How tough is the Series 65?

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gmancfa

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I just signed up for the Series 65.
I currently have the 6, 66, am a CFP certificant, CFA Charterholder, and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. I’ve been a portfolio manager since ‘96.
Given my background, how much time should I expect to commit to studying?
 
If you passed the Series 66, you already passed the Series 65 - the former encompasses the latter (and the Series 63).
 
Yep, you should already be good to go. But, if it’s expired and you just need the 65 (going the RIA route?), it should take you about 8 hours.
 
builders Wrote:
——————————————————-
> ive been told its like level II on steroids
No way.
IMO, very few (or none) test can be as difficult as the Level II. That’s why its passing rate is often the lowest vs. L1 and L3.
Although, mastering a golf swing like that of Ernie Els is a admittedly lot harder!…
 
AlphaSeeker Wrote:
——————————————————-
> builders Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > ive been told its like level II on steroids
>
> No way.
>
> IMO, very few (or none) test can be as difficult
> as the Level II. That’s why its passing rate is
> often the lowest vs. L1 and L3.
>
> Although, mastering a golf swing like that of
> Ernie Els is a admittedly lot harder!…
Actuarial exams are more difficult than L2.
 
Danny Boy Wrote:
——————————————————-
> AlphaSeeker Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > builders Wrote:
> >
> ————————————————–
>
> > —–
> > > ive been told its like level II on steroids
> >
> > No way.
> >
> > IMO, very few (or none) test can be as
> difficult
> > as the Level II. That’s why its passing rate is
> > often the lowest vs. L1 and L3.
> >
> > Although, mastering a golf swing like that of
> > Ernie Els is a admittedly lot harder!…
>
> Actuarial exams are more difficult than L2.
that’s a fair counter. I almost forgot about the insurance guys…
 
I took it recently, I probably really overstudied out of fear. Basically get the book and the Qbank, and do it until you can clear sections with 80%+.
 
Getting in the RIA business?
It’s child’s play… seriously.
But you should buy me lunch sometime…. your exempt
http://www.nasaa.org/industry___regulatory_resources/exams/926.cfm
When can I register as an Investment Adviser representative if I haven’t taken the Series 65, or Series 66 in combination with the Series 7?
Passing the Series 65 normally is a pre-requisite to getting licensed as an Investment Adviser representative. However, most states will allow an individual to substitute one of the following certifications for passing the exam:
CFP - Certified Financial Planner (granted by the CFP Board of Standards);
CIC - Chartered Investment Counselor (granted by the Investment Adviser Association);
ChFC - Chartered Financial Consultant (granted by the American College);
PFS - Personal Financial Specialist (granted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants); and
CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst (granted by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute).
The individual applicant still has to go through other state licensing requirements such as a background check and payment of fees. Check with the applicable state securities administrator for details on that state’s policies. Contact information for all state regulatorsis available on this site.
 
Systematic Wrote:
——————————————————-
> CFP - Certified Financial Planner (granted by the
> CFP Board of Standards);
>
> CIC - Chartered Investment Counselor (granted by
> the Investment Adviser Association);
>
> ChFC - Chartered Financial Consultant (granted by
> the American College);
>
> PFS - Personal Financial Specialist (granted by
> the American Institute of Certified Public
> Accountants); and
>
> CFA - Chartered Financial Analyst (granted by the
> Chartered Financial Analyst Institute).
>
its disgusting how many other “credentials” are out there
 
Sweep the Leg Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Yep, you should already be good to go. But, if
> it’s expired and you just need the 65 (going the
> RIA route?), it should take you about 8 hours.
Is this 8 hours for just about anyone taking the exam or 8 hours for someone with my background?
 
Don’t ask other people how long it will take YOU to study for an exam. You will need to decide for yourself. Read the book, take a practice test and see where you’re at. You’re going to get misleading projections on this forum because other people like to say that they only studied 10 hours for the series 7 and 5 hours for the series 63 and passed without issues.
 
jdough Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Don’t ask other people how long it will take YOU
> to study for an exam. You will need to decide for
> yourself. Read the book, take a practice test and
> see where you’re at. You’re going to get
> misleading projections on this forum because other
> people like to say that they only studied 10 hours
> for the series 7 and 5 hours for the series 63 and
> passed without issues.
Dude, chill out! I’m trying to get a baseline and the thoughts of others who might have my background.
If someone told me they studied 10-20 hours, and I did the same and failed, would I blame them for it? Nope.
Give me a freaking brake!
Everyone else who responded was significantly more helpful than you. If you can’t say something constructive, move on to another post. This forum is place to share ideas, not just come and flame the OP.
 
Finra exams are a joke…65 is like a series 7 with a couple of legal topics… cpl decent study days and you should crush it. Best of luck!
 
Btw… I thought you needed the 7 to take the 66… if you take the 7 and have the 66 you are an IAR.. Taking the 7 might be easier as it incorporates more CFA material.
 
The Series 66 exam is a combination of the Series 63 exam and the series 65 exam, and you do need to pass the Series 7 exam in conjunction with it (scroll down at link below):
http://www.finra.org/industry/compliance/registration/qualificationsexam...
Perversely, you do not need to pass the Series 7 exam in conjunction with either the Series 63 exam:
http://www.nasaa.org/industry___regulatory_resources/exams/1027.cfm
or the Series 65 exam:
http://www.nasaa.org/industry___regulatory_resources/exams/1057.cfm
in each case, any individual can take the exam by filing a Form U-10 and paying a fee.
See also:
http://www.nasaa.org/industry___regulatory_resources/Exams/
The Series 65 qualifies you as an investment advisor representative; the Series 63 “is the state law test for broker-dealer representatives.”
The Series 63 doesn’t really do you any good without the Series 7 though as far as I’m aware (unlike the Series 65).
So let it be written, so let it be done.
 
gmancfa Wrote:
——————————————————-
> Sweep the Leg Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > Yep, you should already be good to go. But, if
> > it’s expired and you just need the 65 (going
> the
> > RIA route?), it should take you about 8 hours.
>
>
> Is this 8 hours for just about anyone taking the
> exam or 8 hours for someone with my background?
Just give yourself a weekend to study and you’ll be fine. Study for a few hours, take a couple of practice exams and you’re set. It really is easy.
 
I took the series 65 after only being in the industry for 6 months and I think I got around an 85. I probably studied for about 10-15 hours total - mostly during the weekend before I took it. The hardest part is remembering the different laws.
 
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