The Complete Week-by-Week Study Schedule for Every Major Certification Exam (2026)
Passing a certification exam is not about talent - it is about having the right plan and sticking to it. Candidates who follow a structured study schedule pass at rates 30-40% higher than those who wing it.
This guide gives you the exact week-by-week study schedule for six of the most popular certification exams in 2026: SIE, Series 7, NCLEX-RN, Real Estate, Life & Health Insurance, and PMP. Each schedule includes daily study hours, weekly milestones, and a readiness benchmark so you know exactly when you are ready to sit for the exam.
Every schedule here is designed to work with FREE resources - including the free practice questions and AI study tools available right here on OpenExamPrep.
SIEPractice questions with detailed explanations
How to Use These Study Schedules
Before diving into the individual exam plans, here are the principles that make these schedules effective:
- Active recall over passive reading - Every week includes practice questions, not just reading assignments. Answering questions and reviewing wrong answers is 3x more effective than re-reading notes.
- Spaced repetition - Earlier topics are revisited in later weeks so you do not forget what you learned.
- Milestone-driven - Each week has a clear, measurable goal so you can track progress.
- Readiness benchmarks - Do not schedule your exam until you hit the benchmark. Calendar dates do not determine readiness; practice scores do.
- Built for real life - Daily hours are realistic for working professionals. Weekend catch-up time is built in.
Pro Tip: Use the OpenExamPrep AI Study Assistant whenever you get stuck on a concept. It is free for 10 questions per day and available on every practice question page. Getting unstuck fast keeps your schedule on track.
1. SIE Exam Study Schedule (4-6 Weeks)
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam is your entry point into the securities industry. With a 74% first-time pass rate and 85 total questions (75 scored + 10 unscored), it is very achievable with the right plan.
Exam snapshot:
- Passing score: 70% (53 of 75 scored questions; 85 total including 10 unscored)
- Time limit: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total study hours: 40-80 hours
- Cost: $80
SIE 6-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Equity Securities: common stock, preferred stock, rights, warrants, ADRs | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on equities; score 65%+ |
| Week 2 | Debt Securities + Packaged Products: bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, UITs | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; score 70%+ on products |
| Week 3 | Options + Alternative Investments: calls, puts, REITs, DPPs | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; understand max gain/loss |
| Week 4 | Customer Accounts + Trading: account types, order types, settlement | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; first full practice exam (target 70%+) |
| Week 5 | Regulatory Framework + Capital Markets: FINRA, SEC, economic factors | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; second practice exam (target 75%+) |
| Week 6 | Comprehensive review + full practice exams + weak area drills | 2-3 hrs | Third practice exam (target 80%+); schedule real exam |
SIE Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the SIE until you score 80%+ on at least two consecutive full-length practice exams. Test anxiety typically costs 5-10%, so an 80% practice score gives you a comfortable buffer above the 70% passing threshold.
Total practice questions before exam day: 500+
2. Series 7 Exam Study Schedule (8-10 Weeks)
The Series 7 (General Securities Representative) exam is significantly harder than the SIE, with a 65% first-time pass rate and 125 scored questions. You must pass the SIE before attempting the Series 7, and you need firm sponsorship to register.
Exam snapshot:
- Passing score: 72% (90/125 questions)
- Time limit: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Total study hours: 80-120 hours
- Prerequisite: SIE exam + firm sponsorship
Series 7 10-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Equity Securities deep dive: analysis, valuation, corporate actions | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on equities |
| Week 2 | Debt Securities deep dive: pricing, yield calculations, bond risks | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; master yield calculations |
| Week 3 | Options strategies: spreads, straddles, combinations, hedging | 3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; calculate max gain/loss/breakeven |
| Week 4 | Options continued + packaged products: variable annuities, mutual fund suitability | 3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; first practice exam (target 65%+) |
| Week 5 | Customer accounts: margin accounts, retirement accounts, fiduciary rules | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on account types and margin |
| Week 6 | Investment analysis: fundamental analysis, technical analysis, portfolio management | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; second practice exam (target 72%+) |
| Week 7 | Rules and regulations: suitability, communications, insider trading, AML | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on regulatory topics |
| Week 8 | Municipal securities + direct participation programs | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; third practice exam (target 78%+) |
| Week 9 | Comprehensive review: revisit options, bonds, and weakest areas | 2-3 hrs | Complete 100 mixed practice questions; fourth practice exam (target 82%+) |
| Week 10 | Final review + full practice exams under timed conditions | 2-3 hrs | Fifth practice exam (target 85%+); schedule real exam |
Series 7 Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the Series 7 until you score 85%+ on at least two consecutive full-length practice exams. The Series 7 is known for tricky, scenario-based questions that are harder than practice materials. An 85% buffer protects against surprise difficulty.
Total practice questions before exam day: 800+
Critical focus areas: Options make up roughly 25-30% of the exam. If you cannot calculate max gain, max loss, and breakeven for any basic options strategy in under 60 seconds, you are not ready.
3. NCLEX-RN Study Schedule (6-8 Weeks)
The NCLEX-RN is the licensing exam for registered nurses in the United States. It uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), meaning the difficulty adjusts based on your answers. First-time pass rates for U.S.-educated candidates are approximately 89%, but the exam demands thorough clinical reasoning.
Exam snapshot:
- Format: Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT), 85-150 questions
- Time limit: 5 hours maximum
- Total study hours: 60-100 hours
- Passing standard: Based on adaptive algorithm, not a fixed percentage
NCLEX-RN 8-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Safe and Effective Care: management of care, safety, infection control | 2-3 hrs | Complete 100 practice questions on safety and management |
| Week 2 | Pharmacology foundations: drug classifications, calculations, adverse effects | 2-3 hrs | Complete 100 practice questions; memorize top 50 drug suffixes |
| Week 3 | Medical-Surgical nursing: cardiac, respiratory, GI, renal conditions | 3 hrs | Complete 150 practice questions on med-surg topics |
| Week 4 | Medical-Surgical continued: endocrine, neurological, musculoskeletal | 3 hrs | Complete 150 practice questions; first full CAT practice exam |
| Week 5 | Maternal-Newborn + Pediatric nursing | 2-3 hrs | Complete 100 practice questions on OB and peds |
| Week 6 | Psychiatric/Mental Health nursing + therapeutic communication | 2-3 hrs | Complete 100 practice questions; second CAT practice exam |
| Week 7 | Priority and delegation questions: ABCs, Maslow, nursing process | 2-3 hrs | Complete 150 SATA and priority questions; third practice exam |
| Week 8 | Comprehensive review + full-length practice exams + weak areas | 2-3 hrs | Fourth practice exam with 80%+ accuracy; schedule real exam |
NCLEX-RN Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the NCLEX-RN until you consistently answer 65%+ of "above passing level" questions in practice CAT exams. Because the NCLEX is adaptive, raw percentage scores matter less than your ability to answer increasingly difficult questions correctly. If your practice exams consistently shut off at or near the minimum 85 questions, you are demonstrating competence.
Total practice questions before exam day: 2,000+
Key strategy: The NCLEX loves "Select All That Apply" (SATA) questions and prioritization. Practice these formats relentlessly - they are where most candidates struggle.
4. Real Estate Licensing Exam Study Schedule (4-6 Weeks)
The Real Estate National Licensing Exam tests your knowledge of property law, contracts, financing, and agency relationships. Pass rates vary widely by state (50-70%), but a focused study plan dramatically improves your odds.
Exam snapshot:
- Format: 80-100 national questions + state-specific portion (varies)
- Passing score: Typically 70-75% (varies by state)
- Total study hours: 60-100 hours (plus pre-licensing course hours)
- Prerequisite: State-required pre-licensing education
Real Estate 6-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Property ownership: types, rights, legal descriptions, encumbrances | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on property law |
| Week 2 | Contracts and agency: listing agreements, purchase contracts, fiduciary duties | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; master agency relationships |
| Week 3 | Financing: mortgage types, loan calculations, TILA, RESPA | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; calculate monthly payments confidently |
| Week 4 | Valuation and market analysis: appraisal methods, CMA, property tax calculations | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; first practice exam (target 70%+) |
| Week 5 | Federal laws + state-specific content: Fair Housing, ADA, environmental regulations | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; second practice exam (target 75%+) |
| Week 6 | Comprehensive review + practice exams + math problem drills | 2-3 hrs | Third practice exam (target 80%+); schedule real exam |
Real Estate Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the real estate exam until you score 80%+ on practice exams AND can solve all common math problems (commission splits, prorations, loan-to-value ratios) without hesitation. Math questions are free points if you prepare and devastating if you do not.
Total practice questions before exam day: 500+
Common pitfall: Many candidates underestimate the math portion. Spend at least 5 hours across your study period drilling nothing but real estate math calculations.
5. Life & Health Insurance Exam Study Schedule (3-4 Weeks)
The Life & Health Insurance licensing exam is one of the faster exams to prepare for, but do not mistake "shorter" for "easier." State-specific content and dense terminology catch many candidates off guard.
Exam snapshot:
- Format: 100-150 multiple-choice questions (varies by state)
- Passing score: Typically 70% (varies by state)
- Total study hours: 30-50 hours
- Prerequisite: State-required pre-licensing education (typically 20-40 hours)
Life & Health Insurance 4-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Life insurance fundamentals: term, whole, universal, variable; policy provisions, riders | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; distinguish all policy types |
| Week 2 | Health insurance: medical expense, disability, long-term care; group vs. individual plans | 2-3 hrs | Complete 75 practice questions; master benefit triggers and exclusions |
| Week 3 | Annuities + tax treatment + policy replacement rules + state-specific regulations | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; first full practice exam (target 72%+) |
| Week 4 | Comprehensive review + ethics/state law focus + practice exams | 2-3 hrs | Second practice exam (target 78%+); third practice exam (target 80%+); schedule real exam |
Life & Health Insurance Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the Life & Health exam until you score 80%+ on practice exams AND can clearly explain the differences between term, whole, universal, and variable life insurance without notes. These distinctions appear in dozens of questions.
Total practice questions before exam day: 400+
Study hack: Create a comparison chart of all insurance policy types with columns for premiums, cash value, death benefit, and flexibility. This single chart can help you answer 20-30% of exam questions.
6. PMP Exam Study Schedule (8-12 Weeks)
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI is one of the most respected credentials in business. The exam shifted to a new format emphasizing predictive, agile, and hybrid approaches, making study materials from before 2021 largely obsolete.
Exam snapshot:
- Format: 180 questions (mix of multiple-choice, multiple-response, matching, hot spot, fill-in-the-blank)
- Time limit: 230 minutes
- Total study hours: 80-120 hours (plus 35 hours of formal education)
- Prerequisite: 35 hours of PM education + 36-60 months of PM experience (depending on degree)
PMP 12-Week Study Schedule
| Week | Topics | Daily Hours | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | PMP exam overview + People domain foundations: team building, servant leadership, emotional intelligence | 2 hrs | Complete 25 practice questions; understand the 3 PMP domains |
| Week 2 | People domain deep dive (42% of exam): conflict resolution, motivation, stakeholder engagement, team performance | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; master situational leadership scenarios |
| Week 3 | Process domain foundations (50% of exam): predictive (waterfall) lifecycle, scope, schedule, cost management | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on predictive approaches |
| Week 4 | Process domain: quality, resource, communications, risk management + EVM calculations | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; first practice exam (target 60%+) |
| Week 5 | Process domain: procurement, stakeholder management, integration management, change control | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; master change control processes |
| Week 6 | Process domain - Agile: Scrum framework, Kanban, XP, Lean, sprint planning | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on agile concepts; second practice exam (target 65%+) |
| Week 7 | Process domain - Agile deep dive: retrospectives, velocity, burndown charts, user stories | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; agile-specific practice exam |
| Week 8 | Process domain - Hybrid: when to use predictive vs. agile vs. hybrid approaches | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions on hybrid scenarios |
| Week 9 | Business Environment domain (8% of exam): benefits realization, project compliance, external factors, organizational change | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; third full practice exam (target 72%+) |
| Week 10 | Cross-domain integration: complex scenario questions combining People + Process + Business Environment | 2 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; fourth practice exam (target 75%+) |
| Week 11 | Comprehensive review: weakest domain drills, tricky scenario questions, agile vs. predictive decision-making | 2-3 hrs | Complete 50 practice questions; fifth practice exam (target 78%+) |
| Week 12 | Final review + full practice exams + weakest area intensive drills | 2-3 hrs | Sixth practice exam (target 80%+); schedule real exam |
PMP Readiness Benchmark
Do NOT sit for the PMP until you score 80%+ on at least two full-length 180-question practice exams AND can confidently answer agile scenario questions. Roughly half the 2026 PMP exam focuses on agile and hybrid approaches. Many candidates overprepare on predictive/waterfall and underprepare on agile.
Total practice questions before exam day: 1,000+
Critical insight for 2026: PMI increased the emphasis on agile and hybrid project management. If your study materials focus heavily on ITTO (Inputs, Tools, Techniques, Outputs) memorization, they are outdated. Focus on understanding when and why to use different approaches, not rote memorization.
Universal Study Tips That Apply to Every Exam
The Pomodoro Method for Exam Prep
Study in focused 25-minute blocks with 5-minute breaks. After four blocks, take a 15-30 minute break. This technique prevents burnout and keeps your brain sharp across weeks of study.
The 3-Day Review Cycle
After learning a new topic:
- Day 1: Learn the material and do 20+ practice questions
- Day 2: Review wrong answers from Day 1; do 10 more questions
- Day 3: Do 10 mixed questions that include the new topic and older topics
This simple cycle locks information into long-term memory.
When to Move Your Exam Date
Move your exam date later if:
- You are more than 1 week behind your study schedule
- Your practice exam scores are below the readiness benchmark
- You have had a major life disruption (illness, work emergency)
Move your exam date earlier if:
- You hit the readiness benchmark 2+ weeks ahead of schedule
- Motivation is starting to fade and you are scoring consistently well
OpenExamPrep AI Study AssistantPractice questions with detailed explanations
Side-by-Side Comparison: All 6 Exams at a Glance
| Exam | Study Weeks | Daily Hours | Total Hours | Practice Questions | Readiness Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIE | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 40-80 hrs | 500+ | 80%+ |
| Series 7 | 8-10 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 80-120 hrs | 800+ | 85%+ |
| NCLEX-RN | 6-8 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 60-100 hrs | 2,000+ | 65%+ above passing level |
| Real Estate | 4-6 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 40-80 hrs | 500+ | 80%+ |
| Life & Health | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 30-50 hrs | 400+ | 80%+ |
| PMP | 8-12 weeks | 2-3 hrs | 80-120 hrs | 1,000+ | 80%+ |
How to Adjust These Schedules for Your Situation
Full-Time Workers
Add 2 weeks to every schedule. Study 1.5-2 hours on weekdays and 3-4 hours on weekends. Use commute time for flashcard review and lunch breaks for quick 10-question practice sessions on your phone.
Students
You may be able to shorten schedules by 1-2 weeks since you are accustomed to learning and may have more flexible hours. But do not skip the readiness benchmarks.
Career Changers
If the exam content is entirely new to you (not building on existing work experience), add 2-3 weeks to the recommended schedule. Spend extra time in Week 1 building foundational vocabulary before diving into practice questions.
Parents and Caregivers
Study in shorter blocks (20-30 minutes) more frequently throughout the day. Focus on mobile-friendly practice questions you can do during downtime. The total hours remain the same, but the distribution changes.
Your Next Step: Pick Your Exam and Start Today
The difference between candidates who pass and those who fail is rarely intelligence - it is whether they followed a plan. You now have the plan. The only thing left is to start.
Choose your exam and begin with free practice questions:
- SIE Practice Questions - 500+ free questions with AI explanations
- Series 7 Practice Questions - Comprehensive question bank with detailed rationales
- NCLEX-RN Practice Questions - Adaptive practice with clinical scenarios
- Real Estate Practice Questions - National exam prep with math drills
- Life & Health Insurance Practice Questions - Policy comparison questions and state law review
- PMP Exam Resources - Agile and predictive scenario questions
Explore full exam guides:
- SIE Exam Guide | Series 7 Exam Guide | NCLEX-RN Exam Guide | Real Estate Exam Guide | Life & Health Exam Guide | PMP Exam Guide
Remember: Every practice question page on OpenExamPrep includes a free AI Study Assistant that can explain any concept, generate custom quizzes, and build a personalized study plan. Use it whenever you get stuck - that is exactly what it is there for.
Key Takeaways
- Follow a structured schedule - Candidates with a plan pass at rates 30-40% higher than those without one.
- Respect the readiness benchmarks - Do not schedule your exam based on the calendar. Schedule it based on your practice scores.
- Active recall beats passive reading - Practice questions and review are the foundation of every schedule above.
- Adjust for your life - Add weeks if you work full-time or the content is brand new. Never rush.
- Use free AI tools - OpenExamPrep's AI assistant is free for 10 questions per day. Use it to get unstuck and stay on schedule.
- Start today - The best study schedule is the one you actually begin. Pick your exam, open the first set of practice questions, and take the first step.
Good luck with your 2026 certification exam - you have the plan, now go execute it!