r/AllFinraExams

Who is better to prep for Series 63 second trial on September 9?

Going to try and only give the stuff that would be helpful, but feel free to ask questions and I'll reply.

1. Series 7 Whisperer's premium YouTube. Even if you think you're good at options and don't really need his extra videos, it's the smartest $25 you will pay for anything in the testing prep process. Everyone's draw is completely different, but options math questions are like free points, so there is no reason not to be 100% on these, and Ken's way of doing it is objectively the easiest and best way

2. Accept that you will suck at some areas and don't try and master everything. I suck at margin. No other way to put it. I can get the 50% for Reg T and usually remember the 25% vs. 30% rule, but anything beyond that is not going to happen. I cut my losses and accepted that it was worth it to study the more important areas. In the real exam, I think I got 2 or 3 margin questions, and for 1 it was easy, and for the other two I fumbled around on my calculator until I got one of the answer options and picked that. I probably got the two harder ones wrong, but I didn't care.

3. KNOW YOUR PRODUCTS. The exam must be made by some somewhat sadistic people because the differences between some products are so small. When your gut says something when you're really torn between two, go with your gut AND DON'T COME BACK AND CHANGE IT. Some of these questions really suck, and knowing the tiniest difference can be why you lock in a point vs. lose it.

4. Reddit is awful, and I was stupidly addicted to this place and am so glad to leave it now. Try and touch some grass. Towards the end of this exam, I was compulsively opening Reddit, which is laughable because before I started licensing, I had never used Reddit in my life. I spent so much time on here, but the truth is that we all get a different draw. Dreading the fact that someone else got a ton of questions in an area you're bad at has NOTHING to do with the draw you will get.

5. PRACTICE QUESTIONS. Do them. Do them all. Do them so many times that you begin to memorize them because when the test comes, it's going to be so easy to get rid of answers because you distinctly remember some random practice question you did 100 times saying that's wrong. Take the free Achievable one. Take the one on https://series7exam.org/. The STC questions are phrased the closest to the real exam after Ken's (which are almost identical, if not word-for-word the same), BUT STC was way too hard on some really small details that never came up

6. Get Achievable if you didn't study finance and this is a new world for you. After today, I will have passed the SIE in 2 weeks and the 7 in 2.5 weeks ONLY with Achievable to learn the content. It's the most simple and easy-to-understand textbook. When the exam comes, memorization won't save you, so actually understanding the content matters. Also the people who run achievable are absurdly kind and helpful and will send you a legit essay on why you got a question wrong if you ask for help. I can say I've hands down had the best experience with them compared to my friends who have used every other major company.

Good luck. Godspeed. Hopefully, you get off this subreddit (and all of Reddit) soon.

I am currently working as a relationship banker and want to get into the wealth management side. I passed my SIE and am now wondering if i should take the series 63/65 or 66(i don’t have the 7) If i take the 66 i can potentially get a role as an advisor at my bank but it’s not guaranteed. I’m torn between whether i should take the 66 and hope to land a role at my bank, but if i don’t get it then the 66 is useless (or will BD still hire me?) or take 63 then 65 and try land a new job.

I just passed it yesterday and am happy to give any insight on how studied, what concepts I saw the most, and just answering any questions.

I studied pretty much 12 hours per day for 3 days, took it today and passed. Used Achievable, and then bought the Kaplan Q Bank once I completed everything from Achievable. The wording on the real test was definitely closer to what was on Achievable in terms of ease of understanding. Lots of stuff regarding broker dealers and agents. The exam noticeably covered that more than IAs and IARs. Knowing the specifics of registration is huge, for both persons and securities, and then also prohibited conduct. Onto the 65.

If anyone has any questions I’d be happy to answer. This community has been a huge help.

need real advice here. i thought i scheduled my exam for wednesday of next week not this upcoming week but just realized i messed up. i crammed all day today, i have all of the weekend and monday and tuesday after work please please help im freaking out. if i dont pass this im soo cooked lol
im using knopman marks

I’m taking my series 63 exam on August 24th. Employer provided ExamXP+Training Consultants. I am passing those tests with high 80s and low 90s. Decided to try practice tests on STC and am scoring low 70s and high 60s. I’m conflicted because I thought I was ready, but now I’m second guessing. Any pointers??

Retaking the series 65 in 11 days. Took it for the first time back in March 2026 and scored 78/130. Investment vehicle characteristics was my lowest score so I have been focusing on drilling those down. Was originally using Achievable for the first exam, but felt like achievable didn’t quite prepare you enough for the material on the can. Switched to the Kaplan Qbank for the retake (doing at least 75+ questions a day along with study guides that I prepare)

While I feel better prepared for the second exam, I tend to be a nervous test taker. Any thoughts are I step into the final days of preparing are appreciated.

I failed my first attempt with my series 63 by one point. The questions were tricker than i expected, and I did change 4 answers at the end. While I am waiting for the retake window, please share if there are any advice and how to tackle it for the next time around. What resources are you guys using for it and how to study for it ?

Thank you

Hey all, apologies if this question gets hammered constantly, but I’m taking my SIE on September 25th and my Series 6 on October 24th. I have a finance background, but as I ramp up studying for the SIE I am certainly glad I gave myself six weeks.

A little worried a month might be too soon to turn around and take the Series 6. Am I overthinking this?

Using Kaplan and the usual YouTube resources.

Any and all opinions appreciated.

Hello I’m on my third attempt of my series 65 and I got 74/130 80/130 on the last attempt I’ve been constantly been in Kaplan grinding out the practice exams scoring on average mid 80s doing custom quiz’s as well any advice I take the exam in 2 weeks ish I’ve already done like 20 practice exams I already passed my life and health and sie so I need this last exam to be able to start working at my new job otherwise I can’t.

First attempt
Had 2 min left for 5 questions 😭
Somehow I did it
Now life and health on the way

Hi everybody,

I’m taking the Series 66 exam in 5 days and I am extremely anxious. I’ve been using the Kaplan QBank and hammering out simulated exams nonstop for the past three weeks.

My scores started in the low 60s, but my most recent exam was a 78%.

Even with that score, I’m really nervous about a few specific areas:

Section III (Investment Vehicles): Fixed Income & Equity (Bond yields YTM/YTC, duration, option strategies)

Section II (Client Recommendations & Taxation): Capital gains, estate/gift tax basis, IRAs vs. Roth IRAs, 529s, and valuation metrics (CAPM, Alpha/Beta, Sharpe Ratio, DCF)

For anyone who has passed: how hard did the actual exam feel compared to Kaplan? What should I focus my strategy on over these last 5 days?

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! 🙏

Hi guys i need someone to help me calm cuz im really very scared
I scored 72 at Knopman benchmark
My scores are around 73 average, got one only 80 and the rest 71-75.
Anyway scoring like me has passed?
Anyone has taken recently the test?
Thanks in advance

Unfortunately, I’m making the post I really didn’t want to make. I took my Series 7 today and failed with a 70%. Knowing I was only 2% away honestly makes it hurt even more.

I’ve put 150+ hours into studying over the last 6 weeks, primarily using Pass Perfect, where I was averaging around 74% on finals. I also got an 82% on Series 7 Human vs. AI exam and an 84% on baseline.

I’m trying not to beat myself up, but I feel fucking awful. I felt like I got a really shitty pull and saw several questions/topics I genuinely didn’t recognize despite how much I studied.

My breakdown was:
Section 1: Very Low
Section 2: Borderline
Section 3: Borderline
Section 4: Adequate

The scary part is I only have ONE more attempt before my job is on the line. My continued employment is contingent on passing these exams.
I’ve deleted all my social media and distractions from my phone for the next month. I’m ready to lock in, but I want to study smarter, not just do another thousand random questions.

For anyone who failed around 68–71% and came back and passed: how would you game plan the next 30 days? Would you reread the book, hammer weak areas, switch/add a QBank, focus on finals,videos, etc.?
I’m devastated right now, but I was close. Next time I don’t want a 72 — I want enough breathing room that there’s no question I’m passing. Any advice would seriously mean a clot.

Can anyone help me on some advice for the Series 66? I recently just passed the SIE yesterday and want to start the Series 66 but I don’t know where to start. I hear a lot about Kaplan, STC and achievable but which one would be the best to study for. Btw for the SIE I used a free program called Certfuel and honestly did me very well. If there’s any advice on which course to buy please let me know.

I just bought the Achievable material for the Series 63, and was wondering how other people who used it have fared on the exam. I used it for the SIE, and it was great.

Recently, I passed the SIE and Series 63. I have an interest in going into sales and trading, which requires the 7. But recently, I've been hearing that firms aren't willing to sponsor for the series 7 no more. A lot of firms aren't willing to sponsor you for the exam. Does anyone know if there's any firms that are willing to sponsor you? How did anyone manage to get sponsored for the series 7? I understand full employment is required for sponsorship, but how is it possible for many of you? How hard is it to get the series 7?

Hey. I’m taking the SIE on Friday. I’ve been reviewing all the concepts and taking the practice exams using achievable. Ik I’ve seen the wording is going to be a bit different , but I’ve been getting high 70’s to mid 80’s on those so hopefully I understand a decent amount. I’ve seen some YouTube videos too to watch the night before or the morning of. Any recommendations on how to approach the test after using achievable to study? And also specific videos that you guys found helpful? Thanks!