PracticeVideosBlogFlashcards
Exam prep articles

FINRA Series Exam Blog

FINRA Series exam prep with licensing guides, practice questions, flashcards, and coverage for SIE, Series 6, 7, 63, 65, 66, 79, 82, and principal exams.. Read targeted articles, then continue into the matching free practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, glossary terms, and comparison resources.

64

Blog articles

23

Related exam IDs

2

Authors

Latest FINRA Series exam prep articles

Articles are ordered by publish date and mapped back to exam IDs when they are exam-specific.

Browse all blog articles
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Series 6 vs Series 7: Which FINRA License Is Right for You in 2026?

Series 6 vs Series 7 comparison for 2026. Series 6 is a limited license for mutual funds and variable products ($100, 50 questions, 90 min). Series 7 is the full general securities license ($395, 125 questions, 3 hr 45 min). See which one fits your career.

Apr 10, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Series 65 vs Series 66: Which Investment Adviser Exam in 2026?

Series 65 vs Series 66: compare exam format, prerequisites, passing standards, cost, and career paths. Choose the right NASAA investment adviser exam for your career goals.

Apr 10, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA10 min read

Series 7 Exam Cost in 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown ($395 Exam Fee)

Complete breakdown of Series 7 exam costs in 2026 — FINRA increased the fee to $395 and the SIE fee to $100, plus state registration, study materials, and hidden costs. Mandatory fees range from $642 to $672.

Apr 7, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA14 min read

Series 63 vs Series 66: Which Exam Do You Need? (2026)

Series 63 vs Series 66 comparison: the Series 63 covers state securities sales ($147, 60 scored questions), while the Series 66 combines agent and adviser subject matter ($177, 100 scored questions). Full 2026 breakdown.

Apr 6, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA13 min read

Series 63 Agent Exemptions vs. Exclusions: Complete Guide (2026)

Series 63 agent exemptions and exclusions explained clearly. Who must register as an agent, who is excluded from the definition entirely, and who is exempt from registration under the Uniform Securities Act.

Mar 7, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA17 min read

Series 10 in 2026: Supervisor Escalation System for Complex Branch Scenarios

A practical Series 10 framework for branch supervisors: escalation triggers, documentation workflows, and time-boxed review methods that improve passing odds.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Series 22 in 2026: DPP Suitability and Tax Traps Most Candidates Miss

A targeted Series 22 strategy focused on DPP suitability logic, tax framing, and compliance traps. Build exam-ready judgment instead of memorizing isolated terms.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Series 26 in 2026: Principal Supervision Calendar for Better Retention and Scores

Build a principal-style supervision calendar for Series 26 prep: personnel controls, sales oversight, and recordkeeping checkpoints for focused exam review.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA18 min read

Series 27 in 2026: FINOP Net Capital Workflow for Faster, Cleaner Exam Math

Series 27 prep built around a FINOP daily-control workflow: net capital, customer protection, FOCUS timing, and error-proof computation checks for exam speed.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Series 28 in 2026: Introducing Broker-Dealer Control Matrix to Beat Low Pass Rates

A control-matrix approach for Series 28 candidates covering operations, net capital, and customer protection with practical checkpoints for cleaner exam execution.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA14 min read

Series 57 in 2026: Order-Routing Rule Map for Traders Who Need a Fast Pass

A trader-first Series 57 guide focused on order routing, market structure, reporting, and exam pacing. Convert rule confusion into repeatable desk-level decisions.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Series 79 in 2026: The Deal Execution Grid That Fixes Low Mock Scores Fast

Use a deal-team style execution grid to pass Series 79 faster. Learn how to allocate prep time by function weight and convert weak valuation scores into passing performance.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Series 79 Investment Banking Exam: M&A and FINRA Registration Guide (2026)

Series 79 exam guide for investment banking representatives. Covers M&A advisory, public offerings, private placements, and FINRA registration. Pass rate data and study strategies included.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Series 82 in 2026: Regulation D Deal-Flow Playbook for Private Placement Reps

Series 82 prep focused on Regulation D decision points, offering docs, investor qualification, and FINRA filing logic to improve real-world and exam performance.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA17 min read

Series 86 in 2026: Valuation Speed System for Research Analysts Under Time Pressure

A performance-focused Series 86 plan for analysts who need faster modeling and valuation decisions. Learn how to train speed without losing analytical quality.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA14 min read

Series 87 in 2026: Research Disclosure and Approval Checklist That Saves Points

Series 87 candidates lose points on disclosure details and dissemination rules. This guide gives you a practical checklist system to improve regulatory accuracy fast.

Mar 5, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Series 66 Hardest Topics 2026: Ranked + 8-Stage Plan

The hardest Series 66 topics ranked, why candidates struggle, the 73-of-100 passing standard and a free 8-stage study plan targeting weak areas for 2026.

Feb 24, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA20 min read

Series 65 Salary 2026: BLS Pay and Adviser Career Paths

What the Series 65 can lead to in 2026: BLS May 2025 pay for personal financial advisors, state wages, exam facts and the designation waivers.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA11 min read

Series 65 Pass Rate 2026: What NASAA Publishes and How to Pass

NASAA lists no Series 65 pass rate. See what it does publish (92 of 130 scored questions to pass), how the exam compares and FREE strategies to pass in 2026.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Series 9 Exam 2026: FREE Study Strategy & Career Guide for Securities Supervisors

Complete 2026 Series 9 (General Securities Sales Supervisor) exam guide. Covers the hardest topics, a 5-week study plan, Series 9 vs Series 24, career advancement, and what to expect after passing. Free study resources included.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA14 min read

FINRA Continuing Education Requirements (2026)

FINRA CE requirements for 2026: annual Regulatory Element, Firm Element, MQP program, and consequences of CE inactive status. Updated topic list and deadlines included.

Feb 12, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA13 min read

Series 65 Hardest Topics Ranked 2026: Study Order

Series 65 hardest topics ranked for 2026: the Uniform Securities Act and Client Recommendations (30% each), the 92-of-130 passing standard, and the best study order.

Feb 11, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA12 min read

SIE Exam Without Sponsorship 2026: $100 Fee, No Firm Needed

Take the SIE without firm sponsorship: eligibility, the $100 FINRA fee, TESS enrollment, the 120-day exam window and current testing requirements.

Feb 11, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

Top 10 Reasons People Fail the Series 7 Exam (And How to Avoid Them) in 2026

Learn the top 10 reasons people fail the Series 7 -- from underestimating options to poor time management -- and get actionable strategies to avoid each mistake in 2026.

Feb 9, 2026Read

Related free exam resources

Use the blog for context, then move into matching practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, glossary terms, and comparisons.

FINRA Series blog FAQ

What should I read first for FINRA Series?

Start with the article that matches your exact exam or decision point. This hub includes 64 articles mapped to 23 related exam IDs, including Series 6, Series 7, Series 65, Series 66, SIE, Series 63.

Do FINRA Series blog articles replace practice questions?

No. Blog articles help you understand requirements, strategy, and common mistakes. Use the matching practice questions and study guides after reading to improve exam readiness.

Why are multiple FINRA Series exams grouped together?

OpenExamPrep groups related exams by taxonomy family so candidates can compare close variants, state versions, and related credentials without mixing unrelated topics.

How are FINRA Series blog articles selected for this page?

Articles appear here when their related exam IDs belong to this taxonomy family. That keeps the page focused on the underlying exam relationship rather than a loose editorial category.

Need active practice?

Move from reading into timed questions and exact exam resources.

Practice Questions