How to Pass the Life and Health Insurance Exam

In order to get your life and health license, you must first pass the licensing exam in the state in which you want to sell insurance. The process to get licensed itself varies by state, as does the passing score and pass rate. However, the exam structure and life and health insurance content topics are generally the same for most states, as are the best practices for preparing to pass the life and health insurance exam. We recommend you follow these tips on how to pass the life and health exam to ensure your success.

Set and Adhere to a Study Calendar

The average insurance exam-taker spends about 35 to 40 hours studying to pass the life and health insurance licensing exam. In order to better absorb the information, it is recommended that you study for the exam over the course of a few weeks rather than simply cramming during the week of the exam. We recommend setting a study calendar for yourself and sticking to it.

If you take a course with Kaplan, you can simply plug your exam date into our study calendar tool, and we’ll set a plan to keep you on track. Regardless, you can divide up the work you need to do to be ready for exam day into digestible daily study lessons.

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Concentrate on the State Exam Outline

You will want to print out the State Exam Outline for General Lines Life and Health Agent so you understand what material will be covered under each of these topics, as well as how it will be weighted on the exam. The State Exam Outline lets you know how many questions are included in each section of the test. This is very important. It is recommended that you concentrate on the sections with the most questions so you can attain mastery of the key topics first and then move on to the less-tested areas.

Utilize Practice Exams

Be sure to utilize life and health insurance practice exams in your studies. Practice exams will help you gauge how well you have absorbed the information you’ve read, as well as determine which areas still need your attention. We recommend you take at least one practice exam while mimicking testing conditions. This will help you determine whether your pacing is right to get through the exam in the allotted time.

Take an Exam Prep Review Course

While not all states require it, it is a good idea to take a prelicensing education course for your life and health insurance licensing exam. Not only will it help you make sense of the material, but it will help you prioritize and stay on track with your study calendar. With Kaplan, you can choose from traditional live classes, online courses, or printed books for self-study. No matter which study option you choose, you’ll receive the License Exam Manual (LEM), State Law Supplement, a QBank containing hundreds of practice questions, and access to an expert instructor.

Know the Exam Process

Not knowing what to expect on exam day can trip up students who are otherwise well prepared. The testing center can feel a little intimidating, so it’s good to have an idea of what will happen so you aren’t caught off guard. 

You should expect to put all of your belongings in a locker before you get assigned to a testing cubicle. When you get to your assigned test spot, an employee will explain the expected conduct to you. They are very alert to any suspicious signs of cheating, so be sure to follow their directions carefully. Learn more about the exam process here.

The life and health insurance exam can be challenging; however, you can pass on your first try by following these recommendations. Be sure to check out this video from Kaplan’s insurance experts, Julie Ramsey and Mary Orn, with more insurance licensing exam study tips.

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If you are interested in Life and Health insurance exam prep from Kaplan, you can choose from our exam prep options here. We have a study package for every type of learner!