Series 7 vs Series 6
Which should you take first?
Neither exam is a prerequisite for the other. Both require the SIE as a corequisite and association with a FINRA member firm, so the exam you sit is the one that matches the registration your sponsoring firm requests. The Series 7 covers a broad range of products; the Series 6 covers a limited set.
Series 7
General Securities Representative Qualification Examination (Series 7)
Series 6
Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination (Series 6)
Side by side
| Fact | Series 7 | Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 125 scored questions (135 delivered, including 10 unscored pretest items) | 50 scored questions + 5 unscored pretest questions = 55 total |
| Duration | 3 hours 45 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Passing score | 72% | 70, as stated on FINRA's Series 6 program page |
| Prerequisites and sponsorship | Must pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam as a co-requisite, and be sponsored by a FINRA member firm (or other applicable SRO member firm) to sit for the Series 7. | The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam is a corequisite. A candidate must be associated with a FINRA member firm to sit for the Series 6. |
| Who it's for | Entry-level candidates seeking registration as general securities representatives who will sell corporate securities, municipal securities, investment company products, variable annuities, options, direct participation programs, and government securities to customers. | Representatives who sell mutual funds, variable annuities, variable life insurance and other investment company and variable contracts products, typically at a broker-dealer or insurance-affiliated firm. |
Last verified 2026-10-28
How they differ
Both are FINRA representative exams that require the SIE as a corequisite and firm association. The Series 7 covers a broad range of securities products; the Series 6 is limited to investment company and variable contracts products.
- Products: the Series 7 covers corporate and municipal securities, investment company products, variable annuities, options, direct participation programs and government securities; the Series 6 covers investment company and variable contracts products.
- Length: the Series 7 has 125 scored questions in 3 hours 45 minutes; the Series 6 has 50 scored questions in 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Passing score: 72% for the Series 7; 70 for the Series 6.
What each exam covers
Series 7
- Function 1: Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers7%
- Function 2: Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers' Financial Profile and Investment Objectives9%
- Function 3: Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records73%
- Function 4: Obtains and Verifies Customers' Purchase and Sales Instructions and Agreements; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions11%
Series 6
- Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers24%
- Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers' Financial Profile and Investment Objectives16%
- Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records50%
- Obtains and Verifies Customers' Purchase and Sales Instructions; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions10%
Series 7 exam detailsSeries 6 exam details
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