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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Bildung
- Sprache: Englisch
Pass the Series 7 on your first try, thanks to this Dummies study guide Series 7 Exam 2024-2025 For Dummies gives you the tips, tricks, and practice you need to pass this notorious securities exam and obtain your General Securities Representative license. This updated edition helps you prep for the current exam, and it includes coverage of the latest tax law changes. You'll also find study plans that will help you budget your time, whether you have 8, 4, or 2 weeks to study or are down to crunch time and have just days to prepare for the exam.. And when test day finally rolls around, you'll be ready, thanks to six online practice tests and tons of tips and strategies for success. Your career in finance starts here. * Learn about the Series 7 exam and review the content you'll need to know * Prepare with 6 online practice tests and with complete answer explanations and walk-throughs * Study wisely with detailed plans showing you how to best manage your time * Pass the dreaded Series 7 and launch your career in finance Anyone looking to become a licensed securities broker needs to pass the Series 7--and can pass the Series 7, Dummies-style.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023
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Series 7 Exam 2024-2025 For Dummies®
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ISBN 978-1-394-18703-4 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-394-18699-0 (ePDF); ISBN 978-1-394-18698-3 (epub)
Series 7 Exam 2024-2025 For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Series 7 Exam 2024-2025 For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Gearing Up for the Series 7 Exam
Chapter 1: Introducing the Series 7 Exam
What Is the Series 7 Exam, Anyway?
Profiling the Series 7 Exam-Taker
One’s Not Enough: Tackling the Series 63 or Series 66
Securing Sponsorship and Signing Up
Taking a Peek at the Tested Topics
Understanding the Exam Format and Other Exam Details
Receiving and Evaluating Your Score
Chapter 2: Preparing for the Series 7 Exam
Courses and Training Materials: Determining the Best Way to Study
Outlining Your Series 7 Study Strategy
Managing Your Study Time Wisely
Exploring Study Strategies
Developing Solid Test-Taking Skills
Knowing When You’re Ready
Chapter 3: Examining and Mastering Question Types
Familiarizing Yourself with Question Formats
Shredding the Questions: Tips and Tricks
Chapter 4: Surviving Test Day
Composing Yourself the Day Before
Making the Most of the Morning
Arriving on the Scene
Taking the Exam
Getting the Results: Drum Roll Please …
Part 2: Mastering Basic Security Investments
Chapter 5: Underwriting Securities: Bringing New Issues to Market
Bringing New Issues to the Market
Reviewing Exemptions
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 6: Corporate Ownership: Equity Securities
Beginning with the Basics: Common Stock
Getting Preferential Treatment: Preferred Stock
Securities with a Twist
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 7: Debt Securities: Corporate and U.S. Government Loans
Tackling Bond Terms, Types, and Traits
Making Basic Bond Price and Yield Calculations
Determining the Best Investment: Comparing Bonds
Exploring U.S. Government Securities
Playing It Safe: Short-Term Loans or Money Market Instruments
Structured Products
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 8: Municipal Bonds: Local Government Securities
General Obligation Bonds: Backing Bonds with Taxes
Revenue Bonds: Raising Money for Utilities and Such
The Primary Market: Bringing New Municipal Bonds to Market
Examining Other Types of Municipal Bonds on the Test
Don’t Forget Municipal Notes!
Municipal Fund Securities
Understanding the Taxes on Municipal Bonds
Following Municipal Bond Rules
Gathering More Municipal Bond Info
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Part 3: Delving Deeper into Security Investments
Chapter 9: Borrowing Money and Securities: The Long and Short of Margin Accounts
Getting the Paperwork Out of the Way
Introducing Long and Short Margin Accounts
Playing by the Federal Reserve Board’s Rules
Opening a Margin Account: The Initial Requirements
Calculating Debit and Equity in Long Margin Accounts
Making Short Work of Calculations in Short Margin Accounts
Let the Good Times Roll: Handling Excess Equity
Looking at Limits When the Market Goes the Wrong Way
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 10: Packaged Securities: Open- and Closed-End Funds and Such
Diversifying through Management Investment Companies
Considering Other Investment Company Options
Reducing Real Estate Risk with REITs
Adding Annuities to a Portfolio
Exploring Variable Life and Variable Universal Life Insurance
Investment Company Rules
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 11: Direct Participation Programs: Partnerships
Searching for Identity: What DPPs Are (and Aren’t)
The DPP Characters: General and Limited Partners
Pushing through Partnership Paperwork
Types of DPP Offerings
Passive Income and Losses: Looking at Taxes on Partnerships
Evaluating Direct Participation Programs
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 12: Options: The Right to Buy or Sell at a Fixed Price
Brushing Up on Option Basics
Incorporating Standard Option Math
Mastering Complex Option Calculations
Nonequity Options
Gaining Additional Option Info
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Part 4: Taking Care of Your Customers and Playing by the Rules
Chapter 13: Portfolio and Securities Analysis: Examining Companies and the Market
Knowing Your Customer: Portfolio Analysis
Knowing Your Securities and Markets: Securities Analysis
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 14: Going to Market: Orders and Trades
Shopping at Primary and Secondary Markets
Making the Trade
Understanding the Role of a Broker-Dealer
Receiving Orders from Customers
Designated Market Maker and the Super Display Book (SDBK)
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 15: Taxes and Retirement Plans: Making Sure the IRS Gets its Share
Everything in Its Place: Checking Out Tax and Income Categories
Noting Taxes on Investments
Presenting Gift and Estate Tax Rules
Exploring Retirement Plans
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Chapter 16: Rules and Regulations: No Fooling Around
The Market Watchdogs: Securities Regulatory Organizations
Following Protocol When Opening Accounts
Trading by the Book When the Account Is Open
Committing Other Important Rules to Memory
Testing Your Knowledge
Answers and Explanations
Part 5: A Couple Practice Exams
Chapter 17: Practice Exam 1
Practice Exam 1 Answer Sheet
Chapter 18: Answers and Explanations to Practice Exam 1
Making the Grade
Answer Key for Practice Exam 1
Chapter 19: Practice Exam 2
Practice Exam Part 2 Answer Sheet
Chapter 20: Answers and Explanations to Practice Exam 2
Knowing the Score
Answer Key for Practice Exam 2
Part 6: The Part of Tens
Chapter 21: Ten Series 7 Exam Traps to Avoid
Easing Up on the Studying
Assuming the Question’s Intent
Reading into the Question
Becoming Distracted When Others Finish
Not Dressing for Comfort
Forgetting to Breathe
Trying to Work Out Equations in Your Head Instead of Writing Them Down
Spending Too Much Time on One Question
Changing Your Answers for the Wrong Reasons
Calculating Your Final Score Prematurely
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Start Your Career Off Right
Win at the Numbers Game
Be an Apprentice
Do Your Homework
Treat the Minnow like a Whale
Smile When You Dial
When a Security Goes the Wrong Direction, Don’t Be a Stranger
Put In the Hours
Broaden Your Horizons
Pay Yourself First
Set Some Goals: The Brass Ring
Appendix: Important Figures and Formulas
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 1
TABLE 1-1 Distribution of Series 7 Exam Questions
Chapter 2
TABLE 2-1 The Series 7 Exam in 30-Minute Increments
Chapter 7
TABLE 7-1 Bond Credit Ratings (by Quality)
TABLE 7-2 U.S. Government Securities and Time until Maturity
Chapter 8
TABLE 8-1 Revenue Bond Covenants
TABLE 8-2 Callable Bond Benefits and Risks
Chapter 9
TABLE 9-1 Deposit Requirements for Long Margin Accounts
TABLE 9-2 What Happens to SMA?
Chapter 10
TABLE 10-1 Comparing Open-End and Closed-End Funds
TABLE 10-2 Breakpoints for ABCDE Growth Fund
Chapter 11
TABLE 11-1 Comparing General and Limited Partners
TABLE 11-2 Advantages and Risks of Various Oil and Gas DPPs
Chapter 12
TABLE 12-1 Maximum Gains and Losses for Call Options
TABLE 12-2 Maximum Gains and Losses for Put Options
Chapter 14
TABLE 14-1 Super Display Book (ABC Stock)
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 Regular Way Settlement and Payment Dates
List of Illustrations
Chapter 13
FIGURE 13-1: Components of a balance sheet.
FIGURE 13-2: Basic components of an income statement.
Chapter 16
FIGURE 16-1: Buy and sell order tickets have spaces for the info you need to ma...
Guide
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Table of Contents
Begin Reading
Appendix: Important Figures and Formulas
Index
About the Author
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Introduction
So you want to be a stockbroker (registered representative)? The good news is that a career in the securities field can be extremely lucrative and rewarding. The not-so-good news is that anyone who plans to become a stockbroker and sell securities in any of the 50 states must first pass the Series 7 exam (Series 7 Top-Off Exam), which is no joke. And to accomplish this, you have to commit time and effort.
I passed the Series 7 exam (back when 250 questions counted toward your score) the first time with a very high score, but it required weeks of study and sacrifice. Those who aren’t totally prepared on exam day are in for an unpleasant wake-up call. I always had a few students in every class who enrolled after they already failed the exam the first (or second) time they took it. Most of them initially expected the same easy ride that they’d experienced in high school or college. Not only were they wrong, but they also had to pay hundreds of dollars to reregister for the exam and wait another 30 days (a mandatory FINRA rule) before they could retake the exam. For those unlucky (or unprepared) enough to fail the exam three times, there is a 180-day waiting period.
Back to the good news again. You’re obviously interested in doing well, so you probably won’t be one of those people. This book can help you pass the Series 7 and achieve your goal.
About This Book
This book has all you need to pass the exam, although I certainly encourage you to view other materials and take whatever exams you can get your hands on.
I cover the topics that appear on the test, offer formulas, provide definitions, and go over the foundational information you need to know. I also include lots of tips and a few memory tricks. But the real benefit of this book is finding out how to study and think through problems as well as you possibly can. That’s why I help you choose a study program, explain how to handle specific question types, warn you about common mistakes, connect concepts, and show you how to pull questions apart and get to the bottom of what’s being asked. You then get to apply this knowledge in two full-length practice tests that appear in this book and online, as well as four additional online tests, so you get a taste of the Series 7 experience. (To find instructions for accessing the online practice exams, see the upcoming section, “Beyond the Book.”)
This is a reference book, and most sections are self-contained. In other words, you can read a section and understand it without looking over the text that comes before it. When some background information is helpful, I give cross-references to related topics. Therefore, you can pretty much jump in and out whenever you find topics you like (and when you find those you don’t). And like all good tour guides, I also point you to some other sites of interest — topics you can explore further on your own.
I’ve scattered sample questions throughout this book so you can test your understanding of new info and get a feel for Series 7 exam questions. I’ve also added a quiz and detailed answer explanations at the end of each chapter in Parts 2, 3, and 4 (which cover the subject matter of the exam). And of course, for those sections that don’t include questions, remember that the practice tests that come with this book deal with all kinds of subjects.
I also use the language and lingo of FINRA. That means you see official names (like the Federal Reserve Board), nicknames (the Fed), and acronyms galore (like the FRB). That way, during the test, understanding the POPs, YTMs, TEYs, NAVs, EPSs, ADRs, LMVs, DRs, and so on, shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
If you’re short on time, you can skip the sidebars, which are those little gray boxes that contain interesting but nonessential information.
Foolish Assumptions
While writing this book, I made a few assumptions about you and why you picked up this book. For starters, I assume that you’re looking for a no-nonsense study guide that provides you with the meat and potatoes you need to pass the Series 7 along with a ton of example questions and some sample exams. Well, look no further! Whether you’re preparing to take the test for the first time, retaking the test after a less-than-stellar performance, or looking for a refresher before you recertify, this is the book for you!
Icons Used in This Book
To make this book easier to read and use, I include some icons to help you find and fathom key ideas and information.
This icon highlights example Series 7 test questions (which I follow with helpful answer explanations).
This icon is attached to shortcuts and insider advice for studying for and passing the Series 7 exam.
This icon points to information that’s especially important to remember in order to do well on the test.
This icon warns you away from actions that can harm your work and drop your score.
Beyond the Book
In addition to what you’re reading right now, this book comes with a free access-anywhere Cheat Sheet that includes tips to help you prepare for the Series 7. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type Series 7 For Dummies Cheat Sheet in the Search box.
I also include an appendix of some important figures and formulas on the publisher’s website. To get this appendix, go to the following web address:
www.dummies.com/go/series7exam2024-2025fd
Remember: You can’t take these resources into the exam center, so you need to memorize the information ahead of time.
You also get access to six full-length online practice exams. To gain access to the online practice exams, all you have to do is register. Just follow these simple steps:
Register your book or ebook at Dummies.com to get your PIN. Go to
www.dummies.com/go/getaccess
.
Select your product from the dropdown list on that page.
Follow the prompts to validate your product, and then check your email for a confirmation message that includes your PIN and instructions for logging in.
If you do not receive this email within two hours, please check your spam folder before contacting us through our Technical Support website at http://support.wiley.com or by phone at 877-762-2974.
Now you’re ready to go! You can come back to the practice material as often as you want — simply log on with the username and password you created during your initial login. No need to enter the access code a second time.
Your registration is good for one year from the day you activate your PIN.
Where to Go from Here
Although you can read this book from start to finish, you can certainly work your way through in more creative ways. Where you start is up to you, though please, please don’t start with the tests! Give yourself a good grounding in the content here, and then use the tests to evaluate your understanding and show you where to focus your studies. You can flip to the topics you think you understand fairly well to boost your confidence or skip directly to whatever’s giving you trouble — let the index and the table of contents be your guides. If you have a good understanding of how to take the Series 7 exam, from how it’s structured to how to tackle questions, then you can go directly to the chapters in Parts 2 or 3, which address types of securities. If you’re feeling shaky on the legal aspects, check out the FINRA rules and regulations in Part 4. Everyone, however, can probably benefit from Part 1’s test-taking basics and info on study plans. Wherever you go, feel free to take detours to your textbooks, flash cards, FINRA websites, and any other resources for more information. Just remember to come back so you don’t miss anything here!
Part 1
Gearing Up for the Series 7 Exam
IN THIS PART …
Review the computerized exam format and the procedures for registering to take the Series 7 exam.
Select the right study course and materials to prepare yourself for exam day.
Understand how to organize your study time efficiently and effectively.
Learn test-taking tips to improve your chances of scoring well.
Discover what to expect on test day.
Chapter 1
Introducing the Series 7 Exam
IN THIS CHAPTER
Introducing the Series 7
Taking a look at companion tests
Getting a sponsor and registering to take the exam
Uncovering topics tested on the Series 7
Mastering the computerized exam format
Congratulations on your interest in becoming a stockbroker (or registered representative, to use the parlance of our times). But before you can lose yourself in the energy of the office, the eager voices of your clients, and the warm glow of success, you have to face the Series 7. In this chapter, I give you an overview of the Series 7 exam, including its purpose, structure, format, scoring, and some helpful tips to guide you through the registration procedure. By this point, you've probably already taken and passed the co-requisite Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, so you should be somewhat familiar with the effort taken to pass a securities exam. If you studied for the SIE exam using The Securities Industry Essentials Exam For Dummies, much of the first four chapters of this book regarding how to take the exam, study procedures, test-taking tips, and so on will look familiar. If so, please feel free to gloss over the information you have a handle on.
What Is the Series 7 Exam, Anyway?
The Series 7 exam (Series 7 top-off exam) qualifies you to hold the title General Securities Registered Representative (stockbroker), to sell many different types of securities, and to hopefully make stacks of money for your clients (and a bit for yourself). Individuals who earn their license by passing the Series 7 exam are qualified to solicit, purchase, and/or sell securities products, including
Corporate stocks and bonds
Municipal bonds
U.S. government bonds
Options
Direct participation programs (limited partnerships)
Investment-company securities
Variable contracts
The exam’s purpose is to protect the investing public by ensuring that the registered reps who sell securities have mastered the skills and general knowledge that competent practicing stockbrokers need to have.
The Series 7 itself is a computer-based exam given at Prometric (www.prometric.com/finra) test centers throughout the United States. The 125-question exam, administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), is three hours and 45 minutes in duration. A score of 72 percent or better gets candidates a passing grade and puts big smiles on their faces.
The sections later in this chapter explain the setup of the Series 7 and give a rundown of how to register for the exam. If you have other questions, contact the FINRA Support Team at 240-386-4040 or visit www.finra.org/industry/qualification-exams.
Profiling the Series 7 Exam-Taker
The Series 7 exam is for people who want to
Enter the securities industry
Become registered representatives
Work for a securities broker-dealer
Although some less-prestigious exams (for example, the Series 6 - Series 6 Top-Off Exam) can qualify you to sell some securities, most broker-dealers want their rising stars (that’s you) to have the Series 7 license. That way, you can work with almost the whole kit and caboodle — corporate stocks and bonds, municipal and U.S. government bonds, options, direct participation programs, investment companies, variable contracts, and so on.
People who have a long and sordid history of embezzlement, forgery, and fraud are generally disqualified and precluded from taking the exam. Candidates must disclose any prior criminal records, and FINRA reviews each application on a case-by-case basis.
One’s Not Enough: Tackling the Series 63 or Series 66
As of October 1, 2018, FINRA upset the applecart by dividing the Series 7 into the Securities Industry Essentials exam and the Series 7 (Series 7 top-off) exam. Because you don't need a sponsor to take the Securities Industry Essentials exam, you've probably already taken it. So, after tackling the Securities Industry Essential and Series 7 exams, you'll have to take one of the state licensing exams. You'll need to pass the Series 63 or Series 66 to be able to work in the securities industry because these exams and the Series 7 are co-requisites in most states. You can take the Series 63 or 66 either before or after you take the Series 7, but most people start studying for the Series 63 or 66 and register to take it right after passing the Series 7.
Note: Even if you live in a state that doesn’t require either of these licenses, you still need to obtain one if you want to sell securities to someone who lives in a state that does require it. Just figure that your firm will require you to obtain the 63 or 66 to sell securities — your firm should tell you which one to take. The following sections explain what the two state-licensing exams cover.
Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam
The Series 63 is a 65-question test that the North American Securities Administrator Association (NASAA) developed, and it’s designed to qualify candidates as securities agents. The Series 63 exam covers state securities regulation rules as well as rules prohibiting unethical and dishonest business practices (not that you’d do anything like that). The Series 63 used to be the most common test taken along with the Series 7 and SIE. Judging by class sizes, however, now, many more students are taking the Series 66 as compared to the Series 63.
Series 66: Uniform Combined State Law Exam
The Series 66 is a 100-question NASAA exam that combines the Series 63 and the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser). The Series 66 is designed to qualify candidates as both securities agents and investment adviser representatives (IARs). The Series 65 portion of the Series 66 allows you to collect a fee for just giving investment advice. This license was implemented several years ago, and it’ll most likely be required if you work for one of the bigger broker-dealers. More and more firms are requiring the Series 66 because it gives their registered reps an additional service to provide for their clients and an additional way for you (and your firm) to make money.
Securing Sponsorship and Signing Up
Unlike the SIE, all candidates (that’s you) must have a sponsoring brokerage firm in order to register for the Series 7 exam. After passing the exam, your license will be in your own name; however, you have to be working for a firm in order for your license to be active. Generally, a firm hires you and then acts as your sponsor.
The following sections explain the basic exam requirements and help you navigate your way through the exam registration process.
Filling out an application to enroll
For you to obtain admission to the Series 7, your sponsoring firm has to file an application form (called a U-4) and pay the required processing fees with the Central Registration Depository (CRD). The U-4 is an annoying little form with about a gazillion pages that requires you to remember where you were ten years ago. You’re also required to submit your fingerprints, and you have to complete this step through an approved facility. Your firm will likely recommend the place it uses — often the local police precinct. (Be advised that your sponsoring firm will probably frown upon your fingerprints if they’re attached to your mug shot.)
If you want to see a preview of the U-4 registration form that you’re responsible for filling out and that your firm has to submit, go to www.finra.org/sites/default/files/form-u4.pdf.
It’s a date! Scheduling your exam
After your firm files the application with the Central Registration Depository and receives your enrollment notification, you can schedule an appointment to take the exam by contacting the Prometric Testing Center. Locate the test center nearest you by calling the Prometric center (800-578-6273) during business hours. Or you can visit www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/1finra to schedule to take your exam at a Prometric testing center or to schedule for online delivery to take the test at your location (click the link “Option 2: Schedule your exam for online delivery”).
Online testing at your desired location became increasingly popular during the pandemic when many of the testing centers were closed. At the end of this chapter, I discuss what you need to do to take the exam online. Check out the sidebar “Can You Take the Test at Your Location?”
Your Series 7 exam enrollment is valid for 120 days — you have to take the exam within this time frame. When scheduling your exam appointment, be ready to provide the exam administrators with
Your name and Social Security number and/or FINRA number
The name of your firm
A telephone contact to reach you and your employer
The name of the securities exam you’re registering to take
Your desired test date
Getting an appointment usually takes about one to two weeks, depending on the time of year (you may wait longer in the summer than around Christmastime). Prometric will confirm your appointment on the phone or via email.
I suggest putting pressure on yourself and scheduling the exam a little sooner than you think you may be ready to take it; you can always move the test date back. (There will be a charge if you cancel within ten business days of your test date.) You know yourself best, but I think most students study better when they have a target test date.
You have a choice of locations to take the exam. If you don’t mind traveling, you may want to schedule your exam at a location far away (maybe even in a different state) to get the test date that you want.
After you have your test date set, you may find that you’re ready sooner or will be ready later than your scheduled appointment. The exam center administrators are usually pretty accommodating about changing appointments and/or locations as long as you call before noon at least two business days before your test date, but there may be a fee involved.
You can get an extension from the 120-day enrollment only if you call within ten days of your enrollment expiration and if no earlier test dates are available.
Planning ahead for special accommodations
If you require special accommodations when taking your Series 7 exam, you can’t schedule your exam online. You have to contact the FINRA Special Conditions Team at 800-999-6647 or fill out the special-accommodations form at www.finra.org/sites/default/files/SA-Eligibility-Questionairre.pdf. Read on for info on what the test administrators can do if you have a disability or if English isn’t your first language.
Depending on your testing center, you may have to receive authorization to bring medical devices and supplies — such as insulin pumps, eye drops, and inhalers — into the testing room. If you need authorization, call your local Prometric testing center, and they’ll be able to guide you on the approval process.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) candidates
If you’re disabled or learning impaired, FINRA provides testing modifications and aids in compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To qualify for ADA provisions, your disabilities have to permanently limit a major life activity, such as learning, speech, hearing, or vision.
To apply for special accommodations, you need to submit documentation from your physician or licensed healthcare professional to FINRA, along with a letter from your sponsoring firm requesting the special arrangements. Additionally, you have to submit the FINRA Special Accommodations Eligibility Questionnaire and Special Accommodations Verification Request Form for all special arrangement requests. (You can find links to the forms at www.finra.org/industry/special-accommodations.)
You may request the accommodations you want approved; possible aids include but are not limited to
Extra time
A reader, writer, or recorder
A private testing room
A large-print exam booklet
Wheelchair-accessible locations
FINRA reserves the right to make all final decisions about accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
English as a second language (ESL) candidates
If English is your second language, you can request additional time to take the exam when you schedule your SIE test date. If FINRA approves, you receive a little extra time to complete the exam. In general, it gives an extra 30 minutes for exams less than two hours and an extra hour for exams over two hours.
To qualify for extra time due to English being your second language (LEP — Limited English Proficiency), fill out the form at www.finra.org/sites/default/files/LEP-request-form.pdf.
Just in case: Cancelling as an option
If something comes up or if you feel you’re just not ready, you can cancel your appointment to take the Series 7 exam without penalty if you do so at least ten business days before the exam date. If a holiday falls within the cancellation period, you have to cancel an additional business day earlier. For example, if you’re scheduled to take the exam on a Wednesday, you have to cancel on Tuesday two weeks before your exam date. If a holiday falls between those dates, you have to cancel on Monday two weeks before your exam date. For more information, you can visit www.finra.org/industry/reschedule-or-cancel-your-appointment.
TEST CENTER AMENITIES
Series 7 test centers are required to comply with FINRA site guidelines; however, some of the older centers may not have the amenities that the newer ones do (such as lockers and earplugs). To protect yourself from a whole variety of unpleasant, unexpected site surprises on exam day, the FINRA website (www.finra.org) offers general information, including test center security guidelines (including candidate ID requirements, personal items allowed, and provided aids), test center rules of conduct, and so on. For more site-specific questions, like whether a cafeteria, vending machines, or lockers are on site, ask the center’s administrator when you schedule your test date.
As of this writing, testing centers that had closed during the pandemic are reopened, and masks or vaccination are not required. The situation remains fluid and may change as the number of virus-infected individuals increases or decreases. I suggest you check the following link for the latest Prometric updates: www.prometric.com/corona-virus-update. In addition, FINRA in combination with NASAA, have recently set up an online testing service. For the latest, go to www.finra.org/rules-guidance/key-topics/covid-19/exams.
If you cancel after the proscribed deadline, if you don’t show up to take the exam, or if you show up too late to take the exam, you will be charged a cancellation fee equal to the Series 7 exam fee paid by your firm, and there is no hardship policy. I’m sure the old “I forgot” excuse has been tried, but I’ve never heard of it being effective.
Taking a Peek at the Tested Topics
As a practical exam, the Series 7 requires you to master vocabulary, handle customer accounts, understand the rules and regulations that govern the securities industry, and yes, work with some math formulas. For ease of use (and because humans have a limited life span), this book focuses on the most commonly tested topics on the Series 7 exam. Here’s an overview of what to expect:
The underwriting process (how new securities come to market) (
Chapter 5
)
Common and preferred stock (
Chapter 6
)
Corporate bonds and U.S. government securities (
Chapter 7
)
Securities issued by local governments (municipal bonds) (
Chapter 8
)
Margin accounts (using money borrowed from broker-dealers to purchase securities) (
Chapter 9
)
Investment companies (including mutual and closed-end funds) (
Chapter 10
)
Direct participation programs (limited partnerships) (
Chapter 11
)
Options (
Chapter 12
)
Analyzing the benefits and risks associated with investments; making appropriate recommendations to customers (
Chapter 13
)
Following how new securities are brought to the market and how existing securities are traded in the market (
Chapter 14
)
Income-tax implications that stock market investors face as well as a look at certain retirement plans (
Chapter 15
)
Rules and regulations governing the purchase and sale of securities and the registered representative’s responsibility for maintaining accurate record keeping (
Chapter 16
)
FINRA has released a listing of the distribution of questions on the Series 7 exam. See Table 1-1 for the number of questions devoted to each activity that a registered rep performs.
TABLE 1-1 Distribution of Series 7 Exam Questions
Activity Performed by a Registered Rep
Number of Questions
Percent of Exam
Seeks business for the broker-dealer from customers and potential customers
9
7%
Opens accounts after obtaining and evaluating customers' financial profile and investment objectives
11
9%
Provides customers with information about investments, makes suitable recommendations, transfers assets, and maintains appropriate records
91
73%
Obtains and verifies customers' purchase and sale instructions and agreements; processes, completes, and confirms transactions
14
11%
Total
125
100%
Each of these activities falls under multiple areas of study. For example, to correctly answer questions that address the topic of handling customer accounts, you have to know enough about different types of stocks, bonds, and so on, to be able to guide your customers, including which investments are more beneficial to retirees and which work better for investors who are just entering the workforce.
A LITTLE TESTING INFO FROM FINRA
The FINRA website (www.finra.org) is certainly worth checking out. It contains all the nitty-gritty details about the Series 7 and related exams. Use this website for the following:
FINRA Current Uniform Registration Forms for Electronic Filing In WEB CRD: This page includes the U-4 Series 7 registration forms and a link to the Uniform Forms Reference Guide, with contact numbers and other explanatory information for filers.FINRA Test Center Rules of Conduct: Just in case you’re unable to distinguish the Series 7 test center from that third-period algebra class you had back in high school, FINRA gives you the rules and regulations for taking the Series 7 (do not hide a list of equations under the brim of your baseball cap, do not roam the halls during your restroom break, and do not pass notes, no matter how bored you are).FINRA Registration and Exam Requirements: This section gives a comprehensive list of the categories of securities representatives and the exam requirements.FINRA Appointments and Enrollment: Here you find FINRA tips for scheduling appointments to take the Series 7 exam, info about obtaining extensions, and the exam cancellation policy.FINRA Registration Exam Fee Schedule: Check out this page to see the fees for registering for the Series 7 Exam.Although Table 1-1 shows the outline of the exam, I (and most other study material providers) break the chapters down by similar content to keep you from having to jump back and forth through your study material.
Understanding the Exam Format and Other Exam Details
To make sure you don’t walk into the testing center, take one look at the computer screen, go into shock, and start drooling on the keyboard, I use the next few sections to cover some of the testing details for the Series 7 exam.
Exam basics
The Series 7 exam is a computerized, closed book (in other words, no book), three-hour and 45 minute exam. The exam consists of 135 multiple-choice questions (although only 125 of them count toward your score — see the next section).
You can take restroom breaks at any time, but the clock continues to tick away, so you may want to reconsider drinking a mega-jumbo iced latte the morning right before your test.
For information on the types of questions to expect, see Chapter 3. Flip to Chapter 4 for an overview of how your exam day may progress.
Ten additional trial questions
To ensure that new questions to be introduced in future exams meet acceptable standards prior to inclusion, you answer ten additional, unidentified questions that don’t count toward your score. In other words, you get 135 questions to answer, but only 125 are scored.
If you see a question on the Series 7 that doesn’t seem even remotely similar to anything that you’ve studied (or even heard about), it may very likely be an experimental question.
The computerized format and features
Although you don’t need any previous computer experience to do well on the exam, you don’t want your first encounter with a computerized exam to be on the date of the Series 7. Being familiar with the way the questions and answer choices will appear on the screen is essential. FINRA has been nice enough to provide a convenient tutorial for taking their qualification exams such as the Series 7 at the following link:
https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/external_apps/proctor_tutorial.swf.html.
A friendly exam-center employee will give you an introductory lesson to familiarize you with how to operate the computer before the exam session begins. Although the computer randomly selects the specific questions from each category, the operating system tracks the difficulty of each question and controls the selection criteria to ensure that your exam isn’t ridiculously easier or harder than anyone else’s. As a matter of fact, FINRA has recently started weighting the questions so that some will be worth a little more than average and some will be worth a little less depending on FINRA's feeling about how difficult the question is. To get you to a possible score of 100, the questions will average out at 0.8 points each.
The following list describes some important computer exam features:
Scroll bars for moving the questions on the screen
A time-remaining clock to help you track how much time you have left during each part (if the clock is driving you batty, you can hide it with a click of the mouse)
A confirmation box that requires you to approve your answer choice before the computer proceeds to the next question
An indication of which question you’re currently on
A choice of answering the questions by
Holding down the <CTRL> and <ALT> buttons and typing in the letter for the correct answer on the keyboard
Using the mouse to point and click on the correct answer
The capability of changing your answers or marking questions that you’re unsure of for later review, which allows you to go back and answer them at any time during that particular part. The “Mark for Review” button appears at the bottom of the screen after you select an answer. There is also a “Previous” button that allows you to go to the previous question if you want to change an answer.
Both “Calculator” and “Notepad” buttons are available on the top-left of the screen for you to use if necessary to help you answer the questions. Whatever you type in the notepad will be available the whole time you’re taking the test.
If during the test you forget how any of the test features work, you can always click on the “Help” button in the upper-left corner for instructions.
After you have completed the exam, you can click on the “Exit Exam” button in the upper-left corner. At that point, you can review questions or continue exiting the exam.
Although you can review and change all your answers at the end, don’t. Your brain is going to feel like it went through a blender by the time you get there. Review only your marked questions and change the answers only if you’re 100 percent sure that you made a mistake. As an instructor, I know that people change a right answer to a wrong one five times more often than they change a wrong one to a right one.
You can review your questions at any time during the test by clicking on the “Review Questions” button on the bottom of the screen. At that point, you will see a highlighted list of all of the questions that you’ve answered, and the ones marked for review will have a green flag next to them. Just click on the number to review questions you want to see again. You can remove a “Marked for Review” flag by clicking the “Mark for Review” button again. Click on the “Return to Test” button at the top of the screen to get out of the review section.
Exhibits
Some of the questions may require you to look at an exhibit such as an income statement, or balance sheet to answer a question. Back when I took the exam, each candidate was given an exhibit book, and the question told you which exhibit you needed to look at in the book. Now, the exhibits are right on the screen next to the questions that need them. You will be instructed to refer to the exhibit to extract the information you need to answer the question. If a question requires more than one exhibit, the thumbnails of the exhibits appear on the right. Just click on each one of them to open them up.
Receiving and Evaluating Your Score
Remember having to wait days or weeks for a standardized test score, hovering somewhere between eagerness and dread? Those days are gone. At the end of the Series 7, the system calculates your score and displays a grade result on the computer screen. Although the wait for your grade to pop up may feel like an eternity, it really takes only a few seconds to see your grade. When you sign out, the test center administrator will tackle you (well, approach you) and give you a printed exam report with your grade and the diagnostic score results with your performance in the specific topics tested on your exam.
Each question on the Series 7 exam is worth an average of 0.8 points (some are worth more and some are worth less depending on FINRA’s feeling of how difficult a question is), and candidates need a score of 72 or better to achieve a passing grade. This percentage translates to 90 questions out of 125 that you have to answer correctly. The scores are rounded down, so a grade of 71.6 is scored as 71 on the Series 7. When I took the exam, back when the passing grade was 70, one of the other students from my class got a 69.6 (which was rounded down to a 69), and he had the NASD (now called FINRA) review his exam to try and get him the extra point. Needless to say, they ruled against him, and he had to take the exam again.
You passed! Now what?
After you pass the SIE, Series 7, Series 63, and/or Series 66 exam, FINRA will send your firm confirmation that you passed. At that point, you can buy and sell securities for your customers in accordance with your firm’s customary procedures.
To continue working as a registered rep, you’ll need to fulfill FINRA’s continuing education requirements. Within 120 days after your second anniversary as a registered rep, and every three years thereafter, you have to take a computer-based exam covering regulatory elements such as compliance, regulatory, and ethical and sales practice standards at the Prometric exam center. In addition, there is a requirement (called a brokerage firm element) which requires broker-dealers to keep their registered representatives updated on job and product-related topics.
So you need a do-over: Retaking the exam
Sorry to end this chapter on a negative note; although the Series 7 isn't the mountain it used to be, it's still a difficult exam, and certainly a lot of people need a do-over.
If you fail the Series 7, your firm has to request a new test date and pay for you to retake the test. Your sponsors can send in one page of the U-4 requesting a new exam, or they can apply online through the Central Registration Depository (CRD) system. You should reapply immediately, though you have to schedule the new test date for at least 30 days after the day you failed (that’s 30 days of prime studying time!). If you fail the exam three times, you’re required to wait six months before you can retake the exam.
Use the time between exams to understand what went wrong and fix it. Here are some of the reasons people fail the Series 7 exam and some of the steps you can take to be successful:
Lack of preparation: You have to follow, and stick to, a well-constructed plan of study. You have your diagnostic printout after you take the exam, and you can use that to focus on the areas of study where you fell short.
Prep courses can help you identify and focus on the most commonly tested topics and provide valuable tips for mastering difficult math problems. Also, consider tutoring sessions tailored to accommodate your busy schedule and pinpoint the areas of study where you need the most help.
Nerves won out: Some people are just very nervous test-takers, and they need to go through the process to get comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Next time around, they know what to expect and pass with flying colors.
The people who are the most nervous about taking the exam tend to be the ones who haven’t prepared properly. Make sure that you’re passing practice exams on a consistent basis with grades in at least the high 70s before you attempt to take the real exam.
Insufficient practice exams:
You need to take enough practice exams before you take the real test. I think getting used to the question formats and figuring out how to work through them is as important as learning the material to begin with.
Check out Chapter 2 for info on setting up a study schedule and making the most of your practice exams.
CAN YOU TAKE THE TEST AT YOUR LOCATION?
Although all of the testing center locations have opened back up at full capacity, the online testing option is up and running. Obviously, there are some things you need (or need to know) prior to setting up to take the test at your location. I suggest that you go through the complete list here:
www.prometric.com/sites/default/files/2020-04/PrometricProUserGuide_3.1_1.pdfThis site lists requirements for your computer (speakers, microphone, movable camera) and operating system. There are also downloading instructions and explanations of ID requirements, what a readiness agent is, and who will be watching you.
Chapter 2
Preparing for the Series 7 Exam
IN THIS CHAPTER
Investing in a prep course versus studying on your own
Finding time to study and using study strategies
Staying focused and building test-taking skills
Evaluating your readiness
When you’re preparing for the Series 7 exam, a good cup of java and an all-nighter just aren’t gonna cut it. Neither will a frantic two-week study session like the ones that used to work miracles when you were taking college finals. Even though it’s not the 250-question beast it used to be, the Series 7 is not to be taken lightly, so you need to train for it both mentally and physically.
In this chapter, I discuss your options for studying to take the Series 7 exam. If you plan to enroll in a Series 7 exam prep course, I cover what to look for when selecting a course. I also help you organize your study time efficiently and effectively — even when your preparation time is limited.
Courses and Training Materials: Determining the Best Way to Study
When deciding how to go about studying for the Series 7 exam, your first mission is to identify the training mode that best suits your needs. If you’re likely to benefit from a structured environment, you may be better off in a classroom setting. A prep course can also give you emotional guidance and support from your instructors and others in your class who are forging through this stressful ordeal with you. On the other hand, if you’re the type of person who can initiate and follow a committed study schedule on your own every day, you may be able to pass the Series 7 exam without a prep course, and you can save the money you would have spent for classes. The following sections help you evaluate these options in more detail.
Back to school: Attending a prep course
People who learn best by listening to an instructor and interacting with other students benefit from attending prep courses. Unfortunately, not all Series 7 exam prep courses and training materials are created equally. Unlike high school or college courses, the content of Series 7 prep courses and the qualifications of the instructors who teach them aren’t regulated by your state’s Department of Education, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), or any other government agency. Do some research to locate the Series 7 training course that works best for you.
The following sections explain some things to consider and questions to ask before enrolling. Take a look at the info you gather and trust your gut. Is the primary function of the prep course to train students to be successful on the Series 7 exam, as it should be? Or do you suspect it’s the brainchild of a broker-dealer who’s looking for extra revenue to supplement her failing stockbroker business? (Run away!)
Training school background
To find information about a program you’re considering, browse the training school’s website or contact the school’s offices. Find out how many years the training school has been in business and check with the Better Business Bureau or the Department of Consumer Affairs to see whether anyone has filed any complaints. Look for a school that has stayed in business at least five years. This staying power is generally a sign that the school is getting referral business from students who took the course and passed the Series 7.
Try to get recommendations from others who took the course. Word of mouth is an essential source of referrals for most businesses, and stockbroker training schools are no different. The stockbroker firm you’re affiliated with (or will be affiliated with) should be able to recommend training schools.
Courses offered through a local high school’s continuing education program can be just as effective as those offered through an accredited university or a company that focuses solely on test prep, as long as the right instructors are teaching them. Read on.
