Just completely devastated after today. I had been studying for several weeks, and did well on all my practice exams.
The good news is I am getting a second attempt, but that's in 30 days, and the main worry now is my job security. Any advice would be appreciated.
I did everything right. I have been in the industry for years. I passed my SIE, 7, and 63. I did 19 PassPerfect exams and passed each one (high 70s to mid 80s). I studied for 40 hours a week for a whole month. I read the whole book back to back. I watched supplemental videos on YouTube. I was even helping colleagues in my cohort understand some concepts. Believe me when I say I did EVERYTHING right and still ended up a failure.
There was so much on the exam I had never seen. So I don't know if it was a bad draw, bad vendor, or both. Now my job is at risk and I have one more attempt. Love being here.
I passed the SIE and Series 7 on the first try. Everyone in my office basically said the 7 was the "big bad wolf" of securities exams and "if you can pass that first try you'll be fine for the 66." So I thought, after failing the 66 the first time in May (with a score of 64), that I went in a little too cocky. I was humbled my second go around a month later, only getting a 68. I'm using STC, read the whole book, took the chapter tests as I read and did okay on practice exams (scores ranged between a 66-78 on those.) I used Ken's 66 videos faithfully as a supplement as I feel he was the reason I passed the 7. What else should I add? Kaplan Q bank? I'm at a loss and feeling defeated. Just reopened my window and can schedule at the end of July.
I test for the exam on 7/2 at 11:00 AM. I think I'm in an ok spot so far. I am currently using PassPerfect, and have taken 19 finals. My data set is as follows: 79, 82, 79, 74, 85, 86, 78, 78, 78, 76, 78, 78, 81, 80, 86, 80, 75, 80, 77
I also took Ken's Brutal Exams and got a 79% and an 80%.
Most of the stuff I'm struggling with are some of the random factoids, and maybe some calculations. But I understand a lot of the big concepts like BD, Agents, IARs, IAs, Exempt stuff. I know I could review some of the calculations but I fear focusing too much on that will have me forget the more important things.
Anyone that has suggestions on what to do for the next few days would be greatly appreciated.
And if anyone has experience on what PassPerfect is like compared to the real thing, that is also appreciated.
Hey guys, I have my 3rd and final attempt that my firm is giving me to pass the 66 this coming Tuesday. I used PassPerfect for the first two attempts, and failed the first time with a 71 and the second time with a 67 due to overthinking and second guessing myself. Passed the 7 first try. I have since switched to Kaplan for the third attempt and am personally noticing that it is working better for me than PP did. Also supplementing with a lot of YouTube videos from 7G and that is also helping me a lot. I feel like I have good knowledge of the concepts but the way the NASAA questions are written trips me up really bad. I’ve been averaging 80% on my Kaplan finals for the past week. Any words of wisdom or tips for me if any of you have experienced or are experiencing the same issue? I think I just need to trust myself more but that’s hard to do after two fails.
Figured I’d share my experience in case it helps someone else at all!!
My testing journey:
• SIE – Passed first try after about 2 weeks of studying
• Series 7 – Passed first try after about 3 weeks of studying
• Series 66 – Passed today on my third attempt in 3 months
The 66 was by far the hardest exam for me.
The SIE and 7 felt much more straightforward and had more formulas and math which for me personally, is easier. With the 66, I often knew the material but struggled with the way questions were asked. The rules can be nuanced, and I found myself getting tripped up by the wording and small little details.
I used Achievable for my first two attempts and Kaplan for my third. I liked both, but personally preferred Kaplan. If I could go back and change one thing, I would have started watching Dean’s/Series 7 guru’s test walkthrough videos much earlier. I watched him for all three exams, but this last round I spent a lot of time watching him go through practice tests and explain his thought process. That completely changed everything for me and I felt like it was finally clicking!! He definitely helped me learn how to actually apply what I know and understand what the question is asking.
Areas I’d make sure I really understood:
• IA vs IAR
• State vs Federal registration
• Life insurance concepts
• Minor accounts and account registrations
As far as test-taking strategy, I don’t flag many questions. Usually only a handful. When I finish, I go back through the entire exam and reread every question. On the 66 especially, I caught several very careless mistakes that way. This might not be for you, but as a person who typically goes with my gut I felt this test had a lot of questions that I could better answer after doing the whole test and remembering different things as I went.
Overall, I can’t recommend Kaplan and u/series7guru enough!!! If you are on attempt 2 or 3 right now, keep going and don’t give up! Passing on the third try wasn’t my plan, but a pass is a freaking pass!!!
Hi everyone!! My exam is next tuesday, I’m doing alright on characteristics and recommendations , but really struggling with regulations. Does anyone have any advice to really hammer those down within the week?
I’m using Achievable and the Kaplan Q-Bank, I’m scoring in the mid 60s right now on practice exams for reference. My Achievable says my biggest problem right now is regulations (29/45 on my last practice exam).
If anyone has strategies to how they memorized these please let me know! Thank you!
I’m testing on July 1st for my second attempt on the 66. First attempt I got a 72. Now I’m using passperfect scoring 85% and using Kaplan to supplement around 73%. I read the passperfect book so some words trip me up on Kaplan. But any advice? Do I have a chance, what should I do leading up to exam day