plan to be online and ready to take the test at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time. Test your computer webcam and make sure your microphone is on. Make sure you have all the needed materials ready in advance. Closely follow the instructions for what is and isn’t allowed during online proctored exams.
3: Know what to expect on the exam.
All exams are multiple choice, and there are no fill-in questions. But this doesn’t mean the exams are easy. Insurance information is not common knowledge, and the industry is full of tricky concepts and jargon. You need to study for the exam. Taking an exam prep course is the best way to prepare.
If you plan to take your exam online, you will have an opportunity to take a tutorial on how the exam works and see important on-screen features. In-person exams are straightforward. You will take the exam either on paper or at a computer, depending on the testing center. The on-site administrator will provide instructions.
The exams range from 50-200 questions, depending on which exam you’re taking. For example, the P&C (Property & Casualty) exam in Arizona has a total of 150 questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. The Adjuster exam in Georgia has a total of 100 questions with a 2-hour time limit.
Most exams include 5-15 “pretest” questions, which are not counted toward your score. These questions are designed to throw you off, so if you are well-prepared for the exam but see a few questions that seem confusing or don’t make sense, don’t panic. They are most likely pretest questions.
Your exam will be scored on the spot, so you will know right away whether you passed. If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam after a mandatory waiting period (usually 1-3 days).
Study for Your Insurance Exam with America’s Professor
Passing your insurance licensing exam is the first step to an exciting career in the lucrative insurance industry!
The insurance exams are challenging, no matter which state you live in or which exam you take. Give yourself the best chance of passing the exam on your first try by enrolling in a pre-licensing education course through America’s Professor.
We’ve been helping students prepare for their insurance exams for more than three decades. Our experienced professor uses real-world examples and engaging stories to help you make sense of complex insurance concepts and terminology.
When you sign up for a course through America’s Professor, you’ll get instant access to our streaming lectures. We’ll also send you a hardcopy textbook in the mail, so you can highlight sections and take notes. Our practice tests will help you test your knowledge, and if you need help or have questions, our customer service team is just a phone call away.
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