Free Series 6 Practice Exam
Updated Oct 23, 2026
The Series 6 (Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination) qualifies individuals to sell mutual funds and variable annuities and life contracts. It is administered by FINRA, and the SIE is a corequisite.
Practice the Series 6
Work through exam-style questions for the Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representative Qualification Examination (Series 6), one at a time, with an explanation after each answer. No account required — sign in only if you want your progress synced across devices.
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Explore careers at ParsonexAbout the Series 6 exam
- Level
- Limited-scope registered representative (investment company and variable contracts products)
- Format
- 50 scored multiple-choice questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (55 total), 1 hour 30 minutes, computer-based
- Passing score
- 70, as stated on FINRA's Series 6 program page
- Number of questions
- 50 scored questions + 5 unscored pretest questions = 55 total
- Prerequisites
- 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
- 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.
What’s on the Series 6
- Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers24%
Communications and Promotional Material
Retail, institutional and correspondence communications; content standards, approvals and filing; seminars; investment company and variable contract advertising and performance disclosure.
Describing Products to Prospects
Prospectus requirements and delivery, the new-issue process, and Regulation D and intrastate offering exemptions.
- Opens Accounts After Obtaining and Evaluating Customers' Financial Profile and Investment Objectives16%
Account Types and Restrictions
Individual, joint, custodial, trust, corporate, retirement and advisory accounts, registration types and ERISA plans.
Customer Information and Documents
Customer identification and due diligence, privacy, powers of attorney, and trust and corporate authorizations.
Investment Profile
Gathering financial situation, objectives, risk tolerance and tax status, and the Regulation Best Interest and suitability obligations.
Supervisory Approval
Account approval, review, and refusing or closing accounts.
- Provides Customers with Information About Investments, Makes Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records50%
Strategies, Risks and Market Information
Product selection factors, portfolio theory basics, economic indicators and financial statement analysis.
Recommendations and Product Standards
Open-end and closed-end funds, ETFs, UITs, variable annuities and variable life, 529 plans, taxation, and recommendation suitability.
Required Disclosures
Risks, services and expenses: sales charges, 12b-1 fees, surrender charges, mortality and expense charges, and conflicts of interest.
Account Information and Records
Confirmations, statements, transfers of assets, account changes and books-and-records retention.
- Obtains and Verifies Customers' Purchase and Sales Instructions; Processes, Completes and Confirms Transactions10%
Quotes, Orders and Execution
Providing current quotes, order handling and best execution.
Settlement and Confirmation
Delivery and settlement, order tickets, confirmations, errors, and complaint and dispute handling.
Practice Series 6 by topic
- Seeking Business and Communications
- Accounts and Customer Profile
- Investment Information and Recommendations
- Transactions and Settlement
Series 6 exam FAQ
- How many questions are on the Series 6 exam?
- 50 scored questions + 5 unscored pretest questions = 55 total
- What is a passing score on the Series 6?
- 70, as stated on FINRA's Series 6 program page
- What is the format of the Series 6 exam?
- 50 scored multiple-choice questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (55 total), 1 hour 30 minutes, computer-based
- Are there prerequisites for the Series 6?
- 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 should take the Series 6?
- 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.