Question 1

What's the Series 6 passing score?

Accepted Answer

The Series 6 passing score is 70%. The exam has 50 questions (45 scored) and you have 1 hour 30 minutes. The exam fee is $47.

Question 2

What can I sell with a Series 6 license?

Accepted Answer

With a Series 6, you can sell mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance, and 529 education plans. It's sometimes called the 'limited' license compared to the Series 7.

Question 3

Do I need the SIE before Series 6?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must pass the SIE exam before taking the Series 6. You also need sponsorship from a FINRA member firm to register for the Series 6.

Question 4

How long should I study for the Series 6?

Accepted Answer

Most candidates study 40-60 hours over 3-4 weeks. The Series 6 is considered moderate difficulty since it focuses on packaged products like mutual funds and variable annuities. Candidates with SIE knowledge typically need less time since concepts overlap significantly.

Question 5

What careers can I pursue with a Series 6 license?

Accepted Answer

Series 6 holders typically work as mutual fund representatives, insurance agents selling variable products, bank investment specialists, or 529 plan advisors. Average salaries range from $45,000-$75,000 depending on experience and commissions. Many use it as a stepping stone to the Series 7.

Question 6

What are common mistakes to avoid on the Series 6?

Accepted Answer

Common mistakes include confusing mutual fund share classes (A, B, C shares), misunderstanding breakpoints and rights of accumulation, mixing up variable annuity phases (accumulation vs annuitization), and overlooking suitability requirements. Focus heavily on investment company products and variable contracts.

Question 7

Series 6 vs Series 7 - which should I get?

Accepted Answer

Choose Series 6 if you'll primarily sell mutual funds and variable products at banks or insurance companies. Choose Series 7 if you want to sell individual stocks, bonds, options, and have a broader securities career. Series 7 requires more study but opens more doors and typically commands higher compensation.

Question 8

What's included for free?

Accepted Answer

All study guides, practice questions, and explanations are completely free. We also include 10 AI-powered questions daily. For unlimited AI assistance, you can upgrade to Pro.

Question 9

Why is the content free?

Accepted Answer

OpenExamPrep was founded by Ran Chen, a CFP® who passed multiple financial exams and believes quality exam prep shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars. With AI, we can create quality content at scale and make it accessible to everyone.

Question 10

Is the content up to date?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our content is aligned with the latest exam outlines and updated regularly. Last update: January 2026.

Series 6

Free Series 6 Exam Prep

Series 6 Exam Details

Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative

Exam Content Breakdown

What's Included

7 Chapters

Practice Quizzes

Free to Start

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

What's Next After the Series 6?

Series 63

Series 7

Series 6 Exam FAQ

Course Content

Introduction

Chapter 1: Regulatory Fundamentals

Chapter 2: Investment Company Products

Chapter 3: Variable Contracts

Chapter 4: Customer Accounts

Chapter 5: Suitability & Recommendations

Chapter 6: Processing Transactions

Compare the Series 6

Official FINRA Resources

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