What is a Zero-Coupon Bond?
One of the key concepts you will be studying in CPCU 540 is zero-coupon bonds. Here is the difference between a regular bond & a zero-coupon bond: When you buy a regular bond, you pay the face value for it. While you own the bond, you'll get interest paid to you...
REDIRECT – Preview Your Test With The Institutes’ Demo Exam
If you've never taken a CPCU® exam before, The Institutes offers a free downloadable demo exam that allows you to preview the test format from the comfort of your own home before your actual test date. The purpose of the demo exam is to show you how the test will work...
Standard Deviation vs Coefficient of Variation
Two of the more difficult concepts to grasp in CPCU® 500 are standard deviation & coefficient of variation. The textbook says they are both measures of variation, but what does that mean exactly & why does that matter? This tip will provide a better...
Using Online Flashcards
If you're thinking about using flashcards to help you with your CPCU® studies, consider the benefits of using online flashcard sites. Sites like Quizlet.com and Cram.com allow you to create your own sets of online flashcards (just like the sets you'd purchase from The...
Questions of Fact versus Questions of Law
CPCU® 530 makes a few references to questions of fact and questions of law, but doesn't do the best job defining either term. This tip will give you a crash course on the differences between the two so you don't get tripped up on your exam. Questions of fact are...
REDIRECT – The Institutes Announces Course Changes Effective April 2018
In their Winter 2018 Key Notes Newsletter, The Institutes announced changes for all of the following courses effective April 2018: ACSR® 1 — Homeowners Insurance ACSR® 2 — Personal Automobile Insurance ACSR® 3 — Personal Lines Related Coverages ACSR® 6 — Commercial...
REDIRECT – How to Beat CPCU 530
We now have a more comprehensive post on CPCU 530, which includes more tips, plus information on the course difficulty, topics covered, and other exam details. Click here to see our Ultimate Guide to Passing CPCU 530.Several factors make CPCU® 530 - Navigating the...
Remembering the Difference Between Bailor and Bailee
Here is a super short, quick tip: several of the CPCU® courses discuss a concept called bailment, which is when someone temporarily gives possession of their property to another party. Bailor refers to the original property owner, while bailee refers to the person who...
REDIRECT – Course Structure for CPCU 500 – 2nd edition
Update: CPCU® 500 has been updated to a newer edition, so the chapters are no longer broken up as outlined below. Our study materials have been updated to reflect the newer edition. Most of the CPCU courses separate their chapters by topic, with each chapter covering...
How to Study CPCU Formulas
CPCU 540® is notorious for its extensive list of formulas, which probably has a lot to do with it having the highest failure rate of all the CPCU courses. CPCU 520 also has its fair share of financial ratios and calculations that you'll need to memorize. This blog...
REDIRECT – CPCU Facebook Group
Did you know that the best CPCU community resource can actually be found OUTSIDE of The Institutes Community? Learn more about one of the most overlooked CPCU resources: The CPCU Candidates Facebook group!
A Crash Course in Reinsurance
Several of the CPCU® textbooks make reference to reinsurance without clearly explaining what that is. The only course that gives a detailed explanation is CPCU 520, but even then, they make references to reinsurance before the reinsurance chapter. If you don't work...