A frustrated student from California called last week. She was very concerned about the life insurance exam and wanted to pass it on the first time but was doubtful. I could sympathize with her dilemma, as I know what it is like to try and study from the conventional approach. One of things I explained, which makes the learning challenging is that, if there is no previous association with the material, it is difficult to have a CONCRETE or VISUAL understanding as to what they are discussing. First of all, it is primarily contracts, laws, or legal terms so there is nothing visual or solid about it. From a physical standpoint an insurance policy is a piece of paper printed with the agreement. They used to be made pretty with etchings of an eagle, and a lady holding a lamp maybe, but now they are quite plain. Your lucky to get a company logo.
In order for our minds to memorize we need a visual anchor. Even if people think they are not needing a visual reference point they are in some capacity because that's how our minds work. It could come from an audio source, but once that visual anchor is established, the mind builds on that. If the task is to put to memory terms that have no spacial context, that are just laws and definitions, AND the study curriculum is all the same size, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, it can be very frustrating. The mind will shut off, get sleepy, get board or frustrated. I have an associate who said the only way she passed the bar was to map the whole thing. She had graphs plastered all over her dorm room. Drove her roommate nuts, but she passed. (In fact some people who practice insurance often go through a career transition into law, because it's more of the same.)
Back to my new California friend, it was interesting that she called at that point because the mapping of the California life and health exam test prep is underway. The new book and eStudy will be finished asap, starting with the Ethics section which will be put up free as a public service. She bought the Visual Quick Notes™Life Insurance book and is also using the eStudy material in color. 85% of the existing material is applicable to all states so it is a fantastic study guide for any state exam preparation. We've got a special going on thru September. If you buy the book you get the eStudy free. Call me at the office, 623-444-6707 to make arrangements.
