Life, Accident and Health Insurance 40 Life Insurance only 20 Accident and Health Insurance only 20

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1 Welcome to the STC School of Insurance, Inc., (Provider #73280) On-Demand Complete Life, Accident and Health Insurance Pre-licensing program for the state of New York. This program has been approved by the New York State Insurance Department as an alternative to the hourly classroom pre-licensing requirement listed below. Insurance Line Required # of Hours Life, Accident and Health Insurance 40 Life Insurance only 20 Accident and Health Insurance only 20 It is very important that you take the time to review and understand the instructions listed below in preparation for your New York state insurance examination. Please take the time to thoroughly review these instructions prior to beginning the course. You should also print these instructions for future reference. Program Objective: This program is designed to prepare the student to take and successfully pass their state insurance examination on their first attempt. Our program has been designed to emulate the stimulation of an in classroom experience while allowing the student to adjust their learning progress to an individual pace. By blending all learning styles and incorporating our proven learning designs, the student also experiences true interactive learning. In addition, the course utilizes STC s unique Locked Mastery instructional flow to insure that all learning objectives are met by the student for each chapter prior to moving on to the real prelicensing exam. Required Study Path Our program provides a combination of traditional textbook style learning, while also incorporating the dynamics of a professionally recorded power point audio presentation. Step #1 Complete the On-Demand program in its entirety. Begin by reading chapter 1 of the textbook, then complete chapter 1 of the On-Demand program. Continue this process until you have read and completed all chapters (both textbook and ODC) applicable to your study program. Step #2 Complete and pass with a 70%+ the on-line certification exam following chapter 20. An approved NYS monitor must audit your exam. Passing this exam verifies course completion and allows you to print your course completion certificate. Additional details are provided further on in this document. Step #3 Schedule and pass your New York State examination. Additional details are provided further on in this document. In order to successfully complete this program as approved by the New York State Insurance Department, you are required to both read the textbook and complete the On-Demand Complete presentation in its entirety. Our Best Practices would suggest that once you read a chapter in the textbook, you then complete the related chapter contained within the On-Demand Complete program. 1

2 Course Overview 1. The Course Navigational Guide Video should be the first item you review following your review of the User s Guide. The Course Navigational Guide Video will show you how the mechanics of our program is designed. After reviewing this video you will then be able to navigate this program with ease. 2. The State Examination Content Outlines are listed prior to the beginning of the On-Demand Complete program. These outlines are important for several reasons. Initially, they are extremely important as they are published by the actual state examination provider PSI. They are designed to give students an outline of the actual state exam with regard to test topics and the number of questions per topic. We strongly suggest you print and review the Content Outlines for each state exam you are taking. In addition, you can use these outlines to conduct a final review of all state examination topics, thus ensuring you have adequate knowledge on all test topics areas. 3. The Life, Accident & Health Textbook consists of 20 chapters, 17 of which have a corresponding On-Demand Complete Power Point presentation. The three chapters that are not contained within the On-Demand Complete program are chapters 11, 18 and 19. Chapters 11 and 18 are Life and Accident & Health exams which should be completed in preparation for your state examination. Chapter 19 is a Glossary of Terms which is available to assist you in your studies. 4. The On-Demand Complete Presentation is a Power Point slide presentation with recorded audio that reviews in detail each chapter of the textbook. In addition you need to be aware that: A. Each chapter of the On-Demand Complete Program has a minimum, pre-determined time limit. This allows the student to meet the required pre-licensing course hourly time requirement as determined by the New York State Insurance Department of Insurance. The program will not allow you to proceed to the next slide or chapter until this minimum time limit has been satisfied and you have completed all the questions contained within each chapter of the On-Demand Complete program. Important Note: 1. Students who ordered the Life and Accident & Health ODC program need to complete all 20 chapters of the program. 2. Students who ordered the Life Only ODC program will only need to complete chapters 1-10, and Chapter 20, sub-chapters 1 and 2. The remaining chapters relate to A&H material and do not need to be completed. You will not be given access to these chapters. 3. Students who ordered the Accident & Health Only ODC program will only need to complete chapters 1-3, and Chapter 20, sub-chapters 1 and 3. The remaining chapters relate to Life material and do not need to be completed. You will not be given access to these chapters. Approximate Time Per Chapter. This chart will provide you with the approximate time it will take you to complete each chapter, exclusive of the textbook reading. The calculation below is based upon the audio/visual On-Demand Complete program, plus 2 minutes to read, answer and review each question contained within each chapter. The chart below does NOT consider time spent actually reading the textbook. Times listed would constitute minimal time required! 2

3 Chapter Time Chapter Time Chapter Time 1. 4 hours 9. 2 ½ hours ½ hours 2. 1 ½ hours. 10. ½ hour 18. Self-study A&H Exam 3. 2 hours 11. Self-study Life Exam 19. As needed - Glossary 4. 2 ¾ hours hour 20(1). 3 hours 5. 2 ½ hours 13. ¼ hour 20(2). 2 hours 6. 2 hours ½ hours 20(3). 2 ½ hours 7. 2 ¼ hours hours 8. 1 ¼ hours hours Total 40 B. Printable Slides Before you begin each chapter, you have the option of actually printing the slides that make up each chapter of the On-Demand Complete program, in a specially condensed page format. This would allow you to take written notations on each slide as you progress through the presentation. C. On-Demand Complete Course Navigation Once a Power Point slide has been completely presented, you can move to the next slide by clicking on the arrow button. In the event you leave a chapter without completing it in its entirety, the program allows a student to begin where they previously stopped using the My Last Location link at the top of the course menu. D. Reinforcing Quiz Questions Within each On-Demand Complete chapter you will find several Reinforcing Quiz Questions. These questions are designed to enhance the retention level of the information contained within each chapter. Students must complete these questions in order to proceed through each On-Demand Complete chapter. The correct answer with explanation is provided. Students will not receive a grade for the Reinforcing Quiz Questions. These quiz questions are intended only to improve the retention of the material addressed in the preceding slides. E. End of Chapter Quiz At the end of each chapter students will also find a Chapter Quiz. Students must complete and score a 100% on each quiz in order to proceed into the next chapter. In the event a question is answered incorrectly, students are automatically given the opportunity to review and retake the questions they missed until they have attained 100% for the chapter. You are not required to take the entire chapter test again, only the questions that were missed. Again, students will not be allowed to proceed into the next chapter until the required time limit has been accomplished AND the student has scored 100% on the End of Chapter Quiz. Once you have taken the End of Chapter Quiz, you must select the Grade Exam button top left. If you did not score 100% on the quiz, you then must select Retake Exam and retake only the questions that were initially answered incorrectly. Once you achieve 100%, you can then go back and review all of the questions with an explanation to the answer itself. Important Note: Please understand that the questions contained in our New York LAH On-Demand Complete program will not be identical to the questions that will be asked on your state examination. In order to pass the actual state examination, you must understand the concepts and insurance principles presented throughout the course. You 3

4 will pass the state exam based on your knowledge of the material, and NOT by simply memorizing answers to the questions presented in this program. F. Attestation Statement At the end of each chapter, students will be required to input the password used to enter the program attesting that they have completed each chapter according to the terms of the On-Demand Complete program. This signature is an important part of the course verification process and becomes part of the student s record. Please keep in mind that this program is subject to audit by the New York State Insurance Department at anytime. G. Final Examination/Course Certificate In order to receive your course certificate, you will need to take and pass a final 100 question examination with a 70% or greater. It is very important that you follow the instructions listed below completely or your examination will be deemed invalid and a course certificate will not be provided. 1. Important Note: New York State insurance law requires this examination to be administered by an approved New York State Insurance Department monitor. The monitor is required by law to begin this examination by completing the Monitor Input Information page. In addition, the monitor is also required to complete the Monitor Affidavit at the conclusion of your examination. Your examination will be voided if you attempt to begin this examination without an approved New York State monitor present. This is true whether you take the final examination on-line or as a hard copy exam. Click link below in order to review the approved New York State Monitor list. Student Information New York State Insurance Regulation 1. This examination must be administered by an approved NYS Monitor. The monitor must begin this examination by completing the Monitor Information page. In addition, the monitor must be present for the entire examination and also must complete the Monitor Affidavit form at the conclusion of your examination. 2. The monitor cannot be a family member of the student. 3. This examination must be taken as CLOSED BOOK. Students are not allowed to use their textbook, notes or any other study information during the course of the examination. 4. The passing grade for this examination is 70%+. 5. A re-take examination will be provided for any student that fails the examination on their first attempt. The re-take examination will contain different test questions. 6. Upon conclusion of the examination, students are not allowed to review the examination or make copies of any part of the examination. 7. Questions not answered will count against the final examination score. 8. Once you pass this course and receive your course certificate, you can then schedule the actual state exam. 4

5 Final Examination Options Upon completion of the entire course you can: 1. Take the final examination on-line that appears in the Table of Contents Section following chapter 20. There is no cost for the on-line exam and you will be able to print your course certificate immediately from your computer OR 2. Request a hard-copy version of a final examination by contacting STC School of Insurance, Inc. Upon request, we will mail you a hardcopy exam. State law prohibits us from sending this exam to the student until they have completed the entire program. You will then be required to return the exam to STC for grading. STC will then mail you your course certificate if you pass the final examination. a. For hardcopy exams only, an additional fee of $10.00 will be charged for shipping, handling and grading. b. At the end of the program you will be provided contact information to order the hard copy exam. This is also when you would pay the additional $10.00 fee. H. Course Certificate 1. If you take the on-line final examination, you will be able to print your course certificate immediately from your computer following the conclusion of the program. 2. If you take the hard copy final examination, you will receive detailed instructions for examination submission. Once received, your examination will be graded. If a passing grade is obtained (70 %+), we will mail your certificate to the address listed on the Student Affidavit Profile form. All forms must be complete and legible. Please remember to use your legal name. In either case, the final examination must be taken with an approved NYS Monitor present or your examination will be voided. Additional Notes: 1. Once issued, your course certificate does not expire and is good for a lifetime. 2. You do not need to take your course certificate to the state examination. It will however, need to be submitted to the state insurance department when applying for license. 3. This course is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged among students. 5. Final Preparation Are you adequately prepared for the state exam? A. Please Note: The statewide pass ratio for all students (not just ours) taking this exam is approximately 60% +/-. Q. Have you thoroughly read the textbook? Q. Have you thoroughly reviewed the ODC program? Q. Have you committed to memory the terms, concepts and principles contained in the material? Q. Do you understand that simply memorizing answers to the questions will not adequately prepare you for the exam? You need to know the material! 5

6 Q. Do you understand that the state exam questions will not be identical to the questions contained in our program? Q. Have you reviewed your State Exam Content Outline listed on the Course Contents page? Q. Have you reviewed the Test Taking Tips listed below? Q. Do you realize some state exam questions are pre-test questions? These are new questions the exam provider is experimenting with that contain new material. They do not count toward your final score, but must be answered. Q. Have you reviewed the PSI Candidate Informational Bulletin? This bulletin provides detailed information with regard to the scheduling of your state exam. See item 7 below. If you have answered yes to all the questions above, you should be ready to go! B. Optional Greenlight exam - The Greenlight exam that follows this explanation is an optional exam developed by instructors at STC School of Insurance, Inc. The purpose of this exam is to provide the student with a final exam that we believe mirrors the degree of difficulty one can expect to find on the state exam itself. This allows the student to constructively evaluate his or her own level of preparedness for the state exam. Please note: The Greenlight is optional, and is not the final certification exam used for completion of the course itself. The final certification exam can be found in the Table of Contents section, within the On-Demand Program itself and must be monitored by an approved NYS monitor. History shows that the state exam will prove to be more difficult than this exam. We have found that scores on this optional exam will be approximately 8-12 points higher than the score earned on the state exam. STC School of Insurance, Inc. makes no guarantee that success on this exam will automatically enable a student to pass their state exam. This exam is, however, a good indicator of whether the student is reasonably prepared for the state exam. This exam can only be taken one time. It will only be accessible upon actual completion of the On-Demand Complete program, and not before. We suggest you score an 85% or higher on this exam prior to taking the state exam. 6. New York State Test Scheduling Information It is the student s responsibility to register for their state examination. This can be done by going to the PSI website. The link is provided below. Once there, select Government/State Licensing Agencies tab; Select Jurisdiction: NY Select Account: NY Insurance Select Exam Classification PSI phone number (800)

7 We strongly suggest you download the Candidate Information Bulletin. This bulletin provides important state examination information including: 1. How to register for the state examination. 2. Fees 3. Examination locations 4. What to bring to the examination 5. Security procedures 6. Important license application information If you need to contact the New York State Insurance Department, they can be reached at: New York State Insurance Department One Commerce Plaza, Suite 2003 Albany, NY Phone: (518) STC Technical Assistance Please call (800) x Instructor Assistance Please call (800) Monday - Friday 9:00 to 5:00 EST 9. Test Taking Tips Prior to Examination * Maintain a Positive Attitude Enjoy the learning process. You are starting a new career with endless opportunities. Remind yourself of the benefits of becoming licensed. * Plan your study calendar. Make sure you have scheduled adequate time for proper study. This would include reading assignments, self-study, quiz questions and final review. Also, don t attempt to learn too much material in one study session, pace yourself (but stay on schedule). * Get a good night s sleep prior to the state examination date. You need to be fresh! * Plan on arriving at the examination center 30 minutes prior to the examination. Don t arrive too soon! * Eat a healthy meal prior to the examination. Don t go in hungry! Test Taking Tips At the Examination * Maintain a Positive Attitude. Enjoy the examination process, have fun! If you believe you can, you will. If you believe you can t, you will probably meet that expectation!!. * Read and Understand the question. Many questions will be simple to understand, other will be difficult. For the difficult questions, you may need to read them several times in order to truly understand what the question is asking. It is impossible to answer a question that you do not understand first! Read the question and then attempt to mentally answer the question. If your mental answer matches an examination answer; chances are you have the correct answer. * Do not read into what the question is asking. Take the question for what it is. If you find yourself asking the question What if they really mean... watch out! * Work the process of elimination to your advantage. Eliminate answers you know are incorrect first. You must then determine what answer best answers the question. 7

8 * If you are stuck on a question skip it and return later. Continually reading the same question over and over does not assist you in answering it correctly. Move on to the next question! In fact, a future question may assist you in answering a previous question! * Certain words such as except, never, not, always, none, insurer or insured can dramatically impact the question. Make sure to read the question carefully. * Answer all questions. A blank question counts against you. * Keep an eye on the clock! Pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on any one question. * Review your answers if time allows. * Do Not Change Your Answers unless you are 100% certain that you misread either the question or an answer. In most cases, your first response is your best response. Don t second guess yourself and change a correct answer to an incorrect answer. * Maintain a Positive Attitude. Relax. Have fun and enjoy the testing experience!! 8