The Series 7 Exam is one of the most essential tests for securities professionals, especially because it gives you the credentials you need to offer many beneficial services to your clients. In fact, those services are the bread and butter of the industry: stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.
For all who plan to take the exam, effective study and efficient preparation are key to a passing score, especially if you’re working at the same time. The good news is that Securities Training Corporation is here to help. Its major business goal is to help you effectively study for and pass your SIE and qualification exams on the first go-round.
Why the SIE Is Corequisite With the Series 7
The Securities Industry Essentials Exam, or SIE Exam, was created in October 2018 to test general securities knowledge. Before the SIE, the same general questions were found on multiple tests, making test takers answer the same questions several times. The SIE gathers those questions into one exam, freeing the Series Exams to test knowledge related to specific areas of the industry. Therefore, you must pass the SIE Exam to take the Series 7 Exam.
The Series 7 Covers Advanced Concepts
Unlike the SIE, the Series 7 covers concepts specific to a career as a general securities representative. It examines the test taker’s ability to perform specific duties of a general securities representative and knowledge of sales of specific securities, like corporate, municipal, investment company, and government securities. The test also covers:
- Types of products and their risks
- The structure of the market
- Prohibited practices
- Regulatory agencies
- Variable annuities
- Investment risk
- Equity
- Taxation
- Direct participation programs
- Debt instruments
- Options
- Retirement plans
- Interactions with clients
The Series 7 Exam Requires a Sponsor
Although there’s no need for sponsorship to take the SIE Exam, for the Series 7 Exam, you’ll need to be sponsored by or associated with a firm. The firm can be a FINRA member firm or an SRO (self-regulatory organization) member firm.
If you don’t have a FINRA or SRO member firm available to sponsor you, here’s how to get one: Look for companies that are happy to sponsor candidates for the exam (check job boards). You can also contact SRO or FINRA member companies about employment by submitting your resume and cover letter — mentioning your desire to take the Series 7 Exam. The company might hire you for observation and decide later whether to sponsor you.
Products Advisors Can Sell With a Series 7 License
The Series 7 license authorizes securities professionals to sell just about any type of individual security. Some options include preferred and common stocks, bonds, put and call options, individual fixed-income investments, and all types of packaged products. The only products you cannot sell with this license are real estate, life insurance, and commodities futures.
STC Provides Valuable Study Tools
To ensure success as well as help you apply Series 7 concepts to the real world, STC offers many top-of-the-line resources. The company’s most-preferred package, the Series 7 Top-Off Premier Plus package, includes:
- Access to the Instructor Hotline
- Crunch Time Facts (The hyper-targeted list that tells you what you NEED to know)
- 24/7 tech support
- Free course updates
- Enrollment valid for six months
- Online study manual
- Printed study manual
- Final exams (Eight tailored practice finals that represent the Series 7 Exam)
- Progress exams (10 exams to keep you on track)
- Greenlight exams (If you can pass this exam, you can pass the Series 7!)
- On-demand lectures
- Flashcards
- Live virtual or in-person classes
- Series 7 Q&A sessions
- Series 7 recorded live lectures
- Virtual classes
By Studying With STC, Financial Advisors Pass With Confidence
Securities Training Corporation has one goal in mind: Help securities professionals pass their SIE and qualification exams. The Series 7 Exam is by far the most difficult and longest test of all the securities exams, but with STC’s help, you can pass with confidence.
STC offers twice as many courses as any other company in the industry and one of the highest passing rates, 15-20% higher than the national average. STC takes pride in tailoring every exam-prep package to each student’s needs. Students can choose from classroom, hardback textbook, self-study, or even online training, with both an online live lecture option and a recorded lecture option. No matter your preferences, STC will provide the finest study materials and assistance necessary to help you achieve your passing score with confidence.
If you’re interested in facing the Series 7 Exam head-on, contact Securities Training Corporation today. STC has many resources available to help you find success as you prepare for and take your Series 7 Exam!
