Series 6 Securities Exam Prep & Study Materials (2024)

Top FAQs

A Series 6 license qualifies an individual to sell investment company securities, mutual funds, variable annuities, and variable life insurance products.

The various account types, account opening requirements and authorizations, assessing customer needs and profiles, various security and risk options, transaction requirements, and more.

The Series 6 course typically takes 16 hours to complete. Keep in mind, that you also have to take and pass the SIE exam (which takes 24 hours to complete).

Downloadable and printable training materials, Instructor-led training, and a bunch of sample exams.

You should spend several hours preparing for the Series 6 exam by both reviewing the materials and taking sample exams. All in, you'll probably spend around 60 hours between the class, review, and testing.

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Licensing Requirements For A FINRA Series 6 License

Key Requirements for Your Series 6 License

A Series 6 license qualifies an individual to sell investment company securities, mutual funds, variable annuities, and variable life insurance products. A Series 6 license requires you to take and pass both a Securites Industries Essentials and the Series 6 Top-Off Course.

• Required Classroom Hours
  • Securites Industries Essentials: 24 hours
  • Series 6 Top-Off Course: 16 hours
• Recommended Study Time To Pass Your Series 6 Exam

  For the SIE exam, you should plan to spend between 100-150 hours with the materials prior to attending the Live Classroom Review to maximize your learning. For the Series 6 Top-Off exam, candidates should plan to spend approximately 80 hours with their materials.



• Recommended Series 6 Pre-Licensing Course(s)

  A Series 6 license requires you to take and pass both the SIE exam and the Series 6 Top-Off Course. Check the listing of "Recommended Courses" below for both types of suggested Series 6 pre-licensing courses.

What Is - And Is On - The Series 6 Exam?

The Series 6 test evaluates candidates' knowledge and skills related to the duties of an investor and variable contracts products representative. Specifically, it covers the job functions of a registered representative, including: variable contract products, unit investment trusts, communications with the public, evaluating customer financial information, and the four main sections that detail an investment company's four main job functions; namely:

• Seeking Business for the Broker-Dealer From Current and Potential Customers

  The first section tests candidates' knowledge of properly contacting customers, delivering promotional materials and describing products and services. It contains 12 questions - 24 percent of the exam - regarding:

  • Types, standards and approvals of public communication
  • Product-specific disclosures and advertising
  • Prospectus requirements
  • The process of bringing new issues to market
  • Official statements
• Opening Accounts After Receiving and Evaluating Financial Profiles and Investment Objectives

  Section two highlights how to inform customers of their accounts and obtain and update customer information. This section contains eight questions that make up 16 percent of the exam, including:

  • Types of accounts, account registration, and account authorizations
  • Requirements for opening an account
  • Wealth events
  • Customer screening
  • Privacy regulations
  • Assessing investment profiles
  • Investment objectives and strategies
  • Refusing or closing an account
• Providing Customers With Information and Recommendations Concerning Investments and Assets

  Section three focuses on investment strategies and profiles. It's the largest portion of the Series 6 test, composing 50 percent of all exam questions. You'll answer 25 questions regarding:

  • Product selection
  • Portfolio analysis and theory
  • Inventory valuation methods
  • Underlying securities types
  • Tax treatment and considerations
  • Packaged products
  • Transactions disclosures
  • Types of investment risks and returns
  • Account value and records
• Obtaining and Verifying Purchase and Sale Instructions and Completing Transactions

  The smallest section, concerning quotes and transactions processes, composes 10 percent of the exam. You'll answer five questions about:

  • Customer account transactions
  • Transactions settlements and delivery requirements
  • Errors and rebills
  • Formal resolution methods
  • Proper processes for addressing customer complaints

A thorough Series 6 exam content outline is available on the FINRA website.

About The SIE: Exam Requirements and Information

The SIE is an introductory-level exam that assesses a candidate's knowledge of basic securities industry information and concepts fundamental to working in the industry, including the structure of the securities industry markets and types of products and their risks, as well as regulatory agencies and their functions, prohibited practices.

The Essentials exam is open to anyone aged 18 or older, including students and prospective candidates interested in demonstrating basic industry knowledge to potential employers. Association with a firm is not required, and individuals are permitted to take the exam before or after associating with a firm.

There are no pre-requisites to taking the Securities Industry Essentials Exam, and once you pass your SIE exam, you have one full year to study for and pass your Series 6 exam.

About The Series 6: Exam Requirements and Information

The FINRA Series 6 examination is a national test and does not vary by state.

• Number of Items: 50
• Format: Multiple Choice
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Passing Score: 70%

Please note that a Series 6 license is often partnered with a Series 63 license, which qualifies individuals to sell across state lines.

FINRA Series 6 Training Courses

The Series 6 license is a license granted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), that qualifies you as an Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Representative in the United States. If you want to sell investment company securities, variable annuities, mutual funds or variable life insurance products in your state, you will need at least a Series 6 license.

Available Study Guides And Test Prep Materials For The SIE And Series 6 Exams

Everyone has unique learning styles, work schedules, and other factors that play into their study habits. At AB Training Center, we're dedicated to providing Series 6 candidates with a wide range of exam prep products to accommodate every need. We've partnered with some of the leaders in financial education, such as Kaplan Financial, to offer students across the country the ability to learn under expert instructors with top-quality study tools.

Alternatively, you can select a self-study option. Either way, you'll receive Series 6 exam prep materials that include numerous practice questions that help you pass your qualification exams and your securities licensing exam (SIE and 6, respectively.

Choose from one or more of the following Series 6 exam study materials for a well-rounded experience proven to help students pass their SIE and Series 6 exams the first time they take them:

• Live Classroom Courses
  Many Series 6 candidates prefer learning in a traditional face-to-face setting. A live seminar gives you the chance to ask questions to experts in the financial sector before your exam and receive insights from your peers. You'll also have access to self-study materials devoted to helping you master various Series 6 concepts. We offer classroom instruction in cities across the country. Browse our available in-person course options to find your nearest location.
• Live and On-Demand Webinars
  Many full-time employees and students who don't have access to a live classroom location enjoy the combined online and face-to-face experience of a webinar. Watch and interact with your instructor in real time, or watch your classes anywhere, anytime with on-dema