Insurance Agent Forum

[indmedins]

I just kept using the CD (no matter how low my score was, and it got depressing receiving 69% many times) and I read the book every night and absorbed as much as I could. I can say the CD gives a real good test of knowledge and is a huge help for the test.

Once you are done with the test, you will never have to worrry about it again, unless you fail to keep up with your CE.

To be honest, the stuff we have to know for the test is useful, but I don't think I had to implement my knowledge of 99% of that stuff in the industry. So, what is on the test is not a great measure of how good you will do in the industry. You might hardly pass, but be stellar at insurance sales and knowhow. Good luck.

[Frank Stastny]

Originally Posted by indmedins

I just kept using the CD (no matter how low my score was, and it got depressing receiving 69% many times) and I read the book every night and absorbed as much as I could. I can say the CD gives a real good test of knowledge and is a huge help for the test.

Once you are done with the test, you will never have to worrry about it again, unless you fail to keep up with your CE.

To be honest, the stuff we have to know for the test is useful, but I don't think I had to implement my knowledge of 99% of that stuff in the industry. So, what is on the test is not a great measure of how good you will do in the industry. You might hardly pass, but be stellar at insurance sales and knowhow. Good luck.

I have helped many agents get through the test. I don't believe agents fail the test because of lack of knowledge but because they try to get through it too fast.

The tests, at least in Missouri, are specifically designed so when one reads the question an immediate answer comes to mind. It will almost always be the wrong answer.

I use to tell them read the question, then read it again literally word for word. Formulate their answer and then read the question one more time.

The agents who did that almost always passed, those who didn't very frequently failed.

[Nwit]

With regard to barely passing......you know what they call the guy who graduates last in his class at medical school?












Doctor!

[indmedins]

Originally Posted by Frank Stastny

I have helped many agents get through the test. I don't believe agents fail the test because of lack of knowledge but because they try to get through it too fast.

The tests, at least in Missouri, are specifically designed so when one reads the question an immediate answer comes to mind. It will almost always be the wrong answer.

I use to tell them read the question, then read it again literally word for word. Formulate their answer and then read the question one more time.

The agents who did that almost always passed, those who didn't very frequently failed.

I actually got frustrated with the CD-ROM. I am too quick. I read the book cover to cover and took the tests at the end of the chapter, going back to the sections where I faired most poorly with wrong answers.

I am sure you can teach the course very well. I know what you mean about taking a methodical approach and what you said WORKS. I remember reading the question several times and not jumping on the quick answer. Reading the question several times was my method.

Makes sense, there is plenty of time to take the test. I used logic and a process of elimination on the test and passed. I would have been lost if I didn't dedicate myself to reading and studying the material in the book.

I was going for annuities and life, but took health just for the hell of it, was only another 50 questions. I was lost with the health studies, and now that is my primary focus in insurance. Go figure. That's life. Wanna buy some health insurance?

[seadevil]

I took the test today for Life, Health and Accident. I used A.D. Banker's material for studying. I also purchased their online practice test. Basically I read through the material once. Took the chapter tests online. Took the sections comprehensive test. Then took the full test. Found out my weak areas and went back to the book for those. Then I just took the practice exams over and over and over and over (you get the picture).

I will say this though, I started to worry on the test today because there were questions and answers that I could not remember covering either in the book or practice test. Another thing that I worried about was I had taken the practice exams so much that I started answering the questions before completely reading them.

During the exam, READ EVERY WORD of the questions and answers. Some questions I had to read four and five times because there would be two answers that had opposite meanings and it depended on the wording of the questions. Also and stated above, there were some curve balls (trick questions).

The only good thing is that I don't have to take it again.

Good Luck

[DarrylVK]

Suggest you buy your states study book & study any definition that you don't know over & over again. I passed with 90%. The test questions in the state book will reveal your weak areas.

Originally Posted by mjlerario

I was looking for a little advice. I have taken the exam twice and have not passed. Any suggestions?

[Rugby]

I am just diving into the A.D. Banker material and would like to accomplish exam quickly. I have a bunch of time this weekend and through next weekend to study. Can you give me an idea of you study time (# of total hours) with this material? Thanks in advance.

P.s. I used a similar method for series 7 and passed easily. Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by seadevil

I took the test today for Life, Health and Accident. I used A.D. Banker's material for studying. I also purchased their online practice test. Basically I read through the material once. Took the chapter tests online. Took the sections comprehensive test. Then took the full test. Found out my weak areas and went back to the book for those. Then I just took the practice exams over and over and over and over (you get the picture).

I will say this though, I started to worry on the test today because there were questions and answers that I could not remember covering either in the book or practice test. Another thing that I worried about was I had taken the practice exams so much that I started answering the questions before completely reading them.

During the exam, READ EVERY WORD of the questions and answers. Some questions I had to read four and five times because there would be two answers that had opposite meanings and it depended on the wording of the questions. Also and stated above, there were some curve balls (trick questions).

The only good thing is that I don't have to take it again.

Good Luck

[Frank Stastny]

Originally Posted by seadevil

I will say this though, I started to worry on the test today because there were questions and answers that I could not remember covering either in the book or practice test.

Welcome to the "wonderful world of insurance" and congrats on passing the test. I only work in the senior market now but if I can help in any way give me a call.

They specifically put questions on the test that are not covered in any of the study material. I'm not sure what the purpose of this is but remember, this is a test designed by the govt. I guess it doesn't have to make sense or have a purpose.

[Winter]

Originally Posted by Rugby

I am just diving into the A.D. Banker material and would like to accomplish exam quickly. I have a bunch of time this weekend and through next weekend to study. Can you give me an idea of you study time (# of total hours) with this material? Thanks in advance.

P.s. I used a similar method for series 7 and passed easily. Thanks in advance.

I am not familiar with the AD Banker material but with any course make sure that you have worked your way through all of the material and then take the practice exams and let those be the guide as to how much more time you need to put in. The insurance exam is not even remotely as difficult as the series 7. They are not even in the same ball park. But there are questions that you will not know the answer to unless you have reviewed the material. A person could be a rocket scientist but if they have not taken at least some time to see what is covered in Part A vesus Part B of Medicare then you simply have no way of knowing.

Use the practice exams as your guide. If the course is worse anything it should tell you where you are as far as readiness and then fix it if you are not. If you passed the series 7 you dont need any tips on test taking or any of that jive. Just spend some time with the material.

Winter

[Frank Stastny]

Originally Posted by Rugby

I am just diving into the A.D. Banker material and would like to accomplish exam quickly. I have a bunch of time this weekend and through next weekend to study. Can you give me an idea of you study time (# of total hours) with this material? Thanks in advance.

P.s. I used a similar method for series 7 and passed easily. Thanks in advance.

I would say you can do it in under 2,000 hours. LOL

Each person is going to be dramatically different. Some can do it in less than eight hours and pass with flying colors. Others spend days and fail the test several times.

If you easily passed the series 7 then this should be a piece of cake for you.

[Rugby]

I somewhat "mistyped"..easily is not really accurate. Studied 75+ hours and passed in the high 80s...Its reading comprehension and repetitive studying of subjects that you have difficulty understanding that works...

Originally Posted by Frank Stastny

I would say you can do it in under 2,000 hours. LOL

Each person is going to be dramatically different. Some can do it in less than eight hours and pass with flying colors. Others spend days and fail the test several times.

If you easily passed the series 7 then this should be a piece of cake for you.

[Frank Stastny]

Originally Posted by Rugby

I somewhat "mistyped"..easily is not really accurate. Studied 75+ hours and passed in the high 80s...Its reading comprehension and repetitive studying of subjects that you have difficulty understanding that works...

I still don't think you will have very much trouble with it. Obviously you have good study habits. I'd be surprised if you have to spend as much time on the insurance test as you did that one.

Just remember, read each question several times before deciding on an answer.

Good luck and we all look forward to you joining us in the "wonderful world of insurance". Well, it can be that about 40% of the time.

[seadevil]

Rugby,

I studied just shy of two weeks, but that was limited to evenings on the weekdays and pretty much one entire weekend. As I stated, I read the study guide for Missouri, after each chapter I would take the chapter exam. When I finished the study guide I did the comprehensive Life/Law only and Health/Law only. I took the results of both tests and went over my weak areas. Then I took the Life/Health/Law comprehensive. I probably took that test 20 times (at least it felt like it), they do have a test generator so you will get different questions. However, once you start taking the test over and over, you may get to the point that you felt like you memorized the exam. I also purchased the insurance definitions book and that helped quite a bit while studying. I think that if a person has solid 4-5 days to study they could pass the Missouri exam.

Frank,

Thank you for the kind words. May have to take you up on the offer.

[Reuben]

Originally Posted by Rugby

I somewhat "mistyped"..easily is not really accurate. Studied 75+ hours and passed in the high 80s...Its reading comprehension and repetitive studying of subjects that you have difficulty understanding that works...

I took the class room study option with AD Banker. using the book, CD, and the five, 8 hour classes, plus half day on Saturday for review, I was able to pass the exam the following Wednesday.

Now AD Banker did not give me any short cuts, there aren't any. They didn't "cram" the knowledge into me; cramming doesn't work in the long run.

What helped was the instructor with 30 years experience in the industry taking the "theory" of the text, and then applying it to real life.

I prefered the class study to the self study, for one thing the instructor was able to give us a very speecific idea of what questions to look out for on the exam. At the end of the week, my text book was covered in highlighted notes etc.

What made the thing even more valueable for me at least, was on the half day, Saturday we went through several hours of questions, as well as looking at how the questions on the exam would be framed.

I'm in California so I don't know about Nationwide, but given the low cost too me, Should I pursue any other other sort of licencing, AD Banker will have a repeat customer.

BTY, I've tried Kaplin, Banker is more "Reuben Friendly".

[divagrl23]

Make sure you take plenty of practice test. Don't look at the answers you would only be cheating yourself. It is better to fail horribly on a practice test than the real thing.

If you have no experiance in the industry try and picture yourself actually doing what is in the text it really helps if you can try and apply the information to what you will actuall be doing.