200+ Free Series 27 Practice Questions
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Key Facts: Series 27 Exam
60-65%
First-Time Pass Rate
Industry estimate
69%
Passing Score
~100/145 questions
80-120 hrs
Study Time
Recommended
25%
Net Capital
Largest section
$235
Exam Fee
FINRA
3h 45m
Exam Duration
FINRA
The Series 27 exam has an estimated pass rate of 60-65% for first-time candidates. It requires 69% (approximately 100/145 questions) to pass in 3 hours 45 minutes. The exam covers five major functions: Financial Reporting (20%), Operations/GL (20%), Net Capital (25%), Customer Protection (20%), and Funding/Cash Management (15%). No prerequisites are required. Plan for 80-120 hours of study.
About the Series 27 Exam
The Series 27 qualifies principals to supervise the financial and operations functions of a broker-dealer. It covers financial reporting, general ledger operations, net capital requirements, customer protection, and funding/cash management. This exam is essential for Financial and Operations Principals (FINOPs) responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance with SEC and FINRA financial rules.
Questions
145 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours 45 minutes
Passing Score
69%
Exam Fee
$235 (FINRA)
Series 27 Exam Content Outline
Financial Reporting
GAAP accounting, FOCUS reports, audited financial statements, and SEC financial reporting requirements
Operations, General Ledger, and Regulatory Requirements
SEC Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4, general ledger operations, recordkeeping, and back-office functions
Net Capital Requirements
SEC Rule 15c3-1, net capital computation, haircuts, subordinated debt, and early warning notifications
Customer Protection
SEC Rule 15c3-3, reserve formula computation, possession and control, and custody requirements
Funding, Cash Management, and Margin
Securities lending, repos, cash/stock movements, margin requirements, and settlement
How to Pass the Series 27 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 69%
- Exam length: 145 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Exam fee: $235
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Series 27 Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Series 27 exam?
The Series 27 is FINRA's Financial and Operations Principal Qualification Examination. It qualifies individuals to act as Financial and Operations Principals (FINOPs) at broker-dealers, supervising financial reporting, net capital compliance, customer protection, and operations. The exam is essential for those responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance with SEC and FINRA financial rules.
What is the Series 27 pass rate?
The Series 27 exam has an estimated pass rate of 60-65% for first-time test-takers. The exam has 145 questions (135 scored + 10 unscored pretest) with a 69% passing score (approximately 100 correct answers), taken over 3 hours 45 minutes. The technical nature of the content, particularly net capital calculations and reserve formula computations, contributes to the pass rate.
What are the prerequisites for the Series 27?
There are no formal prerequisites for taking the Series 27 exam. Unlike some other FINRA exams, you do not need to pass the SIE first. However, the exam is typically taken by individuals with accounting, finance, or operations experience. To become registered, you must be associated with a FINRA member firm.
How long should I study for Series 27?
Plan for 80-120 hours of study over 8-12 weeks. Focus on understanding SEC Rule 15c3-1 (Net Capital) and SEC Rule 15c3-3 (Customer Protection), as these represent nearly half the exam. Practice net capital computations, haircut calculations, and reserve formula computations extensively. Complete at least 200 practice questions and score 80%+ consistently before scheduling your exam.
What is the difference between Series 27 and Series 28?
The Series 27 is for broker-dealers that carry customer accounts or hold customer funds/securities (introducing or clearing firms). The Series 28 is a shorter version for introducing firms that do not hold customer funds or securities. The Series 27 has 145 questions over 3h 45m, while the Series 28 has 55 questions over 1h 30m. Both cover similar topics but the Series 27 goes into more depth.
What are the main topics on the Series 27?
The main topics are: Financial Reporting (20%), Operations and General Ledger (20%), Net Capital Requirements (25%), Customer Protection (20%), and Funding/Cash Management (15%). The exam tests your knowledge of GAAP accounting, SEC rules 17a-3, 17a-4, 15c3-1, and 15c3-3, as well as securities lending, repos, and margin requirements.