How to Pass the Property and Casualty Exam

Passing the state property and casualty exam is the key to selling in-demand insurance products like homeowners, auto, liability, and commercial property insurance.

But the test isn’t easy. While pass rates vary by state, only around 69.7% of first-time test takers in Illinois pass the property and casualty exam.

So how can you increase your chances of being in the group that passes? This article will explain how to pass the property and casualty exam.

Understand the Exam Structure

The property and casualty exam varies by state, but you can generally expect to see:

• Multiple-choice questions

• “Pretest” questions that do not count toward your score

• Questions related to general insurance knowledge at the national level

• Questions related to state-specific industry rules and regulations

• A time limit

• Options for testing at in-person test centers or via online exam proctoring

The Illinois property and casualty exam, for example, consists of four tests (these can be scheduled and taken together to save time and testing costs):

• The general property exam: 50 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions, to be completed in 85 minutes

• The state property exam: 30 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions, to be completed in 50 minutes

• The general casualty exam: 50 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions, to be completed in 80 minutes

• The state casualty exam: 37 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions, to be completed in 55 minutes

Develop a Study Plan

Many insurance exam applicants have busy schedules that include day jobs, family, friends, and other commitments. So it’s easy to put your studies on the backburner while accommodating everything else in your life.

Developing a study plan is one of the best ways to get ahead of this. Schedule your study sessions and keep them, just like you would any other appointment.

Be as specific as possible to avoid ambiguity. For example, you can set and visualize:

• Dates and times that work around your existing schedule

• Locations that allow you to focus

• Study snacks that fuel your brain, including nuts and berries

• Active study breaks that allow you to move your body, providing you with more energy

Use Quality Study Materials

Your study sessions are only as good as your study materials. Some of the most effective study materials are:

• Charts that help you visualize complicated concepts

• Flashcards (digital or physical) that help you master key terminology

• Practice tests that cement the material in your mind while giving you practice with test-taking itself

Teach Others

Explaining the material to others is a powerful way to make sure you know the material inside and out. Plus, the exercise of teaching others about property and casualty insurance gives you practice for educating future clients on different products.

Share what you’re learning with friends and family and look for any blind spots in your knowledge.

Make Exam Day as Calm as Possible

It’s okay to be a nervous test-taker. You might even use that nervous energy to over-prepare, increasing your chances of passing the exam!

But do all your preparation before exam day.

On exam day, do everything you can to reduce stress so you can focus.

• Wake up early so you have time for a healthy breakfast.

• Pump yourself up with an energetic playlist while getting ready in the morning.

• Arrive at the testing center (or online testing platform) early so you can take your time checking in.

Common Exam-Prep Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t make these mistakes while prepping for the property and casualty exam:

• Mistake #1: Ignoring detailed state regulations. These will come up on the test, so be ready for them.

• Mistake #2: Memorizing instead of understanding. Scenario-based test questions will require you to apply the information to real-world situations.

• Mistake #3: Studying randomly. Without structure, it’s easy to overlook important concepts and facts.

• Mistake #4: Using only one resource. Relying on just one method of study may leave gaps in your knowledge. Get the information in multiple formats, including audio, visual, and interactive for a more well-rounded approach.

• Mistake #5: Waiting until the last minute. Cram sessions may help with memory, but they won’t help you learn or retain the material. Instead, study throughout your insurance course, leading up to test day.

Get an Advantage With Aceable’s Property and Casualty Course

Prepare smarter with an insurance course designed to help you pass your property and casualty exam. Aceable’s online property and casualty + exam prep course provides all the materials you need to meet state requirements, plus visual concept charts, practice exam questions, and a premium exam prep video series.

With these exclusive study materials, you’ll be ready to ace your exam and get your insurance license in no time!