Insurance exam study plan: a schedule that fits your state’s rules
Last checked October 18, 2026 · Sources: state rules from our Texas, Florida, California, New York and Illinois pages; course access periods from Kaplan and ExamFX. The weekly schedule is our suggestion.
A good insurance exam study plan fits three constraints: your state’s required course hours (from none listed in Texas to 200 for Florida’s 2-20), your course’s access window (60 days at Kaplan and ExamFX), and your exam’s content outline. For most single-line exams, a few weeks of steady study is a realistic target; the schedule below is our suggestion, and you should adjust it to your state’s hours.
Start from your state’s required hours
| State and license | Required course | Hours a week to finish in about 6 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Texas, any General Lines | None listed | Self-paced |
| California, any line | 12-hour Ethics and Code course | About 2, plus exam study |
| New York, Life & Health | 40 hours | About 7 |
| Illinois, Life & Health | 40 hours (7.5 live per line) | About 7, plus live sessions |
| Florida 2-15 | 60 hours | About 10 |
| New York P&C | 90 hours | About 15 |
| Florida 2-20 | 200 hours | Plan longer than 60 days, or check your course’s access terms |
From our state pages. The weekly hours are our arithmetic for finishing within a 60-day course window.
A six-week study plan (our suggestion)
Download your state's candidate handbook, note the content outline's weights, and book a target exam date about six weeks out.
Work through your course or study guide on the general section: policy types, provisions and underwriting for your line.
Study your state's laws: licensing rules, marketing practices and required provisions. Illinois tests these as a separate exam.
Take timed practice exams, such as Pearson VUE's $19.95 tests or your course's simulations, and review every miss.
Review weak areas from the outline, then sit the exam. If you're using ExamFX's guarantee, take its Readiness Exam within three days of your test.
Tips that make the plan work
- Don’t buy a course too early: Kaplan’s and ExamFX’s 60-day access starts when you buy.
- Weight by the outline: spend time in proportion to how many questions each topic carries.
- Don’t skip the state section: it’s where generic study materials are weakest.
- Test soon after finishing: material is freshest, and some guarantees depend on timing.
Common questions about insurance exam study plans
How long should I study for the insurance exam?
It depends on your state’s required hours, from none listed in Texas to 200 for Florida’s 2-20. Many single-line candidates aim for a few weeks of steady study.
Should I study life and health together?
Most new agents do one at a time, since each line has its own exam or section.
How long is course access?
60 days at both Kaplan and ExamFX, according to their pages.
What should I study from first?
Your state’s candidate handbook, which includes the content outline for your exam.
See also our free insurance exam resources, exam day and results and best pre-licensing courses. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with any provider or state.