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New Series 7 Exam and SIE Exam

New Series 7 Exam and SIE Exam details.

FINRA has announced major changes to the Series 7 Exam effective October 1, 2018. With the introduction of the Securities Industries Essentials Exam (SIE Exam) the new series 7 has been pared down to 125 questions from its original 250 questions.

https://www.finra.org/industry/series7

However there is now a prerequisite before taking the new Series 7 Exam all candidates now must have passed the SIE exam (securities industry essentials exam). In addition thing a series 7 candidate must also have an industry sponsor in order to take the examination.
https://www.finra.org/industry/essentials-exam

“Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam
Available Beginning October 1, 2018
The Securities Industry Essentials (SIE or Essentials) Exam, available beginning October 1, 2018, is a new FINRA exam for prospective securities industry professionals. This introductory-level exam assesses a candidate’s knowledge of basic securities industry information including concepts fundamental to working in the industry, such as types of products and their risks; the structure of the securities industry markets, regulatory agencies and their functions; and prohibited practices.
Key Features of the Essentials Exam
________________________________________
• The Essentials exam is open to anyone aged 18 or older, including students and prospective candidates interested in demonstrating basic industry knowledge to potential employers.
• Association with a firm is not required, and individuals are permitted to take the exam before or after associating with a firm.
• Essentials exam results are valid for four years.
The Essentials Exam at a Glance
________________________________________
Number of Items 75
Format Multiple Choice
Duration 105 minutes
Passing Score 70%
Cost $60”

Outline of SIE Exam:
https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/SIE%20Outline-01.12.18.pdf

New Series 7 Exam
“On or After October 1, 2018
The New Series 7 Content Outline provides a comprehensive guide to the range of topics covered on the exam, as well as the depth of knowledge required. The outline is comprised of the four main job functions of a general securities representative. The table below lists the allocation of exam questions for each main job function.
Major Job Functions Percentage of Test Questions Number of Test Questions
(F1) Seeks Business for the Broker-Dealer from Customers and Potential Customers 7% 9
(F2) Opens Accounts after Obtaining and Evaluating Customers’ Financial Profile and Investment Objectives 9% 11
(F3) Provides Customers with Information about Investments, Makes Suitable Recommendations, Transfers Assets and Maintains Appropriate Records 73% 91
(F4) Obtains and Verifies Customers’ Purchase and Sales Instructions and Agreements; Processes, Completes, and Confirms Transactions 11% 14
TOTAL 100% 125”

The five job functions of the new Series 7 General Securities Representative Exam will be:

“Seeks business for the broker-dealer through customers and potential customers”

“Evaluates customers’ financial status, financial needs and risk tolerance, and helps them identify their investment objectives”

“Opens accounts, transfers assets and maintains appropriate account records”

“Provides customers with information on investments and makes suitable recommendations”

“Obtains and verifies customer’s purchase and sales instructions, enters orders and follows up”

These five functions of the new series 7 exam are the same or substantially similar to ones on the current Series 7 exam. A notable change from the existing Series 7 exam is the addition of evaluating customer “risk tolerance.”

https://www.finra.org/industry/series7

https://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/Series_7_Content_Outline.pdf