Guides

60 Key Concepts for Every Securities Exam

Deep-dive guides for SIE, representative, principal, municipal, futures, and state-law exams. Each one explains 60 high-yield concepts, traps, calculations, and decision rules mapped to the exam's official content outline.

Updated October 2026

60-Concept Exam Deep Dives

Choose your exam for 60 specific concepts aligned to its current regulator outline, then use the related guides to connect prerequisite and follow-on licenses.

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Essentials

Core licensing entry points and foundational exam paths.

Representative

Front-line rep licenses covering customer-facing securities business.

Principal & Supervision

Supervisory, operations, analyst, and principal-level responsibilities.

Series 4

60 Series 4 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Build options supervision instincts before exam day.

125questions195minutes72%pass
Series 9 & 10

60 Series 9 & 10 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Drill supervisory judgment, review workflows, and branch controls.

200questions330minutes70%pass
Series 14

60 Series 14 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Sharpen supervisory and compliance judgement for firm-level oversight.

110questions180minutes70%pass
Series 16 Part 1

60 Series 16 Part 1 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Practice the rules behind research supervision and public communications.

50questions90minutes70%pass
Series 16 Part 2

60 Series 16 Part 2 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Build confidence on valuation methods and analyst review standards.

50questions120minutes70%pass
Series 23

60 Series 23 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Review suitability, supervision, and supervisory principal obligations.

100questions150minutes70%pass
Series 24

60 Series 24 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Prepare for principal-level supervision across the full broker-dealer stack.

150questions225minutes70%pass
Series 26

60 Series 26 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Train supervisory workflows for investment company and variable products.

110questions165minutes70%pass
Series 27

60 Series 27 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Work through the formulas and reporting logic behind FINOP responsibility.

145questions225minutes69%pass
Series 28

60 Series 28 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Practice the operational controls most relevant to introducing firms.

95questions120minutes69%pass
Series 39

60 Series 39 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Focus on supervisory judgments for DPP business lines.

100questions135minutes70%pass
Series 86 & 87

60 Series 86 & 87 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Combine analytical rigor with research-report compliance practice.

135questions375minutes73%pass
Series 99

60 Series 99 Exam Concepts You Need to Know

Strengthen operational process knowledge with scenario-heavy drills.

50questions90minutes68%pass

Municipal

Municipal securities and advisory exam tracks.

Futures & Forex

Commodity, futures, and forex-focused licenses.

Provider Comparison Guides

Compare FraserExam against common FINRA prep providers when you are choosing between a course-first study path and a practice-first exam system.

Comparison

Best Kaplan Alternative for FINRA Prep

Compare Kaplan with FraserExam for SIE and Series exam practice, pricing, and workflow fit.

Comparison

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Comparison

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Comparison

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Comparison

Best FINRA Test Prep Alternative for FINRA Exam Prep

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General Study Strategies

Use these evergreen study notes for memory, pacing, and exam-day strategy across licensing paths.

Candidate Search Guides

Articles answering the specific questions candidates search for: how to pass, what each exam is, how hard it is, which exam to choose, and more.

How-To

How to Pass the Series 7 Exam: A Step-by-Step Strategy

Proven strategy to pass the Series 7 exam: study plan, topic weights, practice methods, common mistakes, and how to use timed mock exams eff…

Read guide
How-To

How to Pass the SIE Exam: Complete Preparation Guide

Everything you need to pass the SIE exam: study plan, topic focus areas, practice strategies, common mistakes, and how to use free practice …

Read guide
VS

Series 65 vs Series 66: Which Exam Should You Take?

Compare the Series 65 and Series 66 exams: content, format, career paths, and which one makes sense for your situation. Clear guidance for c…

Read guide
VS

Series 7 vs Series 63: What Is the Difference and Do You Need Both?

Understand the difference between the Series 7 and Series 63 exams, whether you need both, and how they fit into your licensing path.…

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Quick Facts

How Many Questions Are on the Series 7 Exam?

The Series 7 has 125 scored questions plus 10 unscored pretest questions. Learn the full breakdown by topic, timing strategy, and how to pac…

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Difficulty

How Hard Is the SIE Exam? Honest Difficulty Assessment

An honest look at SIE exam difficulty: pass rates, hardest topics, common failure reasons, and how to prepare so you pass on the first attem…

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Career

FINRA Exam Career Paths: Which License Do You Need for Your Target Role?

Map your target career to the right FINRA exam: financial advisor, investment banker, trader, compliance officer, branch manager, and more.…

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Cost

FINRA Series Exam Fees: Complete Cost Breakdown

Every FINRA exam fee in one place: registration costs, study material budgets, retake fees, and how to plan your licensing budget.…

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Overview

What Is the Series 65 Exam? Everything You Need to Know

A complete overview of the Series 65 exam: what it is, who needs it, how it differs from the Series 66, format, topics, and how to prepare.…

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Overview

What Is the Series 66 Exam? Complete Overview for Candidates

Everything about the Series 66 exam: what it qualifies you for, how it combines the 63 and 65, format, topics, and preparation strategy.…

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How-To

How to Pass the Series 63 Exam: Study Plan and Strategy

Step-by-step strategy to pass the Series 63 exam: study plan, focus topics, practice methods, and common mistakes that cause candidates to f…

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VS

Series 63 vs Series 66: Which State Law Exam Do You Need?

Compare the Series 63 and Series 66 exams to determine which one fits your career goals and licensing requirements.…

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How-To

How to Pass the Series 65 Exam: Complete Strategy Guide

Comprehensive strategy to pass the Series 65 exam: study plan, topic focus, economics and portfolio tips, and how to use practice tests effe…

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How-To

How to Pass the Series 66 Exam: Step-by-Step Strategy

Proven strategy to pass the Series 66: study plan, topic weights, regulation focus, and how to use practice tests for the combined state law…

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How-To

How to Pass the Series 79 Exam: Investment Banking Guide

Complete strategy to pass the Series 79 Investment Banking exam: study plan, topic focus, M&A and underwriting tips, and practice test recom…

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How-To

How to Pass the Series 24 Exam: Principal License Guide

Comprehensive strategy to pass the Series 24 General Securities Principal exam: study plan, supervision focus areas, and practice test tips.…

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Overview

What Is the Series 6 Exam? Investment Company Representative Guide

Everything about the Series 6 exam: what it covers, who needs it, how it differs from the Series 7, format, topics, and preparation tips.…

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Difficulty

How Hard Is the Series 7 Exam? Honest Difficulty Breakdown

An honest assessment of Series 7 exam difficulty: pass rates, hardest topics, why people fail, and how to prepare for the toughest sections.…

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VS

Series 7 vs Series 79: Which Exam Do You Need for Investment Banking?

Compare the Series 7 and Series 79 exams: scope, career paths, and which one makes sense for investment banking, M&A, and capital markets ro…

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How-To

Series 7 and Series 63 Combined Study Plan: Pass Both Exams

How to study for both the Series 7 and Series 63 at the same time: combined study plan, scheduling strategy, and how to maximize overlap bet…

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Overview

Can You Take the SIE Exam Without Sponsorship?

Yes, you can take the SIE without a sponsor. Learn the eligibility requirements, how to register, and what to do after passing the SIE.…

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Overview

Can You Take the Series 65 Without Sponsorship?

The Series 65 does not require firm sponsorship. Learn how to register independently, what it qualifies you for, and the RIA career path.…

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VS

SIE vs Series 6: What Is the Difference and Which Should You Take?

Compare the SIE and Series 6 exams: content, difficulty, career paths, and which one makes sense to take first in your licensing journey.…

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VS

Series 7 vs Series 65: Broker vs Adviser — Which Path Is Right?

Compare the Series 7 and Series 65 to understand the broker vs adviser career paths, exam differences, and whether you need one or both.…

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How-To

FINRA Exam Study Tips: Evidence-Based Strategies That Work

Research-backed study strategies for FINRA exams: spaced repetition, active recall, timed practice, and how to build a study schedule that f…

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How-To

SIE Exam Study Plan: Week-by-Week Schedule to Pass

A detailed week-by-week study plan for the SIE exam: daily tasks, topic schedule, practice question targets, and how to track your readiness…

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VS

Series 7 vs Series 66: Do You Need Both for a Financial Advisor Career?

Understand the difference between the Series 7 and Series 66, why most financial advisors hold both, and how to plan your licensing path.…

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How-To

How to Master Series 7 Options Questions: Complete Strategy

Options are the hardest part of the Series 7. Learn breakeven formulas, spread strategies, max gain/loss calculations, and how to practice e…

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Move from reading to score improvement

Use the guides to choose your path, then switch into timed question practice, weak-topic review, and full mock exams inside FraserExam.

60 Key Concepts for Every FINRA and Series Exam