The Series 7 exam (General Securities Representative Exam) is a standardized test administered by FINRA in USA. It is a crucial certification for individuals who wish to work as general securities representatives or stockbrokers in the financial industry.
The Series 7 exam covers a wide range of topics related to the securities industry, including equities, debt securities, options, investment companies, retirement plans, as well as regulatory and ethical considerations in the field.
To pass the Series 7 exam, candidates must achieve a score of 72 or higher. The exam is scaled, meaning that the raw score (number of correct answers) is converted into a scaled score based on the difficulty of the questions.
The Series 7 exam is administered in one session and lasts for a 3 hours and 45 minutes. During this time, candidates must answer 125 multiple-choice questions covering various aspects of the securities industry.
Individuals eligible for the Series 7 exam must be sponsored by a registered and FINRA-member firm, must pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam, and must meet other eligibility criteria established by FINRA.
The cost to take the Series 7 exam is typically around $300, but this may vary depending on the specific FINRA member firm and location where the exam is administered.
The Series 7 Exam is typically offered year-round, with candidates able to schedule their exams at approved testing centers based on availability. This is typically done through FINRA's testing vendor, Prometric.