My CPCU journey - almost finished.....
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:51 am
Hello Everyone,
I posted a few times several months back looking for advice/opinions regarding the CPCU program from the Institutes. I wanted to post an update for those that are interested or considering beginning this great program.
I started the program in February of 2011 by ordering the first book, CPCU 500. At first it was very different as I was used to taking other exams and this was my first experience with the Institutes so the materials were different as well as the exams too. Prior to beginning the CPCU program, I had obtained my FLMI designation years ago which I found to be fairly easy. I then moved on to the American College where I obtained my CLU and RHU designations. I was used to and enjoyed the classes with the American College. One item I found very valuable in my studies with the American College was the tapes and later on the cd's that came with the course materials (when I finished my CLU in 2002/2003 they did not have cd's yet and were still sending out tapes that summarized each chapter). Since I drove a lot I liked this as it reinforced what I was reading. I was disappointed to find out that the Institutes did not have tapes or cd's for any courses in the CPCU program.
So I got my books in February of 2011 and intended to get my CPCU done with a year. People thought I was crazy but I was/am motivated to do it and wanted to learn as much as I could. I took the first exam (CPCU 500) on March 5, 2011 and passed. The exam was quite different from the American College exams, both of which can be taken at Prometric. The biggest difference that I noticed was how the questions were written. I found out early on by the way the questions were worded on the exams for CPCU that reading and actually understanding the question was very important as the Institutes liked to word them in a way where if you did not read it slowly and carefully, you were definitely punished. I passed the first CPCU exam on the first try. In fairness, the exam was not that difficult and since I had been in the business ten years and had several other designations, many of the items in the first exam were not completely foreign to me so it was not too bad.
I immediately ordered my books for CPCU 520 and went to work. This course was more difficult than the first one but I passed the second exam on April 23, 2011. Once again I used the materials directly from the Institutes. I had heard about other materials however decided to play it safe and just order the books/materials from the Institutes.
I decided to jump around and skip CPCU 530 for the time being and go right to CPCU 540. I had originally scheduled the exam to be just before June 15, however due to personal issues (my father was dying and I had to take care of him), I did not even sit for this exam. When he passed away on August 11, I had not picked up the 540 book for at least a month at that point and had no motivation at all. It took a long while but finally in October of 2011, I got the itch again. I knew just from reading the book and going through the study guides that 540 was going to be hard. It was the hardest exam that I have taken to date so far. I sat for the exam on November 11, 2011 and passed the exam, although I did not get the usually A or B that I had gotten in the first to exams and had to settle for a C. I did not and do not care because I got through it and that was all that mattered. I've talked to other people that have just taken that exam and I've heard the same thing, that CPCU 540 was very rough.
This left me in a odd situation because it was November 11 and the testing window ends/ended on December 15, 2011. I decided that I would try to "squeeze" one more exam in before the testing window closed. I ordered books immediately and got to work right away on CPCU 555. I took the exam on December 6, 2011 and passed. It was quite easy I found despite being advertised as an "advanced" level course by the Institutes. Thus I was half done and falling behind my goal of finishing within a year from starting, however, due the circumstances at least I was back taking exams again.
I then submitted my waiver forms for two exams (because I had my CLU and FLMI designations, this would waive two classes). I paid my $300 ($150 per waiver) and the Institutes did this right away within a week. Thus I was now down to two left. I had arranged for my books for CPCU 530 to arrive the night I took my 555 exam so I've been working on that and have my next exam for CPCU 530 scheduled on January 16, 2011. IF, I say IF I'm able to pass this will leave just one left after this and I think that I can hopefully get it in before March 5, 2012 so that I can finish within one year.
Here are some of the things I've noticed in taking the exams so far.....
First, although I have gotten through many exams fairly quickly, this is hard and time consuming. I have no family, no kids, no wife. Before it was just my sick father and me and I've spent a lot of time studying my tail off all year long. I've read certain blogs/websites where people have made comments like "I did not even have to read the book to pass the exam". When I was starting off one of my most importan questions for anyone out there that had already gone through the program was how they studied. If you do not read the book at least once, you have no business passing. I've found the actual text book to be the best study tool at all. I do use the course guide and the practice exams online, however, I've found that reading the book at least once and usually twice is the best. The first time I will take some time reading it so I understand everything (I'll get through it quickly but I will highlight what I believe is important and then read the book at least once more making sure to reinforce the important items). How can you tell what is important? If you are using the course guide this tells you. I do not use the course guide the first time I read it but as I'm reading the text the second time I go through the course guide to reinforce the material which I've found is very helpful. Two items that I order but never use are the flash cards and the review notes. I just never got in to using them. I'm sure they are helpful but everyone is different in their preparations for the exam and I've just never used these two items for any of the exams I've passed so far.
Secondly, I've found that for me by scheduling my exam before I start studying that this is the best because it automatically gives myself a date to know that I have to get everything done by. If you do not schedule a date and just wait and study at your own pace, I've found that with me anyway that this is slower and drags the exams out. By scheduling this date ahead of time you can create a study schedule and maintain it. Absolute worst case scenario, if a few days before the exam you know you are not ready (the practice exams are a good indicator of how you can do I've found) then you can just reschedule the exam.
Another tip that I found useful is using my lunch hour to study. It's a great break as I'll find somewhere quiet and read for an hour and come back feeling great because I know that I got an hour of reading/studying in and I did not even have to use my personal time after work hours.
I'll continue to update this thread as I continue to take exams. I wish everyone the best of luck and encourage anyone thinking about starting the program to do it. It's so much fun and I've learned so much. Yes it's challenging and hard work, however, I cannot wait until September of 2012 when I'm at the conferment ceremony in DC and can look at some of the biggest people in the industry, from CEO's of companies to some state insurance commisioners and know that I have a common bond with that person - that they went through the same thing that I did.
I posted a few times several months back looking for advice/opinions regarding the CPCU program from the Institutes. I wanted to post an update for those that are interested or considering beginning this great program.
I started the program in February of 2011 by ordering the first book, CPCU 500. At first it was very different as I was used to taking other exams and this was my first experience with the Institutes so the materials were different as well as the exams too. Prior to beginning the CPCU program, I had obtained my FLMI designation years ago which I found to be fairly easy. I then moved on to the American College where I obtained my CLU and RHU designations. I was used to and enjoyed the classes with the American College. One item I found very valuable in my studies with the American College was the tapes and later on the cd's that came with the course materials (when I finished my CLU in 2002/2003 they did not have cd's yet and were still sending out tapes that summarized each chapter). Since I drove a lot I liked this as it reinforced what I was reading. I was disappointed to find out that the Institutes did not have tapes or cd's for any courses in the CPCU program.
So I got my books in February of 2011 and intended to get my CPCU done with a year. People thought I was crazy but I was/am motivated to do it and wanted to learn as much as I could. I took the first exam (CPCU 500) on March 5, 2011 and passed. The exam was quite different from the American College exams, both of which can be taken at Prometric. The biggest difference that I noticed was how the questions were written. I found out early on by the way the questions were worded on the exams for CPCU that reading and actually understanding the question was very important as the Institutes liked to word them in a way where if you did not read it slowly and carefully, you were definitely punished. I passed the first CPCU exam on the first try. In fairness, the exam was not that difficult and since I had been in the business ten years and had several other designations, many of the items in the first exam were not completely foreign to me so it was not too bad.
I immediately ordered my books for CPCU 520 and went to work. This course was more difficult than the first one but I passed the second exam on April 23, 2011. Once again I used the materials directly from the Institutes. I had heard about other materials however decided to play it safe and just order the books/materials from the Institutes.
I decided to jump around and skip CPCU 530 for the time being and go right to CPCU 540. I had originally scheduled the exam to be just before June 15, however due to personal issues (my father was dying and I had to take care of him), I did not even sit for this exam. When he passed away on August 11, I had not picked up the 540 book for at least a month at that point and had no motivation at all. It took a long while but finally in October of 2011, I got the itch again. I knew just from reading the book and going through the study guides that 540 was going to be hard. It was the hardest exam that I have taken to date so far. I sat for the exam on November 11, 2011 and passed the exam, although I did not get the usually A or B that I had gotten in the first to exams and had to settle for a C. I did not and do not care because I got through it and that was all that mattered. I've talked to other people that have just taken that exam and I've heard the same thing, that CPCU 540 was very rough.
This left me in a odd situation because it was November 11 and the testing window ends/ended on December 15, 2011. I decided that I would try to "squeeze" one more exam in before the testing window closed. I ordered books immediately and got to work right away on CPCU 555. I took the exam on December 6, 2011 and passed. It was quite easy I found despite being advertised as an "advanced" level course by the Institutes. Thus I was half done and falling behind my goal of finishing within a year from starting, however, due the circumstances at least I was back taking exams again.
I then submitted my waiver forms for two exams (because I had my CLU and FLMI designations, this would waive two classes). I paid my $300 ($150 per waiver) and the Institutes did this right away within a week. Thus I was now down to two left. I had arranged for my books for CPCU 530 to arrive the night I took my 555 exam so I've been working on that and have my next exam for CPCU 530 scheduled on January 16, 2011. IF, I say IF I'm able to pass this will leave just one left after this and I think that I can hopefully get it in before March 5, 2012 so that I can finish within one year.
Here are some of the things I've noticed in taking the exams so far.....
First, although I have gotten through many exams fairly quickly, this is hard and time consuming. I have no family, no kids, no wife. Before it was just my sick father and me and I've spent a lot of time studying my tail off all year long. I've read certain blogs/websites where people have made comments like "I did not even have to read the book to pass the exam". When I was starting off one of my most importan questions for anyone out there that had already gone through the program was how they studied. If you do not read the book at least once, you have no business passing. I've found the actual text book to be the best study tool at all. I do use the course guide and the practice exams online, however, I've found that reading the book at least once and usually twice is the best. The first time I will take some time reading it so I understand everything (I'll get through it quickly but I will highlight what I believe is important and then read the book at least once more making sure to reinforce the important items). How can you tell what is important? If you are using the course guide this tells you. I do not use the course guide the first time I read it but as I'm reading the text the second time I go through the course guide to reinforce the material which I've found is very helpful. Two items that I order but never use are the flash cards and the review notes. I just never got in to using them. I'm sure they are helpful but everyone is different in their preparations for the exam and I've just never used these two items for any of the exams I've passed so far.
Secondly, I've found that for me by scheduling my exam before I start studying that this is the best because it automatically gives myself a date to know that I have to get everything done by. If you do not schedule a date and just wait and study at your own pace, I've found that with me anyway that this is slower and drags the exams out. By scheduling this date ahead of time you can create a study schedule and maintain it. Absolute worst case scenario, if a few days before the exam you know you are not ready (the practice exams are a good indicator of how you can do I've found) then you can just reschedule the exam.
Another tip that I found useful is using my lunch hour to study. It's a great break as I'll find somewhere quiet and read for an hour and come back feeling great because I know that I got an hour of reading/studying in and I did not even have to use my personal time after work hours.
I'll continue to update this thread as I continue to take exams. I wish everyone the best of luck and encourage anyone thinking about starting the program to do it. It's so much fun and I've learned so much. Yes it's challenging and hard work, however, I cannot wait until September of 2012 when I'm at the conferment ceremony in DC and can look at some of the biggest people in the industry, from CEO's of companies to some state insurance commisioners and know that I have a common bond with that person - that they went through the same thing that I did.