How to Study for the Series 7

The Series 7 exam is a tough test by any measure. It requires hours and hours of study time and a mental endurance many of us have never had to test before this. With hard work, dedication and the right approach, you can pass this exam without being so stressed out every day. In this article, I share a method I used to pass the exam. I also taught this approach for almost 10 years at a financial services firm.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Series 7 Study Guide
• Ten 125-Question Practice Exams

1. Read your study guide. If you just joined a financial services firm, you likely have a study guide. Read each chapter in order. Do not worry about or get too hung up on topics you do not understand on first read. Read thoroughly, but keep going.

2. At the end of each chapter, take a chapter quiz and study the questions you missed. This will reinforce what you have learned and call to your attention the topics you did not grasp. Do not worry about your score. This is the first time you are taking a quiz on the subject. The point is to go through the process of reinforcing the reading.

3. If your firm offers training and study classes, make sure to do the readings and quizzes before attending the session. You will learn more from the lecture if you have read and taken the quizzes.

4. After you have read your study guide, take a practice test. Your study materials probably came with a set of 125 question practice exams. Take an exam without looking at your notes and without taking a break during the practice test. Not only do you want to practice taking test questions to learn the material, but you want to simulate the exam as many times possible before the exam.

5. After you finish the exam, grade it and take a break. Don’t worry about your score. It is your first test. Your first score will be much lower than you hoped it would be after all the studying you put in so far. Remember, this is only your first practice test, and the real studying is just beginning with the first practice test.

6. Study the questions you missed. Print out your practice test and study the questions you missed. Take notes on your print-out. Underline topics you missed. If you missed a question and you know why you missed it, good work. You just have to memorize that concept. If you missed a topic and you don’t know why you missed it, go back to that section of your study guide and study that topic.

7. Take another practice exam.

8. Study the questions you missed.

9. Take another practice exam.

10. Study the ones you missed. Are you getting the point? I recommend taking at least 10 practice exams one at a time, studying the questions you missed after each exam and taking the same 10 practice exams a second time. Don’t forget the study the questions you missed and why you missed them. This is how you learn from your mistakes. There is no substitute for repetition. By taking this many exams, you will not only learn the material, but you will build up mental endurance. You will be able to easily handle the stress of exam day.

Resources

• Series 7 Study Guides